Anyone here use Linux?

raptorman

Just wondering how many people use Linux and if so what is it like?

MercilessKiller

I use it on a test server I have...

I like it as an OS but due to limited software (games wise) I don't use it for my main OS.

To be honest, windows does the job and is fine. If you want to run a server for web/ftp/pop/smtp/dns/dhcp or a firewall then go for linux on a diff machine.

But for a home usable OS windows is fine You'll find only major geeks really use linux as the primary OS

raptorman

Was just looking at it and thought it looked interesting, I know there isn't a huge amount of apps for it. I am wanting to put together a system to play CD/mp3's, kind of like a jukebox and was thinking of buying a second hand pc and using it as the OS.

Tallymanjohn

Yes, I Ubuntu Linux. It's very easy to install & use - I prefer it for web browsing. With Ubuntu you don't need to learn any command-line stuff as you used to - programs come with installer packages. Managed to get drivers for all peripherals - printer, scanner etc. Uses the same network as my Windows machine that I use for business - even managed to get the PC networked to it. Has useful features like multiple (four) desktops. If you're used to using a mouse it's no harder to use than Windows. The only obvious drawback is that you don't get things like M$ Word, Publisher etc. though Open Office is a very good alternative. If you download the iso file for the CD you can use it as a 'live' disk - just boot from it & you can use Ubuntu as if it was installed on your pc - try it without installing. Google for Ubuntu to find the download & details of it.

MercilessKiller

hmmm Tallyman.. one of the reasons Linux is better is that everything can be done easily through the command-line thus making it a lot quicker than windows..

If you're going to use it exactly the same as windows then windows is definitely better (for the gui and usability)...

Server wise or terminal wise then its linux.. just depends if you need speed better than actual GUI The linux GUI's are getting nicer, but then again the new Vista GUI is very very sexeh!

Zagu

I remember a friend mentioned one that lent its self to a media player, but I cant remember which one it was.:o

Have a look here, and this might help you choose which is best fo you.

zz9pa

Yep - got 3 machines here with Linux, (Suse10, gentoo, and CentOS on the AMD64 box :-)
(Been using Linux since around 1996 !)


FWIW - Theres huge number of applications - try looking on http://www.freshmeat.net.
I've not tried either - but for what you're after, try taking a look at http://www.geexbox.org/en/index.html , or http://www.mythtv.org/
(or look for media center on freshmeat :-) )




I use this one (gentoo) as my main machine - use it for all my word processing, email, web browsing etc...
Works great - provided your using 'standard' hardware - if you've got something thats a little out of the ordinary - it can be a pain tracking down compatible drivers..


HTH

raptorman

Thanks Zagu, that distribution chooser was particularly helpfull, it recommended Ubuntu and Kubuntu for me.

Thanks again, now I have some reading and installing to do.

wolfman

Hmmm, I'd cut in and say it can be easy to install and use. It very much depends upon your hardware.

Generally speaking, be prepared to put in the time, and you will at some point need to use command line. In some cases I prefer it, others not. There are plenty of good tutorials about whereby you can basically copy and paste the command line entries.

For example, I couldn't install from the live cd, and upon even first installing from the alternate cd I got no visuals. I had to edit xorg, as it was wrongly detecting my widescreen monitor.

I've still not got my Wireless connection working. Not too bothered to be honest as I prefer wired, but Network Manager was recognising my wireless card, as a wired connection, hence the problem.

My bluetooth keybooard took a while to pair up, definitely not as simple as Windows by a long way. It does work fine now, but I had to do a fair bit of command line to get it to work.

USB DVB-T TV Tuner, etc... and so on. I'm not saying it's bad, just that in some circumstances it requires time. I've got mine running nicely now. The only downsides I've found so far:

- I still prefer the Windows interface, just slightly. Especially the fonts.
- I've yet to find a client ftp as good as FileZilla or a number of other Windows ftp clients.
- No AutoGK
- Can't compare to Windows for games.
- Nothing like Intel TAT or CoreTemp for monitoring system temps.
- .Net plus .Net development tools. Ok so there's Mono, but it's always behind. I get round this by running Windows as a virtual machine from within linux.
- I've not yet had the pleasure of trying to run dual monitors, especially with Beryl, which I don't think is possible.
- Nothing quite as good as IrfanView in my opinion, but it can be run via WINE (a windows emulator).
- Lack of Photoshop, Microsoft Office. Ok so there's the GIMP, but professionally it doesn't compare. And OpenOffice is excellent, but sometimes you need Office, and despite all the Microsoft haters, Office is an excellent package.

GreenNotM

MercilessKiller wrote:

hmmm Tallyman.. one of the reasons Linux is better is that everything can be done easily through the command-line thus making it a lot quicker than windows..

Cough*
Windows has a command (prompt) line and some commands as well as scripting

At least they don't call it the dos box .... :rotfl: no more

MercilessKiller

...... I didn't say it doesnt?

Linux is based around and concentrated on the Terminal.

Windows has more input into the GUI.

I didn't say there isn't a cmd though!