Why Linux?

[n8dagr8]

This goes along the line of the new computer (kinda like to have it all figured out before I buy). What are the dis/advantages of running linux? I'm thinking if I get a 160GB (yeah, down from 200+) HD. I could partition some (40GB) and run linux and teach myself to use that. I don't think I can get away from windows because of a lot of the software I run. Thanks for any info.

[SimpleSimon]

My first thought is to just take some old junker and make it a Linux plaything fulltime.

Less risk to your "production" PC.

Linux will happily run on just about anything you've got lying around. ;)

[Neil Derryberry]

I just switched to Linux from WinXP. I'm running SuSE 9.2, 2.6 kernel.

Suse is a nice replacement... install is easy, general use is easy. My email is browser-based, so no issues there. I run Cisco vpn conecntrators at work, and there is a linux version of that client that works well. I manage my windows servers and desktops with VNC/Samba... works like a champ. Wireless works as well, at least atheros-based cards do.

The switch can be made with minimal knowledge..

[music_beans]

Whats wrong with Windows? Most software designed for Windows won't work in Linux without an emulator like WINE. Even then, the software may not perform like it should.

[Ron Barry]

Linux has a lot of pluses going for it. It is stable environment and it allows the user a lot of flexiability to tinker with. Simon makes a good point about taking a older machine you have laying around and using that as a playground. I used Linux in my previous job and also in the current job. Couple things I found. This is from my experience with RedHat and Mandrake a year back.

1) There are some nice UIs in linux in terms of look. However, when you play around with them for any length of time you start to actually appreciate with the Mac and Windows people have down over time. There is a lot of room for improvement in the Linux UI area. A lot.

2) Extremly flexable platform.

3) Lots of open source stuff.

4) Last time I played with it, Java ran pretty good on it.

5) When you run into a hard issue, getting things to work can be a challange. Lots of time it takes mucking with configuration files.

For the guy that likes getting intimate with the platform and likes to tinker, Linux provides an excellent platform. Don't get me wrong, Linux is a powerful OS and it is by no means a toy. The areas I found lacking was in the UI area and usability. In the tools and configurability area.. It rocks.

[music_beans]

Okay. I would never replace WinXP with Linux, but I do have both on my computer, and I use Grub as the bootloader. Its set to boot WinXP as default, but that way, I can select Linux as well, and boot into either one. BTW, Linux is on a seperate hard disk.

[music_beans]

Im bringing back an old thread from purgatory. Hey, its almost Halloween!

Well, forget what I said about Windows above. I just switched to Linux not too long ago, and Im hooked. Im using Ubuntu 5.10 Breezy Badger. Got it off eBay for a low price. (yes I know I could have just downloaded it for free, but the package came with a Ubuntu Live CD and a Knoppix live CD.) I will eventually install WIndows again, but not until I get a new computer, which I hope to do so in a few months. I will still use Linux as the default OS. :)

A note about Linux items on eBay: In most Linux listings, they explain many great things about Linux, and the screenshots they have show lots of cool little desktop gadgets and applications. What many people don't know that those features don't come right out of the box. You need to install them seperately. Case in point: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7189712763&category=41881&sspagename=rvi:1:1v_home

I didn't buy Ubuntu from this seller, but the one I did get came from a good seller with fast shipping.

[brmann]

Why Linux?

Why Linux on the 921? Is it used on all or most of E* receivers? What other OS are used by satellite TV providers?

What are it's advantages? One thread I read quite a while ago blamed the high spin (and loud noise) of the 921 on Linux.

[n8dagr8]

Why Linux?

Why Linux on the 921? Is it used on all or most of E* receivers? What other OS are used by satellite TV providers?

What are it's advantages? One thread I read quite a while ago blamed the high spin (and loud noise) of the 921 on Linux.

I've never heard anyone blame the noise of a spinning HDD on the OS. :confused:

TiVo is Linux, too.

Since this thread has been dug up I will give my update. I'm running Ubuntu 5.10 "The Breezy Badger" on my old computer. I think the problem with that machine was bad memory. I'm not 100% sure but anytime I tried to reload an OS or format the HDD the machine crashed. When I pulled the memory upgrade it became stable. Anyway, Linux (Ubuntu) is pretty easy to set up and hasn't given me any problems yet. I like it and the fact that it's free makes it even more likable. I would recommend it. I think it will be the OS of choice on the "family computer" (not that I have a family but you get what I'm saying). I have to keep windows on at least 1 machine because only 3 poker sites I know of have software that run on linux.