Out with Windows, in with Linux

prowla

Well, I got to thinking about where Microsoft is going with Windows 8, and it's not for me.

I'm just installing Ubuntu Linux on a system and plan to see where that takes me.

Fingers crossed!

Gyro

Reckon you've just swapped a Windows 'Metro' layout mess for a Linux 'Metro equivalent' mess with the recent versions of Ubuntu, but best of luck.

Don't forget to make sure the Firewall is switched ON.

yangptangkipperbang

Try this:

http://www.linuxmint.com/

Gillor

I have been thinking the same for some time so would be interested to hear how you get on.

Tried a couple of distros on live cd and the first thing that struck me is how much faster they are than Windows.

I think Linux Mint Olivia Cinnamon is looking favourite for me at the moment but the choice is really confusing for a beginner.

buteman

Hi guys,
I have been running Linux almost exclusively for 15 years or more. i have no objection to people using Microsoft or Apple systems if they wish.

For me personally I think of it as just throwing away all the savings I make using the advice from this site if I did.

One thing to bear in mind is that most companies who produce hardware only provide drivers for Windows or Apple.
What this means is that if you buy, for example, a new printer and it is a new model it might not work under Linux AT FIRST.
Developers will usually within a few weeks or months get it working.

Some of these use a cost saving method which would make it almost impossible for their printer to work under Linux.
This type of printer is like having a car with no engine - to move it you hitch it to a tow truck. The tow truck in this case would be the software.

However HP and Brother do provide software for Linux, generally HP gear will just work and for Brother stuff you can find instructions and downloads on their website.

In all that time I have only found 2 programs I need which don't have a similar Linux version I could use instead.

One is a database program which has a proprietary backend.
Not to worry as I use a Linux program called wine which fools it into thinking it's running under Windows. I works exactly as it would under Windows.
The other is the software for my Garmin Sat-Nav.
I have a (genuine) copy of Windows XP and it runs under Linux!
Well actually I run a Linux program called Virtualbox and within it I have installed Win XP and the Garmin stuff runs on that.
Now at first glance it might seem it would be quicker to run XP and Linux dual boot but this way I can get the program up and running and then closed down much quicker and I only use it to update the Sat-Nav anyway.

Ubuntu isn't what it was, mainly I think because canonical brought out Unity before it was properly ready - much as Microsoft always did with their new O/S versions.

I don't use Unity but use Gnome 3. Each time a new version of ubuntu comes out I try it as a live boot but so far still find that Unity feels like i am running a tablet not my laptop and it looks clunky. Otherwise it's fine. Mint is very good too.

Oh and don't think this is all for young techie guys i will be 70 this year. Ubuntu and other forums along with google can be a great help.
best wishes

prowla

I am on my new Ubuntu Linux system, and will flit back and forth between it and my Windows 7 desktop.

I'll be installing VMware onto the Linux box to allow me to run self-contained instances of XP and support environments for my work. I already run them under Windows 7 (currently got 5 VMs running: 1x Ubuntu, 3x Red Hat in a cluster testbed, 1x Windows 7; I also often use a CentOS one and an XP one to interface to a legacy scanner), so I'll be seeing how they copy across and how well they run.

My PC is a quad-core (Q6600) Dell 755 SFF with 7 GB memory (planned to be 8) and a graphics card, so I'm expecting performance to be sufficient.

I expect it'll take me a wee while to get it to be comfortable as my main system.

One thing that I do need is MS Office including Visio and Project (it has to be those products, not a compatible or alternative), so I'll always be having a Windows VM in there somehow; it's just that the cack awful Windows 8 won't be my main desktop.

I'm happy with Ubuntu's interface, and can customize the launcher bar thingy if needed.

epninety

prowla wrote: »

I'm happy with Ubuntu's interface, and can customize the launcher bar thingy if needed.

If (when?!) the bling finally starts to bug you, you can revert to the classic Gnome desktop using these instructions.

I run Ubuntu 12.?? on my main home machine, and dual boot my work PC. Sadly some (though very few) things don't really work well either under wine or virtualbox, so I have to admit defeat and maintain a Windows machine in both places.

e.g. some proprietary usb devices won't ever have linux drivers written, and won't work via the usb virtual host in vbox.

welshee

The only reason i dual boot to ubuntu/windows 7 is because skygo will not work with ubuntu as it requires silverlight and ubuntu as no similar software.(believe me i checked).
But ubuntu was much better and much quicker than the windows 7 that came with the pc...(cough.cough)

debitcardmayhem

prowla wrote: »

snipped.... I already run them under Windows 7 (currently got 5 VMs running: 1x Ubuntu, 3x Red Hat in a cluster testbed, 1x Windows 7; I also often use a CentOS .......snipped

Surprised you didn't go for fedora in that case I have been using it now for 15 months since it came with usb3 support for my novatech lappy, before Ubuntu did

prowla

debitcardmayhem wrote: »

Surprised you didn't go for fedora in that case I have been using it now for 15 months since it came with usb3 support for my novatech lappy, before Ubuntu did

Well, I thought about CentOS, which would have included native virtualization, but the UI is a bit old fashioned.

I also tried Cinnamon Mint, but it's not really mature enough IMHO; it didn't really seem to hang together.

I've been using Ubuntu in a VM for several years, and I seem to get on with it. I quite like the bling, so long as it's not too excessive, and I'll be looking for glass window borders.

I don't need the Amazon lens thing, nor the shop malarky though, so I'll be getting rid of that.

Am just downloading VMware Player and am copying some VMs across. I'll be trying running necessary Windows apps in VMware's Unity mode, which means their windows just appear on the desktop as would local apps; that can be a bit clunky on Windows, so will see how it goes.

Deehem

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

Try this:

linuxmint.com

Ditto. I've been using Cinnamon Mint for some months now.

There are some very nice UI adjustments available to make it look 'pretty' and functionality isn't bad at all. Only one issue with lock screen on dual monitors, but aside from that it has been flawless from day one.