Switch to Linux?

Question

I currently use a beta version of Vista... it is driving me INSANE. I was wondering if I should switch to Linux. The computer in question I use primarily for games, internet browsing, and AIM. Primarily games. What difficulties might I encounter? (WoW, Fable, Warcraft III, Starcraft, Counter-Strike: Source, etc.)

Apple has come a long way. However, that's not exactly in my budget. The last thing I want is a new computer, I have a desktop and laptop already. Laptop is for work, desktop is for games (the desktop is much more upgradeable).

Will it be a complicated and labor-intensive process to get windows-based games to run on a Linux platform?

Specs:

80 GB Seagate HD
Nvidia 7900 GT 512MB
Intel Pentium 4 Dual-Core 3.4 Ghz
1GB DDR 533Mhz Dual-Channel
ASUS P5LD2 Motherboard

Compatibility issues?

Answer 1

Yes, Linux is a viable alternative. Like Mac some of your games will be playable and others will not be. While the list of playable games is constantly growing the only OS that can play all Windows games is Windows.

The Mac users you encounter here are as fanatical as suicide bombers. They have lost all logic, reason, and objectivity and only have a cause.

Linux and Mac are both Unix based. Linux can do everything a Mac can do and even alot of things Mac can not. Linux is Open Source which means anyone that knows source code can make and distribute whatever they want. Mac is proprietary, OS X is based on the Open Source Free BSD and many of it's applications have Open Source origins. However Mac contributes nothing to the Open Source community.

Macs are the smallest group of computer users. Apple has been around longer than Windows, and Linux came out after Windows. Ask yourself if Mac is so great why do they have fewer users than even Linux?

If Mac hardware is so high quality than why are so many Mac users excited about getting to use Pentiums? And why do so many of them try to install PC components not supported by Mac?

If OS X is so perfect and Windows so flawed why do they want to use Windows software(other than games)? Why does Mac have programs that allow you to use Windows? And why are so many Mac users excited that with the new Pentium Macs they can run Windows natively on their system without an emulator? After all why would you smudge perfection with something you claim isn't good enough to buy?

Many governments in several countries, from the city level and higher have switched to Linux. Why? Because the cost is too great to upgrade to Windows Vista or switch to Mac. In all areas except gaming Linux can do everything Windows can do. Linux also has better support than Mac because you will be in direct contact with the programmer.

All Operating Systems are capable of browsing the internet and doing office applications, so this is not much of an issue. What is an issue is that most sites are tailored to work best with Internet Explorer. With Mozilla Firefox and Opera being able the most sites for IE alternatives. What are the limitations? Some sites that display things with Flash Player 9 will not be viewable and some sites flat out deny you access if you use anything other than IE. What is the solution? Install the IE view extension in Firefox or use an application such as Crossover Office to install IE.

As far as AIM, Linux has two all in one chat programs Gaim and Kapote. Both will allow you to use Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, AIM, IRC, and ICQ from one window.

Gaming can be done by installing Transgaming.com Cedega. While not all games are supported yet some of the games you mentioned are. Here is a list of supported games http://transgaming.org/gamesdb/
and the Cedega FAQ http://www.transgaming.com/index.php?module=ContentExpress&func=display&ceid=36&meid=

There are over 100 Linux distributions, some ranging from a simple four click installation to others taking several days to configure and install. You can go to http://www.distrowatch.com for information about the distros.

The Distributions most that are recommended for users migrating from Windows are:

Ubuntu http://www.ubuntu.com
Xandros http://www.xandros.com
SuSe http://www.suse.com
Mandriva http://www.mandriva.com
Linspire http://www.linspire.com

To my knowledge SuSe is the most difficult to install on that list. I don't know alot about Ubuntu, but from the other 4 it is the least Windows like and comes packaged with the most applications and has alot more options.

They all come with Firewalls. Xandros Home Premium comes with Crossover Office and a Security Suite pre-installed. Mandriva comes with Cedega, Kapersky Anti-Virus, and LinDVD preinstalled (LinDVD is the only legal DVD player for Linux). All come with Mozilla Firefox preinstalled as well as other web browsers. Linspire also has Anti-Virus Software. All of them also come with OpenOffice.org.

You might be asking if Linux is Unix based like Mac why does it come with Anti-Virus Software? Because unlike Mac users, Linux users understand Network and System Administration, also we know and acknowledge the limitations of the Operating System. Most Viruses are intended for Windows, and most Linux users still dual boot Windows even though they prefer Linux. Even though a virus on a Unix based system can't do much harm unless you install it while logged on as root/administrator/superuser your personal files are not protected. A virus or malicious script has all the same security permissions as the user. If a user has only read permission, than you are entirely safe, however if a user has write permission so does malicious code. What this means for Unix Systems is that while your system files are safe, your personal settings and documents are not 100% protected.

One final thing, with the exception of Xandros which only allows you to install the only lets you install the OS ten or fifteen times without contacting the company, all other Linux distributions are allowed and encouraged to be installed on as many systems as you like whether you own them or not. Meaning you only need to purchase a commercial version once or download and burn a CD once to have all of your systems and all of your friends systems running lLinux. With Mac you would have to by a complete system to have another Mac, and Windows requires you to have a license for each computer.

Answer 2

I was like you once. I had all I could take of Windows. I tried Linux, but it just didn't do it for me. Then I bought a Mac. I think you'd love a Mac. Why bother with Linux? Mac OS X is the largest UNIX distribution. A Mac would be perfect for gaming, internet browsing and AIM. I know because I do all of these things every single day, on a Mac. Counter-Strike: Source runs great on my MacBook Pro. It would run just as well on an iMac. Using BootCamp, you can play any PC games. Everything else is better done on Mac OS X.

Answer 3

I think Linux is great, and it is free, not overpriced like Windows Vista and like the entire Mac computer complete with OS. Having said that, I don't see how you could play your Windows games on it.

Answer 4

Sounds like you're a fairly serious gamer, if you switched to Linux you could kiss that goodbye as practically no one releases games for Linux. Personally I'd just switch to XP which is more stable and better supported than Vista currently is anyway.

Answer 5

I would have to agree I bought a Macbook pro after I had finally had enough of Microsoft and windows. Best decision I have ever made related to computers. Apple is just far superior to microsoft and more and more people are realizing it.