Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[PremierMeridian]

I was thinking about getting Linux but I'm not really sure why. What are the advantages of getting Linux? What are the disadvantages?

Doesn't it need some sort of complex ritual to install it? And where do I get it?

[Darvi]

I tried SUSE Linux once and failed completely. But maybe that's because the guy whose job it was to tell me how did anything but.

[GlyphGryph]

Download Mint image onto a disk (I reccomend the DVD version, otherwise you'll have to grab a bunch more bits after). Restart your computer. Mint is a good linux for those who don't want to worry about the technical stuff.
http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php (It also comes with a nice manual for if you get stuck)

Follow instructions, congratulations, you have linux. Mint's install was exceptionally easy last time I did it, it pretty much walks you through the process.

Most linux distros are no harder to intall than any other OS nowadays, and the various Ubuntu likes really aren't any harder to use.

Biggest differences are the software it comes packaged with, and the packet manager. Most distros, you can find something called a packet manager under Administration or whatever. Click that, type in the name or function or something of the bit of software you want, and it will give you a list of relevant software releases built to work with your system.

Also, you aren't by default in admin mode, you so you will be asked your password more often. Sometimes you will have to run something in root (the admin account), which is usually "right click, click open as root"

If you have any questions, feel free to ask - the most common issue is driver problems, where you'll have some bit of hardware that doesn't play nice with linux. I've actually had driver problems with all the major OSs, but linux is definitely more common (because hardware people generally don't like releasing their drivers to the open source community). This has been getting better though, so hopefully it won't be an issue.

[Max White]

I was thinking about getting Linux but I'm not really sure why. What are the advantages of getting Linux? What are the disadvantages?

Doesn't it need some sort of complex ritual to install it? And where do I get it?

Well it is some what virus proof (Because all virus programmers work on linux, and they don't want to screw there buddys  ) but nothing works on it. So now you know.

/Over simplified generalisation that really doesn't hold much merit.

[PremierMeridian]

Yes I understand that, am I right that it is free? Also, how do I get stuff to work on Linux?

[GlyphGryph]

More seriously, there's equivalents on Linux for most everything but high end games. There are a large number of "good" games that run on linux, and linux is actually pretty good at pretending to be windows for a bunch of other games, but don't expect it to run new big name releases.

And yes, its free, and what do you mean by "stuff"

[Max White]

Most versions are free. I don't know of any that aren't, but I'm sure they exist. And you install them, simple. It's another OS, not another reality.

[Fayrik]

I was thinking about getting Linux but I'm not really sure why.

Why do you want it? This will be the most important answer for you personally.

What are the advantages of getting Linux?

Open Source software will be easier to find. And there's a few other ups, but they all depend on what distro you use. (One thing I've noticed about Linux, is that the gui tends to look good. A lovely balance between style and functionality. Plus it's Open Source, so it's super customizable.

What are the disadvantages?

A few programs won't run. Many won't run out of the box, but there's always Wine for that.
You also may find the unfamiliar system difficult to use.

Doesn't it need some sort of complex ritual to install it? And where do I get it?

'Eh, install CD. Some distros are easier to install than Windows.
And, I'd be willing to bet the first distro you try will be Ubuntu. It's not my favourite distro, but it's the easiest to use, and most popular. If it's not really for you then it'll act as a good gateway for you to get some basic understanding of the Linux system.

Urgh, FOUR ninja comments?

Well it is some what virus proof (Because all virus programmers work on linux, and they don't want to screw there buddys  ) but nothing works on it. So now you know.

Not true at all. Most virus programmers use windows, because it's what they're targeting. It's the way compilation works.
And... Java makes it piss easy for any system to get attacked, regardless of what OS you're using.

[GlyphGryph]

Mint is similar to Ubuntu but better. Go with Mint.

It's greeeeeen.

"Wine" is the bit of software that pretends to be windows, by the way.

[Max White]

Not true at all. Most virus programmers use windows, because it's what they're targeting. It's the way compilation works.
And... Java makes it piss easy for any system to get attacked, regardless of what OS you're using.

I did have a disclaimer there. One would think that alone would be enough to dodge Poes law, but seems not.

[Phmcw]

Get Ubuntu for a very simple one.

Well let's begin at the beginning. Linux is a Kernel one of the best that is, and with this Kernel you can make an operating system. Due to the fact that linux used to be used mostly by professional, it is most useful when you know your way around a computer correctly. In recent years, a lot have been made to make it accessible to anybody. Ubuntu achieved that quite well, the migration from windows to ubuntu being about as simple than from windows to macos.

As for using Linux, the advantages are that you have the hand over your whole operating system, multiuser is easy and safe, you have a library of free software that allow you to do virtually any kind of works, the console is very well designed and easily customizable, the community is helpful, and there the whole "free software activism" if you're interested.

The downside is that there are few games and that you may have trouble with the newest technology, because the community have to make drivers for them (thought I never ran into such problem myself).

Of course it all depend of your field of working. If you're web illustrator, the free software dedicated to the field are very good, but the prevalence of Photoshop and 3Dmax make that your company will most likely use them, so Linux alone won't make it. If you're network engineer, then you must know Linux. Period.

Also virus don't work on Linux, but other malware can. Even Java virus so far don't work. You have to install them yourself.

[GlyphGryph]

Java makes it piss easy for any system to get attacked, regardless of what OS you're using

This is because if you are running Java, you are not running Linux, you are running Java. There's a reason its called a virtual machine.

Also, there ARE viruses and malware to worry about, but as Phmcw mentions, you almost always have to explciitly run them to get infected, and there's not a whole lot.

[Phmcw]

We may as well get a bit technical : on Linux every file have a set of permissions, defining who can run, read them or change them.
It is one of the most important security feature because it mean that a virus that get in contact with your computer can't run himself.
If you run him yourself he will be able to get on your computer, but won't have any allowance beside your home folder and thus won't be able to change the boot sequence, thus will be inactivated by a reboot. That is also why multiuser is so easy.

[Max White]

I have found that apple is the OS best suited to my needs. Its freindly user interface makes tasks like reading emails and listening to music so much easier then other operating systems. Apple makes good quality products at affordable prices, and there is a wide range of
/serious face.
Ok, seriously, I can't do it. I just can not say that with a straight face! But could you imagine...

I'm currently on windows 7. Works well for me.

[Darvi]

Yeah. I have windows 7 enterprise and have no reason to change it.