To Linux or not to Linux that is the Question

Woa... Thanks guys! Seriously man you guys are just wonderful!:21:

I'm going to test this out soon, probably by end of this weekend as I have a "Study Week" the week after next... And I'm waiting for the Ubuntu forums to be up.

I've a question however, in Simply Seth's weblog, he said he had some problem with the audio and he wrote a line that he used something to fix it. However, it did not make ANY sense to me at all... So I'm a little confused there.

Also, his partition scheme left me a little clueless too... But I shouldn't have to worry about that unless I decide to go full ubuntu right?

 

When you were saying about virtual pc and vmare being demanding, yes and no.
I run Ubuntu, Xandros, Win2K on virtual pc, and its brilliant. However VMware (server, free one) is so demanding it wouldnt run on my system :/ (AMD Athlon 3800+ X2 dual core, 3GB RAM)
VPC is really good though for trying out linux, cos you have no chance whatsoever of messing up anything

 

And your specs is so much more powerful than mine... I thought VMware was supposed to be good... Gah...

Well, if Wubi is as good as it sounds, maybe I won't need VirtualPC after all lol.

 

The thing to remember is that which ever Linux system you pick you have to forget everything you have learned about Microsoft OS, at the moment I am a bit confused and struggling because I have only known MS OS. I chose UMBUNTU and downloaded from a disc from the on line Linux shop, the disc is useful as it gives you choise to make a partitision automaticly, to run it using XP or Vista as a vertial machine. If you partision a drive and download it will download the drivers for your softare and a loads of programs and games, not the first person Call of Duty type of game. The disc was only £2-50 ish including P&P. Then in the start up pages it will give you the choice to ether boot XP or Ubuntu, dont in my opinion dump XP until you have mastered Ubuntu or what ever Linux OS you have chosen. I am thinking of installing Memphis 7.0 on my other pc and compare the two once I have mastered Ubuntu

 

Is this what confused you?

Sound Issue:
Sound was not working so I had to do :

sudo apt-get install linux-backports-modules-rt

I rebooted and sound worked

In Linux whenever you wish to customize or reconfigure your install you have 3 choices.
1. Applications>Add/Remove
2.System>Administration>Synaptics Package Manager
3. Applications>Accessories>Terminal

In Seths blog he used option #3 and opened Terminal, copied and pasted : sudo apt-get install linux-backports-modules-rt : Then hit enter,then typed his password for sudo,then hit enter, then let everything finish doing its thing, closed Terminal, restarted his computer.

Options 1 and 2 are what Windows users will find familiar when it comes to adding software. After running Linux for a little while and you get familiar with option 3 you will start to prefer option 3 as you have waaaaay more control on what you can update and install on your system. Options 1 and 2 are somewhat limited.

In my linux help thread in this section I have links on using the CLI (command line interface)
Numerous other linux forums besides Ubuntu forums
Lots of How To sites for installing anything in Ubuntu and other Linux Distros
Step by step instructions on installing Linux with Windows with Screenshots or Video movie.

I did the hard work there so you guys wouldn't have to.


I had to Edit, Bootneck ,after reading "once I have mastered Ubuntu"

It made me smile cuz after running these Linux O/S for awhile now I am still a NOOB when it comes to Linux.

 

After further research I have come to the conclusion that getting itunes to work with Lnux can be a pain in the a@@ Kaister. It seems you can't buy tunes off itunes site using linux with itunes running in wine. Food for thought.

 

Hahaha. I don't buy tunes anymore. My library's going to last me for sometime and I've curbed my tune buying spree (i hope) so that's not a big deal. BUT, I can share the same library I hope? For iTunes in Ubuntu and iTunes in WinXP? It'll be so much trouble to create a whole new library...

 

No , you shouldn't have any problems synching from what I have read.

Chapter 16: Ubuntu and Your iPod

 

This looks like a good forum but you need to register to read their posts. They blur them out for non-members.

iTunes on Ubuntu - iPod touch Fans forum

Another good blog.

http://www.simplehelp.net/2007/07/08/how-to-use-banshee-to-manage-your-ipod-in-ubuntu/

 

You guys are the reason that ever since I've joined this forum I've always recommended it to my friends =)

 

Oh yes it does!
Other then using it in Wine there are several other apps that can use iTunes including my favorite called Songbird.

TaZMAn

 

for the main post answer.
I think its all about BUSINESS!

What do you think guys?!

 

Perhaps because WindowsXP is too popular? Making people take a leap from XP to Linux wouldn't be the easiest thing around I believe? Even if high schools and colleges make children use Linux, it might be a little redundant if it's not practicle. If I'm not mistaken, most businesses still stick to Windows systems.

