vbrad511 Posted September 20, 2008 Report Share Posted September 20, 2008 I've been thinking of setting up a hard drive with one of the Linux or Ubuntu OS's. Anybody got a list of pro's and con's? Will Windows based programs run? Why should or shouldn't I try it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minagera Posted September 20, 2008 Report Share Posted September 20, 2008 I've been thinking of setting up a hard drive with one of the Linux or Ubuntu OS's. Anybody got a list of pro's and con's? Will Windows based programs run? Why should or shouldn't I try it? It is easy, it just works. Cons: No you really cannot run all the windows programs, infact your exe's won't run there. You can use WINE, it is a windows emulator to run the junc, but that is messy. I would just dual boot if I was you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88TSI_Rob Posted September 20, 2008 Report Share Posted September 20, 2008 If you want to try Linux without going through all the trouble of installing it and setting up a dual boot there are distros that fit on a CD and boot right from the disc (AKA "Live Distros"). That way you can play around with it and make sure there are drivers that are compatible with all your hardware. Here is a list of what's available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LiveDistros I'm a fan of NimbleX, but I have only tried a handful of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
on4now4 Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 i use linux and dual but i would try it if i were you it is better for everything except gaming and you can get alot of windows programs to run on it it just isn't always easy but chances are if you want to run it it has already been done check the ubuntu forums they are very helpful and very friendly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue89quest Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 Just to point out, its not "Linux or Ubuntu" as you stated in the original post. Ubuntu is Linux, its just a specific distro, of which there are many (very many). I love running Ubuntu because it looks gorgeous. I have a 17"(1920x1200) laptop with a 22"(1680x1050) monitor hooked up, and the effects and all that jazz look amazing and modern spanning both monitors. I purchased an external 150gb drive and installed Ubuntu to that, so I can simply plug it in, and boot from USB drive whenever I want to use linux, without worrying about anything writing to my hdd accidentally. Also, the install is very speedy. Literally minutes, as opposed to hours or so with Windows, not to dis windows, as I love it too. If you like the looks of the Apple OS you can also make your linux look exactly like it, or exactly opposite if you so desire haha. Also, most distros will have almost all of your productivity programs already installed, and Open Office is compatible with MS Office. So spreadsheets, presentations, documents, etc. will be supported right after you install it. Even photo editing and managing programs are also installed by default a majority of the time. The only thing you might have to do is get codecs for movies and music, but even some distros have those included now. Truly, I see no downside to you at least checking it out. If you are not a gamer, then you will probably love the modern looking and very customizable gui of any linux distro out. Best of all, most you would want are FREE!! you just can't argue with free IMO. If I wasn't so lazy I would probably migrate to linux, but right now I use design software for my electronics classes that probably only work on windows. I really should just do it. I need to check if my Steam games can be installed in linux via wine and get the same performace i guess. Sorry so long, Download the latest stable release, burn a CD, boot from it, ENJOY! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vbrad511 Posted October 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 Just to point out, its not "Linux or Ubuntu" as you stated in the original post. Ubuntu is Linux, its just a specific distro, of which there are many (very many). I love running Ubuntu because it looks gorgeous. I have a 17"(1920x1200) laptop with a 22"(1680x1050) monitor hooked up, and the effects and all that jazz look amazing and modern spanning both monitors. I purchased an external 150gb drive and installed Ubuntu to that, so I can simply plug it in, and boot from USB drive whenever I want to use linux, without worrying about anything writing to my hdd accidentally. Also, the install is very speedy. Literally minutes, as opposed to hours or so with Windows, not to dis windows, as I love it too. If you like the looks of the Apple OS you can also make your linux look exactly like it, or exactly opposite if you so desire haha. Also, most distros will have almost all of your productivity programs already installed, and Open Office is compatible with MS Office. So spreadsheets, presentations, documents, etc. will be supported right after you install it. Even photo editing and managing programs are also installed by default a majority of the time. The only thing you might have to do is get codecs for movies and music, but even some distros have those included now. Truly, I see no downside to you at least checking it out. If you are not a gamer, then you will probably love the modern looking and very customizable gui of any linux distro out. Best of all, most you would want are FREE!! you just can't argue with free IMO. If I wasn't so lazy I would probably migrate to linux, but right now I use design software for my electronics classes that probably only work on windows. I really should just do it. I need to check if my Steam games can be installed in linux via wine and get the same performace i guess. Sorry so long, Download the latest stable release, burn a CD, boot from it, ENJOY! link??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue89quest Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 link to what? Ubuntu? GOOGLE IT DAMN YOU!! jk ok, here ya go. Ubuntu Download Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strang3majik Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 i tried out the NimbleX the other day...and I liked it. Its not much different from windows use wise...and you could easily adapt to it. Also, I was on the internet and everything through my wireless card on my laptop (which usually i have to install dell drivers just for it to work) and it worked perfectly without doing anything. sound, video, internet, everything...and it all booted and ran from the cd... id really like to try out the full version, so...i recommend it. Its also a lot safer as far as internet privacy too, for its based off Unix, only with a gui, which Unix is basically impossible to hack...a lot of government servers use it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dcrasta Posted October 7, 2008 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 based off Unix, only with a gui, which Unix is basically impossible to hack...a lot of government servers use it. Heheh..ever hear of milw0rm ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strang3majik Posted October 7, 2008 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 Heheh..ever hear of milw0rm ? hey...i said basically...lol most normal users dont have to worry about that...though, maybe the govt does... :spacecraft: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamlew Posted October 12, 2008 Report Share Posted October 12, 2008 I'm running Ubuntu 8.04 and winxp right now. I only use my windows for my printer and iPhone. Other than that Linux is much more secure + free. I'd download a bunch of linux live cds, it elts you try it out without installing it, there is also some on flashdrives so you can check it out. Just keep in mind it runs hella slow compared to the actual installation. Slax is an easy to use one its the live cd version of slackware Ubuntu is pretty popular because it's so easy to use Fedora is also nice but anyways, worth a try, if you're super into gaming then you may not like linux. It has support for super poplur games, but its a great thing to use for servers. you can use most window apps with things like wine, vmware, and just dual booting though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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