I am dumping Vista for Linux

[exally]

Ok guys it is in the title and the following are the reasons why i am going to linux

* Vista is too much like XP - behind the graphics it is basically the same, would of been cool if they bought out the new file system with it - the index seach is ok and how they use all the metadata.
* After two weeks of using Vista it annoyed the shite out of me - couldn't believe all the crap you have to do to do simple networking (they said it was easier) - and other thing
* It feels a lot smoother than XP but too slow in loading.
* Poor dual monitor support - i atleast expected it to have some cool features for this as in separate backghrounds for each mon, etc etc.
(all of the above can be done in XP so i will have dual boot XP/Linux)

* I want to learn something new not XP redubbed.
* Have freedom of choice

With my Vista i am going to put it on an old PC and use Media Center on it for the lounge room TV/Entertainment System. Now the only question is which Distro to use - I have heard many of you like SUSE and Ubuntu and i have used Mandiva and Fedora Core 4 before i enjoyed them - i like Mandiva for graphics - what are the others like?

[KarmaKiller]

Amen!!!!

Gentoo is the shit....I run a triple boot..
64 bit Gentoo and debian
Then xp for the games i can't find support for...

Gentoo is alot more invovled to begin with, but once you got it worked out it is THE most stable system i have ever had. Debian good for people just getting into linux.
Whatever distro it is, in my opinion you can't beat a good linux box.

I've never used ubuntu myself, i have a couple friends that use it and love it. Same with Suse. I myself think that gentoo has the best support out of any distro's.
I would say just try a couple and see what you think. Find the bugs(cons) of whatever distro your using and research to see who has fixed it.

Give gentoo x86 a try if you got a 64 bit machine, you'll like it.
My second option would be debian, good os system, it's got synaptic which is your package manager. It's super easy to use. Open it up, type the program you are looking for, find it in the search results, click on it and it will download and compile for you. For linux it doesn't get any easier then that.

[ShuckyD]

Well the major ones will probably be the most "supported" and frequently updated ones. These include Ubuntu, openSuSe, MEPIS, Mandriva, Fedora... and so on.. If you want to know what packages come with which distrobution and what would be best for your needs i suggest taking a look at DistroWatch (www.distrowatch.com) when you select a distro from them you will see the current releases as well as the most popular packages they include...

[exally]

Well the major ones will probably be the most "supported" and frequently updated ones. These include Ubuntu, openSuSe, MEPIS, Mandriva, Fedora... and so on.. If you want to know what packages come with which distrobution and what would be best for your needs i suggest taking a look at DistroWatch (www.distrowatch.com) when you select a distro from them you will see the current releases as well as the most popular packages they include...

yeah will do - i don't mind spending the time to learn linux properly... G++ configuration though has annoyed me in the past, any with it basically ready to go?

[GroundZero3]

Having to boot to another os to play games is just lame.

Either way i would dual boot before you move completely over to Linux. Linux desktop still has a lot of quirks

Driver support still has it issues just like windows. Linux has its issues just like windows. Not one is better over the other (even though some will try to convince you that windows is pure garbage and Linux is the best)

Be prepared to learn and spend alot of time reading.

[exally]

yeah i am dual booting and games aren't a thing for me anymore

i still have the x800XT when i bought the first week they were out - used to play AA alot but i only need it for University (doing IT) and work - handling my trading platform...

[GroundZero3]

lol good luck on ati drivers, they are still lacking.

[KarmaKiller]

lame 1 (lm)adj. lam·er, lam·est

Buying a $399 operating system when an open source os blows it out of the water.

[exally]

do i still the Drivers if i am not playing any games???!!!!

i don't really need them to pump out 3d gaming or anything - though i shall look into it - i have a 5200 in the comp i was going to use for my media centre pc (was going to replaqce it with a 9800pro) a quick replace and driver change shouldn't hurt anything...

[GroundZero3]

lame 1 (lm)adj. lam·er, lam·est

Buying a $399 operating system when an open source os blows it out of the water.

Give me a break. Each operating system has something to offer. Opensource is great and all. I use Linux on an everyday basis server wise, but i can not stand it as a desktop and i feel it has a long ways to go before i would ever consider using it as a desktop replacement


Like i said linux has its pros and cons just like windows.

[KarmaKiller]

i guess it just boils down to personal preference. I have been a linux junkie for quite some time now. I guess i've just moved away from windows over the years. I still use xp every now and then, but i just like the fact that i control EVERYTHING that goes on my box..I've never had any spyware,virus, or any computer program that some geek wrote to harm computers.
Windows has so many bs programs that you never use, and never need for that matter.I don't have to deal with that at all.
But for the sake of arguements, windows is a good second choice for me.

[GroundZero3]

OH give me a break, Linux comes with so many useless programs installed by default that bloat the os.

I dont have problems with Viruses, spyware or some harmful computer program as i keep up with updates and watch what i do. I just get tired of the elitest attitudes people have. Linux has its place just like Windows. I guess OSX too

[exally]

yeah i have to agree with zero on all those points - never had a virus that i didn't install myself on XP

[GameManK]

do i still the Drivers if i am not playing any games???!!!!

i don't really need them to pump out 3d gaming or anything - though i shall look into it - i have a 5200 in the comp i was going to use for my media centre pc (was going to replaqce it with a 9800pro) a quick replace and driver change shouldn't hurt anything...

I think the 9800pro is supported by the open source ati driver, so it shouldn't be a problem, dunno about the x800. I quit on ati a while ago, but from what I understand support (not performance) for <x1000 cards is not bad now.
The 5200 would be your best bet though, you just need to install the nvidia driver.

Also, dual monitor support is not going to improve much going to linux, at least not without editing xorg.conf manually.

Of course can't beat the freedom of choice!

[KarmaKiller]

Nevermind..I guess i didn't explain myself well......

[njolakoski]

I installed linux recently, and it supported my 850XT Card perfectly

[washe]

Exactly all depends on the user, I havent got any issues with viruses in windows due the fact I at least try to have and AV installed and more important updated.. and time to time I run adware. But never one of my system have needed a full windows reinstall because a virus.

I have windows xp on a AMD 2500+ for over 3 years now and I havent needed to install it again.

Leave someone in Linux as root and they can bring down your system ASAP...

I like a lot this quote because is so true..

"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs and the universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the universe is winning."

Ubuntu is what I have been using now and its pretty easy to add programs and update.

[samwichse]

For a beginner?

Gentoo = no
Debian = better, but still no
Ubuntu = yes
Freespire = yes
Fedora = yesish
ATI video cards = no (unless it's an old-generation card with native drivers)

And running Linux as root is just plain stupid when everything is designed to work from a limited user account. You won't be able to hose your system unless you take root privileges, then Linux won't scold you like a small child whenever you do something dangerous. The way it should be.

Sam

[njolakoski]

openSuse is good for beginners

[exally]

thanks guys - as far as the ATI drivers go though, couldn't i just use ndiswrapper to get it working? or does ndiswrapper only work for certain drivers?