Linux or ms

bmsbms29 · 05-10-2008, 06:43 AM

motherboard died, gotta get new computer - why just get MBoard.
not sure want vista... using sisters now ugh

thinking seriously of going linux,

did school report 3yrs ago - thought interesting then, of course - 3 yrs ago is caveman time with technology

Im not real savvy on computers - do know how to change HDs - had 3 on computer - 1 for programs, 1 -my documents, 1 as 2nd backup for documents & have external hd for backups

Just want to know how well linux is with my windows xp programs, & going back & worth with files, etc.

bmsbms29 · 05-10-2008, 06:45 AM

why did i use 3 HD - just because I had them!... 1 was 80GB other 2 were 40 gb

**sobeit** · 05-10-2008, 06:51 AM

you should have no problems dual booting. I have one computers where I dual boot between kubuntu linux and vista and another where I can triple boot xp, xubuntu, and xandros linux. lJust about everything you can do in windows you can do in linux - its just sometimes a pain to find drivers and installing some hardware.

**shuuhen** · 05-11-2008, 11:16 AM

Windows programs will not work with the exception of those that run through a program called Wine. You could also use a virtualization program or dual boot. Dual booting is a better option for Windows games, but I haven't had a problem with other programs I've run through virtualization environments.

You can usually find a program for Linux that will do what you're looking for. If you have specific concerns about applications, feel free to ask (google.com/linux also does wonders).

For documents, it depends on the application. Most files I have to deal with can open in one of my Linux applications, but there's always the possible proprietary format that can't be opened in anything but the program that created it. If you have specific document types you're concerned about, someone here might already have experience with that file type.

Ubuntu, Kubuntu or Xubuntu may be a good option. They require less knowledge than many other distributions. I've had issues installing it (specifically the AMD64 version, but I've heard the x86 version works fine), but many people insist it works great. So you might want to try this distribution (x86 version).

djaburg · 05-15-2008, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shuuhen

Windows programs will not work with the exception of those that run through a program called Wine.

Not entirely correct, you can also use Cross Over Linux from Codeweavers. It's a commercial package, but for a novice it might be the ticket and you'll have support available.

Ixthusdan · 05-17-2008, 03:52 AM

Frankly, Open Office is all I use to bounce back and forth between Linux and Windows, same documents. If the program is specialized (like some commercial accounting programs), then using a virtual box is better than WINE. (Commercial WINE is preferred) You still need all the licensing. The objective is better stability, and not short-circuiting any licensing.

bmsbms29 · 05-21-2008, 12:53 PM

Wow! This info is great.

metalf8801 · 05-29-2008, 10:41 AM

Here this site goes over most of the pros and cons for switching over to Linux http://www.whylinuxisbetter.net/

The main problem is if you feel like you need to use programs that only run on Windows. If you feel like this at lest try the Linux alternative before you give up on Linux. Like try Open Office before you say you can't give up MS Office. Open Office does most of the same things that MS does and it does something better. However there is no grammar check.

PS a few Linux distribution you should look at are:
Ubuntu http://www.ubuntu.com/ (has the best forums)
Linux Mint http://www.linuxmint.com/ (mint is made from Ubuntu but is a little more ready to use after you install it because it comes with flash and dvd play back)
Opensuse http://www.opensuse.org/ (there is a lot of anti Opensuse now because they have been working with Microsoft)
PCLinuxOS http://www.pclinuxos.com/ (said to be easy to use but I really had problem with it couldn't even install it)

Maybe Fedora http://fedoraproject.org/ (but it has a lot of draw backs like not being able to play mp3s)

Stay away from distribution like Slackware, Gentoo, and Sabayon at lest at first I'm not saying there bad but there not for someone new to Linux.

Distowatch has information about a few hundred different Linux, Unix, and BSD distribution http://distrowatch.com/

You might also want to check out and join the Ubuntu Forums http://ubuntuforums.org/ so you can ask question there it really has some great members who are both nice and helpful.

elderlybloke · 06-07-2008, 03:36 PM

Same here for PCLinux OS.
If they rectified this installation problem, a lot more people would use it. I believe that installation is a frequent problem for this OS.

05-10-2008, 06:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
bmsbms29 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 20 OS: Windows XP Pro	Linux or ms motherboard died, gotta get new computer - why just get MBoard. not sure want vista... using sisters now ugh thinking seriously of going linux, did school report 3yrs ago - thought interesting then, of course - 3 yrs ago is caveman time with technology Im not real savvy on computers - do know how to change HDs - had 3 on computer - 1 for programs, 1 -my documents, 1 as 2nd backup for documents & have external hd for backups Just want to know how well linux is with my windows xp programs, & going back & worth with files, etc.

