Linux vs. Windows

smiley · #1 11-03-2002, 02:31 PM

Well.. just decided to ask everyone about their opinion about Linux. Have you tried it, did you like it, etc.

I, personally, recently switched to Linux Mandrake 9.0 completely after checking it out and being amazed at the hardware support it gave me, it's clean look and feel and that I didn't have to be concerned about viruses or Windows sending information to Microsoft. No more Product Activation and all that Microsoft bulls**t for me.

Anybody else feel the same way?

Also, if you are interested take a look at this:

Can You Trust Your Computer?

Protocol Droid · #2 11-04-2002, 05:56 PM

I'm of the mind that every computer user should draw their own line as to how much control of their computers they will let the corporations take. After a while it stops feeling like your computer, but more like a tool for them to monitor you. I enjoyed windows 2000, but XP just barely crossed my line, and it didn't offer alot over windows2000. After reading several articles similar to the one you posted including Ross Andersons, I decided to make the switch. I agree 100% that Mandrake 9.0 is an alternative that is very easy to learn, and really gets the job done.

MaxPower · #3 11-08-2002, 12:12 PM

More and more people will follow as Linux distribs become easier to use. Redhat 8.0 is very nice but not too easy to install my speedtouch modem. Mandrake 8.2 made it easier but didn't have the same solid feel.

I will be downloading 9 and giving it a try... DEATH TO MS WIN!!!

DCS · #4 11-11-2002, 12:25 PM

Mandrake 9.0 or any other Unix/Linux based systems are cool as long as you are aware that installing / setting up software is not quite as easy as it's MS counterparts.

Linux will rule the Server world shortly although the desktop enviroment will take sometime.

DCS

Protocol Droid · #5 11-11-2002, 08:55 PM

I don't know, Mandrake 9.0 might just be easier to install than windows. I mean, you pop the disks in, and follow the directions, just like in windows. If you just use all the default options (which I wouldn't), it requires nothing more than pushing enter a few times. It only gets harder when people choose packages and languages and stuff, and thats like choosing items from a list, not complicated at all. It will also take less time than windows XP. About the only other thing you have to do in Mandrake installation that someone who uses windows is not used to would be setting up a root account. That is simple and might only take 5-10 seconds. As far as setting up software goes, thats not hard at all. Well, in the case that RPMs exist. All you do is download the RPM, click on it, enter the root password, done! Now granted, some software is not available as an RPM, and its much more complicated if it isn't (but not too complicated once you get the hang of it). Thats Mandrake. One complaint I have of mandrake 9.0 is that its multilingual support does not cover all the packages. There are still a few places where asian characters will not show up correctly. This is not a problem in the more advanced, but also more difficult Redhat.

LINUX IS A POWERFUL FORCE THAT CANNOT BE STOPPED IN ITS CONQUEST OF THE DESKTOP MUA HA HA...

ummm, sorry about that

beeboy · #6 11-12-2002, 12:44 PM

Yes linux is very secure and stable. Installing is relatively easy - anyone is capable of installing the popular distros. The learning curve is much steeper however. Anyone wishing to install programs or make any major changes will have to learn to work with the files systems - editing files is much more complicated in linux. Even to get 3d acceleration in linux is a major hurdle and thank god nvidea makes linux 'drivers'. Hardware support is good. Scanners are well supported now but not digital cameras or web cams. I have fought with printing in windows but find it flawless in linux. Surfing is fast with a variety of browsers ( opera is good ). No need for virus scanners in linux. You can access windows messenger and icq and aol easily with linux programs ( I like Gaim ). Most distros come with a variety of free programs and games. Word processing and office suites are good. CD burning is easy and there are winamp type players as well. Linux is just plain fun. Just remember some things are time consuming to learn and some of the simple things in windows are complicated in linux. Best of all it is free and no activation bs. Give linux another couple years and WOW. Mandrake and Peanut are my faves.

Protocol Droid · #7 11-12-2002, 09:18 PM

Ease of installation sure is not an arguement in favor of windows anymore. Wether Linux can take over the desktop market or not will is questionable. Linux itself will certainly be good enough. But will the support be there? If hardware manufacturers only make drivers for windows it could be a hurdle. Also how well will wine do. If wine can continue to improve, people who use the computer mainly for games and music and stuff will switch. But windows has great marketing, and Linux does not. When people buy computers, they usually don't think much about what OS they want. They use whats on the computer when they buy it. That or they choose whatever OS has the best commercials, and other advertizements. And that is windows, and may always be windows. MS will not let the OEMs put anything else on the computers they sell. If they do, MS will penalize them heavily. The settlement between M$ and the DOJ allows them to continue to do this. And because of that, windows will likely remain #1, at least in America.

