Linux

[Kccitystar]

I have a spare computer lying around here that I would really like to have linux running on. However, I'm stuck deciding which one would be best for it. All I want to do is run basic applications on it and surf the web and check email.

So far I was looking at Freespire, but there is no harware compatibility list around so I did not bother checking for it.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Bama]

Ubuntu is the way KC. Ubuntu.

[TheNateGBent]

Ubuntu's starting to get pretty mainstream (for linux). I tried using Mandrake, and it was pretty solid, though I did eventually just reinstall XP.

[Kccitystar]

I was just installing Fedora Core 5. I'll try ubuntu, but I don't want to use the Debian-core OSes.

[Kccitystar]

I chose Linux, for the sole purpose being the fact that I am tired of experiencing Blue Screens of Death because of crappy drivers, broken updates and such. You may say that Windows is extremely supported by pretty much all the hardware, and the majority of applications are written for it. Well, it's supported by everything because Windows is the industry standard.

Windows XP is by far the most unstable OS I have used in the past 5 years. It's bloated beyond belief. It deteriorates significantly the more apps you install. System idle process still hasn't been fixed resulting in it taking all my cpu cycles daily. One application crashing takes down my whole system (what happened to protected memory?), and I spend at least 1 hour a day maintaining it and troubleshooting just to get performance back. Then there is me spending time dealing with my colleagues issues. This is all on a new image of the thing. I hate it. XP always comes across big performance problems. People shouldnt have to know how to edit a registry, defragging etc just to try and maintain consistent level of performance.

Though I dont for one second believe your machine is running as quickly as it was from a fresh install due to the registry. Unless of course you only use Windows for WordPad and Solitaire.

You can say OS X is bloated as well, but OSX isnt anywhere near 10GB+ lol. That includes Microsoft Office, iDVD, iPhoto, Pages, Keynote, iMovie, GarageBand (and thousands of loops and samples), plus all the themes for the iLife suite and Keynote etc that all come on the install disc. You can choose whether you want to install them or not. OS X boots in just over a 1.5 I think sans unneccessary printer drivers, languages etc (which you can again choose if you want - hence unbloat).

But on a side note, Windows will have a serious problem on their hands once vendors do start offering up Linux preinstalled, especially since even casual users are starting to get fed up with Microsoft. Apple has a good shot, rather a great shot at taking a chunk of the computer software market off Microsoft.

[bigbully]

I disagree w/you - I think XP is the most stable OS MS has ever made. I used to have blue screens all the time with 98 - never once with XP. What you install on your computer and what spyware is on your computer has a lot to do with performance. I'm very careful what I download and what I install. I also check MS for critical updates every week, keep my anti-virus updated and run virus checks once a week. Just my $.02

[Kccitystar]

The reason Windows is often subject to more vulnerabilities is because Windows runs on a greater percentage of computers, making it a more appealing target for hackers IMO. Microsoft has reboots required for driver installation and security patches that indicate it is less stable. Linux however only requires restarting upon updating the kernel. Though despite these flaws, both OSes have the same amount of uptime.

However, Windows and Linux have different approaches towards the desktop. According to Windows, the desktop is a key part of the operating system, and it's integrated into the system. Linux on the other hand, has an optional desktop environment, and can be chosen from many different options, i.e. GNOME and KDE

Though Windows people are always quick to throw the "doesnt happen to me" line in there. A quick Search on my deal with System Idle Processes suggests my problem is more than anecdotal. This is over dozens of XP installations i've supported or had to reformat and people who work at IT jobs using MS will tell you the exact same thing. For my friends and family and surprisingly a lot of the people who work where I work at, who know little about computers, XP always comes across big performance problems. They shouldnt have to know how to edit a registry, defragging etc just to try and maintain consistent level of performance.

[bigbully]

I am one of those people who "work at IT jobs using MS". Every OS has it's share of problems, but as stated before, it's what you put on those machines and how you are pro-active to creating a stable environment.

[Kccitystar]

The only reason that XP is the most stable OS MS has put out there is because it is based on a refined version of the Windows NT kernel as opposed to the MS-DOS systems that were Windows 9X series.

[andy5566]

How about Knoppix?

Why not use Debian core?

In Taiwan,many Linux version can used at Desktop application.

But I don't know those can support English.

[Friedman]

As long as you know what you're doing, you can make Windows XP run extremely fast. The reason why XP runs so slow more than 1/2 the time is Spyware. And as far as Mac not having any viruses, you have to realize that if Mac becomes the standard, people WILL start developing viruses for IT.

I work with computers every day at my job. Like bigbully said, each OS has its own share of problems. As long as you don't put too much junk on it, run spyware, and virus scans every day, your computer should run fine. On my computer, I have MVP Baseball installed (actually 2x that because of Total Classics and 61*,) Madden, Head Coach, and my entire iPod music library of 5,000+ songs. My computer still runs as fast as it did the first day I bought it. You also have to keep in mind that if you are buying a crappy Windows XP computer, it's not going to run that fast. But with Mac, it is only possible to buy a couple types, because Mac manufactures their computers themselves.

Windows is still going to be extremely popular. Maybe not for home users, or gamers, but it's going to be extremely popular for businesses. The kind of work that my company, and thousands of others do, can not run on a Mac.

[luckyman]

ok,

if u have A LOT of time on ur hand...u might want to try out Gentoo

if not, you can try SUSE or Fedora

and if you are lazy, try ubuntu, cuz it's so easy...lol