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Thread ID: 121428	2011-10-25 19:40:00	Benefits and Cons of Linux	Nhashon (16466)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1239909	2011-10-25 19:40:00	I want to know people who use linux what are the benefits u find is there whereas Windows OS or Apple OS does have or have not got it . Also if there is Cons please state what actually makes u go crazy . Lastly personally if im a Windows , Apple (OS) user , do you think it's worth a upgrade ??????	Nhashon (16466)
1239910	2011-10-25 21:15:00	I'm not really a user, but I have tried it a few times. It gets better and better each time, but it's more for the enthusiast (read geek) than the average home user In my opinion. Pros: Free Lots of open source free software available, does everything many users need a pc for right out of the box Stable and secure can run on very low specced machines very well Most distros come with a suite of commonly used software, Browser, e-mail, Open office or similar, etc, etc Virus and malware far less common (But it DOES exist) Cons: Not compatible with a lot of software Some applications can require a lot of knowledge to install, including command line instructions and tracking down dependencies Can't just download an installer and run it (although package managers are taking the pain out of this) Bit of a learning curve for normal use, and quite a steep one to become a pro Most current games do not run on it, or if they do it's not a simple install in many cases Less hardware and driver support (but growing all the time) Some more experienced users can probably add to the list.	dugimodo (138)
1239911	2011-10-25 21:24:00	I'm a died in the wool windows user and I'm going open source for my media server simply due to cost. I would like to use Win7 as it has the media centre built into it. But not working means I can't afford a licence and I want to run it on an older computer. Pro Cost = nothing Con Steep learning curve for me and SWMBO	gary67 (56)
1239912	2011-10-25 22:04:00	Cons: Not compatible with a lot of software The same could be said in reverse. It amazes me how, with Wine installed, that there are so many Windows programs that will run with a double click. Some applications can require a lot of knowledge to install, including command line instructions and tracking down dependencies The average user is very unlikely to come across this as it is only specialist programs that require that and it gets complicated when upgrading through the package manager when you have installed from source. Can't just download an installer and run it (although package managers are taking the pain out of this) That is where Linux and the package manager runs rings around Windows and gives better security as well. Less hardware and driver support (but growing all the time) The last time I had a problem with hardware was about ten years ago with a WinModem but I don't use a lot of the latest and greatest hardware which can be a problem. Overall I would say that hardware support is better in Linux than Windows. Lately just about every install I have done with Linux has worked straight out of the box with just one reboot unlike Windows where you often have to go hunting for the right drivers and go through numerous installs and reboots. Don't listen to anyone giving Linux a hard time about the command line as it is far easier to support someone with the command line than the GUI as you can just send them commands they can copy and paste rather than go through the click this that and the other thing hoping like hell that they can see the menu items as you can.	mikebartnz (21)
1239913	2011-10-25 22:20:00	Cons: Only 1 - not designed for gaming.	pctek (84)
1239914	2011-10-25 22:29:00	Cons: Only 1 - not designed for gaming. Not being a gamer myself but there appear to be a lot more games coming out for Linux now but definitely not a match for Windows yet.	mikebartnz (21)
1239915	2011-10-25 23:27:00	MS is more of a standard that they feel comfortable with - school, works, other people's. In terms of guides and books they are better documented.	Nomad (952)
1239916	2011-10-25 23:51:00	Both have advantages and disadvantages, as already mentioned. I have a couple of Linux systems going, one a server and it just plods along quite happy, needing a reboot every so often when it stops responding. One other I've been playing around with Looks like Windows (www.imagef1.net.nz) even the Menu and Control center (www.imagef1.net.nz) -- but it is in fact ubuntu. Only thing is the programs still need to be linux , and install the same as linux normally does, but its a lot easier to navigate around if you are used to Windows layouts :D	wainuitech (129)
1239917	2011-10-25 23:53:00	The last time I had a problem with hardware was about ten years ago with a WinModem but I don't use a lot of the latest and greatest hardware which can be a problem. Overall I would say that hardware support is better in Linux than Windows. Lately just about every install I have done with Linux has worked straight out of the box with just one reboot unlike Windows where you often have to go hunting for the right drivers and go through numerous installs and reboots. Oh no... multiple installs and reboots - at least the drivers WORK afterwards. When Linux already has the drivers, sure, everything generally works fine, but if they are not included that's when the real fun begins, and woe-betide you if you don't know how to compile the driver from source code and have good command-line usage knowledge. I don't use Linux as my primary OS because: 1) Useless for gaming, wine has bad performance, and Linux native games are generally pretty lame. 2) Various other incompatibilities with programs, codecs, and the like.	Agent_24 (57)
1239918	2011-10-26 00:03:00	Oh no... multiple installs and reboots - at least the drivers WORK afterwards. As I said I don't use the latest and greatest so don't run into the problems you mention and on all the other PC's I have installed Linux it has been the same.	mikebartnz (21)
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