Anyone use Linux?

[Lamp]

Any good? How does it compare to Windows? Is Ubuntu the one most ppl go for?

 

[Zenith.UK]

I've used Ubuntu both alongside Windows and exclusively.

It is one of the best to use for those fresh from Windows. I still don't think it ready for everybody out of the box, because you always find something you want to do that needs configuring. I found I had to install 3rd party drivers for my nvidia graphic card and setup a modeline for my native resolution. This meant going "to that dark place"... the console.

Many things have been automated such as the Network manager (LAN/wifi) and discovering shares over your network. Video playback was smooth once I got my nvidia driver installed but mplayer had problems playing a video file over the network. It kept trying to copy the whole file then play it instead of streaming it (mounting the share with CIFS solved that problem).

For anyone who wants an OS that works out of the box, it's good. To make it perform properly takes a little tweaking, and the Ubuntu Forums are a mine of helpful information.

 

[Tuthmes]

Go for Kubuntu. KDE > Gnome by miles.

Make a partition and play around with different distro's and settings (Compiz will give you an headache if you got an ATI card). Write down the stuff that you liked and what you fked up.

When you feel ready, install. You will find that you have a lot more freedom then with OSX or Windows (whatever version).

Playing games under Xine goes fine btw.

 

[Killswitch]

I dislike the "which is better, Linux or Windows" type arguments. In theory, a PC is a tool to do work and the OS should be pretty much invisible. Of course, that's not the case...

If you want to game or if your requirements centre around popular mainstream applications, Windows is really the only way to go (or emulated Windows I guess, but who has the time? ).

I can't think of many everyday tasks that Linux makes easier than Windows, although if you like to tweak and enjoy fixing problems yourself (rather than waiting for a Service Pack or whatever) then Linux is a more flexible OS. If you want to learn Linux or if you work with Linux servers, having a Linux desktop can be a godsend.

I use Linux probably 10 hours a day at work. My desktop is Linux, all our servers are Linux and my work laptop is Linux. My home PC runs Windows because I like to play Football Manager and WoW on it. I couldn't easily run Windows at work or Linux at home (as main machines).

If you want an easy start, I'd possibly recommend Linux Mint over Ubuntu, just because I prefer the look and feel (it's essentially the same OS). If you're new to Linux then you want a Gnome-based Linux desktop, but if you're an old-hand (or even a Windows power-user) you might find KDE to be better for you.

Best advice I can give is get some Live CDs...check out Mint, Ubuntu, Fedora (yuck!) and have a look at Gnome and KDE and see what feels "right" to you.

I'm a big Linux fan, but I'd never recommend someone switch to Linux without a reason (learning is a reason!) in the same way I'd never recommend that a Linux user switch to Windows unless they have a good reason.

 

[Lamp]

cheers

ATB

 

[Will]

I've used Crunchbang Linux for a while now. It used to be based off Ubuntu but with a lightweight window manager (Openbox) instead of Gnome, but has recently changed to a Debian base.

That sounds a bit complicated for people that don't know what I'm talking about. Think of it as a light and basic version of linux that is fairly user friendly and looks a bit goth.

I've also heard good things about Linux Mint which is also based off Ubuntu but with better install scripts (much like Crunchbang).

 

[ford prefect]

I tend to stick with Unbuntu - fantastic for pretty much everything I want to do - media and file server ect and for running beta versions of various websites ect.

I also keep a bootable copy on a memory stick for fixing windows as and when necessary.

Comparing it to windows is a bit like comparing apples and oranges to be honest, they do similar jobs, just differently. I wouldn't use Unbuntu as a full time OS, I would still use Windows or OSX over it for every day use (i.e. surfing, working ect).

 

[Ormorof]

i liked ubuntu and had no problems running FM on it, however as i am not that familiar with it whenever something went wrong, fixing it was a bit of a challenge but since i have a perverse joy in creating/fixing problems like that it was nice

but alot of other stuff has problems (and as mentioned graphics drivers are a pain in the ass )

i never had to resort to the console as frankly, i have no idea how to use it.

mostly i just guess and hope

 

[Jiggs]

Used Ubuntu for a long time on my laptop, I only went back to windows because I couldn't run the one piece of software I needed for my uni project under linux :<

Perfect for most things, I liked it.

 

[Chronictank]

Generally use Ubuntu for desktops, Debian/Ubuntu for servers personally if i am going down the linux route