The Hundred Gunner

lol I don't hear people taking the challenge! All I hear is people justifying their captivity in the windows cycle!

I've slowly been learning Linux over the years. I can certainly understand people needing certain things only windows can provide (not because Linux is bad, but rather because support is all on windows.)

The only time I have to mess with configuration is if I'm doing something fancy (I guess mouse side buttons happen to be "fancy" for Linux =\ ). Ethernet is installed by default. Sound is installed by default. Video drivers can be installed with one click (at least in Suse; in Sabayon it was installed by default). And in distros such as Suse and Debian-based (Debian, *buntu) and I think even Fedora, software installation is a matter of one click. That's how I've been getting around in Suse for about a week now. I haven't had to compile anything by source yet.

I'd recommend either:

Ubuntu (very easy to use), specifically Mint. Mint is set up out of the box the way most people would like their computer. For the short time I used it, it didn't do some stupid things like other distros did. And it came with Compiz-fusion by default which, imo, blows aero out of the water.

Sabayon was another distro that was fairly easy to use, at least out of the box. I didn't spend too much time on it, but it came with lots of pre-installed stuff. This was particularly useful to me because I'm kinda Linux-dumb. I did have kind of a hard time upgrading stuff that did come pre-installed, though. However, I'm not familiar with Portage anyway (the Sabayon and Gentoo package manager). Sabayon is based on Gentoo which is supposed to be one of the more powerful Linux distros; someone with better knowledge would know how to update stuff better than I would.

Now currently, I'm using Suse. I'm finding it to be very easy. I set a couple sites up as repositories for my package manager, and now it's a matter of typing in a description of the program I want to get it, click the check box, and hitting "Accept." Installing nVidia drivers was as easy as googling "suse nvidia drivers," clicking on the site, then clicking on the "One-click Install" button.

Suse uses its own control center called "Yast." Some people don't like it (I don't know why), but I find it to be really helpful.

Anyway, I hope someone decides to take up the challenge and has fun with it. Good luck.

PS: Can't wait for paulito to come in and say how anyone in here disagreeing with his windows fanaticism is either stupid or a fanboy

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"I just talk the way I see things... If that's offensive to you... I'm sorry; you're a loser." - Michael Savage

"But you would be amazed by how many people think that the only reason to have a computer is to play games, and that playing games is all that anyone with a computer does." - dangerousHobo

Aden Florian

this is how i think each OS pairs up with a users computer skill:

Mac OSX - Beginner
Windows XP\Vista - Intermediate
Linux Ubuntu - Expert

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The Hundred Gunner

I'll agree with that, but I'd put Ubuntu in intermediate, and maybe Gentoo, Slack, or FreeBSD at expert

Although some people at the higher level prefer using the lower level for simplicity's sake (I prefer low-maintenance for desktop usage.)

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"I just talk the way I see things... If that's offensive to you... I'm sorry; you're a loser." - Michael Savage

"But you would be amazed by how many people think that the only reason to have a computer is to play games, and that playing games is all that anyone with a computer does." - dangerousHobo

rocketman331

I've gained some experience with linux when I'd configure them for DNS / dedicated gaming servers for large scale lans. I've become very disappointed with it when it comes to my laptop. It's HP's fault but the fact that I have so many issues with APIC basically prevents me from installing any version without customizing everything to work right. Even then it's been a 3 week struggle to get audio/wireless to work right. I'm not anti-linux at all (i'm frustrated because I can't get it to work) but when you have an Open Source OS that requires extensive setup customization how can you expect it to be mainstream. Hardware is always changing and as a result the hardware support is lacking. Vista had it's issues but as far as setup goes it was the easiest...and sadly the most reliable I have seen so far.

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Kirmie

Ubuntu, at least its current release, is easilly intermediate. I would switch to it 24/7 except for two reasons. The first is obviously gaming. The second is that Ubunutu does not like my wireless network. I have tried all of the wireless USB NICs I have but have not gotten the network to work correctly. With my current setup I can reach the internet but after a while, usualy within 30 mins, the connection and the network manager crap out and it becomes impossible to reconnect without a reboot. I have yet to have any other issues with Ubuntu though and it works fantastic with the internet connected. So a little bit better support, or an upgrade to a better supported NIC on my end, and I will likely be a lifer.

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Coma

Here's my question to you: Can you run AviSynth on Linux? Note that many of the plugins are DLLs with optimized assembly code.

Sistum Id

Well I installed Ubuntu and I am having trouble install simple programs...like Winrar... I read some of the commands but its not working... Maybe Windows made me lazy but is there a easier way to install a exe with out having to do the terminal coding?

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FYATT

lattyware

OK, your first problem is you are still thinking windows software. Open up Synaptic Package Manager (System -> Admin -> Synaptic Package Manager) and then do a search for 'unrar' - then install the unrar package (Not unrar-free is the open source version, but lacks some features, so you probably want unrar.) then just open any rared files with 'Archive Manager' - which should be the default when you try and open an archive. You don't need WinRar, WinRar is windows software, '.exe's are Windows software.

http://avisynth.org/AviSynth30 <- Apparently version 3.0 has an official Linux port, so that appears to be sorted.

