Anyone here us linux?

[Tammy]

I am wondering if anyone here has escaped from Microsoft and actually uses something different like Linux on their home machine? I think that's a cool thing to do, but difficult.

[Viper007Bond]

Not me - I'm a gamer and therefore I need Windows. Nothing wrong with Windows either, IMO at least.

[KLH]

I wanted to. I downloaded it once, but never got around to buring it to a CD, so I never actually got it installed on any computers.

I do want to sometime or another get a Linux box working.

[SnakEyez]

I don't like Linux as a home operating system, to me it doesn't offer the same benefits as Windows and Mac OS X. However, I am debating to build a small Linux server because Linux servers are better than Windows, and cheaper than Mac.

[Tammy]

Originally posted by Viper007Bond
Not me - I'm a gamer and therefore I need Windows. Nothing wrong with Windows either, IMO at least.

I agree, you definitely need Windows for certain tasks. But the idea of a dual-boot machine has crossed my mind, just to tinker around with....

[SnakEyez]

Last time I tried to dual boot a Windows machine it was not a pretty sight.

[jemtman]

I run windows XP on this computer. It's a new comp and does everything i need fast. But our older computer was kind of bogged down by flaws in 98se so i got suse linux for it. Now it's a dual boot comp. It works great and is much faster than 98 so i like it. It includes most software needed to run a normal computer, but i keep 98 around for specialized tasks. I think Linux is great (for older computers).

~Jemtman

[Tammy]

Thanks for the insight. I used to think Windows 98 was fast hehehe. Now I think it is slow as molasses. I guess I might try Linux too if I were still stuck with 98. ;)

[Silmaril8n]

I use Linux daily. I have 2 servers setup in my home office that run my website and local filesharing. Then I also have a few desktops running X that I use for various other tasks.

I still run Windows but only because my company uses some Win32 based software that I have to support.

[Silmaril8n]

Thats it? No more talk about the best OS on the market?

[Viper007Bond]

Originally posted by Silmaril8n
Thats it? No more talk about the best OS on the market?
Server OS? Yes.
Desktop OS? No. Sorry, but really, unless you just wanna surf the web or do word processing, you need Windows.

[Silmaril8n]

Have you used any with the newest versions of Gnome or KDE? I work with a dozen other individuals that soley use Windows for all their needs (Excel, Word, Access).

For years now I've been able to keep up with them completely with Slackware and Dropline Gnome. It really is possible nowadays to do it.

The only real thing Windows software has over Linux (besides instability) is the gaming. It's isn't very easy to get a good game to run smoothly in Linux still.

[jemtman]

My insight into this is: (you all ready?)

Windows is good for all your basic needs. It has flaws, but so do other OS's, window's flaws are just exploited more because they have a larger share of the market. Windows runs smoothly and is good as long as your computer was purchased under 5 years (roughly) ago.

Linux is fast operating system that is a more advanced (yet slightly utilitarian) that has had the influence of many genius minds. However, being developed by many people has some advantages and some disadvantages.
Advantages (incomplete list): more secure, faster, looks cool
Disadvantages (also incomplete): things dont flow as well, kind of free and lawless (although some people like that)
-So Linux is good for slower computers, and people who like more control over their operating system. Note: most software needed to use a computer is included with most flavors.

And macs are just for losers who only like one mouse button

~Jemtman

[Viper007Bond]

Originally posted by jemtman
And macs are just for losers who only like one mouse button
Hey now, take that back! Macs are very pretty paper weights!

[Tammy]

There's an article about using Linux in this month's Windows IT Pro. Am reading about it, maybe on the next box I build I'll try it out....

[Silmaril8n]

Originally posted by jemtman people who like more control over their operating system.

Yeah, when it comes to computers I'm a bit of a control freak.

That I can't stand when an app tries to smatter itself all over my start menu, desktop, registry, and filesytem. Linux software cannot do that.

[Tammy]

I think you have to exert control over your OS. If you don't have control over your own computer, who does? Think about it.

[Silmaril8n]

I know plenty of people (they call me everyday) who have zero control over their OS. It's a good thing that 99% of them can't access the Internet too! Thats what Windows is good for right?

[Ruben]

No windows is good for hacking and gaming

[Viper007Bond]

Originally posted by Toyminator
No windows is good for hacking and gaming
Umm, maybe being hacked, but definetly not for hacking...