KungFuHamster · #8 11-17-2002, 01:46 PM

I've been using Linux for over a year now, and have been MS free for seven months, until recently. (Can't instal War3 in Linux).

Linux is, by far, the superior OS. It offers more stability, more functionality, and more choice. Plus, it's free! How can you beat free?

There ARE some downsides to it, though. Hardware support tends to be a bit odd, since only decent hardware runs with it, and most hardware on the market is pure garbage. Program installation still needs some work to it, as does ease-of-use.

Hopefully, Linux will skyrocket when OEM manufacturers begin rolling out Linux comps en masse, though this may take a while. Threre will still be a few more hurdles to overcome, since the DoJ basically rolled & gave MS a slap on the wrist in order to placate Ashcroft.

Protocol Droid · #9 11-17-2002, 06:46 PM

Now don't quote me on this, I will be making an attempt in coming weeks so I have yet to see it myself. But, I have heard that Warcraft 3 will run on linux with the help of WineX. I'll post again if I can get it to work.

KungFuHamster · #10 11-17-2002, 06:48 PM

It CAN work with WineX, but it won't INSTALL with the CVS version of WineX. You'll either need a seperate Linux parition or pay for the full version of WineX.

smiley · #11 11-19-2002, 05:07 PM

Quote:

When people buy computers, they usually don't think much about what OS they want. They use whats on the computer when they buy it.

That is one major factor as to why people use Windows. The thing is they don't choose Windows, they're stuck with it. I would say that more than half of the people who buy computers today don't even know what Linux is, and those who do probably never saw it in action, never had the chance to compare it to Windows.

I know that when I installed my first Linux system (Redhat 7.2) I was quite impressed with it.
First of all, I didn't even expect a graphical interface (I was total newbie.) just hoped for it.

I've been using Mandrake 9.0 for a couple of months now and I'm really happy with it.

It seems that we really need to get the word about linux out there.

Quote:

If hardware manufacturers only make drivers for windows it could be a hurdle. Also how well will wine do. If wine can continue to improve, people who use the computer mainly for games and music and stuff will switch. But windows has great marketing, and Linux does not.

Yes, hardware is a problem. That is why IMHO, we need computer manufacturers to make computers 100% (hardware wise) compatible with linux and make linux pre-loaded on them. Then the newbies wouldn't have any problems with their hardware.

Also, a little note about linux software. From my experiences it is usually pretty buggy but I'm fine with that because it doesn't have all that corporate bullshit associated with it. I'm not into programming, but I like the feeling that if I wanted to I could always check the insides of a program. Also, I don't need to wait for the next major release which could be in a year - new releases a released monthly, weekly and sometimes even daily. Also people often compare software for windows to software written for linux. In my eyes, that is quite an unfair debate - for a fair comparison try comparing FREE windows software with linux software (usually free) and see who wins. There is some good freeware for windows but you just can't compare that with the amount of freeware for linux.

Unfortunately, my first computer experience was with Windows (I never even knew linux existed), otherwise I wouldn't even bother learning Windows.

Protocol Droid · #12 11-19-2002, 05:58 PM

People can't really buy computers without buying windows. Even if someone already bought windows, and wants to keep using the same version, they are forced to buy windows again if they buy a new computer. If the want to use Linux, they still have to buy windows. This is because of M$'s licencing deals, and the gov. lets them do it.

KungFuHamster · #13 11-19-2002, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Protocol Droid
People can't really buy computers without buying windows. Even if someone already bought windows, and wants to keep using the same version, they are forced to buy windows again if they buy a new computer. If the want to use Linux, they still have to buy windows. This is because of M$'s licencing deals, and the gov. lets them do it.

Not true. You can get a $199 Microtel system from WalMart.com with Mandrake, Lindows, or Lycoris pre-installed.

Protocol Droid · #14 11-19-2002, 11:51 PM

I always get the news late. Anyway, I might just be picking one up someday.

smiley · #15 11-20-2002, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Not true. You can get a $199 Microtel system from WalMart.com with Mandrake, Lindows, or Lycoris pre-installed.

Really? I thought they were available only with Lindows installed. Hmm... well I'm building a new computer anyways so that's not for me.

I've heard some quite mixed opinions about Lindows, some people say it's much more vulnerable because of the single user interface (always root). I've yet to try it out but it seems like a good newbie OS. The big disadvantage of lindows is pretty apparent - it costs money.

Mandrake 9 is fine for me now, so that's what I'll probably stick to.