Seriously thoughtful Should I switch to Ubuntu, or stay with Windows XP?

[Format C:]

Originally Posted by =X=

Forever is such as strong word

I have a PC running Linux since 1996. I never turn it off, its a 200MHZ Intel Celeron overclocked to 300MHz. It's gone through several hard drives, power supplies and a fan, several versions of Mandrake and finally using Ubuntu. But the PC is still used heavily without any fear of obsolescence.

In PC world I believe it's approaching forever .

Linux OS tends to support older hardware better than any OS, what it does not handle well is bleeding edge hardware or specialized hardware, this is where windows is just better supported.

Ubuntu works best with 512MB RAM and 1.2GHZ processer for anything less I'd recommend Xbuntu.

=X=

I access an accounting software which still runs on an 8088 IBM XT PC, with two 360kB floppy drive, 640kB RAM, 10MB HDD, monochrome green display (no graphic card, of course, just text), and a barcode reader attached to one of the two parallel ports (the second is used by an IBM proprinter).

It'll make 20 years this autumn.

It just performs its task. And there's no need at all to change it.



I think that's closer to "forever".
But I don't know if it will actually make 20: the shop using it is closing.

[Format C:]

Originally Posted by mores

<--- Look at my Avatar ... Get A Mac.



Seriously, if you're a fan of Open Source, go with ubuntu.
If you want to stop fiddling around with your system and just use it to get things done, get a mac.

The problem is, the number of things that can be done with a Mac is a small fraction of the number of things that can be done with Linux+Windows.

So, non knowing what exactly has to be done, it's simply a very dangerous suggestion.

remember: we're talking about wrenches and screwdrivers, and we're trying to point toward one of them without knowledge of the the bolt or the screw...

[tirsales]

Originally Posted by mores

BTW, your comment is SO typical of someone lumping together everyone who uses a Mac

Oh I did use a Mac for quite some time - I just dont like a number of decisions they made (e.g. they are the only system fucking with standard shortcuts, which is annoying) and I really dont think that Mac is so uber it is often said to be
It is a nice system - one that I didnt mind recommending to a complete computer newbie (80yrs) who just wanted to have regular contact with his children via email. But it is not superior in quite a number of use-cases (and the argument "better CPU" is really not up to date any more )
Oh well - *NIX Linux against *NIX Os X - its a religious war

[astra]

Originally Posted by Ankh

And availability of the software should be the major decision point for everybody contemplating a switch to Linux

Agree.

I am dealing with computer related problems at work, so when I come home I want to enjoy using my computer. To meet this requirement it must do whatever I want without any hiccups and if I want to install something it should be installed and forgotten.
Windows does all of this for me. I have yet to find a good s/w tool that I need and it would not work under WinXP.

[Ankh]

Originally Posted by astra

Windows does all of this for me. I have yet to find a good s/w tool that I need and it would not work under WinXP.

Hey, if it works for you... In this age of virtual machines, and very potent hardware deployed on most of our desktops, I simply don't see why would anybody live with limitations of one OS.

WinXP in my vmware virtual machine covers me for occasional utility that does not exist on Linux. For everything, except games (my son dual-boots).

What I want to point out is that times have changed, lack of software is not a problem for Intel Linux boxes. Or Mac machines, not to forget them. The virtualization software on Mac is even better, they do have a capability to run games, albeit slightly slower than natively.

[wodin]

bump

[frabjous]

I think I'm sticking with Ubuntu.

Installed it on my laptop. Wireless worked fine out of the box, even with just the live CD.

I admit that in the end that my reason for preferring Ubuntu isn't entirely rational. Sure, in part it's their philosophy. But I think mostly it's more like driving the same car for 10 years. You get bored of it after awhile. So when you go to buy a new car, you'll pick something a little different. That doesn't mean your new car is inherently better than what the new model of your current car would be, but it's just time for something a little different.

So far the only software I use regularly I haven't found something equivalent or near equivalent (or even better) with Linux is Adobe Acrobat Pro, but I don't really use that too often, and I'll be keeping a dual boot until harddrive space becomes a problem.

Considered Mint Linux too but didn't see much difference -- just some preinstalled codecs I'd have added anyway, and a slightly different look, and I liked Ubuntu's better.

And yeah, I'm sure I'll get sick of it soon, but it's just fun to do something different for a change. And yeah, it's a needless waste of processing and video power, but those desktop effects with the multiple workspaces and the spinning cubes/globes, just make things fresh.

Check out what my desktop looks like while spinning between workspaces:

[ilovejedd]

Oooh... Beryl? What's the graphics requirement for that?

