15 replies to this topic

[blooodtech]

Hiya guys so yeh im thinking of going to Linux as im quite bored now of XP i tryed vista and i dont like it, but i was watching a few videos on youtube showing the cool stuff new linux distributions can do and i must say im quite interested in it.

I was just wondering if anyone uses linux here?

Oh and another thing if i switch to linux will i still be able to play games like battlefield 2,warrock using that program that enables linux to use .exe files?

Thanks guys.

[Google]

[Small Shoe Magoo]

Stay with XP.. more reliable.. Plus I don't think linux runs .exe's..

If you want those features then go find programs that incorporate linux features into your XP, like the cubed desktop display..

[guestolo]

Hiya guys so yeh im thinking of going to Linux as im quite bored now of XP i tryed vista and i dont like it, but i was watching a few videos on youtube showing the cool stuff new linux distributions can do and i must say im quite interested in it.

I was just wondering if anyone uses linux here?

Oh and another thing if i switch to linux will i still be able to play games like battlefield 2,warrock using that program that enables linux to use .exe files?

Thanks guys.

Try the live distros first and see if you like it
Personally, I know myself and at least one other on these forums use SuSE 10.3
That's personal preference

You have to decide which you like the best

[blooodtech]

ahh i see

OMFG just checked out my graphics card compatability and.. Out of all the ATI graphics cards mine is like the only one not supported by linux
i was hoping to use Fusion and beryl but oh well guess ill stick with Xp

[guestolo]

Out of all the ATI graphics cards mine is like the only one not supported by linux

I also dual boot my laptop with XP and SuSE
Unfortunately for me also my mobility 7500 doesn't have ATI support
But it does everything else I need

[blooodtech]

ahh i see, well you cant ask for any more really

[muhahaha]

I'm not sure whether it'll be any use to you, and it helps to have a pretty high spec computer, but I use Virtual PC 2007 from Microsoft, it allows you to install different operating systems along side your main OS, so you can get the feel of a new OS etc. I recommend you try it out if your thinking of doing a switch, just to be on the safe side.

[Joshyboy]

I use Ubuntu and Vista. If you're running Vista it's much more easier to partition your hard drive and if you're only on the computer to do a few task e.g. web browsing, msn, irc etc. Than Ubuntu is great uses a rare amount of resources and is much better functioning than Vista because of this. I don't have any regrets having my computer run with Linux and Vista. I think they both have their advantages.

[Josetann]

I've used quite a few. Started with RedHat, then Mandrake (now Mandriva), then CentOS, then Suse, and right now I'm using Slackware (but not on a desktop). I just make sure I have some way of running Windows (either a separate desktop that I can remote desktop into, or win4lin, vmware, etc.), and I'm good.

[Small Shoe Magoo]

I tested out suse, and I'm loving it, except for the minor set backs w/ linux. I.E. Beryl +Compiz/Fusion isn't all that it's made out to be. Sure it's fun to sit back and watch your monitor go up in flames (who doesn't love a movie night), but the programs are very limited. I was feeling less in control of my computer, and taking up more time looking for apps that I'd be interested in for linux. There's WINE, and other API based programs that can help you run window apps, but it's not the same (very limited #, and there is some unevitable lag). But by all means, go test it out. It's great to use and a great OS to get away from Windows, temporarily.

[Josetann]

I tested out suse, and I'm loving it, except for the minor set backs w/ linux. I.E. Beryl +Compiz/Fusion isn't all that it's made out to be. Sure it's fun to sit back and watch your monitor go up in flames (who doesn't love a movie night), but the programs are very limited. I was feeling less in control of my computer, and taking up more time looking for apps that I'd be interested in for linux. There's WINE, and other API based programs that can help you run window apps, but it's not the same (very limited #, and there is some unevitable lag). But by all means, go test it out. It's great to use and a great OS to get away from Windows, temporarily.

I think the best time to try out Linux would be when you're about to upgrade your version of Windows or buy a new PC. There's going to be a learning curve, not all of your old programs would work with the new version of Windows, you've got to reinstall all your stuff, etc. It won't be much more painful to go ahead and switch to Linux (or any other Alternative OS) at that point.

There are some things you can do now to make the transition easier. Try to run software on your Windows PC that will also run on Linux. For a browser try Mozilla Firefox. For word documents, spreadsheets, etc. try OpenOffice.org. For your Instant Messaging needs, try Pidgin (formerly Gaim). There's even Windows versions of TheGimp (think PhotoShop clone) and Mplayer. If you're used to using those programs, then a transition to Linux will be even easier.

[Small Shoe Magoo]

There's still the problem about video codecs, etc. You'd have to actually 'buy' them.. Linux is the best choice for a server, of course, but at this moment I would only use it as an OS if you were a true hobbyist.

[guestolo]

There's still the problem about video codecs, etc. You'd have to actually 'buy' them.. Linux is the best choice for a server, of course, but at this moment I would only use it as an OS if you were a true hobbyist.

What codecs do you have to buy?
None that I know of, that I use anyways

[Small Shoe Magoo]

I went Suse for a bit of time, and the media player's that were pre-installed could not run .wmv's or .avi's (I know these are for windows, but most of the videos I have are in the format). It brought me up to the help page, and gave me a link to a site to buy the codecs. I couldn't find another media player (free w/ codecs) that I could dl off YAST. I'm pretty sure you could get your hands on them through sites for free, but it just aggravated me for a bit.

[guestolo]

Have you seen this link?
http://opensuse-comm...ed_Formats/10.3

[Bloodyhalfling]

BEFORE YOU INSTALL LINUX LOOK AT THIS FIRST: GOOD ADVICE!!!