Linux, No Linux, Which Linux?

[FieryGoose]

Ok so I kind of want to screw around with one of the linux distros but I don't know which one. I've been looking at suse 10.1, but honestly I don't know the first thing about deciding... my main goal is to use one that is user friendly and has the best support as far as programs go.
I have a few questions in particular:
Can linux run photoshop as well as 3rd party software off the internet? Is there drivers for my graphics card? Is there support for Itunes, since I have an ipod? How about my mouse and keyboard? Basically I'm just not sure about if I have to find some linux version of everything and if it is in any way convenient over xp32bit.
I'm thinking about burning a bootable dvd copy so I can just try it out without installing it, i'm not sure exactly where i would find that, i looked on the suse website but it seems all I could find were installable versions... Also if I were to install suse does it have a good reformatt tool like xp has? I realize thats alot to cover, but there you go, any help would be appreciated.
I don't know if a forum like this was already made but I searched and couldn't find anything.

 

[Cole]

If Xp works perfect for you there is no reason to switch. Xp can play your games, music, videos, edit files.... It isn't really any easier on Linux. If your constantly getting viruses cuz you are stupid nuf to click on "OMG DO A COMPUTER SCAN U GOT VIRUSES" And you have 20 virus scanners on your computer then yeah...Linux might be for you.

But Anyway:
-ATI's Linux drivers arn't the best but they're there
-You'll have to find a different program for linux other than photoshop
-There are other music programs besides Ituneso n linux
-It can be sometimes painfull to find a driver for your soundcard
-Wireless Networking really sucks on Linux
-It has messenger systems to connect to MSN, AIM, Yahoo, etc...
-Without WINE or Cedega\Emulator no program made for XP will run on Linux.

In the end I tested Fedora Core 4 and Xp. Personally it didn't matter to me. Xp works fine for what I do which is: Listen to music, play games, talk to people, watch videos, download files, code C# and C++, code websites. Linux didn't offer any real easier ways to doing any of that. It's all about the softare you have I guess.

If you dislike Xp's interface...download a new one! There are plenty of ones that completely redo the start menu and exploring system and how that all works. And no im not talking about reskinning Xp.

 

[FieryGoose]

Ok so in your opinion don't switch to linux unless xp is not working out for you. Ok so is there a program that can load my songs onto my ipod, also a fairly major question I left out, how about games? I have this Knoppix disk that allows my computer to run the os without installing it... does suse 10.1 have somthing like that, the only place that i can think of is here:http://www.novell.com/products/suselinux/downloads/ftp/mirrors_isos.html#americas
can i just stick both the install version and live version of suse on one disk or would that just screw everything up?(just thinking about saving a dvd)
Also on their site it says that the install version is only for 90 days, do you linux users use a different distro or something? This is where I saw it http://www.novell.com/products/suselinux/comparative.html

Edit:I forgot to ask, when using the live version how exactly does that work when surfing the web and just using it in general? Mainly i just don't want it to be adding temporary files to some unknown spot or for that matter if i would even be able to find my itunes music. I just don't really want to screw anything up, mainly i just oon't understand how the live version works. thanks for the help.:cheers:

 

[hungryduck]

If you want to try linux without having to install anything, try an UBUNTU live cd....just boots linux off the CD.
Ubuntu is the most user-friendly linux distro out there....
http://www.ubuntu.com/

 

[FieryGoose]

For Suse live Cd:

I'll have to check out ubuntu also, can i stick 2 live os's on one dvd or not?Its not really a big deal buy i'm just wondering?
Edit:An example of another thing that confuses me is when i was just using knoppix, i saved a document to see where it was going and i saved under some knoppix folder under the root folders, but is it saving under some directory on the cd or on my hdd somewhere, if so where would it be?

