Alternative to Windows

F1_Fan_3

Main problem with Linux is that less then 1% of PC's run it.
So little software is ever tested or 100% supported.
It's a bit like saying i wont a pink and yellow car as you never here of one of them being stolen :=)

DatabaseError

ok - I took the plunge today and threw wifey's laptop onto ubuntu 9.1...evolution (mail) doesn't seem to be picking up the folders correctly..but it's early days yet..she's not seen what I've done yet
...and I want the taskbar at the bottom like mandriva/windows!

Darksun

F1_Fan wrote: »

Main problem with Linux is that less then 1% of PC's run it.
So little software is ever tested or 100% supported.
It's a bit like saying i wont a pink and yellow car as you never here of one of them being stolen :=)

That's complete FUD, where on earth do you get the 1% statistic.

Any x86 will run Linux, in fact Linux can be run on any number of platforms, from iPods to Toasters. Not every piece of hardware in every PC is 100% supported, but the vast majority of common hardware is.

Most open source software by it's very nature is being constantly tested, developed and updated, so I can't see how you can say "so little software is tested". You are right about it not being "100% supported", but only in the sense that with it being free it is supplied without any warranty, but then again, IT'S FREE.

Darksun

DatabaseError wrote: »

...and I want the taskbar at the bottom like mandriva/windows!

Right Click>Properties and change the Orientation option

robredz

Eric_Pisch wrote: »

many people here already use it

I have it on a couple of machines, however i find it very limited and can not do all the things i want to do, if your just after basic office / web stuff then it does the job very well.

It isn't that limited, and many Windows apps/games will run via the WINE application layer. I have been using various flavours of Linux since 1999, and find Ubuntu to be a well packaged stable OS The Compiz cube makes Aero look dull imho

Millionaire

Darksun wrote: »

That's complete FUD, where on earth do you get the 1% statistic.

Think F1 might be referring to user stats, otherwise like you say..

fwor

F1_Fan wrote: »

Main problem with Linux is that less then 1% of PC's run it.
So little software is ever tested or 100% supported.
It's a bit like saying i wont a pink and yellow car as you never here of one of them being stolen :=)

That is just complete rubbish. I've installed various Linux distros on many PCs, and it is almost always less trouble than Windows - because the kernel has many more hardware drivers built-in than Windows does.

Before putting any faith in such uninformed comments as the quote above, just try your chosen distro on your PC as a LiveCD. If it runs that way it will almost certainly install just fine. If not you will know almost immediately and you have lost nothing, as a LiveCD will leave the contents of your hard disk untouched, and ready to boot your previous OS without a single change.

jamespir

i want a version i can stick on a usb

fwor

jamespir wrote: »

i want a version i can stick on a usb

The last 2 (or 3?) versions of Ubuntu have this as a standard feature. Just go to System, Administration, USB Startup Disk Creator.

I've tried it and - at least on the PC I tested it on - it works.

devizes18193

can anybody recommend a distro that will work with compaq laptops I have a presario cq60