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With the death of Windows XP, now is the perfect time to switch to Linux
- By Sebastian Anthony on April 10, 2014 at 1:57 pm
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If you're one of the few hundred million people that are still using Windows XP, I have a suggestion for you: It's time to switch to make the switch to Linux. With the official retirement of Windows XP, the release of Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, and surprisingly healthy software and gaming ecosystems (yay, Steam!), there has never been a better time to switch to Linux. Linux will also run very well on any old, Windows XP-era hardware that you might still be using, too — and if you're anxious that you'll be filled with switchers remorse after nuking your Windows installation, don't worry: dual-booting is a cinch as well.
Why switch to Linux?
As you've no doubt heard over the years from writers and enthusiasts far beardier than I, there are all sorts of reasons for switching to Linux, from financial to ideological to functional, and everything in between. For some tasks, Linux is far superior to Windows. More importantly, though, there are many tasks where Windows isn't significantly better than Linux — such as surfing the web (Chrome for Ubuntu is the same as Chrome for Windows or OS X). Even for gaming, Linux is definitely catching up with Windows, thanks to Steam and the Source engine. (The big exception is big-budget FPSes, where Linux definitely falls flat).
Really, a better question to ask is why shouldn't I switch to Linux? If you need to use Microsoft Office, or one of Adobe's multimedia apps, you should stick with Windows or OS X. If need a very Windows-specific tool, like Visual Studio, then Linux isn't for you. If you want to play the latest and greatest PC games on release day, then you really need to use Windows.
For most everyday tasks, thanks to advanced browsers like Chrome and Firefox, and the maturity of web apps like Gmail and Google Docs, you may be surprised by how proficient a modern Linux distro is.
How do you switch to Linux?
Most modern Linux distributions make it fairly easy to switch from Windows. Wubi lets you install Ubuntu in a dual-boot configuration from Windows. For most other distros, such as Linux Mint or Debian, it's mostly a matter of grabbing the correct 32-bit or 64-bit ISO, burning it to a CD or USB stick, and rebooting your PC. (How to do that is beyond the scope of this story, but Google will give you a dozen easy-to-follow guides.)
To begin with, make sure you install Linux in a dual-boot configuration. That way, if you're struck by switchers remorse, or you suddenly remember that you need to use an app that's only available in Windows, you can simply reboot.
Depending on your hardware setup, installing and running Linux for the first time can be a bit tricky as well. A modern distro like Ubuntu 14.04 supports most hardware under the sun, but you may have trouble with older hardware or extreme outliers. Bear in mind that hardware makers focus their efforts on Windows and OS X drivers, relegating Linux drivers to a distant third place. Things like mice and keyboards and external hard drives should be fine — but you might have issues with your monitor calibration gizmo or USB audio breakout box.
Unfortunately, the only real way to find out if Linux has any issues with your computer is to install it (most distros install fairly quickly, though).
Fortunately, if you are having issues with a device after installing Linux, you can normally find very good support online. Linux support isn't quite at the same omg-500-search-results-for-a-really-obscure-bug level as Windows, but it's pretty good.
What should you do after installing Linux?
I won't lie: Switching to Linux from Windows XP (or indeed any other operating system) will be a fairly harsh experience. Modern Linux distros are much better than they used to be, but there are still a lot of rough edges that you won't notice until they've stabbed you in the ankle. In my opinion, the best thing you can do after installing Linux is to use it. Don't fall for the usual trap: Don't run back to Windows with your tail between your legs the first time Linux throws an error in your face. Stick with Linux, and you might just find that you like it.
Here are a few more tips for making the switch to Linux:
- Install Steam, and then buy some Linux games. You will be surprised at the number of good and half-decent games that are now available for Linux through Steam, including FTL: Faster than Light, Dota 2, Europa Universalis IV, and all the usual Source engine games. Through Wine and Cygwin emulation, other older Windows games are available to you as well.
- Read an Ubuntu guide. One of the biggest issues with switching to Linux is not knowing how to perform basic tasks, such as watching a video. The Getting Started guide, produced by the Ubuntu Manual team, is pretty good (you don't need to read the whole thing, but the table of contents makes for a useful reference). Always remember that googling for "how do you do X in Ubuntu" will usually turn up a ton of results.
