Lets discuss linux

[Codcommando]

My friend gave me an old computer that ive just been using to practice assembling and unassembling (going for speed records like marines do with there rifles lol) and i've been considering putting linux on the computer just for the hell of it. What makes linux so special and what are common compatability issues for it?

 

[Kamikazie]

Lets discuss linux

do we have to? D:

 

[Zeus]

ok first off its wireless support sucks, I had linux installed and I couldnt fix up my wireless network for the life of me without it requiring about 7000 tune ups and hours of working with it. Also, it doesn't work on my new monitor and its near impossible to get it to have the same functionality as windows xp. And just forget about running games on it. As a former linux user I must say there's no point in using linux if you're just an average comp user and a PC gamer like me.

 

[WhiteZero]

Linux is awesome for servers.
:thumbs:

But it's user-friendliness isnt great for a non-advanced user. i.e. compiling software to install (unless you use RPMs).

 

[Cole]

Linux is overall useless if Xp works perfect for you, then there is no real reason to use Linux.

Though if the machine is older, I'd install something like Ubuntu(Spelling?), will be very easy on the machine.

 

[ericms]

Ubuntu/Kubuntu is a nice desktop linux OS. You guys complain about the user-friendliness but you probably just tried a difficult distrubution. I'm confident anyone at this site could pick up a distrubution like ubuntu if they wanted.

 

[psyno]

ok first off its wireless support sucks, I had linux installed and I couldnt fix up my wireless network for the life of me without it requiring about 7000 tune ups and hours of working with it.

True. IMHO, wireless support is its weakest point.

...and its near impossible to get it to have the same functionality as windows xp.

Maybe true, but maybe also true the other way around... i.e. "it's near impossible to get Windows to have the same functionality as linux."

And just forget about running games on it.

Maybe about halfway true. I have a friend who plays HL2, CS:S, and GW exclusively from linux through Cedega. Many games are supported on linux natively (Doom 3, NWN...), but of course the majority are not.

It depends on what you want to do. It doesn't really sound like you want to use this as your primary desktop machine, so the above points don't really apply anyway. What really "makes linux special" is its openess, it's unix-like-ness, the vast amount of open software available for it, and the large community behind it.

 

[Glirk Dient]

Dont forget about the business solutions. Tech support from Windows is essential for businesses who use windows on their comps. Im not talking about servers, that is different but many of the idiots in the business world rely on Microsoft to help them out when they cant find the start menu.

 

[WhiteZero]

Well, you can still get support for Linux. You have to pay for it then, of course, unless you just want community "support".

 

[JellyWorld]

User friendliness depends on which distro you are using, something like Fedora or ubuntu would be easy, whereas Debian would murder you.

 

[Steven]

Hardly anything's compatable with Linux, I have a Linuix laptop and you have to do all this stuff just to install a ****ing program.

But Windows like Linux can also be a peice of poo poo.