Anyone here also using Linux ?
I hear that you won't get Viruses on a Linux system
How does Linux compare to Windows ?
Can i use all my software ?
Or am i limited ?
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Anyone here also using Linux ?
I hear that you won't get Viruses on a Linux system
How does Linux compare to Windows ?
Can i use all my software ?
Or am i limited ?
Move it to the "Linux & Unix" forum.
Desgnr, please don't double-post. It only causes confusion. This is the same as your other Linux forum post.
Linux uses Linux based software. Getting to be more all the time available, just have to dig for them.
Yes you can still get nasties, reason the sell antivirus programs for both.
Switching from Windows to Linux is not entirely unlike switching from Windows to Mac -- none of your existing apps will work. You need to get Linux versions of the same apps if they're available, or different apps otherwise.
There's a program called WINE which will let some Windows apps run on Linux, but not everything.
There's a learning curve with Linux as there was with Windows when you started out. There's less of a curve now than there was a few years ago with user friendly distros like Ubuntu and Mandriva. I would recommend a dual boot setup or a separate hard drive for Linux. Another popular way for newbie to try Linux is with a "live" CD that you can boot from without having to install it on your hard drive. Any of the Ubuntu CD's will work as a live CD, Knoppix is another distro that will run as a live CD. Here's a link to LinuxQuestions.org's download page; http://iso.linuxquestions.org/
When you download a Linux distro you are downloading an ISO(image) file. There's a tutorial on how to download and burn an Linux ISO file on the left hand side of the page. I hope this answers some of your questions.
Linux and Windows don't compare. It's like comparing an airplane with a maglev train. Both take you from A to B (purpose), both have seats and windows (familiar features), but the way they work is completely different.
Forget about the idea of "my programs" because these are Windows programs which, as is, will not work on Linux. (Wine is just an emulator with partial functionality, don't take it for granted.) Instead, embrace the concept of "my tasks", and find the Linux applications which allow you to perform the same activities you normally do on the computer.
Here is an article you may wish to read.
Virus's are software installed onto your computer. As mentioned above, your windows software will not work on linux and vice versa. Most virus's are written for windows as it's the most used OS. If someone was to write a virus for linux (there are already plenty) then you could become infected with it.Quote:
Originally Posted by desgnr
They are out there and like with windows, if you do the wrong thing they can do things you do not want to happen.
If you are a true nerd (you dream in hexadecimal) you will love Linux.
If, however, you are a normal human being stick to Windows.
Linux has come of age now especially Ubuntu. There are many things you will need to relearn just to be able to use the software that is available. It can do many things well just like Windows but there are still a few areas where it is not as polished. From my own experience I have found that certain web pages look different and you may not be able to see all of the "flash" and video that are on the page. For me I also have difficulty using my scanner. Also note that you will not be able to use an iphone with Limux
For most web surfing, email and word processing though I use Ubuntu instead of Windows. I have a dual boot system so I can do it all when I need to but I find that I keep Ubuntu up and runnning more and more as I get better at it.
Just my $0.02
Doc
Doc, I'll refrain from calling you a nerd since some people consider the term offensive, but I know from your many posts here that you are far above average in computer knowledge.
I agree that Linux has come a long way. But for the average user it still presents challenges. For example:
My neighborhood computer store stocks close to 100 printer models. Choose any one, take it home, and plug it into a Windows system. It will install with a few mouse clicks, and work perfectly thereafter.
Ask a clerk which models work with Linux and they don't know (and this is one of the few stores where the sales staff actually know a bit about computers). Go back on a weekend when the HP, Canon and Epson reps are on site. They don't know either. In fact, few printers (all lasers, no ink jets that I could find) include a Linux driver. (No doubt there are others but very few compared to Windows supported units).
Even those that are supported require some effort to install (I haven't used all flavors of Linux so this may not always be true).
Scanners, graphics tablets, etc, same story. Some of us may actually enjoy the challenge but for most people a computer is just a tool and ease of use is primary. Windows wins that test hands down.
Jerry, there are web sites devoted to helping Linux users find and install printer drivers for Linux. Most HP printers are supported and will install right out the box. Ubuntu and all of the newer Linux distros have printer driver included and will install in a few clicks. Linux has came a long way in the last few years. Granted, there are still some things that need to improve before it's on a par with Windows but it's gaining in popularity daily. Personally, I like the security of Linux. You never operate your system as an administrator. If you need to make changes you need to do so as "root" which requires a password.
Linux is not for everybody, but it's an alternative to Windows just as the Mac is. I'm including a link to a Linux printer help site;
http://www.linuxfoundation.org/en/OpenPrinting
Variety is the spice of life. :)
And that's my point. Windows doesn't need that help.Quote:
there are web sites devoted to helping Linux users find and install printer drivers for Linux
Supported by whom? Not by HP. Don't expect help from the manufacturer if there are problems.Quote:
Most HP printers are supported and will install right out the box. Ubuntu and all of the newer Linux distros have printer driver included and will install in a few clicks.
