What is linux? and how useful is it in comparison to Vista?

Question

I'm "wiping" my harddrive and getting a new OS...and a lot of ppl are recommending Linux, but they can never answer my question besides linux being free! How is Linux beneficial and are it's features better than Vista?

Answer 1

Linux is an open-source operating system. you can actually edit or copy its source code (unlike any Windows)..

its main advantage is that you can get a whole library of free software just by paying a really low membership fee. its open-source nature means that a whole bunch of developers world-wide are releasing their own variants that are different and better than the original version. being open-source also means that any virus or bug can be instantly solved by the huge network of coding contributors and helpers. since it's not as popular as windows, it is not the main target of hackers and virus-makers since they know they wont be effecting a large number of computers. it might not be as visually attractive as windows vista or loaded with cutting-edge graphics but its interface is very much alike to any windows version!

Answer 2

I use and know several operating systems, and believe in recommending the correct operating system for the environment it will be used in. Just so no-one thinks I have a Microsoft hate-on...

Since you're using it from an end-user perspective, that's the perspective I'll address.

Linux is beneficial in several ways:
1. There are many versions of Linux that can run very lean, extending the life of old hardware. Using old hardware longer is good for the pocketbook.
2. Linux is relatively untroubled by spyware and virii.You won't need to run a virus scanner, which is good for the pocketbook and the system resources.
3. Despite the FUD, there are many versions of Linux that are really user friendly. They won't be exactly the same as Windows, but if you can click the mouse and navigate menus in Windows, you can run Linux.
BONUS: Many Linux OS let you "test-drive" Linux by running it (albeit slowly) from a CD-ROM without installing on your drive: if you don't like the test drive, turn the computer off and eject the CD, and your current Windows install will boot up, untouched.
4. Back to the pocketbook: Ubuntu linux with a full-featured office suite costs you nothing. Windows Vista with a full featured office suite can run from $150-$750.

To Windows Vista's credit: it is the de-facto most-compatible OS readily available. Most every piece of software you know will work in some reasonable way with Vista.

To Windows Vista's (debit?): it is the most resource-hungry OS I've used. A clean install of Vista using the Aero/Glass environment (in other words, the pretty desktop) ran over 800MB of RAM and 30pct of one modern CPU core. In other words, unless you have a really new and really powerful computer, it'll be deadly slow.

Linux is practical for: web browsing, email, chat, non-specific games (opposed to hardcore gaming), schoolwork, general office use EXCEPT specific financial packages, as long as you're willing to learn new buttons to click and do a little homework. It is not practical for the technically challenged and for work where you have to have specific Windows compatible programs.

Test drive these livecd's: Ubuntu/Kubuntu/Xubuntu, PCLinuxOS, NimbleX, Slax. Maybe even Mandriva. Expect to spend a month getting comfy with the livecd's before you really wipe out Windows and switch. Do some poking around on Distrowatch.com and find a distribution that moves you.

Answer 3

I am not a vista user, currently being happy with XP, but I have used Unix/Linux systems. I prefer a total GUI environment in an operating system, and the version of Linux I was using was command-line. Yes, Linux is free, but there's not a lot of retaill market software that interfaces well with Linux. It all depends on what you're wanting to do. It is great for servers, and most ISP's seem to use Linux on their servers. If you have a hate-on against Microsoft, fine, some folk use Linux for that reason alone. I find the Windows GUI environment far easier to deal with, both at home and at work, and NOT having to see repeated iterations of the "Syntax error" line on my monitor any more is wonderful.

Answer 4

It really depends on your use and needs. Linux is a more stable os and is open source (which means any developer can go through linux code and make corrections, thus its maintaintenced quite a bit.) While free, it's usually purchased from a distributor (Red Hat) who seeds it with updates and offers a slightly more closed version that gets only tested updates.

Software is more limited on Linux than windows or the Mac OSX os's, but the major needs are serviced (office applications , media players, web browsers, etc) but mainstream software vendors don't actively develop for the platform.

So depending on your needs, I wouldn't really recommend Linux unless you installed it on its own partition and also had windows. If you are looking for a truly secure and Stable OS, mac osx is built on UNIX (very similar to Linux in concept) but that required an entire new system, but you'd have great software options and could run windows/linux on that system as well, and dvelopers are more actively developing for that platform. (I assume you have some issues with Windows to be considering a switch.)

