Community weekly poll: Would you consider using Linux instead of Windows or Mac OS?
- 2/8/07 10:33 AM
we have it under study
by 46thchief - 2/9/07 6:44 AM In reply to: Would you consider using Linux instead of Windows or Mac OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
My USERs group is conducting a study on Linux. If from this class I find it is a viable alternative then my next system will run it. I have severe concerns about Vista and Microsoft's Big brother attitude. I presently run XP and will keep it as long as I have this machine. It's th next one I'm concerned about. Either Linux or MAC?
Jack
we have it under study
by fanihi - 6/2/07 3:06 PM In reply to: we have it under study by 46thchiefI am currently a Windows/XP user. I used to use OS/2 but that product is no longer supported. I understand that there is an "OS/2 variant" called eComStation now available; I have not explored that option yet. I downloaded Fedora Core 6 last week but had to abandon that one for the moment as I had some major problems with on on my Fujitsu Lifebook. I went with Fedora because I'd been using Ret Hat Linux 9 and been very happy with it. It ran well on a Compaq Presario notebook I used to own and had no major problems with it running on my Fujitsu Lifebook. The only major problem I had was with the lack of support for the Atheros WiFi that came with the notebook. Just yesterday, I downloaded and installed successfully, openSUSE 10.2. I am just now getting acquainted with it. Major issues? Surprisingly, Atheros WiFi, as well. I have not been able to get it to work. So I'm back in my sister's room cabled up for the moment. But so far, I'm enjoying this platform. If I can get it to do most of the things I'd like it to do, I might just forget about Windows/XP. I don't know much about the Apple/Mac platform.
Why I voted no
by jdrusk - 2/9/07 7:01 AM In reply to: Would you consider using Linux instead of Windows or Mac OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I've been around long enough to see these operating systems come and go.
Why I voted no
by LoboStrolls - 2/11/07 3:00 PM In reply to: Why I voted no by jdruskI have been working with computers over 30 years and remember being on ARPLANET. I've seen many OS's come and go also but they weren't open source movements. Windows is getting too prone to security risks from viruses and worms. MAC, Linux and UNIX are much safer today.
That is why I prefer Linux and not just to save a buck (which usually counts towards the bottom line.)
just photoshop
by blanko - 2/9/07 7:09 AM In reply to: Would you consider using Linux instead of Windows or Mac OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I'd love to try Linux, but I'm loath to, unless I can switch full time. I just can't do that unless I can run photoshop on it, as this is supposed to be what I use a computer for. Yeah I know about Gimp, even Gimpshop, but it lacks a few of the features that I depend on, a real shame as I'm a complete convert to the opensource cause, and Gimpshop is amazing.
How is Gimpshop
by Sith840 - 2/9/07 8:20 AM In reply to: just photoshop by blankoHi blanko. Have you used GimpShop? I have been wanting to try it. What features does it lack? Thanks, Paul
You bet...
by OlderThanOld - 2/9/07 7:37 AM In reply to: Would you consider using Linux instead of Windows or Mac OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I've got one PC at home with multiple interchangeable hard drives. At the moment, I've got two with OpenSUSE 10.2, one running KDE and the other running Gnome. The third drive carries Windows XP Pro. I had a Windows Vista installation on one of the two Linux drives, but it was so stale when compared to what I saw in Linux that I installed the second OpenSUSE copy over it. I'm getting a great deal of fun out of digging into Linux in these two desktop environments; it's almost as much fun as when I was first learning about PCs over twenty years ago.
Here's the conclusion I've come to--if you want to be involved in what's on the leading edge of desktop operating systems, use a current distro of Linux. If, on the other hand, you want to be content with more of the same-old-same-old, only a little fancier and a _whole_ lot more demanding of your hardware, get Vista. If you just want to get your work done, play some games, and not obsess over your PC, use Windows XP, and then go out and live your life.
Already do!
by ThPengiunsRComin - 2/9/07 7:58 AM In reply to: You bet... by OlderThanOldI actually made the switch over to Linux because my school's network forces us to use Cisco Clean Access Agent to connect via Windows, and it's a rather absurd and glitchy program. It locks up almost every time I try to log in, so I basically gave up and started dual-booting (left XP on my computer explicitly for gaming). That way I could actually get online without having to reboot one obnoxious program two or three times.
Strangely, I've had a lot of success with Linux as far as compatability, and with two distros that most people seem to shy away from: Fedora Core and Mandriva. They've both been great for me, and they have online repositories that allow you do download pre-packaged software and install it very quickly (both with a GUI and through the terminal). I had no hardware issues, except that I needed a separate package for my wireless because Atheros does not officially release it's drivers. Other than that, though, it's fast, it's stable, and I can do everything I need without fighting with my O/S. I'd say I'm in Linux 80% of the time these days, and the other 20% is just so I can play a game on Windows.
My personal opinion is that when I'm on Linux, I control my O/S, and when I'm on Windows, I'm kind of teasing it into cooperating long enough for something to get done. Just how I feel, though.
Would you consider using Linux instead of Windows or Mac OS?
by activesinger - 2/9/07 7:58 AM In reply to: Would you consider using Linux instead of Windows or Mac OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The reply posted on the CNET e-mail broadcast inspired me to take the plunge; I have ordered the Knoppix 5.1 DVD-ROM to give the system a good test drive. I am really quite thrilled that I have felt able to take the first step, which is all thanks to your inspiration.
