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| Thread ID: 67165 | 2006-03-19 05:07:00 | Linux distributions | Faded_Mantis (79) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 439205 | 2006-03-19 05:07:00 | Which free/cheap linux distribution is best for someone who is used to windows, and who also wants compatability to use their old windows applications/games using things such as WINE? The user also has only limited knowledge of Operating systems, so it needs to be fairly user friendly. The linux's that seams to be the most compatable are SuSE, Ubuntu and Xandros (but Xandros is a paid version isn't it?) |
Faded_Mantis (79) | ||
| 439206 | 2006-03-19 05:45:00 | For the most Windows like feel, I would go for Xandros. They have a free version - Xandros Desktop OS Version 3 - Open Circulation Edition (www.xandros.com) Next up would be SuSE for friendliness, followed by Mepis, then Ubuntu. If your friend wants to play games then they can try to use Wine, however for ease of use they may wish to purchase Cedega. Not all games are supported. If they buy Crossover Office, then they can use alot of their MS Office products etc. Check out their website for what programs it supports. They may be better off purchasing Xandros, as that comes with Crossover Office plus other commercial components which make life smoother for the first time Linux user. |
Jen (38) | ||
| 439207 | 2006-03-19 10:51:00 | Thanks, I was just checking them out for him, and one potential problem I noticed was this; WINE did have a fairly good range of supported games etc, but in crossover office allmost all the apps/games they listed had either "not tested" or "Known not to work" beside them". How easy would it be for someone to add a game they wanted to play into WINE etc? Edit: found a list of supported crossover apps and not just a list of all apps that MAY work, there's 52. |
Faded_Mantis (79) | ||
| 439208 | 2006-03-19 11:08:00 | Sorry for the double post, the edit time has run out. He has just told me that he seams most interested in Xandros and SuSE, and would like to know what the main differences are, apart from Xandros needing only 1CD and SuSE needing 5 CD's |
Faded_Mantis (79) | ||
| 439209 | 2006-03-20 06:03:00 | A 1 CD "distribution" could be a "live CD" which runs from the CD. The 5 CDs from SuSe will have a selection of optional applications which you can install as well as the basic system. It's possible to get games running with WINE. But I would leave it to the experts. It's not easy. There is a site which will tell you what games are playable with it ... try "games wine linux" to Google. (Leaving out the "linux" might find you drinking competitions). |
Graham L (2) | ||
| 439210 | 2006-03-20 06:09:00 | Xandros isn't a live CD, it'll dual boot or install onto your hdd if you ask nicely. | bob_doe_nz (92) | ||
| 439211 | 2006-03-20 06:47:00 | As Graham mentions, using Wine to run games is not the most user-friendly way of doing it. You stated yourself that the user has limited computer operating knowledge. For people like this, investing in the commercial Cedega (www.transgaming.com) product makes it easier. They will also get support. Crossover Office is more for general applications. :) |
Jen (38) | ||
| 439212 | 2006-03-20 10:46:00 | Ah, so Xandros is more windows-like than SuSE, but SuSE is more user interactive? So the main reason SuSE has more CD's is because it comes with extra apps meaning you don't have to download them seperatally? @Jen Cedega may be just what he needs!, a few of his fave games wont run on it though. (btw, sorry I missed your Cedega refference in your first post) |
Faded_Mantis (79) | ||
| 439213 | 2006-03-20 11:02:00 | If he owns a copy of windows, Dual booting & using windows only for the games might be a better idea. | Greven (91) | ||
| 439214 | 2006-03-20 11:08:00 | Yea, thats the thing, he's putting together his first computer and is using some parts lying around, and buying the rest. And to keep the costs down he was wanting to get a free copy of linux, atleast until vista came out, if not longer. This has acctually got me interested in Linux, I may try a dual boot on my PC. |
Faded_Mantis (79) | ||
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