make your computer last longer before upgrading

bigjohn

You know what's it like.

You spend your hard earned cash on that nice shiney computer in PCWorld, and after 18 months stuff starts to take longer, or you find it need's upgrading.

So you hang it out as long as you dare before spending a further £500 to £1000 for a replacement.

Hey, you've already invested in the hardware once, so why should you have to do it again in less than 3 years (or if you're lucky, 5 years).

Try the Linux operating system.

So what's linux then? Well, it's a "unix like" operating system - that does the same job as windows does.

Whether you realised it or not, you have probably already paid for windows, even though the "blurb" said it was Free! - That's incorrect, because the computer manufacturer has already factored the cost of the windows version into the price.

What's the main advantage of Linux? Well, actually there's 2 main advantages.

1. The price. It depends which version you wanted to try, but lots of them are available for free by downloading them.

2. The increased security that's inherent with linux.

It's not all plain sailing though. I'll explain why.

Firstly, linux versions are known as distributions. Take, for example, Mandrake linux. It's one of the more popular distributions (distro's) that's very well suited to those who have never used it.

Yes, you can download it for free. Good. On the down side, it's 3 CD's worth of information - that's a lot of data (for the more technical, nearly 700megs per disc). So if you only have dial up access to the internet, it's not so practical to download it, though having just checked the prices, at the time of writing this, you could buy original disc's from mandrake directly for less than £28 (the prices are actually in euro's and US dollars, but it's £27.78 after the conversion).

Big deal I can hear you say. For that £28 you get the operating system and you'll have a full copy of Open Office, which is the free version of Sun Micro Systems Start Office. It should do virtually everything that MS office will do (with a few minor exceptions that would normally only affect a commercial user).

If you looked up the retail cost of a copy of Windows and of Microsoft Office, you'd see the a fair bit of the cost savings.

Also, because linux versions are automatically "multi user", you have to set up the system administrator (known as the "root" account) and your user "account".

Again, big deal I hear you say. Well the benefit of that, is that you use the user account for everyday stuff, but because only the "root" account can install software and administer the system, it means there's a considerably reduced likelyhood of you getting problem's with computer virus's.

Yes there are virus's that can affect Linux system's, but they are very, very few and far between.

The operating system already comes with a "firewall" so there's even less chance of problems - as long as you switch it on.

Linux operating system's usually work perfectly well on older hardware.

It would also take some research. Though as a rule, most of the linux distro's that are aimed at desk top use, are straight forward to install.

Most of the applications, things like the desk top, word processors, etc work in a very similar and familiar way to their windows equivalents, most of the operating system stuff is done in the back ground - though it's normally recommended that you'd need to learn some of what goes on behind the scenes.

By trade, I'm a professional driver. If I can get a linux system working, just about anyone can.

You can even (if you have room on your hard disc drive, have both windows and linux available for use - then after a while, if/when you're comfortable using a linux system you can dump windows and all the security/viral problems that come with it).

If you are interested in looking into this further, and have the facility to download 1 CD of data, then I'd suggest that you have a go at knoppix.

You can get the download from this websitehttp://www.linuxiso.org/, the beauty of the knoppix is that after you've actually made the CD (you download the data aka ISO file, and then it's burned to a CD), you just put the disc in the computers cdrom/cdrw/DVD drive and reboot the machine.

The knoppix distribution run's entirely from the CD and doesn't put anything onto the hard disc drive (it can do, but you can't do that by mistake).

Then you'll get to see how similar a working version of linux is, to window's (and yes that's only from a users point of view).

Maybe this could help you save a few quid!

regards

John

COS

I have read this several times and it just seems like a plug for Linux, or am I missing the point as I can't see the connection of making your computer last longer.

As for software most can be downloaded from the web freely and registered for most operating sustems.

May be if I read this by the light of day it will be clearer ???

bigjohn

Yes, it's fair to say that I'm enthusiastic about linux.

Also, the point of making your computer last longer relates to the speed at which mainly microsoft software goes out of date, and the frequency that vulnerabilities are exposed in "their" stuff.

You can run linux on a system with a 200 "MHZ" (note the mhz, whereas these day's it's usually denoted in ghz). Yes, it's fair to say that you might have to make a few sacrifices, but as long as it's got say 64megs of ram, then linux should run. That'd be with a browser, a word processor, and some other basic applications.

