I am thinking of using Linux instead of Windows, does Linux work ok?

Question

does Linux work for the internet, and spreadsheets? what about games? what version of Linux to get?

Answer 1

LINUX vs. WINDOWS
A comparison of Linux and Windows

Read the below link before you make your choice!

Answer 2

I'm using Linux since 1999, last time I had Windows installed on my pc was back in 2002.

Linux works perfectly for internet (if may find some sites "optimized" (sic!) for Internet Explorer; for just one required the use of IE and I use it using WINE (a software that allows you to install various Windows applications). But 99,99%, no need at all.

Mail clients: Thunderbird, Kmail and Evolution, all top rate, so don't worry.

OpenOffice.org is a complete suite for office works, nothing to envy to MS Office and gnumeric is also a great spreadsheet program.

Games, is the bad news: although a lot, hundreds, works on emulation (using software based on WInE, like Cedega),
alas support for Linux by developers is very limited to say the least (and very few games do offer native support for Linux).

Haldware support should be you're main concern: if you want to install Linux on a machine you own yet, do a little search on the net in order to find out if you're going to have some problem; if you want to buy a new pc or anyway new parts, look for compatiblity and choose what to buy accordingly.

But, if hardware is OK, distributions a like Mandriva is actually EASIER to use than any version of Windows. The only real problem is your not "accustomed" to Mandriva, so Linux may be different from Windows, but not more difficult to use.

Just be careful to choose a "user-friendly" distribution.

Currently, I'd suggest you :
1) Mandriva (especially Mandriva One)
2) Linux Mint (new release in a few days)
3) Ubuntu, Kubuntu (Linux Mint is actually Ubuntu "with something more")

Look here http://distrowatch.com/ in order to find infos and links to all Linux distributions, forums, etc

Answer 3

There is no malware at all targeting linux machines, except maybe unix servers someplace. Security is excellent. Linux is free, except for full-support versions like Red Hat or Yellow Dog super-ps3 clusters. If your pc is old, there is definitely a linux out there that will run on it. Linux has been installed on just about every kind of hardware there is. Try ubuntu first, because user-to-user support is the best. It works like a giant crowd of people testing something, and once someone figures something out they post it on the forums and then there's the support. It often works better than a bunch of rude bastards in a tech support center. If ubuntu won't work on your pc, try something else. Try puppy linux if you have to. Here's one of the best reasons to use linux: you won't forget how to type.

Answer 4

Linux will do all those things you have listed except for any "good" games. Most major games don't work on linux. But if you want to get Linux go with Ubuntu, it is free and you can download it now. You can even try it using a liveCD before you install it.

Answer 5

Most Linux distributions come pre-installed with OpenOffice (a free Office Suite). It is a world class product from SUN and the community. Linux lacks good games but you can play Windows games through Wine and Cedega.
Check out http://www.distrowatch.com and select the distro that suits you the best.

Answer 6

DO NOT MAKE IT YOUR MAIN O/S!
It is definitely not for you if you want to play games. I have 5 harddrives, 3 have linux 2 have windows. Either install it on a spare hdd or partition your harddrive to have windows and linux (and make windows the bigger partition). Although it is better overall, it's very difficult to use if you aren't used to it. It can take months to even be able to use it to half it's capability. Although i do suggest you try using it from Live CD first. try it out for a few days, then decide.

Try using the following linux distros:
Ubuntu (nearest to windows style as possible. good for beginners)
Kubuntu (somewhat diff interface)
PCLinuxOS
BackTrack 2 (if you want to hack networks)
PHLAK (hacking also)


BTW, prepare for some sound card and video card driver problems at first.

Answer 7

Linux Red Hat is the best for me...

Yeah u can do everything with linux ...
It depends what u wanna do bruv... Like for example, the linux's SECURITY is much better than windows's... If u r doing Graphic stuff Linux rocks too.. ;)
good luck

Answer 8

Yep, and the software is free, and there is less hacking and viruses.
Just make sure you have all the Linux drivers for your bits.
Graphics card, sound card, modem etc.
You can even duel boot Widows and Linux, and choose what to load at the start up.

Answer 9

I am new to linux too.I installed Kubuntu a couple days ago.It took me just a few hours to find a working app.to work with my tv card .I installed VLC media player to play mpeg 2 and 4 as well as DVDS mp3s and almost any other media you can think of..There seems to be software for about anything you want .You just have to get out of your Microsoft funk and see whats out there.

Answer 10

It is more stable than windows.
It is an 'open-source' program, so it is tweaked and improved often.
The only drawback is the available software that runs on a Linux/Unix machine.