[Ham88]

My personal preference is to have a dual boot that-a-way I can still use all of my windows goodies that I can't get to run on ubuntu, like my old computer's wireless card =^(.

[frabjous]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

Oooh... Beryl? What's the graphics requirement for that?

It's called Compiz Fusion now:
http://www.compiz-fusion.org

I don't think the graphics requirements are terribly high... at least not compared to things like games. There are some troublesome cards, but it seems to work with most standard ATI and nVIDIA cards, at least if you install their proprietary drivers. In any case, it also works on my laptop, which has a mediocre GeForce Go 8400M.

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by frabjous

It's called Compiz Fusion now:
http://www.compiz-fusion.org

I don't think the graphics requirements are terribly high... at least not compared to things like games. There are some troublesome cards, but it seems to work with most standard ATI and nVIDIA cards, at least if you install their proprietary drivers. In any case, it also works on my laptop, which has a mediocre GeForce Go 8400M.

Ah, that's the name I was looking for. I knew Beryl merged with something. I just forgot the name of the project they merged with (apparently Compiz). Hmm, so would an Ion platform would play nice with Compiz-Fusion or does it still need a bit of CPU power?

[ruskie]

Originally Posted by Polyglot27

I still use XP because there are two pieces of software that I really like and which has no Linux equivalents yet. Free Commander for handling files and FastStone Viewer for digital photos. I used to use Irfan Viewer and XnView which are both very good.

I took the liberty of digging up some alternatives for those two apps...

For Free Commander try:

http://freshmeat.net/projects/emelfm2
http://freshmeat.net/projects/gentoo
http://freshmeat.net/projects/pcmm
http://freshmeat.net/projects/mrcommander
http://freshmeat.net/projects/xfe

For an image viewer:
http://freshmeat.net/projects/gwenview
http://freshmeat.net/projects/showimg
http://freshmeat.net/projects/gthumb
http://freshmeat.net/projects/geeqie

And there's also:
http://www.digikam.org/

You should be able to find most in your distros package management system...

Give them a spin and I do hope to hear back that you found a solution for those two ;)

[ruskie]

Originally Posted by wodin

Yes I was aware that MOST dedicated eBook readers were Linux based. What I don't understand is why there is not more alternative firmware available for at least the more popular readers. The DEV Hub here is a beginning but there are a very many more features that could be implemented on most readers.

See http://www.openinkpot.org/

The problem with alternatives is that manufacturers don't release documents or even all the source code and other details on how to run. Or try to avoid doing it as well.

Also parts could rely on non-Free drivers for certain hardware components or the boot loader and so on. Yes HW manufacturers tend to be reluctant to give the documentation to write your own drivers or such things. While in the past they went head over heels to give you that documentation today they try to wrap it up in trade secrets and other such constructs.

[smurphy]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

It's really simple, if you want to talk to your computer, use Linux. If you are satisfied by communicating only via miming, use non-linux. Be aware that learning to talk is harder than learning to mime, but the rewards are exponentially greater.

I would rather phrase it the other way around.
If you want to be told what to do with your computer, Use Windows/Mac
If you want to tell your computer what to do - use Linux

[GeoffC]

Originally Posted by frabjous

I think I'm sticking with Ubuntu.

Installed it on my laptop. Wireless worked fine out of the box, even with just the live CD.

I admit that in the end that my reason for preferring Ubuntu isn't entirely rational. Sure, in part it's their philosophy. But I think mostly it's more like driving the same car for 10 years. You get bored of it after awhile. So when you go to buy a new car, you'll pick something a little different. That doesn't mean your new car is inherently better than what the new model of your current car would be, but it's just time for something a little different.

So far the only software I use regularly I haven't found something equivalent or near equivalent (or even better) with Linux is Adobe Acrobat Pro, but I don't really use that too often, and I'll be keeping a dual boot until harddrive space becomes a problem.

Considered Mint Linux too but didn't see much difference -- just some preinstalled codecs I'd have added anyway, and a slightly different look, and I liked Ubuntu's better.

And yeah, I'm sure I'll get sick of it soon, but it's just fun to do something different for a change. And yeah, it's a needless waste of processing and video power, but those desktop effects with the multiple workspaces and the spinning cubes/globes, just make things fresh.

Check out what my desktop looks like while spinning between workspaces:

I was going to ask you what you'd decided. This has been an extremely interesting and informative discussion forum. May I ask you how you went about setting up your dual boot and also, presumably, partitioning your hard drive - given your existing OS.