- Finally learn to use the command line. Linux, at its heart, is a command-line based operating system. The Linux command line is incredibly powerful; there's almost nothing you can't do, and in many cases it's the best or fastest way to do something. Ubuntu's official Using The Terminal guide is a pretty good starting point. You will love
If you have your own tips for switching to Linux from Windows, be sure to share them in the comments. Alternatively, if you think that Linux still isn't ready for an influx of ex-Windows XP users, be sure to let us know as well.
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I'd like to see more people using Linux, solely to take the monopoly away from Microsoft. They've gotten way too big for their boots in recent years. I searched for ages for a decent laptop without Windows, and couldn't find one. And most companies point blank refuse to sell you a laptop without Windows, I know this because I emailed a few.
The situation sucks, and I don't like being forced into paying for something that I don't want.
And with more people using Linux, more companies would make software for it. For me, it's not really viable yet, but I'm sure that a lot of people would get on just fine.
Buy from System76 if you are in the US, or find a Clevo laptops retailer if you live elsewhere. Many Clevo retailers sell configurable laptops without an OS.
Thanks for the advice. I was looking for a specific type of laptop – a powerful 17 incher. I got the Asus G750 in the end, and had to bite the bullet. It came with Windows 8.1, which to be fair is pretty good once I'd got rid of the Metro crap.
I'd never considered Clevo tbh, I'll check them out next time.
John Winkie
If you're in the UK, Novatech supply some good laptops with no OS installed.
jade laby
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This it the same thing with me! I installed Linux on my Windows 8 pc on a secondary internal hard drive, but I'm a gamer. When I first booted up Ubuntu, I loved the look and feel, but I came to find that some of my most used programs (like Origin, Office, and Adobe Photoshop) werent available on Linux, as well as my favorite games such as Titanfall, League of Legends, and Battlefield 4. As much as I would like to switch to Linux, I simply can't do the limited compatibility.
Yes, it's mainly a software issue for most people – not being able to use the programs that you want to. We can't blame developers, as they just want to make a living and won't make software for Linux until more people use it.
I use a lot of music software, and most of it simply isn't available on Linux. It may have equivalent software, but I'd rather use the stuff I know and have paid for.
No, it doesn't have equivalent DAW software or CGI workflows. Not to say there aren't some powerful portions of workflows available..However, there are only portions.
One could argue that blender, GIMP and nuke equals a complete workflow, however they would be mistaken. The situation is much the same with Linux and DAW's, especially when you investigate the state of DSP acceleration (already fairly limited with windows) with Linux options…Still an absolute mess, there's no DAW that can handle all that many 24-bit 96khz+ (especially virtual instruments recorded in that fidelity..) playbacks at once without DSP acceleration, so therefor there's no professional-grade Linux DAW.
Those above options can be very useful, yet Linux is still highly incomplete and also damaged by opengl and a certain companies' very odd interpretation of specification compliance. As long as opengl developers allow NVidia to disregard specifications and fail to test their opengl implementations on intel and amd specification COMPLIANT implementations, then we are going to have the exact same cluster of idiotic bugs that wouldn't even exist if specifications weren't ignored.
Anyways, since I'm clearly on a rant, I might as well include another recent development in Linux-based idiocy that is somewhat distracting people from more important linux-based advances…Steam. Steam is the least reliable software I have installed. I think many of these people are children that do not remember we NEVER wanted steam in the first place. Now they are supposed to be the answer to the mess that is opengl specifications?
Complete nonsense. Linux has many years of work still required, and steam is ****ing terrible. At least some of the work valve does will extend to opengl as a whole, however valve is completely incapable of actually fixing the root of so many underlying issues.
If opengl was actually capable of truly executing draw calls simultaneously across multiple cores, then we would have something interesting to discuss and a tangible difference/advantage over directx.
For now, (and apparently for a good while going forward…) only one API offers that most basic and critical advance.
