Posted on 01/03/2013 6:52:26 AM PST by ShadowAce
For many PC users, the prospect of switching away from Mac or Windows and onto Linux can be a nerve-wracking one.
After all, Linux holds only a minority share of the desktop market, and not all of us know people who are already using it. The idea of making the switch can often feel like taking a blind leap into the unknown.
On the other hand, those of us on Windows are now facing the prospect of Windows 8, which by most accounts is not a happy one. Will it be more painful to jump into Modern UI, with all its attendant quirks and learning curve, or to move to a Linux distribution and at least have a choice of desktop interfaces and experiences?
I'd like to make the case for the latter.
Linux today has at least caught up with Windows for most purposes; in many areas, it's actually overtaken it. And now, with the transition required by Windows 8, it can be a whole lot less painful getting used to a Linux distribution that's at least based on conventions you're used to.
Need more convincing? Here are five reasons why I think there's never been a better time to switch to Linux.
1. Windows 8
For years Windows users have been able to coast along contentedly in a familiar paradigm, but with Windows 8 that's all changed. A mobile-style interface without a Start button is now the reality facing Windows users who upgrade, and it's not necessarily an easy transition.
<snip>
2. Flavors for every taste
<snip>
3. Superior security
<snip>
4. Modest requirements
<snip>
5. Open and free
Last but certainly not least is that Linux is totally free and unencumbered by license restrictions.
(Excerpt) Read more at pcworld.com ...
Windows 7 was a reasonable OS, which minimized shortcomings.
Windows 8 is a solid OS with an atrocious UI. I don’t know how they got Metro past even preliminary user testing.
I haven't run into anything that Linux "can't play".
Can you provide an example?
Amazon streaming video can't be viewed on Linux, as far as I can tell. Hulu+, which I believe uses Silverlight or somesuch Microsoft nastiness is also not Linux-compatible. I was going to set up a media center around MythTV, but ran into that stumbling block. Since then, my PS/3 has gained the ability to play from these sources. Also, the next TV I buy will be able to play these things from its own Internet connection, so it's becoming less important for Linux to catch up.
I'd also like to run StarCraft II, am I'm not sure that can run on Linux, although I haven't looked into it.
Got a Raspberry Pi for Christmas. Mini-me Debian Linux, should be fun to play around with.
Linux is Far Superior to Windows in every aspect, if your wife wishes to have an easy useful experience with linux, I would suggest installing Ubuntu 10.04 first, or just run from the Live CD f1rst to try it out. and use it til you get used to it then maybe upgrade to 12.04 or 12.10 because they have different interfaces(desktop) and are a little more difficult to operate and get used to, however 10.04 will be as close to Windows as you could get as far as ease of operating and intuitiveness with regards to how it works, unlike WIN8. Switched to Linux YEARS ago and have never regretted it, you won’t either.
Mostly just learning the names for programs and some basic commands, you can set up a dual boot machine and run Windows and Linux very simple to do most Linux distro’s will do this automatically for you or you can boot up a live disc just to try it out! Go here and read up on some of them...
Here is an example from what the Linux community thinks is normal on the "Ubuntu Absolute Beginners Forum"
Now, I can do this sort of thing for my own computer as I've been running the DOS command line and compiling programs since the '80s.
But am I going to recommend Linux to my dozens of non-techie friends who are therefore going to call me to recompile their systems every time they plug in a new piece of unrecognized hardware? Not enough days in the year to mess with that......
Actually I am an Apple developer and beta tested OS X Mountain Lion a year ago, long before users got it. The only “innovations” in Mountain Lion are gimmicks to sell more iPhones. Apple has lost its creative edge. Microsoft found theirs again. I use whatever I decide is the best product. For a while, it was OS X. Now it is Windows 8. Nothing stays the same forever.
I like saving cash but what you get in the end is a MUCH better computing experience. It’s a bit like tinkering with a race car. You may spend a lot of time fiddling with the cams or the headers and I do mean a LOT of time, but when it’s finally done that bad boy will blow the doors off of a showroom car. And the driver of the race car will know a lot more about the machinery he’s driving than the dude who drove his off the showroom floor.
Having said that - it’s a fairly obvious fact that not everyone has the slightest desire to spend their weekends in the garage figuring out why the car is idling too slow or too fast, or the mixture is too lean or too rich. Or to have the skills or tools to do so.
Sounds like you have a real legitimate reason for compiling a custom kernel.
Most of the time, however, when I see “I have no desire to recompile my system (or my kernel)” it’s typically from people that want to sound sophisticated but really aren’t. As a pretty heavy linux user I do very little compiling (most of what I need I can get binaries for) and even if I do have to compile - then so what - the machine does all the work - I just have to type a few commands. But in the main, that’s why we have distros - so most things don’t have to be compiled.
This statement indicates that you pretty much do not know what you are talking about.
My then-9-year-son installed Ubuntu on his computer while I was out of town. He's 18 now and still using the same installation, over the course of several upgrades.
He's a music major. I have *never* provided him any support.
What she is worried about is that she has programs that run some peripheral equipment such as her embroidery machines and a paper cutting machine. These programs were designed to run on a Windows computer and the computer controls the machines using the drivers supplied by the equipment manufactures. She also uses Firefox. What does Linux use to access the internet?
No
I am an OSX, Android, iOS, Linux, and occasional Windows developer. I am mystified by your kudos for Windows 8. Would you please be specific and technical about what you perceive as technical superiorities of Windows 8? You cannot possibly be talking about the UI, so I presume you are referring to the kernel...
Why not have both Linux and Windows?.. easy to do..
Its Windows thats so picky about where to install..
Right. And I’ll make 2013 the year I switch my ride to a Trabant, too.
I’ll stick with my Mac ecosystem — it just works beautifully. I don’t want to have open my toaster and modify or repair the guts every time I want to toast some bread. I want my information appliances to be as simple to use as my toaster.
If you’re asking which browsers you can use, you may use Firefox, Chrome, or whatever you prefer (except IE).
What version of Windows do the machines’ control software require? You could run Windows in a VM on Linux and have a much more secure setup.
Firefox is Linux, as far as special machines, you never know til you try it. My experience with Linux has been, almost everything works right out of the box without doing anything special, however you could always run windows in virtualbox in Linux for those programs you need windows for, or you could just download the Win7 loader and use it instead of continually trying to activate and register your legit copy. Personally I would give Ubuntu a shot.
I agree. I am mostly a Distro user but I like to keep my hands dirty just so I can remember stuff!
I like to tell people if you mostly use a computer to email surf the net or watch movies go with Linux but it will also do much more sometimes you have to find the right program.
Sure--I don't really care if you want to send you hard-earned money to liberals.
don’t want to have open my toaster and modify or repair the guts every time I want to toast some bread. I want my information appliances to be as simple to use as my toaster.
Same here--that's why I use Linux.
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