General opinions: Windows XP vs. Ubuntu 7.04

**blu_dvl_fn** · July 12th, 2007, 02:01 AM

What does everyone think? I have been a faithful windows user for 7 years, but have never actually had to purchase it. Now I'm having to make the big choice: Pay an arm and a leg and throw a crapload of money at Billy Gates? Or go with Linux (which I had never heard of until last week but am now hearing it's really good and free) to save my money? This whole free OS thing sounds too good to be true... Is it a cult? LOL! Seriously... what are some opinions? Should I make the leap and save a crapload of money (I AM a single mother after all!) or dig into my pockets and stay with what I know?

**Sixpac_XP** · July 12th, 2007, 02:06 AM

you can buy Windows XP for like $60 now for a license.

I don't really think that's a "crap load of money".

from your experience I would say stay with what you know.

**blu_dvl_fn** · July 12th, 2007, 02:14 AM

On amazon, it's running for $190... I haven't seen it anywhere for $60, which for me is still expensive... That's 2 weeks' worth of baby formula!

**Sixpac_XP** · July 12th, 2007, 02:17 AM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116056

just off the top off my head..

sure you can find it cheaper on ebay.

**jasonz0rz** · July 12th, 2007, 03:49 AM

I bought XP Pro with SP2 for $142 (Buy it Now price) on eBay a couple days ago. The shipping was $3 for Priority (2-3 day) service though I went with Overnight ($28) to get my new rig up and running asap.

If memory serves, the Home edition was going for $100.. stick with what you know :]

**GroundZero3** · July 16th, 2007, 08:00 AM

What do you do with your pc and how knowledgeable are you with Linux?

My opinion is Linux still has a long way to go when it comes to the desktop environment. (espically since i game some and whatnot)

Linux gui is pretty straight forward but you are pretty much at the mercy at the open source community. Some are very friendly and a lot are elites who think everyone is a hardcore Linux user.

**crouse** · August 7th, 2007, 05:23 PM

ack ! Save your money.......
Ubuntu outperforms Windows on the desktop and everything is free. Unless your a hard core computer gamer, why spend your hard earned money ?

**GameManK** · August 7th, 2007, 09:20 PM

You can download Ubuntu, burn it to a CD, and run it off the CD without installing it to try it out. I suggest you give it a shot and see how you like it.

Likely it will fit your needs and be easier to maintain than windows, but it depends on what you use your computer for and how well it works with your hardware.

**chapmc** · August 7th, 2007, 10:48 PM

I would say try ubuntu and see if it works for you. I have tried several linux distros and ubuntu seems the easiest to install. I have always gone back to windows at least for some things. Quicken I use a lot and haven't found a satisfactory program under linux. There are usually some hardware "got-ya's" that require a lot of searching and reading (sometimes money) such as newer printers, modems, and wifi cards.

Good luck!!

**SeanC** · August 8th, 2007, 05:27 PM

How much time are you willing to spend learning the idiosyncrasies of a new operating system? While Linux has GUIs that are similar to Windows, they aren't exactly the same.

If you remember the switch from DOS to Windows, you'll understand why I'm asking. It's not as easy as installing Linux and you're off to the races. You need to spend time learning how to do certain things such as compiling programs. Especially if you go to some Linux support forums where everyone assumes you're near a Linux guru.

**KarmaKiller** · August 8th, 2007, 06:16 PM

I would agree with others here. I would try out a distro or two, and see how you like them. There are tons of different distros, some are alot easier then others to use.
Ubuntu is one of the easiest IMO. May also try Kubuntu. It's the same as ubuntu, just has a different desktop environment.
But I would say try out the free stuff first, then decide. But make sure you go into it with an open mind, and be ready to do some reading.
But I think you'll enjoy it, I know I do..

**GameManK** · August 8th, 2007, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by SeanC

How much time are you willing to spend learning the idiosyncrasies of a new operating system? While Linux has GUIs that are similar to Windows, they aren't exactly the same.

If you remember the switch from DOS to Windows, you'll understand why I'm asking. It's not as easy as installing Linux and you're off to the races. You need to spend time learning how to do certain things such as compiling programs. Especially if you go to some Linux support forums where everyone assumes you're near a Linux guru.

It's unlikely she'll have to learn to compile programs... and most people on ubuntuforums.org don't assume you're a guru, especially in the beginners forum.

I'd liken it more to switching to MacOS, but probably a little more difficult (note: I don't actually know how to use a Mac... or at least so I like to think.).

**GameManK** · August 8th, 2007, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by KarmaKiller

I would try out a distro or two, and see how you like them. There are tons of different distros, some are alot easier then others to use.

fyi, distro = distribution

**SeanC** · August 9th, 2007, 05:53 PM

Actually yeah GameManK, the Ubuntu distributions were designed for everyone, including beginners so it could very well work.

MacOS is fairly straight forward, after a couple of minutes playing with it at the electronics store, I was navigating it pretty well.

**-FMA** · August 10th, 2007, 03:22 AM

Ubuntu is easy to use, but it's still quite a transition. You may be discouraged at first, but if you stick with it you'll pick up on it just like Windows.

It also matters what you're going to be doing with your computer. What programs you'll need to use. It might so happen that you're going to have to stick with windows no matter what.

**Dj-Icer** · August 10th, 2007, 05:12 AM

Can't be bothered to have a go on something else. I have a lot of work to do. Windows so far, does just fine for me.

Peace

**TOAD6147** · August 16th, 2007, 07:39 PM

You can download Ubuntu, burn it to a CD, and run it off the CD without installing it to try it out. I suggest you give it a shot and see how you like it.

Pray, I wish it were so easy. I've downloaded 4 different ISO's and everyone of them is not passing md5. Plus when I tried to burn the first download I was getting a notice from Nero that the "foreign image" was not being reported as the correct size. I confirmed this the last time when I compared what was being downloaded was supposed to be 669 MB and what actually showed up was 564,911 KB. What gives?

**GameManK** · August 16th, 2007, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by TOAD6147

Pray, I wish it were so easy. I've downloaded 4 different ISO's and everyone of them is not passing md5. Plus when I tried to burn the first download I was getting a notice from Nero that the "foreign image" was not being reported as the correct size. I confirmed this the last time when I compared what was being downloaded was supposed to be 669 MB and what actually showed up was 564,911 KB. What gives?

Your ISP is dropping packets? *shrug* What kind of connection do you have?
Maybe try a different mirror?

**GroundZero3** · August 17th, 2007, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by TOAD6147

Pray, I wish it were so easy. I've downloaded 4 different ISO's and everyone of them is not passing md5. Plus when I tried to burn the first download I was getting a notice from Nero that the "foreign image" was not being reported as the correct size. I confirmed this the last time when I compared what was being downloaded was supposed to be 669 MB and what actually showed up was 564,911 KB. What gives?

That is a computer/internet issue not an Ubuntu issue

**TOAD6147** · August 17th, 2007, 02:30 PM

What kind of connection do you have?
Maybe try a different mirror?

I've downloaded many different distos on this computer with no problems. I have RoadRunner 7 MB service and I've tried 6-8 different mirrors. It makes no sense.