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Thread ID: 98874	2009-04-11 05:02:00	Linux	convair (13650)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
763933	2009-04-11 11:32:00	Started with RedHat years ago then used Fedora and have tried several others. Years ago tried Elix( an Indian distro) showed great promise but I think it became a paid for version. Currently I am a fan of PCLinixOS2009. Since finding FreePascal and Lazarus I have not needed Windows but have it in a virtual machine	mikebartnz (21)
763934	2009-04-11 13:46:00	First got interested a little around 2 & 1/2 years ago. Went through the top 10 on distrowatch - paying close attention to the distros with live-cds (try before you jump). Initially tried Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Suse and Mandriva. All really nice - but as I was a rank beginner, I needed something 'with training wheels'. Eventually tried Mepis (at the time Ubuntu based, now Debian stable). Everything clicked. Really good documentation and great forums. They started going through some tough times, and popularity waned - so I learned how to package, volunteered my services with art, and documentation as well - and helped a small team to get it back on it's feet again. The Mepis 8 release is a really good one. Can't match the big boys for resources/devs etc - but we have a really stable and quite up to date system with a lot of community input. I now run the community packaging section - we backport newer apps from sid/testing to keep things up to date. Oh and JackM - I read your post - still laughing a bit .... it's amusing to see the defensive posts when anybody compares Windows to Linux. IMO use what's best for you - but everything is subjective. Couple of things though - Generally (from what I've actually found - not read about) most Linux distros do have a smaller footprint - both install and memory (comparing modern distros to modern windows). Add to this that with a typical Linux install you get the full package (including office suite, simple games, full internet suite/tools, security / backup tools, multimedia suites, burning tools etc + usually a one-stop package manager with access to thousands of freely downloadable apps all from a single searchable resource) - compared to Windows .... I'll concede that MS Office is more popular. As to whether it is the 'best' - I think that's subjective don't you? One of the things I love about Linux is that I no longer have to use resources running a virus scanner etc. I do run one on every package I upload for our servers as a security precaution - but that's the only time I run one. Windows driver support OOTB (fresh install) is nowhere near as good as any modern linux distro - and that is a fact. Most drivers are supplied by the hardware manufacturers - not by MS. With Linux - the support is at kernel level. And look at how much hardware did not work OOTB with Vista. When I built and installed my new rig - Vista couldn't even recognise the ethernet port - I had to install the motherboard drivers from the ASUS disk. Linux on the other hand - all there. And your comment on games .... Windows doesn't have a mammoth library of games. It has a lot of games that will work on the platform yes - but they don't come with Windows. Semantics I know. For what it's worth - almost all of my "Windows" games run fine via Wine (and some better than on Windows I might add). For the more modern games - there won't be a lot of immediate support - but it is growing all the time. IMO if more people tried Linux - but as Kjaada says 'leave their windows knowledge behind' - then I think you'd see quite a migration away from MS. Again - only my opinion :) My 5 year old and 7 year old are completely comfortable with it. I thought I'd "just give it a go" 2 years ago. I haven't looked back. You never know huh ....	Brooko (8444)
763935	2009-04-11 23:45:00	My post was not defensive, it was simply my opinion on why I think Windows is better, unless the user has a specific need for linux. And to counter your first point, it seems you're referring to live distros. To add to that, who gives a **** about the installed footprint. No I don't think 'MS Office is best' is subjective, I've never known even a single other die-hard linux advocate to disagree with that. Resources to run anti-virus? Yeah, it really brings my computer to it's knees.....? Drivers, invalid point, I made no mention of the OOTB experience, and if your suggesting that installing drivers is a problem of some sort, give me a break. And the games, seriously, you're a typical linux fanboy. For the record, I use linux.	jackM (14814)
763936	2009-04-12 00:14:00	unless the user has a specific need for linuxWhy does there have to be a need for someone to use linux? Why can it not just be about choice? In my instance, I chose not to be stuck with Windows, but to learn, expand my mind and try something new I have no need for linux. I just like it	Myth (110)
763937	2009-04-12 00:22:00	Why does there have to be a need for someone to use linux? Why can it not just be about choice? In my instance, I chose not to be stuck with Windows, but to learn, expand my mind and try something new I have no need for linux. I just like it I 2nd that and should add. Why do most repair people use almost exclusively Open Source tools to repair Windows ???	kjaada (253)
763938	2009-04-12 00:35:00	Don't get me wrong, having that choice is essential, and wanting to learn and/or try something new is as good a reason as any. By all means the orig. posters 'specific need' could be that he's bored and feels like it. As per his orig. post, I gave my thoughts on Win v Lin, for the mainstream. Here's the problem with these sorts of posts, every OS fanboy seems to feel it their duty to claim their OS of choice is the only OS worth using. The best advice would have to be download a live distro and have a look. If you want to use it more, then dual-boot, easy as that.	jackM (14814)
763939	2009-04-12 00:45:00	I have been looking at linux lately and was wondering how many of you on here use it and what your thoughts are. There's no reason why Windows can't be pretty damn secure; just use good security products, leave auto update on, a modern browser, and some common sense, it has unrivalled hardware support, all the free software you're ever likely to use is available for it, a mammoth library of games, and everyone know's it. My post was not defensive, it was simply my opinion on why I think Windows is better, unless the user has a specific need for linux. Ah, the original poster was asking for opinions on Linux from other users. He was not asking which OS is better or why you should just use Windows. You're the only one making an issue out of it.	Jen (38)
763940	2009-04-12 00:48:00	He asked what our opinions are, those are my opinions.	jackM (14814)
763941	2009-04-12 00:57:00	Thanks Jen JackM - I'm not a fanboi - I'm just someone who has spent a considerable time with both, and now prefer Linux. I'm comfortable with both OS - and I believe you should use the right one for you. If Windows is your thing - go ahead and use it. But OP asked for views from people who currently use Linux. He didn't ask for an opinion on what is better. Also - you quoted some stuff which is not factual. All I was doing was correcting you on it. Not fanboism - fact. And I was talking about install - not live-cd. Here's a couple of quick litmus tests. Create a new VM - I use virtualbox. For Vista or Win7 - the latest VB recommends 20Gb. For a standard Linux it's usually 8Gb. Second - load up your OS of choice - then check your RAM usage. Mines with a full blown KDE and karamba widgets. I still use less than Win. But heh - like I said - your pref is Windows use it. No skin off my nose. For MY setup, MY machine, MY games - I know what runs better. I'm currently using it :)	Brooko (8444)
763942	2009-04-12 01:04:00	He asked what our opinions are, those are my opinions. The options are: Get Windows and pay for it then pay again and again when they bring out a new version: Or get Linux and never part with any dollars ever and keep up with the latest and best.	kjaada (253)
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