05-10-2008, 06:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
bmsbms29 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 20 OS: Windows XP Pro	Re: Linux or ms why did i use 3 HD - just because I had them!... 1 was 80GB other 2 were 40 gb

05-10-2008, 06:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
sobeit Mentor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NEAR Posts: 3,738 OS: windows/linux	Re: Linux or ms you should have no problems dual booting. I have one computers where I dual boot between kubuntu linux and vista and another where I can triple boot xp, xubuntu, and xandros linux. lJust about everything you can do in windows you can do in linux - its just sometimes a pain to find drivers and installing some hardware. __________________ Do not feed the trolls.

05-11-2008, 11:16 AM	#4 (permalink)
shuuhen Moderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 626 OS: Mac OS 9.1, Mac OS X 10.5.4, WinXP Pro, FreeBSD 6.0, Gentoo Linux	Re: Linux or ms Windows programs will not work with the exception of those that run through a program called Wine. You could also use a virtualization program or dual boot. Dual booting is a better option for Windows games, but I haven't had a problem with other programs I've run through virtualization environments. You can usually find a program for Linux that will do what you're looking for. If you have specific concerns about applications, feel free to ask (google.com/linux also does wonders). For documents, it depends on the application. Most files I have to deal with can open in one of my Linux applications, but there's always the possible proprietary format that can't be opened in anything but the program that created it. If you have specific document types you're concerned about, someone here might already have experience with that file type. Ubuntu, Kubuntu or Xubuntu may be a good option. They require less knowledge than many other distributions. I've had issues installing it (specifically the AMD64 version, but I've heard the x86 version works fine), but many people insist it works great. So you might want to try this distribution (x86 version). __________________ Has it been a few days since I replied to your thread? Don't panic! I'm a busy college student and may forget a post if I'm extra busy (or it might just take me a while to be able to do a decent reply). If you still need help and are awaiting my reply after a few days, PM me about it.

05-17-2008, 03:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
Ixthusdan Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 29 OS: Xpsp2/Mandriva 2008.1	Re: Linux or ms Frankly, Open Office is all I use to bounce back and forth between Linux and Windows, same documents. If the program is specialized (like some commercial accounting programs), then using a virtual box is better than WINE. (Commercial WINE is preferred) You still need all the licensing. The objective is better stability, and not short-circuiting any licensing.

05-21-2008, 12:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
bmsbms29 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 20 OS: Windows XP Pro	Re: Linux or ms Wow! This info is great.

05-29-2008, 10:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
metalf8801 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2 OS: Ubuntu 8.04, Linux Mint 5, Windows XP SP2,	Re: Linux or ms Here this site goes over most of the pros and cons for switching over to Linux http://www.whylinuxisbetter.net/ The main problem is if you feel like you need to use programs that only run on Windows. If you feel like this at lest try the Linux alternative before you give up on Linux. Like try Open Office before you say you can't give up MS Office. Open Office does most of the same things that MS does and it does something better. However there is no grammar check. PS a few Linux distribution you should look at are: Ubuntu http://www.ubuntu.com/ (has the best forums) Linux Mint http://www.linuxmint.com/ (mint is made from Ubuntu but is a little more ready to use after you install it because it comes with flash and dvd play back) Opensuse http://www.opensuse.org/ (there is a lot of anti Opensuse now because they have been working with Microsoft) PCLinuxOS http://www.pclinuxos.com/ (said to be easy to use but I really had problem with it couldn't even install it) Maybe Fedora http://fedoraproject.org/ (but it has a lot of draw backs like not being able to play mp3s) Stay away from distribution like Slackware, Gentoo, and Sabayon at lest at first I'm not saying there bad but there not for someone new to Linux. Distowatch has information about a few hundred different Linux, Unix, and BSD distribution http://distrowatch.com/ You might also want to check out and join the Ubuntu Forums http://ubuntuforums.org/ so you can ask question there it really has some great members who are both nice and helpful. Last edited by metalf8801 : 05-29-2008 at 10:44 AM.

06-07-2008, 03:36 PM	#9 (permalink)
elderlybloke Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1 OS: Ubuntu 8.04 Linux	Re: Linux or ms Same here for PCLinux OS. If they rectified this installation problem, a lot more people would use it. I believe that installation is a frequent problem for this OS.