 

[destrukt]

games are incredibly limited, you can try wine but you'll have to sift through 30 different 'guides' to possibly get 1 or 2 working.

or, you could PAY money and use cedega (i doubt you would be able to get the cvs 'version' working correctly) and you'll have a higher chance of games working but you'll have to find out which engine is the best for your game and than possibly put up with slower performance.

suse 10.1 is good but a bit bloated.
ubuntu 6.06 is good.
mandriva is okay but also bloated.


seriously, as much as i like and use open source os' (openbsd for server, nubuntu for security and so on) i doubt it's for you, it's not ready for just the normal consumer, unless you have some friend who is dedicated to helping you learn it and fix the problems you'll come across.

just install a firewall, anti-spyware and anti-virus software and don't do stupid things (like click on dodgy pop-ups, download attachments and blindly execute them and so on) and keep updating you'll be perfectly fine with windows.. when was the last major virus thing ? some time ago and the last 'attempt' (or public one) totally failed.

 

[FieryGoose]

Ok, thanks for the info, but i'm still curious about when using a live version, which is probably end up using do all the documents that you save, save onto the cd or my hdd and if on the hdd where at? When using the live version of Suse or any live linux distro, are spyware and other things still a risk when browsing the web?
Also what i think i'll do is install windowblinds or somthing along with object dock, but is it just me or does it seem like if I install those programs and then later decide to uninstall them does your computer seem slower than before you installed the programs?

Thanks for all the replies thus far.:E

 

[Cole]

The last major one I know of is Sasser which was before Sp2. That one pissed me off, other than that I have been unaffected by viruses. I know what proccess are suppose to be running and what ones arn't. I use Microsofts own very nice anti-virus\spyware\adware thing and it works like a charm. Every week or so ill check it, never comes up with anything.


I think somebody did make an Ipod program for Linux. I know there is a custom version of Linux designed for the Ipod.
http://pag.csail.mit.edu/~adonovan/hacks/ipod.html
It may look a bit complicated but on Linux you do have to deal with some command line interfaces, and it's not that bad. The main thing you need out of that though is this: http://gtkpod.sourceforge.net/
It's basically what Itunes for Linux but the community made it.

 

[ericms]

Ubuntu is really great if you're just starting off. From the distros I've tried Gentoo is my favorite. FreeBSD/PCBSD is another good alternative.

 

[gh0st]

it wont save any documents onto the cd. it would have to individually burn each file.

it can save stuff onto the hard drive.

its better to save it on a jump drive (reads the drive as a mini-hdd)

 

[destrukt]

there is basically no spyware/malware/adware for linux because noone cares about trying to get any on linux as it's a waste of time.

windowsblinds and objectdock don't work on linux and since you asked this (or where you talking about windows ? that would be weird considering the current 'topic') i once again say you really, really shouldn't be using any form of linux or bsd.

 

[FieryGoose]

it wont save any documents onto the cd. it would have to individually burn each file.

it can save stuff onto the hard drive.

its better to save it on a jump drive (reads the drive as a mini-hdd)

So i don't know what the default path is for the ubuntu word proccessor, and for me i can find the hdd, but there are all the paths that i've never seen before that just sort of confuse me, If it was buring the saves on to the disk i suppose i probably wouldn't be able to view them in windows? Also if it were saved onto my hdd would it be viewable if i were to search for the name i saved it under... Also lastly is a jump drive something you buy or is it just a certain term used for the way a cd is formatted so you can save stuff on it?

To destrukt, i was talking about windows simply becuase i didn't want to make a whole new thread. I'm not quite thinking of using any linux distro to the point of installing it, just using live bootable disks. I was just taking minerals advice and giving windows a new look.

 

[Cole]

A Jump Drive is a USB Storage Device basically.

Like a small USB thing that connects directly into the USB spot. It has a flash based hard drive.

 

[FieryGoose]

A Jump Drive is a USB Storage Device basically.

Like a small USB thing that connects directly into the USB spot. It has a flash based hard drive.

Ok i understand thanks for all the help, boot versions of linux(live versions) don't screw with your hdd unless you do right?

 

[Space Farm]

there is basically no spyware/malware/adware for linux because noone cares about trying to get any on linux as it's a waste of time.

