Is using Linux the best way to avoid the problems associated with other operating systems?
Posted on
Feb,13
at4:30 pm
byadmin
People keep telling me to convert to Linux but others tell me that while Linux is good, it must be used by people who possess advanced computing skills. Does a Linux based computer allow its owner to use e-mail and the www, and all the various drivers that are needed? I am growing tired of spending as much time fixing problems as I spend on using my computer. Is Linux tha way to go?
I use all 3 major Operating systems (Windows, Mac OSX, and Linux), Linux requires some degree of Technical Knowledge to i install and use. Many drivers and/or programs are not available. The OS that has given me NO issues at all is Mac OSX. Software and Hardware from the same company. I have had no issues with it.
I use all 3 major Operating systems (Windows, Mac OSX, and Linux), Linux requires some degree of Technical Knowledge to i install and use. Many drivers and/or programs are not available. The OS that has given me NO issues at all is Mac OSX. Software and Hardware from the same company. I have had no issues with it.
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You can use email and the web with Linux, but I wouldn’t recommend switching to Linux just to avoid Windows issues. A better idea is to use Windows and just make regular backups. If you run into a serious issue, you can just restore from your backup.
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If you cant fix problems with windows or OSX, dont even bother with linux.
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Option One (Full installation)
I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 8 Main Edition which is built upon the outstanding Ubuntu 9.10 Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled
Linux Mint 8 Download
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=44
The Perfect Desktop – Linux Mint 8 (Helena) Installation
http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-8-helena
Linux Mint 8 Helena User Guide
http://www.scribd.com/doc/23787138/Linux-Mint-8-Helena-User-Guide
You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 8 then you need to create a Bootable LiveCD for installation
Linux Mint 8 can also be run direct from the LiveCD from Booting up without touching your Hard Drive
Option Two (Install Ubuntu inside Windows XP and Vista)
Installing Ubuntu as a dual-boot with Windows without partitioning
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi
You keep Windows as it is, Wubi only adds an extra option to boot into Ubuntu. Wubi does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.
Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.
Boot in to windows insert the Ubuntu 9.10 LiveCD and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where the Wubi installer comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Ubuntu (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.
Once Ubuntu is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Ubuntu
Ubuntu 9.10 Download
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) User Guide
http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Karmic
Linux Mint 7 has a similar feature called mint4win and the directions given above for Wubi can be followed (mint4win is not available for Linux Mint
Linux Mint 7 Download
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=38
Linux Mint 7 Gloria User Guide
http://www.scribd.com/doc/15884753/Linux-Mint-7-Gloria-User-Guide
Ubuntu 9.10 and Linux Mint 7 can be run straight from the LiveCD without touching your Hard drive
Option Three (LiveCD)
Here the possibilities are endless as you can try out as many different Linux distros. until you find the one thats right for you DISTROWATCH.COM gives full listings (second lists the major distributions)
http://distrowatch.com/
Major Linux Distributions
http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major
LUg.
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YES linux may be the way to go, we all have linux in our family and at work and it works fine BUT like everything else in life u get what you paid for. YES linux is very easy to use if u r NOT open to new things choose the GNOME interface will be very familiar to say someone on XP.
BUT YES you will spend a lot of time fixing a lot of things if u choose a free linux like Ubuntu or Opensuse and installing drivers in linux is NOT as easy like in Windows. The linux we chose had EVERYTHING that worked out of the box both for desktops and laptops.
RICK
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If the "problems" you are referring to are malware, yes linux and apple have many fewer problems with them.
Yes a linux user can do everything a windows user can do. THe biggest limitiation for linux users is the ability to play the big popular windows games.
The newest versions of linux have become much more user friendly and have fewer issues with drivers. The driver issues usually come up with hardware that was built strictly for windows or is not a common piece of hardware. No advanced computing skills needed, except the ability to read the linux documentation. Many new linux users think they can simply install linux and use it the same way that they did windows. Linux is not windows but does many things in a different way. For example installing software; windows users either search the net for a file to download or buy a package with a cd to install the program. Linux uses a built in "package manager" (software installer) and the package manager goes to the linux software repository and downloads and installs the program for free, and there are several thousand programs. Another difference is the separation of powers between the user and administrator. The user is both but must use their password to do admin tasks; a huge security feature. THere are other differences but a quick reading of the docs will explain how to proceed. The person who buys something in the store that needs to be assembled but does not follow the instructions in the box and then has a problem with the thing is the person who will not be able to use linux.
Once linux is installed and setup it takes very little time to fix problems.
I would suggest that you try Ubuntu because it is designed to be very user friendly, easy to install and use. The docs are plentiful and clear. You can download and burn the iso image to a cd and run ubuntu entirely from the cd without making any changes to your computer. That will give you an excellent idea of how it will work on your hardware or if there are any drivers problems etc. If you decide to install linux you can set up a dual boot. The 2 OSes are installed side by side and you select the one you wish to use when you boot your computer.
Good luck
References :
http://www.ubuntu.com/
https://help.ubuntu.com/9.10/index.html
While you can do many advanced things with Linux (such as setting up a web server and so forth), most basic Linux distros are quite easy to use. They also have all the features of mainstream operating systems, such as Firefox (web browser) and Evolution (email client), even instant messaging works with many Linux variants (Pidgin).
Why don’t you give Viper OS a try? (from a live cd) I’m the creator of Viper by the way.
It’s free, secure, and another version is about to be released in 4 days.
http://viperamped.com/viewpage.php?page_id=10
Hope that helps =)
References :
http://viperamped.com