Switching to Linux (For the Right Reasons)

Datamation ^ | 5 January 2011 | Matt Hartley

[epithermal]

Thanks for the link. I did find a few sites listed for Linux equivalents here, but not as good as yours:

http://www.novell.com/coolsolutions/feature/16917.html

I know they do make Linux capable GIS software, but they tend to be less powerful. I will have to Google around and see what is available.

I may just get a new PC and put Linux on it and keep my old one for my Windows programs. One thing that I am interested in getting Linux for is that my brother, the programming guru in the family, says that Intel has an excellent free C compiler that only works for unix based systems.

[JRandomFreeper]

Linux is all I use for desktop and servers. Been that way since Slackware included the X series of diskettes.

Currently running SUSE 10.X on the laptops, and depending on what I'm doing with the servers, I'm running SUSE or Red-Hat.

But, I'm at the expert level. I do not expect the average person to switch until the distros are much more plug-and-play.

/johnny

[Peet]

In a sentence: Linux is something for windows haters, BSD is something for unix lovers.

[hosepipe]

Theres money to be made for someone that can merge linux, apple, and microsoft.. and make them compatible.. or not compatible but tolerant of each other..

I know the reasons they aren't now.. but it could be done..

[plinyelder]

Try these sites: Table Of Equivalents
(Windows to Linux Software Equivalents)

WUBI

WUBI is the way to go!
This installs Ubuntu into a folder on your system without affecting anything in windows and without messing with your BIOS.
You also don't need to burn a cd or anything else .. it's all done for you!
If you find that you don't care for the OS .. Just use their uninstaller or .. uninstall like you do with any other software program!
You 'Cannot' go wrong testing out Linux/Ubuntu in this way!

[ken21]

if linux was as easy to use as windows or apple,

it would win.

[ShadowAce]

Linux is as easy, if not easier, than Windows or Mac

It's just different, which means there is a learning curve.

People don't like learning curves.

[epithermal]

Thanks, very useful sites. I will have to look into the memory requirements for Ubuntu. I am working on a 7 year old PC that limps along with low memory resources. But it keeps running, primarily because I have disabled most Windows services.

I did see one GIS program in the table of equivalents had a Windows version, so I may install that and play with it to see if it has all the capabilities I need. GIS data come in so many flavors that it is important to have software that can handle all the complex geographical projections.

[ken21]

i had a semester of unix ten years ago.