Comments on: Linux versus Windows – the truth!

By: harveysburger

harveysburger — Sat, 30 May 2009 05:19:08 +0000

so for Perspectoff there blaming Windows with this comment:
“I never could get the OS reverified and lost 3 years of data”

geez guy, I have no idea what you’ve been doing but data is stored on hard drive, you can break your mother board in half as long as you plug the HD in another system, Windows or not, your data will be there waiting for you

as for your experience with changing a DVD drive, sure it’s shitty Windows didnt pick up on it right away, but I can tell you countless story of Linux not picking things up right away either, i remember configuring slackware distro and I had to specify the frequency of my monitor along with a bunch of other parameters to get the monitor to be recognized…

linux is great, i like Windows to, have your preference it’s fine, everyone does, but if you make an argument bashing one platform or the other at least think it through…

By: Pradesh

Pradesh — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 09:17:11 +0000

My kids (13 and 7) have been using Linux for about the past 2 years on and off. When I started off, I would start a game or program, and let then use it. About a year ago I created login for them and trimmed down the menus and installed child-friendly desktops images, etc.

Recently I gave my son his own PC, which he installed by himself and uses without problems. No command line, no hassles. The both seems to be quite comfortable. If there are any problems, I step in and solve it, often using google as my toolset!

No I really don’t see the argument about having to go to “Linux school” and such. If my 7 year old can use Linux, then it is easy to use. I use and support the use of Linux. I am not a fanatic,

I can safely say that Linux works for me and the kids.

By: Greg Sanderson

Greg Sanderson — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:25:00 +0000

For people like us who have some IT knowledge, having more options and freedom within the OS code and system (Linux) is often better for fixing issues, as you pointed out.
But the point being made here is that ‘most users’ don’t know how, nor want to, edit config files, they just want the operating system to function correctly.

After work, the ‘average user’ has 30 mins or an hour to check emails, chat with friends or browse the net, maybe play some music. Opening files with what looks to them like Ancient Mandarin Chinese is not the experience of using a PC they want.

By: RRP

RRP — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:44:28 +0000

While most of this discussion is pretty level headed, I to have an issue with, “Well, in Linux I had to edit a config file to make something work.”

1 – In the last 2 years, I have rarely had to edit a config file using my desktop Linux choice (Ubuntu and LinuxMint). Servers, yes, desktop no.

2 – When it comes to stuff I plug into my (or others) USB ports, in the last 2 years, Linux wins at finding them, and drivers for them, hand’s down! I have had way more trouble getting usb keys, camera cards, usb to serial and parallel adaptors, etc, to be recognized in Windows than in Linux. To this day I have one thumb drive and one camera card that are recognized in Linux, but not in Windows. Point is that each OS will fail at some thing, some time.

3 – Referring back to #1, at least you have a choice to be able to fix it in Linux. You can actually edit that text file and Good Gravy it works! Ever try to get Vista 64 bit USB ports to work when they go bad? I wish I had a text file to edit!

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:20:29 +0000

I have used ubuntu since 7.04. I am happy to say i will never turn back to windows again. I was scared to try, but am happy I did make the change. I supported MS since day one.

I switched my kids computers to Ubuntu 8.04 LTS. There old Dells were slow when i got them 10-12 yrs ago, and now they run relatively fast. And, when MS discard xp, i will still be going strong for free.

Windows vs Linux – the truth…if you do not need the heavy weigh photoshop or windows only programs use Linux. For an easier transition make sure you machine has 512-1gb memory. Once you get learn some Linux I think you will be hard pressed to return to Windows especially if you have to pay MS hundred to upgrade.

Our whole school district went to OpenOffice–Windows Office type software, and saved over a million in MS royalties in one yr. Yes, it took some time to learn, but, it works great and comes preloaded when you install Ubuntu.

Ubuntu 9.04 – not release yet, is fast and easy to use, and come with a lot of great software. There is a program call do that you can install with ubuntu to get the Mac OX type screen at http://do.davebsd.com/.

I would purchase a book to get started with ubuntu. Ubuntu For Non-Geeks: a Pain-Free, Project-Based, Get-Things-Done Guidebook by Rickford Grant to make the switch easier.