Should i install Ubuntu or stick to Windows XP?

Question

Hi there! i have so far gone through 4 PCs in less then a year , one of the reason is that i only download free virus/spyware , firewalls to protect them with, the other reason is that i really do allot of internet surfing everywhere and anywhere, last but not least i dont really know much about computers, anything that i do know i have learned right here, the things that i want to be able to do with the pc are= read mail (hotmail), download info from the net, download movies/clips,buy and sell on Ebay, will i be able to do those things with Ubuntu? will i be able to surf the net the way im used to with windows?My pc info is windowsXPpro verion 2002, pentium4 , cpu1.80ghz,504 gb RAM, 18 gb hard drive , thank you

Answer 1

I hope that's 80GB, or 180GB harddrive! (Not sure if I've ever heard of a 180GB harddrive!) If you think malware,(spyware/viruses), are the culprit of you computers,(plural), demise, perhaps it is, perhaps it isn't. It may be cheap power supplies, and/or dust build-up. Dust is an electrostatic magnet! Also clogs up cooling fans for the processor, power supply, and case. I have a C: drive, and D: drive in a partioned 250GB harddrive. The operating system, and backup files, and folders are on the D: drive. The C: drive is the one that's open to surfin, programs, etc. Creates a 'sandbox' where baddies can mess with the C: drive, but are taken out, like a bad habit. Can't get 'em out? Watch me! This is on my old system, Pentium4 3.2GHz processor, 1GB of 400Mhz ,(two 'sticks' of 512MB, in dual channel configuration), DDR ram, 250GB Sata Hitachi harddrive, WinXP Pro OS,and ATI Radeon X600XT graphics card,(won't go into the rest, points moot.) Maybe I was just lucky, I don't know. I run a Pentium4 2.5GHz, 1GB of 400MHz, DDR ram,( set up as above), with a 40GB harddrive, Visiontek ATI Radeon 9250, and Ubuntu 7.10 'Gutsy Gibbon', with Compiz Fusion window manager. This is a test system to see how I like the malware free environment, the 3d desktop with desktop effects enabled, and Mozilla Firefox browser, thousands of free applications,(OpenSource), and capabilitys to see the baddies crap, like looking at a man painted red standing in a white snow covered field! Hmmm, spyware,... click,.. bye! Hmmmm,... tracking cookie,..click, bye! It's too funny! However, just like when you learned about how to do things in Winblows, the first time, you must learn again! Oh yeah, about the Linux won't run games thing! Pffft! Use Wine! Put Wine HQ in your search bar, click on...Wait, here: http://www.winehq.org/, and here:http://appdb.winehq.org/, and here:http://appdb.winehq.org I'm here right now on Ubuntu 7.10! I likes it! Point to think about. Unix was the first real computer OS. Linux was formed from it. Then Winblows came along. Looks like a child next to Linux. Take the windows manager for example! Go to YouTube, put 'Windows Aero vs Ubuntu+Beryl' in Youtube's search bar.

Answer 2

I run windows xp AVG free anti-virus and zone alarm free fire wall and since running this I have had no problems in 12 months and I'm on the net from the time I get up till the time I go to bed. But since you say free soft ware I would like to bet you take your computer to a friend that goes and puts pirate windows on which is why you are asking Ubuntu its free. Let me say this once when you get pirate OS you get any problems that the computer you got it from has on your computer. I was running a pirate 98 and had this problem I bit the bullet and bought a genuine XP now I don't have problems. Do yourself a favor buy a genuine OS

Answer 3

Ubuntu is better, imo, but it is harder to get used to, harder to use. Also, windows is better for gaming because most games are made for windows. In my opinion, Ubuntu runs better, its easier to get what you need, EX: You want to download a movie, open up the package manager, check/download KTorrent, browse to your favorite torrent site right on thr program, download, enjoy. It comes stock with a lot of useful tools also but can be hard to set up some times, One main occasion being if you have a dell computer wit ha broadcom 4318 wireless card, mine didn't work with Ubuntu untill the release of Feisty Fawn. Course get wine/cedega and you can game on it easily, even windows games.

Answer 4

If you are smart with computers and like to tinker and problem-solve, linux is a dream come true. If you are a point-and-clicker who just likes it to 'just work' you will not get on well with linux.

There's nothing wrong with free av per-se. Just make sure you use it pro-actively~ when you download a file from a source thats not reputable, scan it before you run it. Don't ever miss this step and you should be fine.

Answer 5

For how you use your computer I think you'd be entirely happy with the latest version of Ubuntu Linux from http://www.ubuntu.com . You can test-drive it by downloading the iso, burning it onto CD-ROM, booting off it, and it'll be running off of the CD-ROM without installing anything to your hard drive. Mind you, it will be SLOW while running off of the CD-ROM but it will give you a taste of it. My laptop is dual-boot Ubuntu/Windows Blista.

Answer 6

Hi. I have no experience with Ubantu but I do have Unix training. Most of the Linux OS system are quite similar and most will emulate WinXP. I would try using a good malware remover first in any case. My favorite is WindowsCare. http://www.iobit.com/advancedwindowscareper.html

Answer 7

If you play games, stick with XP. If you want security and other stuff, Ubuntu.

You can do all the things you want to do with Ubuntu. If you use IE, though, start getting used to Firefox.

~Randallrocks
MapleStory IGN: Randallrocks

Answer 8

Ehm..
To download Mozilla Firefox for free you can click here http://j.mp/1p6kp59

It is one of the best avaible browser of the web.
It's the best software of its kind.
Best

Answer 9

Windows mate believe me nothing will work with ubuntu its a load of hastle!!!

Answer 10

windows xp ifeel better