Linux Opinions

[D1omedes]

Hey guys. A while back I put up a thread about "PC vs Mac." It got a ton of responses and was very informative. See, I need to get a new computer (after I'm able to land a steady job). Since I'm on a tight budget, I have been leaning towards building my own computer (a desktop).

Well, after reviewing all the components I would need, I saw the cost of software. For me to get Windows 7 and MS Office, I would need to drop $230! That's more than the friggin motherboard!

So I looked at alternative operating systems and came across Linux. At first, Ubuntu caught my eye. After some digging and reviewing long time Linux-users' opinions, I have begun to look at Linux Mint instead. Basically, I'm definitely no programmer or computer whiz. But I do think I am intelligent enough and have enough common sense to use Linux. Are there any -bro's out there that have any recommendations, advice or warnings that I should know by considering Linux?

[sir_mike]

I like the Linux Mint version, which is derived from Ubuntu. I think it runs alittle smoother and I have less problems. I would also use Open Office in place of MS Office. It works great and is 100% compatible with Office extensions.

The best thing about linux is that it will run on less hardware specs than Windoze. If you have old hardware try linux distros like Puppy linux or similiar, which runs pretty fast on machines as old as 386's.....

I have used linux and then ran Windows within that to use some Windows based software that wasnt available in linux format.

[The Deacon]

Only one I've ever used is Ubuntu. It's easy to install, about as user friendly as a "geek oriented" OS can get once it's up and running, and works quite well for most tasks. Whether Linux will work for you really depends what you want to do on your computer. If you're use to Windows programs, while there are many which are also available for Linux, there are equally many, particularly games, that are not. The other route you might consider is buying Windows 7 and using Open Office, which is free and IMHO works just as well as MS Office.

[Donut]

Linux is nice for a workstation if you can get all of the programs you need for it. Sometimes getting it to do what you want it to, can make you frustrated for hours and eventually have to give up.

I had a Linux workstation for browsing the web and chatting. It was nearly perfect for that. I think I was getting twice the performance I would have been if the same computer was running Windows. Even now, using a lighter weight browser (Chrome) and having a next generation computer, I don't think it runs faster than the older computer with Linux, X, and Firefox.

[Pinetreebbs]

I have installed and used several flavors of Linux and Free BSD, another Unix clone. Ubantu is about the easiest and most supported for the new user. Mint is a very nice distribution as well as PCLinux OS. For a machine with more modest hardware you might try Puppy Linux. I use Puppy installed on a memory stick to trouble shoot PCs. If runs, you know the OS installation is hosed.

Most distributions can be run from a bootable CD/DVD. It is a great way to try them out without doing a full installation. Even better, try installing each one you want to try to a USB thumb drive. Pendrive Linux is a great source for instructions and getting started. They boot and run much faster from a thumb drive. Try it with the hardware you already have, you might be surprised at how well it works.

Choosing which distribution of Linux to install can be daunting, not like Mac Vs PC, but there are some serious fanboys for various Linux distribution.

Once you get the OS running, many come with or can install Open Office. It does most things MS Office does and quite well. The Spreadsheet is quite capable, however if you are a experienced Excel user some functions work differently.

[rodloos]

I've been pretty happy with SuSE Linux. I've been using it for over 10 years though, so I'm not as familiar with the other distributions. It can take some effort and digging around sometimes, and some people just have specific requirements where they *have* to have windows to run a particular program, but I really like the freedom that comes with open source programs.

Open Office can do a lot, but it does have a *different* interface from MS Office, so when my kids were working on school papers and learning how to use Office in school, it was frustrating for them to have to use my Open Office (and the default in Open Office is to use its own format, so if you are exchanging files with someone else you have to remember to save it in a format they can read). Just something to think about.

[Andreas]

I think Linux Mint Debian is a very good choice (never used it, though) because it is still Mint but then with the more stable Debian base. I use Fedora most of the time, I do have used Arch, Debian and Ubuntu mostly, and hopped a bit between FreeBSD, Red Hat, Slackware, etc.