Quote:
Granted, there are still some things that need to improve before it's on a par with Windows
So we are in agreement. Please understand, I am pro Linux. But recommending it to most users is counterproductive. They wont like it and we will have created an enemy, not an ally.Quote:
Linux is not for everybody
There are no websites that offer help with Windows printer drivers because there is absolutely no problem with printer drivers in Windows?Quote:
Originally Posted by jerryctx
If you buy an HP printer, it includes all you need to install and use on a Windows machine.
For Linux you must go to the web just to obtain the driver.
Is this a big deal? Not for you and I. But it is beyond what the vast majority of computer users want to do. The mass market wants the computer to be an appliance with no more training needed than for a TV or microwave oven. No OS is that simple to use, and Mac probably comes closest, but Windows is second and Linux is third.
In fairness, this is a Catch-22 for Linux (and to a lesser extent for Mac). HP wont invest in driver development until Linux is more widely used and Linux use will suffer while manufacturer support is limited. Our best bet is user experience at work as businesses switch to Linux.
Even then my advice will be, if you need to ask "Should I use Linux?" you shouldn't.
Everything? I believe the note on this HP printer applies to both Windows and Linux. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by jerryctx
Note: This printer does not ship with printer-to-computer USB cable.
Yep, everyone may not be aware of this issue.
This may or may not be true. The HP Deskjet printer I have used for years works great in Linux with the CUPS drivers included in many distributions and is installed at the same time the operating system is.Quote:
Originally Posted by jerryctx
Since it has recently gone south I am considering an all in one. I am interested in an HP because of the support. I find the HPLIP driver listed in the Ubuntu package manager.
My advice would differ. If someone is interested in Linux they should take a look themselves. The Ubuntu install CD is also a Live CD. Very easy to see if you are interested. It also offers the WUBI installer which installs a Linux image to an NTFS filesystem. I installed it to Windows Vista Home Basic. It requires no partitioning and is a very simple way to see what Linux is like. Will everyone like it? I think not. But it is easy to try.Quote:
Originally Posted by jerryctx
Your post supports my position better than anything I can say. Thank you.
You're welcome. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by jerryctx
Thanks Jerry for not calling me a nerd but I must admit that sometimes the glasses do fit :)
Linux/Ubuntu is not for everyone but if all you are doing is e-mail, word processing and internet surfing it is a good OS for someone who does not want to pay for VISTA. If there are more specific tasks you need to do then you should have some computer knowledge.
It is true that not all hardware will run on Linux and that the manufacturers don't list on their sites whether they do or not. The Linux community though does an excellent job of listing what works and what does not. As a result I have not had a problem with printers (HP and a NEC) or with my wireless adapter. In fact I get better wireless connection in Ubuntu then I do in XP.
One of the great things about Linux is that most of the flavors, like Ubuntu, come with a live CD so that the "average person" can take it for a test drive. If they can't get it to work they do not have to use it and to top it all off, they did not spend any money to get a fully functional OS.
To finish this, let me say that Ubuntu keeps improving all of the time and is getting to the point where it will work with most hardware out there and without having the average user do any reconfiguring.
That is all this nerd:cool: has to say.
Doc
As an update....
I did get a new all in one printer. An HP Officejet J4580.
It prints and scans great in Linux (Ubuntu). Haven't tried the FAX yet.
Since there was some operator error I cannot give you a good description of the difficulty or ease of the hardware detection. It seems the printer end of the USB cable fits quite well into the phone line connection. When troubleshooting pointed to the USB cable a correction to the correct port solved the problem.
And here's a great anti-Linux article. Personally I find that it is not useful to anyone really wishing to evaluate Linux. But, hey, everyone can make up their own mind.
I stopped reading when I saw the second paragraph:
Linux fans don't try to replace Windows for everyone. Linux is just an alternative, among many others, for those who WANT or NEED something else, including the effort to learn, tinker, patch and develop on your own. If you're perfectly happy with Windows, stick to it, nobody's forcing you to go any other way. If you're happy with your car, all the car tuning enthusiasts won't force you to buy a chassis and a kit car and build your own, just because this option exists.Quote:
[Linux fans'] mission: to replace Microsoft Windows and proprietary applications with the Linux operating system and freeware. [...]
Unfortunately, with all due respect for his professional achievements, Mr. Rod Kovel ventured in an area outside of his expertise, blasting a commentary started on assumptions proven to be wrong from the second paragraph. A waste of time for writing that and a waste of bandwidth for opening it in my browser, IMHO. But this reflects the general view over Linux: everyone believes they're a computer specialist when they learn that triple-clicking in Word selects the entire paragraph, so then they venture in a Linux LiveCD only to run back to Windows in 30 seconds screaming with anger.
Bah.
To contrast the anti-Linux article I posted, I will post this nice discussion of Linux.