Does anybody on here have a Linux based O/S system?

@sharone74 (4837)
United States
February 9, 2007 10:44am CST
I have been hearing more and more about Linux sytems and I want to know a little more from someone who has one. I have never even seen one, so I don't know how compadible Linux is with all the software that I use and hardware like HP printers and photo cards etc. I also don't know anything about it's internet interface. So if you have one I would love to hear about it!
1 person likes this
9 responses
@arnboy (357)
• India
9 Feb 07
I have tried many Linux O/s systems (Redhat,Fedora,Ubuntu,Suse) to name a few. The Linux system are far superior to Microsoft System's. You have total freedom from the threat of viruses, spyware, malware and other internet bugs!. Linux has a very powerful firewall (much unlike windows). You can configure your own web server, there are powerful programming language compilers (c,c++)for eg. available for free. You can develop your own software as per your specifications. Also, there is a completely free openoffice package (a nice way to copy MS OFFICE) completely free, with spreadsheet,presentation,word software FREE! FREE! As far as the desktop environment is concerned there is a terrific hardware support (because unlike Microsoft,Linux versions are updated every 6 months, therefore you do not have to wait for years for getting a new O/s). Also, the graphical environment is superior to windows by a mile and just falls short of Macintosh, superb 3D effects are possible, with transparent windows (something which has been introduced in Microsoft Vista for the first time). Also, there is good support for HP printers in Fedora Core 6 Linux. Also, the best part Linux is free, you can manipulate the code of the O/s to your requirements and have the freedom to sell it in the market as your O/s, under GNU license scheme. Now comes the bad part, Linux despite having such good facilities, continues to be a favorite of Computer Wizards, and has been primarily marketed well keeping in mind the requirements of Corporate User's. (Its primary target is Web server's, large scale networking environment). As a result new user's (naive user's to be exact) are overwhelmed by the huge amount of features that are offered (just imagine if you have 5 or more web browsers you are bound to get confused, there are hundred's of games you will feel bored trying to choose which one you want to play with). Also, installation of new programs is not easy like windows where you have a simple setup file. So, unless you have a good knowledge of computer O/s and you are comfortable issuing commands i will not recommend Linux. However, if you want to save money then there is no better option than Linux OS in the market.
@sharone74 (4837)
• United States
9 Feb 07
I do prefer the much easier Windows Pro Operating Sytems with windows embedded and all of that for the ease of use and the set it and forget it features that automatically update tehmselves like my browser and such. You do make a very good case both for and against a Linux based system. You also provide a very good explanation for the reason that Linux based systems are not more commonly used in office enviroments.
• Malaysia
10 Feb 07
I used linux and still use linux and i am using linux rite now, and there is nothing better than linux except OSX. One of the easiest linux system that i have accross is called Ubuntu, it is free as a matter of fact they ship the CD free to your home, and it has a live CD in it so u can try it out before installing it. it is very easy to use, and if u need to learn more and u get stuck u could always go to ubuntu forum where u get answers instantously ,there are lots of ppl to help u in linux community and that is how i learnt to use it , not with books and training, and when u use linux , you are in total control, u can change whatever u dun like and make it your way, but off course in linux u got to work more than other OS where they have everything readily installed for u , u got to find those drivers and codecs and install them before you get to make a good use of your OS, and all the softwares are free, u get like milions of software for free to use, how great is that, make sure u give it try.
@sharone74 (4837)
• United States
10 Feb 07
would I lose all the files that I have on my computer now if I installed a Linux based OS?
• Malaysia
10 Feb 07
oh and btw ubuntu is like windows abit so u shouldn't have any problem. visit www.ubuntu.com www.ubuntuforum.org
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
9 Feb 07
I have used several different Linux distributions and they all have very good hardware support. I have also found them quite user friendly, so the old idea of Linux being hard to use is simply not true. The software is readily available and free, although most of them are less versatile than their Windows counterparts. A few major software retailers such as Adobe cater well for Linux, whereas the majority concentrate on Windows in order to reach a larger audience. My current is Xandros, which I particularly like because I can use Microsoft Office with it.
@sharone74 (4837)
• United States
9 Feb 07
So your installation of Linux software has plugins that work with some Microsoft Products or is it a special MS Office system?
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
10 Feb 07
It is a prgram called Croosover Office, which can be purchased as a seperate program but is already included with Xandros Desktop 4. It allows the installation of several Microsoft programs, of which Microsoft Office is one. I really like Linux, but I also use Microsft Office and especially Excel, so this is an ideal combination for me.
• Philippines
10 Feb 07
i had use linux before... its our project and i use kubuntu and configure it as a webserver, email server and domain name server and it good
@sharone74 (4837)
• United States
10 Feb 07
Kubuntu is what exactly?
• Philippines
9 Feb 07
im using a linux based OS here in our office. for me, this is far more different from windows because i haven't experienced any problem unlike windows.
@sharone74 (4837)
• United States
10 Feb 07
and how long have you been using this O/S?
@andben (1075)
• Italy
9 Feb 07
I use Linux. My distribution is Mandriva 2006. I'm very happy of Linux. Linux is virus free, more stable than windows and you don't need to defragment your hard disk. You can't use windows software on Linux but there is a lot of software for Linux, I think more than for windows and they are totally free. You can use every device you have with Linux, even if there are some exceptions. In the past Linux was more difficult to use than windows, but now Linux is very easy to use, easy like windows: you have a graphical interface like windows and a lot of software installed ready to use, you have software for office, multimedia, storage and more and more. According to me, Linux is better than windows under every feature.
@sharone74 (4837)
• United States
9 Feb 07
Thank you for your response. So on your distribution you don't have to use all the commands that are mentioned by the users above you right here?
• India
16 Feb 07
ok so u like linux more than windows
@oly2006 (948)
• Romania
9 Feb 07
i don't have a linux system but i saw at somebody and i know how it is..if you used until now only windows i suggest you to don't even consider using linux.....it 's good only for internet security..but i coudn't handlend even to open the cd-rom and u must use a lot of commands
@sharone74 (4837)
• United States
9 Feb 07
Do it is not nearly as user friendly as Windows. Thank you good to knoW!
• United States
16 Feb 07
Oh, Sharone, I have no idea of what you are talking about! It sounds like some sort of foreign language to me. You have no idea of how envious of people that understand this I am ~Donna
@centurian (453)
• India
16 Feb 07
no sry i dont have