You can guarantee that you haven't seen anything that limited/small for at least 8 years.

One of the bigger reason's behind "their" marketing effort's is obfuscation. They spend millions convincing you that you need to put your hand in your pocket. Whereas "those that know" (not me, I don't have knowledge that in depth) could explain in a couple of sentences why it would have been better not to use "their" software in the first place, but to spend a little more time investigating your options.

One of the thing's that seem to annoy MS and their application makers, is that people pay "all that money", but it's them that have to try and convince you to cough for something new. "They" don't seem to like the fact that people want to get as much out of their equipment as possible. That's highlighted by things like still having to offer limited support to "98". If they could, they'd have dropped it like a hot potatoe by now - but there's still considerable level's of usage of 98, both in homes and commerce.

MS vulnerabilities have given rise to the likes of  NORTON. Just their AV software will cost you in the region of £50, and it's only usually supported with updates etc for about 2 years - so logic dictates that that represents either a £25 a year insurance policy, that's not guaranteed to work due to the speed that the virii writers can propergate their "wares", or it may also represent £50 that you didn't need to spend in the first place, if you'd analysed you options more.

As for the making a computer last longer bit, well if you broke down the cost's of your computer from new - the money that MS get's is between £50 and £150, depending on what applications it comes with i.e. windows (and maybe work's) it'll be sub £100, but windows and Office, it's gonna be + £100.

So at currently (of course it could change) £28, even mandrake linux represent's a cost saving on the operating system (and that's not taking into account that you may have the facility to get a downloaded distibution - and enjoy and even bigger saving).

Then it knocks on, that if you can make a linux based system work for longer, then you've made the computer last longer (not mention that it's inherently more secure - oh, and if you looked into it, you'd find that while linux also experiences vulnerabilities, these exploit's are usually patched in a matter of hours after discovery, whereas in the last 12 months there was a patch released for windows, and the vulnerability was discovered a mere 8 months earlier).

The savings are available now. Yes, I'm probably biased, only because I started using linux about 2 years ago, and that's only because I started reading stuff online - and I find "some" of the MS business practices, not only underhanded (that's to be expected from a "Mega Corp"), but also despicable.

Since my personal revelation, I've learned how much cheaper computer use can actually be.

The savings.

1. Initial cost of software (and a possible 1a. in that you could buy something 2 or 3 years old and that cheaper software will still work fine).
2. Inherent security - vastly reduced number of Virii that can infect your system
3. Longevity. That same system should operate for considerably longer on the same hardware.

So if that's "just a plug for linux" then it's a fair cop!

I've seen remark's in various places on this site, basically the only way that you can hit big business, is via their balance sheet. I'd like to hope that my tip would make people consider their options more, before just "flashing the cash" at PC world, and places like that.

You can make you computer last longer, and make it cheaper (the phrase Total Cost of Ownership comes to mind).

All it takes is a bit more initial research, followed by a little learning and effort on your part.

Sorry if I sound critical, that's not my intention, but I genuinely do believe that Linux, is the very much cheaper way ahead (you only have to read some of the online IT press to see how much effort is being put in by MS and their ilk at trying to find ways to prevent the rise and progress of Linux).

regards

John

p.s. In direct response to COS's comment about "most software can be downloaded from the web". That's not really correct. Yes, there are places that you can get windows and windows related software (and a few other types of software), but notice the extreme effort's being used to close down such sites. If you checked the "letter of the law", you'll find that in most cases it's illegal. They want you to "BUY" it from them.

How many times have you read in the press/seen on TV cases where a local trading standards office will raid a boot sale, or enlist the help of the police to "bust" a pirate manufacturer. Ha, removing the "copyright violation" could also be viewed as a benefit of "most" linux software ("most", because of course, there are also linux applications, and a couple of distributions, that are copyrighted)

VardreRFC

Thanks Bigjohn,

Been thinking of changing to Linux for a while (upgradiing ... sic..... from 98 to xp was the worst thing I could have done), but been put off for paying for a copy when I'm not sure if it's for me.Am now in the process of downloading the Linux Mandrake CDs.

