Try Linux ... Go On, try it ...

[radhak]

Just saw the other post about yet another virus threat, and thought it as good a time as any to proselytize Linux.


Things to know :

Linux
1. Can do most things Windows can do as well as Windows can.
2. Can do a great many things that Windows cannot do.
3. Is free.
4. Comes by default with more software than you probably ever knew existed.
5. Can recognize most hardware nowadays.
6. Can happily co-exist beside other operating systems.
7. Is not subject to spyware and the vast majority of viruses.
8. Does not require much use of the command line if you don't want to use it.
9. Offers a lot more flexibility and customization than other operating systems (if you want to!).
10. Is extremely easy to install (easier than Windows in many cases).
11. Will teach you a lot about computers and how they work. Or not, if you don't care.
12. Is not evil.

Some of you may not be aware that you can try Linux safely on any computer without uninstalling or modifying your current OS, without installing anything at all !!!

You can boot Linux directly from a CD, called a LiveCD; it will run without touching your hard drive at all. Yup, nothing will change on your computer permanently!!!

LiveCD Linux will create an imaginary "drive" in your RAM and run from there. Of course, this is really only useful to try out Linux temporarily, and if you want to use it for real you should install it to your hard drive. But it will show you how the screen will look, how you will access the internet and email, etc. If you want to go back to your original Operating System, you'd just re-boot the machine after taking out the LiveCD from the drive.

Which Linux and where'd you get it? I recommend Ubuntu or Kubuntu, though others are just as good. To be more specific, I personally like Kubuntu.

note : these two (like every other 'distro' of Linux) are two different forms of Linux. It's like watching the same game on different sports channels : the core content is same, the packaging differs !

Check this page for Ubuntu : https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD

and this for Kubuntu : http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/kubuntu/daily-live/20090120/

[Alex Franke]

I second that.

First try the Live CD. If you like it, and want to dive in a bit deeper without ditching Windows just yet, then you can install it on to a virtual machine (use vmware, or MS Virtual Server, both free to use). You use the software to set up a virtual computer, with a virtual hard drive, etc, and install onto it. All the data are stored in a file on your real hard drive, and if you decide you don't like it, you just delete that file.

[mac_daddy]

I think another good idea to push linux is to round up all of the typical applications a pc/woodworker would be using on a windoze machine. There isn't a Sketchup linux flavor, but you can emulate windows apps in WINE:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=648713
http://wine-review.blogspot.com/2007...d-freebsd.html

A little more work, but still no need for an antivirus solution!

[crokett]

I looked at Wine for some stuff for work but installed a Virtual Machine instead.

The one I use is at http://www.virtualbox.org/

Advantage is it actually runs Windows (or any other OS really) so the Windows apps run just like they would in Windows and you can install all the apps you need on the same VM. Disadvantage is it takes RAM away from your system as long as the virtual machine is running. I opted for this over Wine because some apps may or may not work in Wine and most require some work to get them installed. Plus you need to repeat the work for each app you install.

[radhak]

That's an excellent option too - run it as a program on Windows, and stop it when you are done. To clarify - when you run the 'virtual machine' again and start Linux, it would have all your prior settings saved.

The ultimate goal should of course be that if you are happy with it, and don't miss any program/functionality, you could do a complete switch to Linux !

[crokett]

The ultimate goal should of course be that if you are happy with it, and don't miss any program/functionality, you could do a complete switch to Linux !

Unfortunately, not with this app. I use it to read fibre channel traces and there is not a replacement.

[LinuxRandal]

#3, SHOULD read, it CAN be obtained free, and can be modified by you freely.

Unfortunately, not with this app. I use it to read fibre channel traces and there is not a replacement.

There are some pieces of software that are Windows or Windows/Mac only (sucks). Things like Tax software, Cutlist plus (haven't ever tried it in Wine), etc. If you have issues with these and are using them with Wine, your on your own (no tech support). I have a lawyer that I have done some work for, big Linux supporter/user, who does have to have a cheap Windows box, just for a couple of apps (he would love to change it).
There can be compatibility issues with some software and its MS counterpoint, but there can be those same issues, with older MS software, verses newest.

In other words, if you have a legal Windows copy, you may just not want to boot into it, unless you need to.

Trying to be a realist, even though I am somewhat of an idealist.

[gsmittle]

Nuh Uh, no way! I know how you pushers work: get me hooked on your stuff and then you raise the price and raise the price and raise the price until I end up living on the street and selling myself for software money

Trouble is, I wouldn't make much.

g.

[Alex Franke]

Nuh Uh, no way! I know how you pushers work: get me hooked on your stuff and then you raise the price and raise the price and raise the price until I end up living on the street and selling myself for software money

C'mon, man, get with the program. Everyone is doing it now-a-days. Face it -- it's just cool.

[LinuxRandal]

If not Linux, maybe BSD for you?


Bridge jumping announcement later.

[crokett]

If not Linux, maybe BSD for you?

You are a mean mean man. I actually tried FreeBSD once long ago. I didn't try for very long.

[jussi]

This is kind of old and many of you have probably seen it already but is pretty funny so I thought share....

http://www.blackhat-forums.com/index.php?showtopic=7481

[Ed62]

Try Linux? You guys just love to see me struggle, don't you?

Ed

[crokett]

Try Linux? You guys just love to see me struggle, don't you?

Ed

Actually I found the transition to be pretty easy. The biggest problem is finding replacements for some of the applications. Most of the common ones are bundled, some are not. One big advantage is system updates are done through the system and not through a web browser (like Windows). That is the only reason IE is still on my desktop system downstairs, so I can still get updates.

[Alex Franke]

One big advantage is system updates are done through the system and not through a web browser (like Windows). That is the only reason IE is still on my desktop system downstairs, so I can still get updates.

I'm pretty sure XP and Vista both handle automatic updating. I can't remember the last time I opened up IE to update my system, and they're both pretty much current. Might be something to look into so you can get rid of IE.