Well put, regarding Steam. I was made fun of in CS:S for having a low 7 digit steam ID, instead of a 5 or 6 digi, but I was one of the ones against having to install a separate client to play a game I'd paid for.
very good. id love to see more investment to push the capabilities of Linux.
No, it doesn't have equivalent DAW software or CGI workflows. Not to say there aren't some powerful portions of workflows available..However, there are only portions.
One could argue that blender, GIMP and nuke equals a complete workflow, however they would be mistaken. The situation is much the same with Linux and DAW's, especially when you investigate the state of DSP acceleration (already fairly limited with windows) with Linux options…Still an absolute mess, there's no DAW that can handle all that many 24-bit 96khz+ (especially virtual instruments recorded in that fidelity..) playbacks at once without DSP acceleration, so therefor there's no professional-grade Linux DAW.
Those above options can be very useful, yet Linux is still highly incomplete and also damaged by opengl and a certain companies' very odd interpretation of specification compliance. As long as opengl developers allow NVidia to disregard specifications and fail to test their opengl implementations on intel and amd specification COMPLIANT implementations, then we are going to have the exact same cluster of idiotic bugs that wouldn't even exist if specifications weren't ignored.
Anyways, since I'm clearly on a rant, I might as well include another recent development in Linux-based idiocy that is somewhat distracting people from more important linux-based advances…Steam. Steam is the least reliable software I have installed. I think many of these people are children that do not remember we NEVER wanted steam in the first place. Now they are supposed to be the answer to the mess that is opengl specifications?
Complete nonsense. Linux has many years of work still required, and steam is ****ing terrible. At least some of the work valve does will extend to opengl as a whole, however valve is completely incapable of actually fixing the root of so many underlying issues.
If opengl was actually capable of truly executing draw calls simultaneously across multiple cores, then we would have something interesting to discuss and a tangible difference/advantage over directx.
For now, (and apparently for a good while going forward…) only one API offers that most basic and critical advance.
Quinlan M
Did I hear someone say Origin?
Real gamers use Steam…
Besides, I find OpenOffice (called LibreOffice on Ubuntu) to be better than the recent (2007/2010/365) versions of Office. But otherwise I have a similar problem (no game compatibility with Planetside 2).
James Gangur
Just a bit of info: Libreoffice is not OpenOffice. You can get (and definitely should) libreoffice on windows too. It's better in every way – think of it as a major update.
Mitul Vasa
people in general are kinda used to the ribbon menu of office.. besides Office is one software from microsoft which i appreciate..windows itself may suck..
Joe Giles
Never quite got used to the ribbon myself – even after using it for years…
I still find myself using OpenSUSE mostly at work to do normal office tasks using CLI and Libre Office – and that's with a complete Win 7 OS right in front of me :-D. Any, mind you, a completely Windows centric company.
After using Linux for over 10 – 15 years, doing anything in Windows seems to take for ever and so against my work flow.
As with anything else, the longer you use something, the better and more dependent on the tools you become and you quickly forget the "Old" way of doing things – in my case, the Microsoft way.
I don't miss out on anything at all, I just found other ways to get the same job done and enjoy the tools in Linux quite a bit more now.
But, to each their own :)…
'real gamers' actually were more than a fetus when steam was released.
Steam is utterly horrendous, incredibly unreliable *****. It's every bit as bad as origin, kid.
Quinlan M
I have never had a problem with Steam ever,
perhaps you're running Windows 95 on a 486?
over a 56k modem?
Then you might have problems with Steam…
Quinlan M
I have never had a problem with Steam ever,
perhaps you're running Windows 95 on a 486?
over a 56k modem?
Then you might have problems with Steam…
'real gamers' actually were more than a fetus when steam was released.
Steam is utterly horrendous, incredibly unreliable *****. It's every bit as bad as origin, kid.
Michael Murphy
What do you mean? LibreOffice comes shipped out of the box and GIMP is available to be installed. What kind of limited compatibility BS are you talking about?
says the person who probably doesn't do much in PhotoShop
Michael Murphy
Says the person who can't even spell Photoshop correctly, doesn't even know what Photoshop or GIMP is (image manipulation programs), doesn't even realize that GIMP can do everything Photoshop can, or even knows just how much I have used GIMP professionally. There's nothing you can do in Photoshop that I cannot already do in GIMP. Going a step further, who even needs Adobe InDesign when we have Scribus which is superior? Who needs Illustrator when we have Inkscape?