No, you are wrong but right in a way. Yes there are a more viruses for Windows becuase it's more popular therefore it'll be targeted. But viruses for Linux isn't a waste of time if your a person who wants to do some damage, guess what's more popular when it comes to servers? What OS do you think is running this site?

Also there only like 40 known viruses for Linux (most are in a lab) and over 60,000 Windows viruses. (2003 stats).

But to stay on topic. Yes you can't damage your system or HDD by using the LiveCD. I recommend you start with Ubuntu though, it's one of the most popular distro's for new users of Linux. Keep XP for gaming on though.

 

[destrukt]

i didn't say viruses, i said spyware/malware/adware, i specifically left out viruses/trojans.

so, 60,00 viruses i'll ask the question again, when was the last 'major' one ? face it, security on win [xp] is good, even by default (if you have sp2, and who doesn't these days ?), the old "LOLW INBLOWS IS FULL OF VIRUSES KEKEITOUCHMYSELF" (exaggeration, yup) is rather old/tured.

useless point: this site is running apache on gentoo.. is it me, or is their apache & php a bit out of date ? or maybe i'm remembering the latest version # wrong.

.. and yeah, ubuntu is all the rage and it's pretty good, if you do end up trying a live cd, do that, don't do something like knoppix, elive or whatever.

 

[Space Farm]

i didn't say viruses, i said spyware/malware/adware, i specifically left out viruses/trojans.

Oh yeah...oops.

so, 60,00 viruses i'll ask the question again, when was the last 'major' one ? face it, security on win [xp] is good, even by default (if you have sp2, and who doesn't these days ?), the old "LOLW INBLOWS IS FULL OF VIRUSES KEKEITOUCHMYSELF" (exaggeration, yup) is rather old/tured.

Good question. What was the last major one? Sober.x?

.. and yeah, ubuntu is all the rage and it's pretty good, if you do end up trying a live cd, do that, don't do something like knoppix, elive or whatever.

Have you tried the latest ubuntu? It's great, they've really improved on it.

 

[destrukt]

Oh yeah...oops.

i hate making mistakes like that, i have my fair share of them. D:

Good question. What was the last major one? Sober.x?

see, noone can even remember properly.. it was either sober, sasser or something, meh, it was awhile ago.

Have you tried the latest ubuntu? It's great, they've really improved on it.

yup, been using dapper (well, testing till now) for about 2 or 3 months though i'm yet to install the final version as vista is on my my main test computer and my second one is out of action (piece of ram died, need to buy some more); i'm going to test the server iso first and if it's any good i'll use it, but i doubt it'll be any better then my openbsd, freebsd or gentoo server.

i wish xgl/compiz was 'on by default' or at least officially supported, but hey, there's scripts and so on for those who can't install it themself.

 

[VictimOfScience]

XP for you major new gaming.

Linux for everything else. (I use Fedora Core 4 pesonally and everything works great, including NES, SNES, Genesis emulators and the SCUMMVM--this is where most of my gaming is done these days).

 

[Gray Fox]

Wait how does this work for Ubunto, I download it and burn it on a CD. And then just pop it in my drive and restart my PC?

 

[destrukt]

Wait how does this work for Ubunto, I download it and burn it on a CD. And then just pop it in my drive and restart my PC?

yup.. warning though, to actually get into the desktop might take 'awhile.'

 

[Cole]

Linux for everything else. (I use Fedora Core 4 pesonally and everything works great, including NES, SNES, Genesis emulators and the SCUMMVM--this is where most of my gaming is done these days).

While Linux is good for everything else so is windows. I find it a bit hectic to switch between Linux and Windows.

My windows is very simplified. I completely customized the Start Menu sorting things into folders. I save everything into a custom directory and I hide program files. (Games are C:\Files\Games\GameName). Very easy task.

My Windows looks nice and clean. It runs spectacular. I'm also gonna go find another Shell right now cuz im bored.