Wireless networks are a pain, unfortunately, the developers don't release drivers or specs, so they have to be reverse-engineered, which takes time. My suggestion is to use Wireless Access points - see the link in my sig. They are the best way to set up any wireless network, in my opinion.

That is a shame, but hopefully just a problem with specific hardware. Unfortunately, again, there is little that can be done, when linux turns mainstream, the hardware developers will be forced to release drivers/specs, but until then, there is little that can be done.

There are a lot of Versions of Linux, because it gives you the choice. Linux is not a hard operating system to use - it is just different. A friend of mine who ran a magnet over a hard drive to try to fix it (yeah, I know) runs Linux happily. It is not hard, it just takes a week or so of getting used to. Now-a-days, Linux (well, at least Ubuntu) is damned easy.

Ubuntu - it's the one that is the easiest at the moment. I'd suggest vanilla Ubuntu over any of the other Ubuntu based distros - if it is more mainstream, there are likely to be less problems.

Name some software that you need under Linux? Because everything (except games, I admit) I use I generally find better than the Windows counterpart. User friendliness is now impeccable - the only problem is people are used to windows. Linux is actually easier, people just dislike change.

It really is not that hard. Take my challenge and try it - You will be surprised, it is very easy.

Linux can't run today's games because they are written for Windows - it's like having Petrol and Diesel cars, you can't run one on the other. It's all down to the developers. Some games have native Linux ports (Unreal Tournament) - and that is great, most outperform the Windows clients, and some will run under WINE (A windows compatibility layer - not an Emulator!). Try running Ubuntu as my challenge goes is my suggestion, and yes, Compiz Fuzion is the eye-candy for the desktop, and blows dreamscene out of the water. Try it. (In Ubuntu, just go to System -> Appearance -> Effects and then turn them on.)

You just said one of my points 'Windows works, why bother?' - It is a hard one to counter. Living in the trees as monkeys worked, but would you not rather be in today's age? Having your CPU at default clock speed works, but would you not rather overclock? It is worth doing, for general usage, Linux is a lot better. Try the challenge, then come back.

Sorry if I missed anything, or accidentally dodged something, feel free to say if you still have a problem or feel I have missed something. There was a lot to write.

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"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." --Evelyn Beatrice Hall

Sir Humpsalot

Everyone saying, "I use Windows, I'm happy with it, why switch?" isn't thinking far ahead.

I used to be in that camp. Then, I built my first computer, thought it was pretty cool, and built 2 more. So... should I pay $900 to buy three full licenses for Vista? I could buy them for $100 each and just never change my motherboard. That would work too. But guess what. I'll probably be modding my computer as time goes on. That means new motherboard, that means a new version of Windows, that means more $$$ I have to spend on my OS.

The reason that they only charge $100 or so for the OEM version is that MS estimates the average user will buy it 3 times before their next version comes out. Well, that's an oversimplification- they are also looking at theft and piracy issues and adding those costs in, but basically, they figure you'll buy it three times. Ouch... But now, you younger kids, you have advantages here. You can get educational versions of Windows for cheap. I got my version of Windows 2000 for $20, IIRC, through my university. Now, I'm a grown up and don't have access to that. You younger kids can also use your parents' disks. Then, if MS comes knocking on your door, your parents say, "We didn't know what little Johnny was doing!" and you say, "I didn't know it was wrong..." and shed a little crocodile tear and you settle for $100 or some chump change (which your parents will pay) and go happily on your way (but let's be realistic, we all know you'll never get caught or hassled even, so why worry at all? Just keep ripping off the man).

Why worry? why bother? Because eventually, you will grow up and realize that you need the new release (for me, it's Vista...) You will realize you can't get it for free, or ethically that won't sit well with you. You will face having to shell out for the product that you used to get for free and you will be hooked. Kind of like pushing drugs... 2000 is free for you because you're in college. But when you're Jonesing for XP or Vista, we're going to charge you... and then we've got you.

Going cold turkey to Linux was a little difficult for me, but deep down I'm a bit of a computer geek, so I enjoyed it. I'm now 98% off of windows at home and I can borrow my gf's windows laptop for my windows needs (just paying one bill that won't work with firefox or konqueror and converting files to mp3- something that is easy with most other distros). And after all this, I never have to pay for software again. Those of you running Windows are probably either young enough that your parents pay for stuff, new enough to computers that Windows is subsidizing you to get you hooked (that lasts until about the age of 20-25 or so), are willing to spend another $100 (on top of the cost of the graphics card) to play kick-ass video games, or are buying boxed computers from Dell or Gateway.

And hey, if it's free or cheap, I can't blame you for using it. I would use it too if it were free. Heck, it's probably even worth $25 or so. But that's about all I'd pay for it. I can't buy it for that price, so I'm using Linux. Someday, you probably will too.

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eureka

If I didn't have Wi-Fi i'd probably have a debian install on here... Or a gentoo one.

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