[Silmaril8n]

Originally posted by Toyminator
No windows is good for hacking and gaming

Eh? A Mac is better for hacking than Windows.

Linux is best but possibly that is due to it's wide userbase and that it's more popular in the hacking community than Mac OSX.

[Viper007Bond]

Okay, why are we talking about hacking... lol *rolls his eyes*

[Silmaril8n]

Hey I didn't bring it up, nor would call myself one.

I merely mention it because someone made the mistake of trying to hail Windows as the hackers OS...

[Ruben]

that someone would be... me, huh? :D
Ok but why would a Mac be a better hacking 'tool'?

[Silmaril8n]

Well, I can't speak from experience because I don't use a Mac, but I believe that OSX has strong similarities with Unix. Although it looks pretty and is supposed to be extremely user-friendly, I think if you know what you are doing that it can be a very useful tool.

[Ruben]

Good :D I got a Mac OSX :p

[Tammy]

Windows is good for running all my programs, that's the alpha and the omega of it all. I'd go with any OS that would do that, but Windows has the most compatibility.

[Ruben]

Same for me, actually the only reason why I bought a Windows comp was for the gaming in the first place...
Now I make websites :D

[Silmaril8n]

Out of the 4 systems in my house I have 2 that run Windows. I have Win2k on one of them for games, and then I WinXP Pro on a laptop so that I can recreate the environments of our clients. Otherwise simple tasks like getting them to search for files becomes a chore because I have to have them relay everything they see rather than just tell them where to go.

[Tammy]

Ease in talking about computer topics with other people is another big advantage. Not to mention that getting to know Windows inside and out is a major advantage when being asked to solve friends'/relatives' computer problems.

[Silmaril8n]

Yeah but I usually get annoyed now when talking 'puters with people now. There are so many people now that like to spout off and try to act like they know a thing or two. It can be really frustrating when I'm trying to help them and I find them 10 times more dangerous and difficult that the people who claim to computer illiterate!

[Ruben]

What kind of comapny do you work for?

[Silmaril8n]

A small packing/shipping service company. We only have about 30 employees but then we also have several hundred franchises out other business. I support all of them pretty much by myself. This week has been horrible...

[Tammy]

Your place is probably a lot different, but we never see our IT guys. They put the boxes in place, then it takes a stick of dynamite to get them out of their offices to look at our machines. ;)

[Silmaril8n]

Hehe - actually they never see me either. I live in Washington and the only locations that I support hardware in are in Arizona. I fly down there every few months or so to check on things and do maintanence. The rest of our customers only rely on us for software support so they don't ever see me either. 90% of my job is phone based.

[Viper007Bond]

I don't evny you, Silmaril8n. lol

[Ruben]

90% of my job is phone based.
Sweet :cool:

[Silmaril8n]

Originally posted by Viper007Bond
I don't evny you, Silmaril8n. lol

Well I do get to stay at home and hang out with my kid! Look at it this way... if I go through the entire without getting a call (it happens) then I still get paid for the entire day. Plus - I can transfer the calls to a cell phone and go wherever I want to. I rarely actually have to be at my computer to help a client out.

[Ruben]

I WANT THAT JOB! Omg... chill with my child and make money x.x

[Silmaril8n]

Originally posted by Toyminator
I WANT THAT JOB! Omg... chill with my child and make money x.x

Wait a minute here... you have kids?!?! :D

[Ruben]

No... only a cat

[Tammy]

That sounds like a great job. I always figured that half the tech people I get on the phone are sitting at home in their underwear....

[Viper007Bond]

Originally posted by Toyminator
No... only a cat
How old are you again?

[Tammy]

There's nothing wrong with only having a cat!

[Silmaril8n]

Originally posted by Tammy
That sounds like a great job. I always figured that half the tech people I get on the phone are sitting at home in their underwear....

I've only done that a few times! :D

[Viper007Bond]

Originally posted by Tammy
There's nothing wrong with only having a cat!
Didn't say there was. ;)

I have a bunny myself though. :)

[HRDaves]

I use both, Windows machine for gaming or other stuff that im more comfortable with like Photoshop, but at work its 110% linux, I acutally think doing system administration would be down right hard without a Linux based workstation to work from..

In a perfect world, one will have A) Windows XP machine B) MacOSX machine C) Linux (Fedore) core machine.. Theres not much you couldnt do with that combination.. :-)