Linux

[GuyFawkes38]

Not to get too geeky, but does anyone use or know anything about Linux?

I'm getting sick of Windows XP, which has a tendency to freeze on me. I only use my computer for word processing (Open office), internet (firefox), and to listen to some music (is Itunes compatible for my Ipod to linux?).

I'm carious how much effort and skill level it takes to make the switch.

[xavierdude]

i'm not real techy...but i must say....i hate kids that use microsoft

[GuyFawkes38]

I honestly believe that kids force microsoft to dumb down their software.

Because let's face it, most kids are not very inteligent (see my original post on how little basketball iq kids have).

[wkrq59]

Not to get too geeky, but does anyone use or know anything about Linux?

I'm getting sick of Windows XP, which has a tendency to freeze on me. I only use my computer for word processing (Open office), internet (firefox), and to listen to some music (is Itunes compatible for my Ipod to linux?).

I'm carious how much effort and skill level it takes to make the switch.


Guy,
Send me your email address--daybear813@gmail.com
I have been using Linux operating systems for eight years or more and have had no worms, no viruses, no loss of documents or pictures or music from crashes. Reason I'm asking for your email address is I'd like to send it to my son-in-law and have him explain what you can do or what you can have someone do to help you install a Linux distro on your computer. Check out this website PCLinuxOS.com I don't know if it's case sensitive so I copied it to here.
Guy, I'm no geek. But this distro has all the plugins and everything you'll need. I'll send a message to James--my son-in-law and tell him what I'm gonna do. BTW, if you do adopt PC Linux you'll find O-Office available to you at no cost. MS demands about $500 with annual updates of $300. Anyway, get back to me. Oh, and all the Linux OS are free.q:D

[GuyFawkes38]

Thanks a ton.

my email address is: Younghova83@gmail (yes, it's a jay z copy, who I used to like). I'll send you an email too.


Thanks again!!!

[wkrq59]

Thanks a ton.

my email address is: Younghova83@gmail (yes, it's a jay z copy, who I used to like). I'll send you an email too.


Thanks again!!!

No problem. With any luck he'll have you installing Linux by this time next week. He is really good and he hates anything that even thinks it might be MS.
:D

[joebba]

I have been using linux for about 18 months now, and honestly do not know why I did not do it sooner. Most linux systems are more stable than windows, boot up and boot down far faster than windows, and worms, and viruses are almost non-existent (mostly because any software changes require the user to input a password before the change can be executed).

I settled first on Ubuntu 10.04, mostly because it was the most popular linux OS (they call them distributions or distros in linux jargon). However, I installed a "Mint Menu" application launcher Linux Mint is a distribution that is based on Ubuntu, but many users like Mint's user interface better, and the core software that comes with Mint.

I recently switched to Linux Mint 12, using the Cinnamon user interface. Ubuntu created a stir when they updated to an interface called Unity which is like a smart phone interface for the desktop (they did it before Windows 8.) Many people hated it, making Mint the most popular Linux distribution recently.

I like to encrypt my entire hard drive, and still maintain and XP dual boot on one of my machine becuase I have an all in one printer and scanners seem to have issues with reliable drivers in Linux.

There is a lot of software (free) in Linux land - GNUcash is similar to qucken, LibreOffice is an Office.

Unless you really need specific software for your job that is dependent upon windows applications Linux is the way to go.

I will say however, it is helpful if you consider yourself a savvy computer user (not necessarily a programmer) who is comfortable going "under the hood" as they say in tinkering with the system. It can be frustrating at time to properly install specific software in Linux (especially if you are the kind of computer user who likes to teak your setup.)

I like to encrypt my whole hard drive Ubuntu makes this easier than other Linux distribution, but anyone who wants to do this needs to be comfrtable in researching procedures to do so (interweb searches 'r' a good thang).

Even with the headaches in tweaking Linux, it is a much more pleasant OS to work with.

I highly recommend Linux. If you want to find out about the hundreds of different Linux OS's available check out this website http://distrowatch.com/

[wkrq59]

Joebba, been using Linux distros for almost 15 years and love the system..Best part--it's free. Never had a virus, worm, Trojan Horse, and never have seen the BSOD (Microshit's famed Blue Screen of Death which means your system's crashed and your screwed. Can't seem to convince a friend who is still using old Mircoshit and coupled with Magic Jack--what waste--he's got the slowest system in the world. I had it crash twice when as visiting him in Fla. Welcome to the new world.
q;):):D

[paulxu]

I love reading threads like this. I haven't a clue what all this is about. Not a damn clue.


(especially if you are the kind of computer user who likes to teak your setup.)

I tried to do that once to my computer. It did look nice I have to admit. The little lady loved it.

http://www.pleasanttimes.com/images/sh-hinged-empty-box-closed.jpg

[wkrq59]

I love reading threads like this. I haven't a clue what all this is about. Not a damn clue.
I tried to do that once to my computer. It did look nice I have to admit. The little lady loved it.
http://www.pleasanttimes.com/images/sh-hinged-empty-box-closed.jpg

Paul,
obviously he meant tweak...But more seriously, try using a Linux based computer for a week, you'll never go back to Microsoft...Windows from ME 2000 or whatever it was to XP to 7 and 8, has had so damn many patches to correct flaws it's unbelievable. Hey, the Pentagon, FAA and other government entities use Linux based Red Hat to run their computers because not only are they more reliable, no viri, worms etc, (because theose can't access root) but the damn things are free. You'll pay $500 for the initial MS Office installation and $300 per machine for the yearly updates which you must download or two years later find your comp uter won't run without new initial update. If you have a company with 100 machines and 2 users on each machine, figure it out. O-Office or Libre Office (Mint) and Ubuntu, are not only free, the updates are free and offered automatically. Try it. You'll never go back and won't have to contend with the proprietary stuff Microsoft runs under its programs.

[X Factor]

How would one go about switching from Microsoft to Linux?

[joebba]

How would one go about switching from Microsoft to Linux?

I would suggest taking a look at the Ubuntu website, or the Linux Mint website. There is aslo Distrowatch a website that can link you to hundreds of different Linux OS's websites (see likns below). In your first step you may want to create a "live CD" or bootable USB version by downloading the software for free. (if you do not have high speed internet it may be difficult) of a linux OS that you want to try out. With a live CD or USB you can actaully boot and run the system from the CD or USB before changing your system. You can find lots of websites on advice on different linux operating system. When you find one you really like you can then install the OS from the cd or usb stick.

You can even install linux as a dual boot (meaning you can retain windows and linux on the same machine.) But before doing that I would recommend reading up a bit on webpages. It is like following a recipe.

http://distrowatch.com/
www.ubuntu.com
http://linuxmint.com/

[joebba]

I found an interesting article about linux just today:

http://www.focus.com/fyi/50-places-linux-running-you-might-not-expect/

With the advent of smart phones and tablets, the traditional desktop PC is not going to be the dominant computing option for the home user. Android which is a Linux OS is used on most phones and tablets in the market. This is why Microsoft is getting Windows 8 to the market to run essentially the same OS interface for desktop, laptop, tablet and phone.

[joebba]

Very funny Apri Fool on DistroWatch....

http://distrowatch.com/?newsid=07183

[xu95]

I'm a Mac OS guy myself, so I have no complaints.