Scribus is not superior to InDesign, also The Gimp is clunky compared to Photoshop. I've been doing graphic design since Aldus Pagemaker came out. Oh yeah, don't get me started on Inkscape.
Michael Murphy
Sorry, but I've been in desktop publishing since Pagemaker as well and I can't see your point of view at all.
Because you're narrow minded and only see your point of view. many people on here disagree with you and have proven you wrong, give it up. Open source is good for some things, I'll give you that, I've used all the alternate software you've mentioned and they are by far not even close in function and performance wise as Adobe products.
Michael Murphy
That's really funny coming from someone who just made a really narrow-minded argument by stating that just because you've never seen someone use GIMP or Scribus professionally, that no one uses it professionally. With that logic, you'll never win an argument.
Well I guess that depend on your definition of professionally. I work with many advertising agencies and have never seen a linux desktop, they do use it for their servers. They also use some custom software for workflow but it's also not open source. I'm sure some places use open source but none that I've seen. You are very narrow minded thinking an alternative product is better than a tried and true product. I'll stick with what I use. Like I've said I've tried the open source stuff, not as powerful.
Michael Murphy
Your point? Most people are stupid, inject themselves with drugs, and still run Windows XP. Does that mean they have the know what is best? That's what you seem to think with your narrow-minded point of view. Nobody gives a damn about your 'tried and true product' which isn't any more tried and true than open source software that benefits the entire world rather than only catering to 'professionals'.
Let me just finish this conversation. What is the user base for Scribus an GIMP? maybe just maybe 1% . Man give it up, to each his own, you play with your toy I'll work with mine. Comparing Gimp and Scribus to Photoshop and Indesign is like comparing a screwdriver to a hammer drill. You are pointless to continue to post back at. Happy Easter.
Michael Murphy
You're a child in denial who can't even read or use even the lowest level of logical reasoning. Why do you even comment?
Name calling is a sign of being a child, you pass that class with very little class. Great job!! logical reasoning? You haven't showed much of that. Have a nice day. I was actually not going to post back but calling me a child, you have no idea. You're in denial that you just might be wrong.
Michael Murphy
That wasn't 'name-calling' and if you don't like it, it's not my fault that you have the mentality of a child. Maybe if you didn't whine and cry unreasonably like a child, people wouldn't call you out for it. This entire time you have been trying to derail the subject and have ignored any and all logical reasoning thrown against you. IE: You keep ignoring a basic fundamental of logic 101: The Devil's Proof argument. Then, you ignore the fact that popularity means absolutely nothing. This isn't a celebrity popularity contest. You are keen on refusing to debate against GIMP and Scribus objectively.
You crack me up. You whine and cry because people don't agree with you. Your stance is my way or noway. As far as the subject it is switching from XP to linux, you turned it into is alternate open source software better than paid software. I'll answer that, yes or no depending on your needs. My needs are I need paid mainstream software, I use what I use because I paid for it and know how to use it. If you like the open source software then fine. but don't try to belittle people that don't agree with you. Read your first few posts, you have been combative from the start. You are not willing to actually have a conversation, you're the guy that always says I'm right and you're wrong and stomp your feet while you walk away. Did that clear some things up? Oh yeah read other posts and it seems like they are thinking the same thing as I am. "somehow i was able to move to Gimp successfully…but the problem came
when rest of the world is using photoshop…the local printers would
just not accept any other file other than cdr or psd…. i was stuck as
there was no clear way to convert format"
Michael Murphy
tl;dr you are a senile and childish fool who likes to make up BS to support his logical fallacies and rambles about nonsense that lacks even the slightest hint of fact because you refuse to accept reality. You can't argue with solid facts so you resort to this petty nonsense.
Also, the heck are you talking about with printers only accepting CDR or PSD? Printers don't care what the file format is. