Linux: oh god wtf am I doing?

Krynn72

Krynn72

The Freeman
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So here I am. Looking at linux distros, trying to find the right one for me. I've read all the "everyone likes different distros" posts and tried some guides, but I dont know what most of this stuff means. I'm a total beginner when it comes to linux. I mean, I have NO idea about what its capable of or what it isnt. I didnt know you couldnt use .exe files until I did a search here and saw a post by atomicspark.

So I come to you, asking the ol' "which one should I get?" question.

I've got windows Vista on one partition, and will be dual booting (That still works right?) so gaming and media are taken care of pretty much. I want to mainly use it for my 3D work. The main, and probably sole reason I'm going to bother with linux is because Apple's Shake program is available for Linux too (and not the gimped version windows has). But some of my 3D apps dont have linux version, such as Zbrush. So I need a way to run them too (I saw another post here by Oreolek saying something about a app called Wine that runs windows apps).

So those are my biggest concerns and uses, but obviously I need a web browser (FF preferably) and I'd like to have a decent music player, but I think at the very least I'd be able to use a windows one if I use that Wine program right?

I guess most of the Distros would have this stuff? Are there any you would suggest, with this criteria in mind?
 
Tried Ubuntu, the most "user friendly" distro. Didn't like it, couldn't do shit without looking into 100 pages of documentation. I mean, it's cool if you know your way around it, but... just why in the hell you would change is beyond me.

But don't take my word for it, go and dual-boot Ubuntu.
 
Why would you want to install linux if you already have vista? That's like going from a mercedes benz to a ford pinto.

But I have heard good things about the new release of opensuse; never personally used it though (nor any other linux gui for that matter).
 
No Limit said:
Why would you want to install linux if you already have vista? That's like going from a mercedes benz to a ford pinto.
Click to expand...

Read my post maybe? I want it because it has Shake.
 
I've used Ubuntu briefly when my pc broke, but didn't really like it due to not being able to play games or do anything easily. It comes with firefox though so internet browsing wasn't too bad.
 
PCLinuxOS is the ultimate beginner's distro. Easy to install, does almost everything right out of the box. It's very simple to find your local drives and mount them (you can't write to them though). Great selection of software, very easy to add/remove programs from repository, and a nice integrated Control Panel so you don't have to deal with a 100 different GUIs.

Beautiful OS. Once you get the hang of it, you can move on to Fedora etc.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Vista is an awesome operating system. Don't fall for the bs.
Click to expand...
Vista is a great OS, but there's nothing as rewarding as learning to use Linux.
 
I have Vista and I can tell you it's great.


Thanks Vikram, ill look that one up. Does it come with something to run windows apps?
 
No Limit said:
I have about 20 vistas all on different computer, and I can tell you it's awesome. What makes it shit in your opinion?
Click to expand...

Let's just cut to the end here. I make a list of why I don't like it, you call my list whiny and absurd and list why you love it. I find your list laughable and an insult war breaks out with others joining in on why they love or hate it. In the end nobody's opinions change and everyone is pissed at each other.

TA DAH!

The End
 
Cornerstone said:
Let's just cut to the end here. I make a list of why I don't like it, you call my list whiny and absurd and list why you love it. I find your list laughable and an insult war breaks out with others joining in on why they love or hate it. In the end nobody's opinions change and everyone is pissed at each other.

TA DAH!

The End
Click to expand...

Well is your list whiny and absurd? No offense but a lot of people nit pick Vista just so that they can bitch about it. I am yet to hear a legitimate list of things that make "vista shit". I was hoping you'd change my mind but I guess not.
 
One word, crashes.

Actually no, I'm going list my issues:

Crashes
DRM
Troubles with backwards compatibility
Resource hog
Lack of solutions for crashes
Hardware/software and driver compatibility issues
Prompts!
Icons disappearing in start menu
 
Cornerstone said:
One word, crashes.
Click to expand...

Proof? I've had Vista running stable on this PC without a single crash. And i find it as stable if not more so than XP.So unless you have evidence to prove that Vista is less stable then XP i don't believe ya.
 
Yeah, the only time I've managed to crash vista was when I overclocked my video card too much.
 
PimpinPenguin said:
Proof? I've had Vista running stable on this PC without a single crash. And i find it as stable if not more so than XP.So unless you have evidence to prove that Vista is less stable then XP i don't believe ya.
Click to expand...

Proof? I have a Nvidia graphics card, that should be enough right there.
 
Cornerstone said:
Proof? I have a Nvidia graphics card, that should be enough right there.
Click to expand...

Whose fault is that? Certainly not the fault of Microsoft, since Nvidia has had years to make proper drivers for Vista through all the pre-release builds they undoubtedly got.
 
Yea but f'in listing the card as Vista compatible was a kick in the nuts. Further it isn't just graphics causing crashes, I regularly have programs crash on me.
 
Cornerstone said:
Yea but f'in listing the card as Vista compatible was a kick in the nuts. Further it isn't just graphics causing crashes, I regularly have programs crash on me.
Click to expand...

And again: whose fault is that?

I'm not saying Vista is perfect, it's just that your examples have nothing to do with Vista. I had a legitimate complaint on my laptop that was actually a fault in Vista: Windows Explorer crashed often when doing nothing but opening a folder.
 
Cornerstone said:
One word, crashes.

Actually no, I'm going list my issues:

Crashes
Click to expand...
Do you have the stop error from when it crashed?
DRM
Click to expand...
XP has just as much DRM.
Troubles with backwards compatibility
Click to expand...
Which hardware/software are you having troubles with in terms of backwards compatibility?
Resource hog
Click to expand...
It's not a resource hog, it's a newer OS. If you upgraded from windows 98 to XP that would be a resource hog to you too.
Lack of solutions for crashes
Click to expand...
If you post the stop errors I'll help you find a solution.
Hardware/software and driver compatibility issues
Click to expand...
Specifics?
Prompts!
Click to expand...
What prompts? Are you talking about UAC? That can be turned off, but it's a good security feature.
Icons disappearing in start menu
Click to expand...

Haven't seen that. You sure you don't have a virus/spyware?
 
Actually when I moved files to certain folders or delete mutiple files of certain sizes it crashes. Anything Macromedia would crash. Last year I had over 500 crashes and I have solved 80% mostly through research.

The point of Nvidia causing the crashes was not at all the intended meaning but when someone demands proof that Vista crashes, saying the word Nvidia usually shuts them up.
 
For 3D stuffs, look into Blender. I'm not sure if it's the same type of application that you're used to, but it seems very popular.
 
Cornerstone said:
Actually when I moved files to certain folders or delete mutiple files of certain sizes it crashes. Anything Macromedia would crash. Last year I had over 500 crashes and I have solved 80% mostly through research.

The point of Nvidia causing the crashes was not at all the intended meaning but when someone demands proof that Vista crashes, saying the word Nvidia usually shuts them up.
Click to expand...

The problems you are having has to do with your set up, not with Vista. If you are getting crashes moving large files there is probably an issue with your hard disk controller on your mother board.
 
No Limit said:
Do you have the stop error from when it crashed?
Click to expand...
Yes and I've been over them with many others, been there done that.
No Limit said:
XP has just as much DRM.
Click to expand...
Since when is this XP vs. Vista? I didn't like that on either.

No Limit said:
Which hardware/software are you having troubles with in terms of backwards compatibility?
Click to expand...
I could make a list well over a hundred of just issues with games I've had.


No Limit said:
It's not a resource hog, it's a newer OS. If you upgraded from windows 98 to XP that would be a resource hog to you too.
Click to expand...
Aero and Sidebar, enough said and yes I know I can turn them off but what is the point of Vista without them.


No Limit said:
If you post the stop errors I'll help you find a solution.

Specifics?
Click to expand...
Been over this plenty before, I don't feel like going over it again right now.


No Limit said:
What prompts? Are you talking about UAC? That can be turned off, but it's a good security feature.
Click to expand...

It does have potential, I just feel that this is a poorly implemented idea. Security is big for me.


No Limit said:
Haven't seen that. You sure you don't have a virus/spyware?
Click to expand...
Nope, I've been around since MS-DOS 4.0 and I learnt my lesson during the early 00's and Windows 98.
 
Krynn72 said:
Thanks Vikram, ill look that one up. Does it come with something to run windows apps?
Click to expand...
You'll have to install Wine, and run your Windows apps through it. Same as with any other Linux distro.

(Wine emulates the Windows API, IIRC)
 
No Limit said:
The problems you are having has to do with your set up, not with Vista. If you are getting crashes moving large files there is probably an issue with your hard disk controller on your mother board.
Click to expand...

I have no issues with large files. Quantity of files is the only problem with deletion in regards to size in mass and specifically named folders. Hard drive checks out with no bad sectors, no cable problems. No slow downs and no other issues.
 
Well I'm trying to help you out, if you have the stop errors post them. If you don't have them written down then create a new thread when you get it again.

It does have potential, I just feel that this is a poorly implemented idea. Security is big for me.
Click to expand...
Poorly implemented in what way? If you don't like it turn it off. Or better yet run as a limited user account.

Anyway, I'm getting a bit bored of this discussion.
 
Stop with the ****ing quote wars, the Vista wars are sooo 2008. :|
 
No Limit said:
Well I'm trying to help you out, if you have the stop errors post them. If you don't have them written down then create a new thread when you get it again.


Poorly implemented in what way? If you don't like it turn it off. Or better yet run as a limited user account.

Anyway, I'm getting a bit bored of this discussion.
Click to expand...

It's a good idea is why I don't turn it off but it gets annoying with indy software.
 
Vista 64 is crap. i have it it crashes while playing any steam game and cant close firefox properly. 32bit may be better - i havn't used it. XP is much better, but it is older and therefore more stable i am using XP until i decide to risk vista again. Linux will never crash unless you f*ck around in the terminal and is very stable and has very nice gui (can be similar to OSX with compiz and beryl.)

I triple boot Vista, XP and Ubuntu. I use xp most of the time, Ubuntu when i just want to surf the net safely and Vista when i fancy constant crashes. This is my experience.

Anyway, no limit and cornerstone, you have taken this well off topic, and i suggest you answer the guys question or stop posting.

I highly reccommend Ubuntu as it has:

- great support - http://ubuntuforums.org/
- very beginner friendly
- very customizible
- very attractive with compiz etc
- like all other linuxs, has 'wine', a piece of software designed to emulate windows programs (.exe's and the like)
- has a install/uninstall program so you downt have to install via terminal which can get complicated.

i hope i have been more helpful than some other people in this thread.

good ubuntu links:

http://ubuntuforums.org/
https://help.ubuntu.com/
https://www.ubuntu.com/
 
I run Ubuntu but I basically do nothing in it. So I'm not sure what's the better version. hehe
I use it the opposite of how you would use Wine with Windows in Linux. I run Windows and VMware software with Linux inside that.
The reason I don't do much with it is because I only use it for folding@home. The points can be bigger and the software is more stable on the other side. :)
 
I have Ubuntu here for a month now. I've had some little troubles, but one Google search fixed everyone of them instantly. There's a huge amount of support out there.

I haven't crashed since I installed it (in contrary to Vista), and everything goes so fast and smooth. When my exams are over, I'm going to figure out how to run Lord of the Rings: Online inside Ubuntu (which is possible).
 
AtomicSpark said:
For 3D stuffs, look into Blender. I'm not sure if it's the same type of application that you're used to, but it seems very popular.
Click to expand...

Blender is an awesome free program, but pales in comparison to it's retail brethren. I've got a Maya license though, and its available for linux, so it shouldnt be a problem.
 
wpjiscool said:
Vista 64 is crap. i have it it crashes while playing any steam game and cant close firefox properly. 32bit may be better - i havn't used it. blah blah blah
Click to expand...

I'm running Vista 64, not having any issues with steam or firefox...
 
I've always thought of Linux as the Ralph Nader of Operating Systems. Windows is the one you hate, but need, and Mac is that guy that everyone below 25 thinks is the "coolest" choice, and vote for him because everybody else does it, and hey, he has a health care plan and a bunch of benefits, which can't be payed for because the computer doesn't have enough resources to run them all...


How'd you like THAT metaphor? :D

EDIT: Howd you like THAT randomness?
 
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