Thanks again.

juno

It's not very money saving to upgrade your pc every 5 years anyway! I manage fine with Windows 98, and my laptop only has 95!

wirm

Why not upgrade your computer piece by piece every so often! Thats what I do and it means I don't have to fork out in one go to get it upgraded!

Tony_H_3

And if your going to goto the inconvience of installing a fresh operating system, why choose one which is significantly different to use then MS Windows? It would be just as beneficial to do a clean install of your current operating system, this would have the same "improving performance" benefit as going to the trouble of having to install linux.

Please remember that you have been using your windows based PC for 3/5 years as stated by BigJohn so you already have all you need to do a fresh install. Without the inconvenience of getting a new operating system, software packages and then the learning curve to be able to use them.

Rjohnmatt

Thanks bigjohn for that very informative post.
I have heard quite a bit about Linux and how even older processors zoom along at superspeed on this operating system.
Havent had the courage to install it on my Pc though!
Will have to think of it when i get another PC.

Trow

The one thing that puts me off linux (and, for that matter, Macs) is the fact I need specific windows software for my job (I am self-employed, and need to use the same 'big-name' software as my clients) - is there any way of getting windows software running on linux?

Pakchooi

Brilliant post Big John!
Trow, what big name software are you talking about?
Odds are that there is a Linux alternative.
There are 2 programs (that I'm aware of) which will let you run Windows programs from within Linux.

I would strongly recommend Knoppix to anyone who would like to try Linux without jumping in at the deep end. It is a fantastic operating system and it gives a good insight as to how Linux performs.

There are many many different distros (versions), some better than others, but in general Linux is very easy to use. I have argued the point with many people that for new users of any computer it would be much better to get started on Linux instead of Windows.

I currently run Xp on one machine, 98 on my jukebox, Mandrake for office type things and my next pc will be running Ubuntu.

bigjohn

@ juno.
Yup, if you can get by like that then fine, but if you find that "no longer supported by Microsoft" leaves you open to the varying security exploits then it may only cost you anti-virus. Potentially, it could cost you a system!

@wirm
Yes, that's also a possibility. Though the older the motherboard, the less likely you are to be able to upgrade in that manner or if it comes down to upgrading the MOBO, then you may end up with a big pile of components that will no longer fit the newer MoBo!

@Tony H
Not sure what you're driving at there Tony? If you've been running the same system, all you've probably got is a system that's out of date, and may be starting to seriously struggle with the various stresses placed on it by windows!. If nothing else, the linux option is just gonna cost you time, effort and possibly 3 CDR's. Using mandrake as an example, 3 disc's available for download @ no cost other than the bandwidth, which you're probably already paying for.

Lot's of places to get assistance if you are unlucky enough to hit snags. The only down side would be if you're an addicted gamer. but then you probably wouldn't be looking to save the reddies in your system! As for learning curve, it would only be the OS, the main app's are pretty much the same, and don't take much working out.

@Trow
It depends on what "big name" stuff you'd want to run. I usually enjoy the security of linux while being able to run MS office 2k pro, and most of Studio MX 2004 (haven't tried all the parts of the suite yet). How, "Crossover Office" that's how - 50$ and that was for a CD version you could download it while waiting for the CD to arrive. Still considerably cheaper than a new system or even a retail version of XP.

@ Pakchooi
As you say, if in doubt, try knoppix. But if you're feeling adventurous, what the hell, install knoppix to your hard drive. Then play and learn, you only have to make a couple of changes to the files (apt-sources file) so it reflects debian unstable (yes, I know the unstable name for debian sarge isn't the most reassuring ::) ) and then if the theory hold correct, you only have to run the update routine maybe once a month and you should never have to down load a whole distro again (If memory serves me correctly apt-get upgrade distro?????).

Personally I'm due to head back off into the distance towards gentoo. Absolutely no illusions. A total !!!!!! to install. A dream to manage. Source based so its capable of updating (in a similar way to a debian based system) but as your system compiles it, it should (again in theory) run perfectly on the system that compiled it!!!!

For desktop friendliness mandrake, then SuSE, then fedora/redhat, etc etc.

Just like the saying goes, "theres no such thing as a free lunch"!. maybe not, but theres certainly no harm in trying to make it as cheap as possible is there!

regards

John

p.s. Linux may not be for everyone, but maybe it'll help some save a few more sheckles!