The trend will shift however, as people begin to get more and more aware of the benefits of Linux. Also... Perhaps it was just me, but my last venture into Linux made me feel that it wasn't too user-friendly. Because I have read of people that didn't have any problem setting up their Linux system at all.

 

(GETS ON SOPBOX) :taz:

I understand where you are coming from Kaister.

HARDWARE MAKERS are to blame for the difficulties you experience when something doesn't work right out of the box in Linux. They only make firmware and Drivers for Windows. Just look at any hardware software compatibility listing and you will see 100% Windows, maybe 20% MAC (though now MACs are a little more popular those numbers are rising a little), and 1 % Linux compatible.

Its a wonder anything runs on Linux at all according to those numbers.

But because LINUX IS USER FRIENDLY you can tweak your operating system with ndiswrapper to fool your hardware that windows is using it. You can tweak your games with WINE to fool the game manufacturer that you are using Windows. Linux is very user friendly, IF YOU TAKE THE TIME TO LEARN HOW A NEW OPERATING SYSTEM WORKS. Big strides have been made in the last few years into making Ubuntu and other Linux Distros, just point and click distros.Heck, Kaister, I point and click to install software like Antivirus, Image editing, CD ripping, etc... in my Puppy Dingo Operating System that runs wirelessly, Runs flash and DIVx movies, and gives me 5 hours of battery life time on my 2 battery Amrel Laptop. All on 900mhz CPU and 256 mb ram.

The new 2.6 Kernels are way impressive for all the drivers they do come with. The new KDE Desktop coming out after Jan 27th is supposed to be way more advanced than any thing out there. Desktop choices are Amazing.

1, Gnome
2. KDE
3. XFCE
4. Icewm
5. Fluxbox
6. JWM
7. ELIVE
8. LXDE
Geez I can't even remember all the choices there are for how you wish to operate your operating system or how it works. I call that user friendly.

But explaining Linux, and don't anybody take offence, please, to a long time Windows user, can be like a sober man trying to take the keys away from a drunk man. "I caaan drrive, dammmmmet", its just a analogy folks, from a big dumb biker.

So far The only thing I can see that Windows has going for it is that it has a "MONOPOLY" on hardware vendors software choices and "Gaming" software choices.

(GETS OFF SOAPBOX):scooter:

Now off for some Drugs, Sex, and Rock and Roll. Happy Newyears.

 

Ahahahah!

After reading through what Roky has said, I agree as well. I guess for a moment there I just forgot about why I even decided to attempt at Linux to begin with. Linux IS user-friendly in the sense that you can practically do ANYTHING you want. Want a computer that's really TWEAKED to be an extension of yours? Haha. That's what Linux offers I believe.

I agree with what he said as well that hardware makers are to blame. Thinking back properly now the problems I faced were driver-wise. Couldn't find the proper drivers to make Ubuntu 8.04 run properly. Just wait till I can build my own mobo... or find a way to install Linux onto an external hard disk... lol.

Happy New Year everyone!

 

Kaister, I was just reminded of something and maybe you would like to check it out. This mobo comes with a internal flashcard with Linux already loaded into it and is not a bad mobo at that.
Tech ARP - ASUS P6T Deluxe X58 Express Motherboard (OC Palm Edition) Review Rev. 1.1

 

Hi Kaistar,
If I can throw in my 2 cents on this.
Linux is receiving more hardware support every day. With the economy in a slump you can expect to see even more hardware vendors supporting Linux as a new source of revenue.

The support that Linux already has from hardware manufacturers is amazing.
Asus motherboards, Nvidia Video Cards, HP Printers are just a few.
And there is hardware in which the manufacturer makes it clear they do not support Linux yet their hardware is used in Linux media systems as they make some of the best TV tuner cards on the market. That being Hauppaugue.

As for Linux being user friendly and easy to install? Yes it is as long as you do a bit of homework. Linux comes in many varieties and offers the user a wealth of choices as to what they can use. But you need to check their hardware requirements and what they support. The Linux kernel in it's pure form and current version supports plenty of hardware without any interaction required by the user.

But some distros or flavours of Linux may have modified kernels and are geared toward certain users or computers. So doing a hardware check is advisable. This is another great feature of the Live Cd versions available for many Linux versions. It allows you to try before you install.

I also believe that many of the concerns or confusion found in some users is the fact that they have never had to install an Operating System or the initial drivers as they were already pre-loaded into the computer they purchased.
I'd love to hear all the war stories about installing XP into a computer system that has Sata hard drives but no floppy drive! LOL!!
Linux has the Sata drivers available in the kernel image so during the install process your hard drive is detected and configured.

I hope this helps you in any future endeavors into Linux.
It's a sensible and straighforward OS that is user friendly.