Viruses and such are more prevailent on windows.

Again, if you're just the average Joe user, Linux wouldn't please you as you're only opperating system. If you have the disk space, install it on a seperate partiion and try it out side by side with windows to get a feel for it.

Browser sites such as versiontracker.com, downloads.com, etc and browse Linux software to see whats available and if you can service all your needs.

Answer 5

The biggest problem with switching is that Linux doesn't solve many of the problems associated with Vista. For example, there are some Windows applications that are not compatible with Vista. But there are no Windows applications that are compatible with Linux - you have to run a Windows emulator to run them, so you're essentially running them in XP. Vista has a lack of drivers for older hardware, but Linux doesn't have drivers for all older hardware either. Vista has a new user interface that takes time to learn, but Linux has a different interface that also takes time to learn. Linux is more stable and virus-resistant than Windows, and it's free, but it's not for everyone. You might try downloading and installing Ubuntu to check it out, but it's not the solution for everyone.

Answer 6

Everything has its pros and cons.

Linux is wonderful... BUT
it has a fairly steep learning curve which is probably not worth it to most desktop users. Linux can DO more, but Windows can RUN more. If you were trying to get your computer to do things.. be a server, run your house, automate a system, host a multiplayer game, etc then I would recommend Linux. But if you want it to run things... tons of toys and games available on the net for download or for purchase, Then Windows is better. I use Linux for my servers and Windows for my desktop computers.

Vista is wonderful.. BUT
it might not be what you want yet. It is stable and secure and has lots of programming hooks which will make it possible for people to program some fantastic things for it. But they arent here yet. Peoples complaints so far is that everything they have, or can get right now, either runs badly or adequately on Vista. But no real improvement so people feel unhappy with Vista. Also, for people who do get Vista I recommend getting it installed with their new computer. Installing it on an old computer can run into real problems with lack of vista drivers.

In general, for a desktop machine for the next few years, Id stick with WinXP

Answer 7

If you need to use specific programs that are only available for Windoze, such as M$ Access, you need to stick with Windoze.

If you do general computing, Linux is just as good as Windoze in many areas, better in some areas, and a bit weak in some areas. If you are looking at using wireless, Linux can be a problem to set up (but sometimes it is braindead easy).

You can have a very "vanilla" experience with Linux, install it, use it, and don't worry about it - just like with Windoze. But if you like to tinker, if you want to be able to tweak things more to your liking - Linux is the hands down winner. Windoze is easy and more fool-proof, because Micro$oft limits what you can and can not do. Linux does not. You can push things as far as you want, within your personal capabilities.

Windoze is about software for the masses that works with as little effort as possible. Linux is approaching the "as little effort as possible" standard very nicely, while allowing you a lot more power and freedom to tweak - if you want.

Answer 8

No spyware, No bugs, worms, viruses, no blue screens, only down fall of linux today is gaming, there are games but too few, also it preforms faster than windows and the eye candy cannot be beat...A good linux to start out with is Ubuntu or PClinuxos both can be downloaded for free. do a google search of linuxdistro

Answer 9

DO NOT USE LINUX!!!!

If you go with linux u need to know alot of programming to do basic applications and games. IF u use Windows Vista u dont need to know that programming but it will not hurt to help. If you have been using a PC your whole life, it is a big transistion from a MAC to a PC. I reccomend u use Vista instead of Linux

Answer 10

i admire linux yet i'm providing you with an objective answer like the guy earlier me additionally did. I recommend, thinking approximately each and every of the classes put in on your gadget you utilize each and every of the time. if its your purely laptop,, maybe not,, yet in addition think of roughly making a CD ISO of ubuntu or knoppix. those are exciting to play with and your laptop can run them from the CD with out changing whats on the complicatedchronic so once you're finished, you pull out the cd and reboot back to living house windows. a man or woman who makes use of Microsoft workplace and the internet can do something theyve constantly finished on an ubuntu gadget after somebody patiently walked them during the Adobe-Flash replace, (which would be a soreness). provide it a shot from the CD-stay variations,,, you ought to be the subsequent linux convert! good success