Microsoft versus Linux? Which is better? If I change from Windows to Linux will there be much grief?

Question

I have Microsoft on pc. Having terrible trouble.Very unreliable. Thinking of changing to Linux but before spending hard earned cash, looking for advice

Thank you everybody. Am using it on pc bought from Dell...word, windows media player for CDs. Use my pc for web search, using programmes like Best Practice, Total Recorder. Learning music basically. Does this help with advice?

Answer 1

For your first dabble I'd suggest you go the dual boot method, with something like Xandros 4.

There are issues over drivers still and it make take you a while to make the adjustment but it's certainly good to try.

If you have the money why not think about a Mac? - There's just as much support for you, and the community are much nicer.

Answer 2

Probably this is a question everyone ought to be having in their minds...

I guess the most rational way to decide to install linux/windows is to figure out what kind of job/s you need your system to perform and the ease by which you want them done.

Windows is designed to be user friendly, but at the same time you can't customize it the way you want. The term user frendiliness also includes hardware support for the latest gadjets; you'll find almost every new device that is released in the markets (like ipods, thumb drives) has windows support. This is because hardware manufacturers know that Windows is a popular plaform to market their deivce.

Now look at linux. Linux is still growing. And, not long ago, new hardware support was almost non-existent. Of course you could write the software yourself only if you knew how to do that; plus I've heard it is no that easy. Moreover, there was an fear among maufacturers side that selling their product across linux platforns wouldn't fetch them profit. Today I do see manufaturers writing support for linux based systems. The scene is changing.

I've heard that installing linux is difficult. Especially when you've windows preinstalled in your system. The installation might overwrite windows files. Well if you decide for dual boot and you don't know how to do it, consult an expert.

Remember that Linux is designed for technical people and windows is designed for ordinary average users.

Answer 3

First of all don't listen too much to the advice that says linux is for programmers or technical people, the most up to date distros are very easy to use, easier to install and customise than windows, also every distro you can get is free to download, in fact Ubuntu will ship you a set of CDs free of charge. Nearly all the software you are likely to use on Linux is free, although there are one or two usefull programmes worth paying the price, you won't be able to run windows programmes on linux, but it has equivellent open source programmes to do the same jobs (although the microsoft office programmes can be run using wine, or even better pay $40 for crossover office which runs microsoft office, photoshop etc).

As someone has already suggested your best course of action would be to dual boot linux with windows, at least until you are confident using it. All you need is to enable the bios on your machine to boot from your DVD drive first and reboot with the linux CD or DVD in the drive, then follow the instructions.

As for which distro to use, Fedora core 5, Mandriva & ubuntu are all very good, for a first time user though I would recomend Suse 10,
http://www.novell.com/products/linuxprofessional/index.html?sourceidint=productsmenu_linuxprofessional
it has a very large amount of software included, excellent admin tools which will lead you by the hand a little bit, it will partition your hard drive with windows with no problems make sure you defrag windows first (by the way you never have to defrag linux), there are good Suse manuals & help files and if you join the suse forum
http://www.suseforums.net/index.php?&&CODE=autologin&fromreg=1
you'll find a lot of help. Also you will find it should find all your hardware with no problems. The only issues you may have is with the winmodem on your machine, if you buy an external serial modem like a usrobotics fax modem you'll have no trouble at all (they are better modems anyway), also due to licensing issues you'll have to download some programmes & codecs to make the video player work.

Suse is free to download but you can buy it as a boxed set with 90days installation support & a good manual (about £45).

One thing to remember is that Linux, works differently to windows even if it sometimes looks & behaves a little bit like windows, once you get used to it, it's easy to use. I use Suse all the time now and if I have to use windows at work for example I find it harder to use than Linux.

If you want to give it a try mail me for any help, if you want.

Answer 4

I currently use both WinXP and Ubuntu Linux. I have used Suse
Linux in the past. Ubuntu is currently the most popular distribution
of Linux for PCs. I recommend it.
My Linux box is a dual boot with 2 HDs.
I think 2 HDs is easier.
I have had very little trouble with Linux.
Ubuntu has a super forum.
They have helped me - always in a very timely and polite manner.
I am in the process of making my laptop dual boot, but have run
into a problem, which I "ask" here earlier today.
Which is better. For me I think Linux, except where certain
needed Windows only programs just can't be run (yet).
Good Luck.