[ChrisR]

I have used Linux professionally and at home - both desktop, laptop & server installations. As an operating system it works well but it isn't as user-friendly as Windows ... but there is a lot of help out on the net from the user community. Also, as has been said, there is great free software for doing the common things, like web browsing, email, photo editing and office tools but remember that there is a lot of Windows-only software out there ... and the free software all works on Windows anyway. So you can have Windows7 AND have all the free versions like Office Libre / Open Office for Office tools and GIMP for photo editing

[jwingfie]

I have an Ubuntu partition on my desktop that I have been using for about 6 years. For a free OS, it's pretty good. Up until Windows 7 came out I much preferred using linux over Windows.

[GCG199]

I have been using Ubuntu for over four years now and greatly prefer it over Windows.

For general web surfing it works great. But don't use it for graphics or video editing either.

I find the virtual desktops/work spaces to be one of the best features about it.

[Whiskey Tango]

Mint has the traditional UIs. Ubuntu is now using a new UI, which is somewhat controversial. If you're new to Linux, you may wish to give it a try. Either will serve you well. I generally find OpenSUSE to be the most complete distribution, but part of the fun of Linux is learning about getting updates.

You can generally get a cheaper Windows license when purchased with a motherboard, in case you weren't aware of that. Good luck, and have fun!

[mil]

go for libre office over openoffice

[jabba359]

The other route you might consider is buying Windows 7 and using Open Office, which is free and IMHO works just as well as MS Office.

That's exactly what I did when I built my computer two years ago, as I was waiting for Office 2010 to get released so I used Open Office in the interim.

[defenestrate]

PC-BSD is a variant of FreeBSD that keeps the learning curve from being very steep for those switching from Windows.

I think Mint sounds like a reasonable choice. Bear in mind that a good deal of current distributions have a live CD or DVD version that you can boot from and try the distribution - if you like it, you can always install these to your hard disk.

[D1omedes]

Thanks for all the input guys. I still have some questions, though.

Is Linux more stable and virus-free than Windows? It would be nice not having to purchase virus protection software.

Do any of you know what Windows 8 is about? I have read that it is meant for mobile devices but will also be used on computers. So is Microsoft going to abandon Windows 7 like they did Vista?

I basically word process, web surf and play the occassional game or listen to music on my computer. How difficult is it to accomplish these things with Linux? How do I know if games are compatible?

[eagletalon]

I recommend picking one linux OS and trying it out. Worst case you'll just lose some time installing another version. I would also check your to see what version of linux it supports (driver). Good luck.

[The Deacon]

I've been running Win 7 on my primary computer using just Microsoft's free firewall and AV/AS programs for nearly a year now without a hitch, a glitch, or other OS related problem of any kind. I normally shut down every night, but have left it up and running for over a week with no issues and no degradation of performance that I could see. Then again, I don't visit porn, gambling, or warez websites, and have never used social networking or file sharing software. I'm also very careful about what emails I open. All of which probably helps keep my exposure minimal.

Other OS's, including Linux and Apple's, are "safer" primarily because they are targeted far less often. Windows, to me at least, is still more user friendly than the GUI front ends of the various LINUX distributions. There is more software available for Windows and it is more sophisticated. If your idea of video games is things like Angry Birds, you might be happy with LINUX, but there are a lot fewer good standalone games for it and, AFAIK, none of the popular multi person interactive game titles will work on it. You can pretty much assume any game that comes on a CD or DVD will not work. I can say that my computer usage sounds very similar to yours and, while I enjoy puttering around with Ubuntu, I most definitely would not be willing to give up Windows for it.

As for the other, my laptop and one other computer still run Vista and both get updated regularly by Microsoft, so I'm not sure what you mean by "abandoned" but I believe there's a beta version of Win 8 available for regular computers.

FWIW, if your gaming needs aren't the type that require the latest and greatest video card, Walmart has some rebuilt HP desktops with Win 7 Home Premium on them for under $200 that might be a viable and inexpensive option for you.