Kindest regards
Roger
Linux is my faithful wife, Win is an old b**ch in new clothn
by btarunr - 2/9/07 8:24 AM In reply to: Would you consider using Linux instead of Windows or Mac OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The Linux I have been using for the last two years, Fedora Core, has never dithched me, we've had the best of times surfing the web, communicating with people, Content creation and best of all, programming, my trade. With just a ClamAV and KDE FireStarter in place, my OS has NEVER fallen prey to ANY malware. I still get the very same performance as the day I installed the OS. I was bogged down by my friends who acted high and mighty with Windows. Half the time their internet connections are used to download security patches and AV updates. God bless Linus.T ; God bless Tux.
I love linux...and my pc loves linux
by shankru85 - 2/9/07 8:26 AM In reply to: Would you consider using Linux instead of Windows or Mac OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Sir
I am still unable to understand people saying that linux is not user-friendly...any doubts download a live cd of ubuntu and test it...then u will understand...maybe certain things dont come out of the box like mp3 playing capability and certain other codecs and certain things..but it doesnt u cant set up those things..u can do it in a jiffy...all u need is a little bit of patience to go thro a couple of forums dedicated to the linux distro...ok now coming back to the hardware problem there are so many forums out there for linux who are willing to help the people...so u can just give them ur hardware details and what distro is compatible...i have found ubuntu rocking...there were periods when i had reinstalled my windows xp and i could not find my motherboard cd...just imagine this situation...i was helpless..i could not hear any audio because i could not install the driver for it and the display was awful since i could not install my display driver also...i went crazy...but my linux wow....it has the alsa for sound and there was no problem for display...now would u call this a better hardware support or ur xp??see i m not against windows or anything like that....i m trying to convince people how good an operating system linux is and an open source OS can win only when people lay their faith on it and use it..all i wud like to say is that it might be tough for a couple of days after u install linux on ur pc to get everything working but once u start getting a couple of things right u will get everything right and i promise u wud not log on to windows and for everyone's kind information all the eyecandy that has been added in windows vista has been around in the market in linux for a couple of years and has been there in Mac OS for around 6 years or so and they have been running even on low profile computers like mine...i hope i m not offending anybody by this post...i respect windows and microsoft and bill gates as much as anybody does...i m just presenting my view on the alternative to windows in this open world...hope everybody takes this post in the rite sense...
regards
shankar narayanan
-- Yes (What's holding you back?)
by LKMcMillen - 2/9/07 8:28 AM In reply to: Would you consider using Linux instead of Windows or Mac OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Drivers.
I've made a living based on computers since 1969. I've worked with UNIX, AOS/VS, CPM, DOS, Windows, OS/2, and Linux. I liked OS/2. The only problems I really had with OS/2 are the same as those I've had with Linux - Drivers.
If the major computer hardware manufacturers would provide (Properly written and tested) Linux drivers with their new products as they do for Windows, then Linux would flourish.
I believe that in order for Linux to become popular for personal use, it will have to first become at least as easy to install (Overall) as Windows 98SE, Windows 2000, and Windows XP. And that won't happen until the hardware manufacturers provide Linux drivers in the same box as the products they sell.
I like my Mac
by jimzim27140 - 2/9/07 8:32 AM In reply to: Would you consider using Linux instead of Windows or Mac OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I switched to Mac from Windows and think its great. I can do command line if I want, but am happy with OSX. The best decision I made was switching from XP to OSx.
Nope.
by Jason239 - 2/9/07 8:48 AM In reply to: Would you consider using Linux instead of Windows or Mac OS? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Sorry. I'm a more GUI based person, much like most of America out there. Once they see how "hard" it is to find something, and it isn't right in front of them like Windows, they'll run the other way. Example, "My Documents" isn't on the Desktop. You need something, so you can do your work quick. The Linux programs/Office immitations don't do nearly any of the functions that I'd need to do except - what?!? type. Again - majority of America is GUI oriented. If you make a mainstream Linux close to Windows, sorta like SUSI, most of America might buy into that.
Use it exclusively? No way.
by scribbles23 - 2/9/07 9:15 AM In reply to: Nope. by Jason239I have used several Linux distributions in the past and I liked all of them. The majority of them were GUI-based such as Red Hat and Mandrake, but I have used some non-GUI ones too. I love open source software for game development (such as Blender and Ogre) because they work just as well as the expensive products Maya puts out for my needs and they cost 1000 dollars less (i.e. nothing). Would I use Linux and open source software exclusively? Absolutely not.
My friends and family who are not so technically inclined often ask me, "What kind of computer should I buy?", "How do I fix this problem?", "Should I buy Vista?", "Should I upgrade my hardware?", etc., and because I provide tech support services to so many people, I'm expected to know what the latest trends are. I can't very well tell someone who asks me, "No, you shouldn't use Vista; try Linux." if I haven't used Vista myself.
It often frustrates me when die-hard open source fanatics tell their friends and families to use Linux, or when people who won't buy anything besides a Mac tell their friends to buy Macs without ever considering what the person's needs are, what their skill level is, or how willing they are to learn new systems. Here is an example of why you should consider the user's needs. My mother asked what computer she should upgrade to, I told her to buy a Mac. It would be better for her needs since she does a lot of graphical work, it runs Microsoft Office perfectly well, and she wanted to save space on her desk. However, when my fiancés mother asked me if she should upgrade to a Mac, I said no. I justified it by explaining the cost, the learning curve, and the lack of software support for the programs she uses most often, which don't come in Mac versions. I have also suggested Linux for people who don't have any problems learning new software and just need something cheap to make their computers run.
In short, each OS has its advantages and disadvantages, and recommending or using only one of them is a detriment to those who rely on you, the "technical person" for advice.
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
