Vista or Linux?

Question

whats better? will linux run MS office? i only need a computer to play games, surf the net, and type stuff. does linux support windows software?
what are the strengths of linux?
i plan on getting a new desktop, so i need to know if i should get it with vista or save a hundred bucks and get linux.

just give me a detailed explanation of how linux works compared to windows, in layman terms, please.

Answer 1

Linux will not work for you.

There is a steep learning curve, it does not run windows software natively, and is terrible for gaming.

Stick with Windows.

Answer 2

You will need WINE to run Ms Office on Linux. And Linux have a built in Office software, Open Office. Which is a decent Word processor. it works like Ms Office 2003. You can try with the windows version first.
Also you can also try Linux with a live CD to see if you like it. I recommend Ubuntu one.

If you are planning for games, sadly not many games are available for Linux, you can run few games with wine too but might need a lot of works. There are some very decent open source games are available for Linux though.

For internet browsing Linux is far more better then Windows. You have a huge choices of browsers and you don't have to be scared of those spy-wares.

As for the strengths, you will be secured from Viruses and Spy-wares. So no need for anti spyware or Anti virus running in the background anymore, but you can install anti-viruses if you want. The best thing is the Linux community. The Linux community is very helpful and nice, you'll find so many people to help you out when you are facing some kind of problems. And installing application using package manager is a great thing. The compiz fusion provides the eye candy that have put Vista in shame.

Answer 3

linux can run windows software with wine, however you want games so you should use cedega and wine. (http://transgaming.com)

Now because linux can run windows software AND linux software(which is way better mind you), then it obviously can do more things and so is obviously better.

Now if you have a good nvidia or ati graphics card(nvidia being preferable) and you install the drivers from the nvidia or ati site and you install beryl or compiz or Ubuntu Linux Feisty Fawn, linux will TOTALLY KICK VISTA'S A**.

You can run microsoft office although i would suggest just using openoffice.org(http://openoffice.org)

Considering that unix was one of the first operating systems to even have network support, the question on whether or not linux supports the internet is invalid as people should be asking that about windows.

Linux also has a better process scheduler than windows; this means that the entire system never freezes. If an application is not responding, you can just kill it and it will be fine. Anyway, a frozen application is pretty rare.

A lot of bleeding edge development happens on linux. That means that you are usually able to use the newest things in computer technology. Also, most linux software is free and also is open source meaning that it is patched quickly in case of a bug and that new features can be added by anyone who knows how.

if you have anymore questions, feel free to email me at [e-mail]

Answer 4

Linux is the superior OS. Why?

It was designed from the ground up as having separate user and process memory spaces. Generally processes only act with the privileges they need to (rather than supervisory privileges).

This feature alone makes it very difficult to create viruses like the ones riddling Windows.

Since the source is available for anybody to look at it, both hackers and coders find problems with it earlier. Generally, Linux hackers fix problems with their code out of pride vs. looking at the cost/liability benefit that Microsoft goes through.

No, unless you are running a virtual machine, Microsoft Office does not run under Linux. However, there is free software called OpenOffice ( http://www.openoffice.org ) which has the same functionality and can generally read and write MS files. Some of the keystrokes are different.

The native file formats for Linux do not have powerful macros, a feature that has gotten Microsoft in trouble over and over again. That is, the ODT format won't allow you to spread viri that will trash your desk like DOC files can.

Oh yeah ... and Linux avoids a lot of complex buggy licensing code that Microsoft deals with because it is FREE.

As for the games argument: Linux has a fair number of games that aren't (usually) available under Windows, and they too have a better design/ramp-up than Windows games .... for the same reasons.

However, if you want to walk into Best Buy and BUY a computer game ... well, yes, you want some variant of Windows. I wouldn't get Vista as they are still working major bugs out of it.

However, even in that case, you can run Linux natively and run Windows on a virtual machine and then run your game on the virtual machine. This has the advantage of protecting your machine from any viri that might have gotten onto the game distribution media (hey, it happens).

The only counter-argument that really stands the test of time is this: More people around you know Windows than Linux. Therefore, since people generally think that the Windows method is the standard for what a computer is supposed to do (and that Linux is some sort of funky variation), they will make ridiculous statements such as "Linux has a harder learning curve." This simply isn't true - however, when you ask somebody for help, you're more likely to find someone who knows the Windows answer than the Linux answer.

Microsoft is not an engineering company - it is a marketing company. Give them their due - they sold snow to Eskimos. Indeed, most Eskimos now get their snow from Bill Gates and wouldn't now how to do anything else.

Answer 5

please let me tell you in detail.

as winVista and linux are both different operating systems hence programs on one OS will NOT run on the other.

if you want ms office in linux you can try the OpenOffice package that is available in linux. It gives you the same functionality as ms office and can also read ms office files.

surfing the net will become a more enjoyable job with linux as you will have the firefox browser.

typing stuff can be done in OpenOffice very easily.

but games can be problematic. there are not many linux games available. BUT, not many games are compatible with vista.

the BIGGEST difference between linux and vista is that you will have to pay for vista. but linux is open source ( try googling open source ), which means linux and all software you can run in linux will be ABSOLUTELY FREE of cost.

linux comes in many versions( in linux lingo they are called distributions, or distros ). but I recommend you OpenSuSE 10.2 from Novell. it is easy to install, easy and fun to use and comes with all that you need to do( even some small games ).

Happy Linuxing..
The Bazeegar

Answer 6

Very simple answer: use a dual-boot, and you can have both. Linux will not run most games. Linux is almost (almost is the key word here) virus free. Which makes it good for surfing the net. Good luck.

Addendum: This link is for the people who believe you can't deal with a word file in Linux.

http://www.linux.com/articles/52385

Answer 7

no linux does not support windows software. stick with windows if u want to play games. linux has all open source software. get vista if u have all windows programs.

Answer 8

for what you're wanting to do, you want Vista.
If you're looking to play games (unless you're willing to do a lot of work in order to do so) Linux is not a good choice.

-B