Posted on 09/17/2015 6:48:25 AM PDT by ShadowAce
How about CAD programs?
Linux cannot do anything for inherently inefficient or poorly written apps.
Unfortunately, a lot of teh Linux apps out there have problems. On top of that, important cross-platform technologies like Java are just as sluggish on Linux as they are on Windows or MacOS.
The installation of a Virtual Box runnung XP allows 32/16 bit legacy s/w to run fine so far.
“However, have a look at alternatives. Do you really need Windows Media Player, Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop? Or would VLC, LibreOffice and GIMP do the job for you?”
VLC? Sure, I use it because it can play almost anything.
LibreOffice? Please, no. We use that thing at work, and I cannot stand how it is almost seems to be held together with duct tape and twine.
GIMP? If I wanted to use a version of Photoshop from 1999, I would just go find a copy at the Goodwill.
“How about CAD programs?”
I’ve gone to Blender, which isn’t strictly CAD but in some ways is more powerful. It will do rendering, video editing and animation. Not so great on dimensioning, but doable.
If you are using Photoshop (at least professionally) you are probably on a Mac anyway.
“GIMP? If I wanted to use a version of Photoshop from 1999, I would just go find a copy at the Goodwill.”
Haha, even Photoshop in 1999 was easier to use than GIMP. You can do a lot with it, but the frustration from trying to do even simple things with that interface is usually enough to get you to drop the seven hundred bucks for Photoshop!
I have an old Linux system for a software package and it utilizes the Oki 320 turbo printers. I purchased the exact printers and hooked them up to the system, they do NOT keep the same page spacing on the invoices. My question is should the spacing be reset in the printer or in the invoicing software. I am at a loss, any suggestions. AND please don’t go there that it is an OLD out of date system, it works and I’m not going to upgrade this particular part. Thanks for any help.
Keep in mind, though, that this advice is worth exactly what you paid for it :) No warranties, express or implied, etc.
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“LibreOffice? Please, no. We use that thing at work, and I cannot stand how it is almost seems to be held together with duct tape and twine.”
Really? Can you be more specific? What version do you have? LibreOffice has reached version 5 and is claimed to be more compatible with MS Office files, although I have not tried it out yet. Lack of 100% format compatibility with Microsoft has been my only complaint, but I use the LO word processing and spreadsheets at my office nearly every day and find it very acceptable so long as I don’t have to exchange files with Microsoft.
Impress is more limited than PowerPoint, but I still was able to make a major presentation with it. I have read that Base is pretty lame.
We are agreed that VLC is a great program. GIMP is complicated and different from other graphics programs, but it probably has more potential than I’ll ever learn. I use it for the basics, to crop pictures or convert them to other formats.
Would someone please explain a few things for someone who knows nothing?
Where do you GET Linux?
Do you put it on a CD-R? A DVD-R? I.e., before installing it on your C: drive?
I downloaded Mint 15 Olivia along side windows several months ago to learn how to use it, one day it froze up and its been that way ever since, thankfully the opening menu still gets me to Windows, the only thing that works in the Mint program itself is the cursor; it won’t click on anything but it floats around okay, the only way to close it down is to shut the computer off.
Usually from the website of the distro you have decided upon.
First a few vocabulary definitions (for someone "who knows nothing"):
Do you put it on a CD-R? A DVD-R? I.e., before installing it on your C: drive?
Typically, yes. You can also use a USB drive, if you know how to make it bootable. Many of the distros can be run directly from the CD/DVD without having to remove Windows first. This allows you to test drive various distros until you find one you like. Keep in mind that performance will take a large hit due to running from an optical drive.
For users looking to switch, I have heard good things about Zorin OS, PCLinuxOS, and Mint. Those are all Debian-based distros (distros that began life as a fork/modification of Debian), but I personally prefer rpm-based systems.This is strictly a personal preference as I started with Red Hat (in 1994-ish) and just stayed with it.
Things seem to have changed the last few years, for the better.
With Windows applications more and more restricting useful software to "cloud versions" by subscription, the time to switch might be getting unavoidable.
I hated the theory and practice of the "cloud" in the late 50s, and I hate the idea of the current cloud more.
The market (customers) should rule.
My local Computer Store sells Linux DVDs for $3. I usually start with a fresh HD so going back to the old system is trivial.
Best to have total control of the hardware that you own rather than have the software p0wn YOUR hardware and data.
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