[179232]

I'm making my dad a computer in a couple of weeks, and all he really does is check his e-mail, take care of work related things using Excel and Word (does Linux run Open Office? Because that would suffice) call people on skype, and instant message using MSn and AIM.

I don't want to have to purchase an OS, so I am thinking about Linux. Is Linux the OS for me?

How hard is getting used to it?

If I install it on my dad's PC and I think it is good, I might dual boot it with my W7 64-bit desktop as well.

Edit: I meant Ubuntu btw. My bad.

 

[csm725]

Easy to get used to. Yes. but Ubuntu 11.04 uses LibreOffice. If it's in a couple of weeks, then 11.04 Natty Narwhal will probably be out (it's being released in April and already in beta). Not sure about MSN/AIM but Empathy Chat connects to many networks, probably including these. Skype is great on Linux - a good webcam software is Cheese.

 

[Fletcherea]

Simply put, yep, grab a mint or ubuntu iso and basic needs away =)

 

[jonespwns]

Yeah I would say it is. Some stuff can be ******edly complicated like installing certain drivers and stuff cause you have to use the terminal. But if you are just a simple guy that does simple stuff on a computer Linux can be the perfect thing for you

 

[Toransu]

From my experience, yes, Linux can well be enough for those tasks.

Although you might want to choose your distribution wisely, or be pretty adept at configuring and installing stuff if it doesn't come pre-bundled. I can see that this is why most people would recommend Ubuntu for the job, but the more experienced enthusiasts will tell you that it's not worth the extra cruft. All in all, it depends on how much effort you wanna put into it.

A note about OpenOffice, though. I can tell you from firsthand experience that its compatibility with any version of MS Office is horrendous. So, unless most of your dad's office runs it too, you might want to look out for that. An alternative that I'd suggest is Google Docs, though.

 

[Transhour]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ComradeNF I'm making my dad a computer in a couple of weeks, and all he really does is check his e-mail, take care of work related things using Excel and Word (does Linux run Open Office? Because that would suffice) call people on skype, and instant message using MSn and AIM. I don't want to have to purchase an OS, so I am thinking about Linux. Is Linux the OS for me? How hard is getting used to it? If I install it on my dad's PC and I think it is good, I might dual boot it with my W7 64-bit desktop as well.

msn = install aMSN:

sudo apt-get install amsn

10.10 (i would use this instead of the beta of 11.04), it comes preinstalled with open office.

AIM = you can use pidgin (also works with yahoo and several other IM clients.)

sudo apt-get install pidgin

skype = skype has a native 32 and 64 bit package for ubuntu on their website,or you can install the slightly out of date version from the repo:

sudo apt-get install skype

linux is really as hard as you want to make it. if you have questions about how to do something, post in the linux section of this forum and there are quite of a few of us seasoned linux users.

ubuntu or mint are two of the "easier" (i use this loosely) linux's to use.

 

[animal0307]

I'd go with Ubuntu. Some advice (based on my experience) Ubuntu and ATI gfx cards don't play well with each other. I have heard ATI is trying to get the drivers to work with Linux better but I believe Nvidia drivers are bounds ahead of ATI in the Linux field.

 

[RealEyes]

definately good to browse and message

 

[Nautilus]

As opposed to most people's comments, i'm not much of a fan of instant messaging applications under linux. Nothing really works as it should be. File sharing is an example for this. I could never send or receive file from my friends who are running linux. Also the interface is quite messy, you're not gonna find the eye-candy, simplistic design of Windows Live Messenger in any of Linux IM software.

But yeah, at least sending receiving messages do work right.

 

[d-block]

Quote:

Originally Posted by transhour if you have questions about how to do something, post in the linux section of this forum and there are quite of a few of us seasoned linux users.

Could have fooled me.

 

[error10]

Yes, Ubuntu will do all of that and much more.

But, there are things it won't do. For instance, you won't be able to run viruses and spyware and adware and useless crap.

See the Linux Software Guide in my sig; you'll find it very helpful.

 

[Transhour]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nautilus;13005975
As opposed to most people's comments, i'm not much of a fan of instant messaging applications under linux. Nothing really works as it should be. File sharing is an example for this. I could never send or receive file from my friends who are running linux. Also the interface is quite messy, you're not gonna find the eye-candy, simplistic design of Windows Live Messenger in any of Linux IM software.

But yeah, at least sending receiving messages do work right.

thats odd? what clients were you trying to use for the file sharing? i use amsn all the time, my friends and i have no problems transfer files in between each other using it, i must admit, i don't use pidgin very often as i stopped using aim and yahoo, and i don't really remember if i had any difficulties transferring files.

as for the flash of the windows clients, especially skype, i will pass

i seriously dislike the new UI for skype, its a bit confusing and there are times i've responded in the wrong "conversation".

as for amsn vs windows live messegner, i'm not bombarded by endless useless bing advertisements or "news" stories about the who's who of bollywood or 11 secrets to "keep your man happy", or how to look "sexy" after childbirth...amsn i find simplier and easier to configure and keep "organized" than windows live, i even use it in windows as they release a windows binary for it as well...

afaik, skype for windows will run in wine without many problems (about the only problem i'm aware of, in ubuntu at least, not sure about the other distros) is getting the microphone in wine to detect or be used correctly, due to some incompatibility with wine and pulse-audio (but the native client doesn't have this problem anymore).

what other problems or "things not working as they should" have you experience with linux native clients vs their windows counterparts...i have a good idea of the file transfer problem could be, but i would need more information from you, to figure out if it is the same problem that a friend of mine experienced in the past that we were able to fix with out so much as cracking open a terminal

 

[the.hollow]

I'm on mint 10 right now. Pretty much all I do is listen to music with banshee, talk on pidgin messenger and browse with chromium. If I'm in gaming mood then switch over to win 7..

 

[animal0307]

Quote:

Originally Posted by error10 but, there are things it won't do. For instance, you won't be able to run viruses and spyware and adware and useless crap. :d

haha!!

 

[csm725]

Also, there is Skype for Linux.