Answer 5

First of Microsoft Windows XP is a good Operating System in terms of Usability, out of the box for somebody who 'just wants to do stuff'!

The problem with Windows is Security, generally 'out of the box' it runs in what we Linux users call SuperUser mode or 'root'. Basically giving somebody a master key to a house, access all areas (I believe Vista is going to address this). This allows 90% of spyware to hit Windows PC.

Window Pros:
XP is pretty stable(ish) for a MS operating system compared to Windows 95/98 etc which were very much 'light fuse and stand well back'

Loads of applications available

Good support on the net, forums etc

Plug n Play(ish)

Simply to use out of the box (sacrificing security though!)


Window Cons:
It costs $$$

Virus & Spyware riddled if you don't keep patching and keep your security bang up to date.

You don't get free Operating System upgrades (that cost $$$ more)

Bloatware, one size fits all.



Linux Pros:
Linux is very stable, if your computer crashes it's more than likely a hardware problem or a tainted (corrupt) kernel (or you messed up).

Linux applications virtually have the equivalent of windows software (ok maybe the applications are limited but at least you can get stuff done). Anyway you don't pay for Linux apps/os so what do you expect, considering they are free there is alot of choice.

Proper file system, no need to defrag.

Not bloated like WIndows, only install the stuff you need.

Plug n Play

Install/Update applications across the net quickly without any hassle using apt-get

It's free

Good Community base for most distros (like Ubuntu & Suse).

Free Operating System Updates/patches.

Linux Cons:
Can be difficult to setup

Some distros don't support all hardware (very few though)

Need Command line skills to use Linux properly

Linux is a completely different beast to windows, see it as a new way of doing things rather than....hmmm windows was much easier.


I am not going to say Linux is a piece of cake cos it aint (some problems can be a real pain), you need to know some sort of command line in linux before you start installing stuff properly (FACT).

I would recommend Suse to get you going then move onto ubuntu as it is very streamlined and quick.

Hope this helps.

Cheers!

Answer 6

Linux is terrible for people who don't know what they are doing. You need to program everything yourself. Once you have it you will realise just how much Windows does for you.
Linux isn't safer either. It is less likely that Linux will get hacked but if it does there is nothing you can do about it. Someone who knows how to hack Linux is a professional.

Answer 7

Speaking as someone who uses Linux every day, I have to say that it's pretty wretched for sound (and hence music). A better bet for you would be to get a Mac.

There *are* some Linux audio programs that are pretty good--Cecilia, freebirth, Audacity--but the OS is plagued with driver problems. There are at least three different APIs for audio output, and programs tend to clash on which one to use.

Answer 8

I prefer Macs first, followed by Linux, and then way at the bottom (below Calculator), squeeze windows in.

Linux is ver cheap, I seem to get the impression its free, don't know if I am right, but it is designed very similar to windows so it is easy to change to.

It is more stable as it relies on Kernel proccessing technology rather than DOS.

It is good as its not fabricated by a company trying to make money (By charging exsceesive prices), it is created by Geeks who add in their own bits (I include myself in that Geek label). It was conceives Linus Torvald, and contrary to popular misconception, it should be pronounced "Lee-nooox".

I say go for it if you are ready, but start with dual operating system while you break it in. I prefer SUSE (SoooZa) or Red-hat, but we are now going into my personal opinions.

Answer 9

Windows is bloated because it tries to be everything to all people. Linux is much more streamlined. But it also requires you be much more involved in its configuration, and it is not as 'plug-and-play' as Windows. Converting will not be easy. I like the previous posters suggestion too: create a dual boot system. Or create another system with just linux on it and play around with it. It's not for everybody.

Answer 10

if you want something better get a mac not Linux nothing works on them am a programmer and trust me a mac runs more smoothly
that's why the FBI uses for me i prefer to use both i have 2 PCs and 2 laptop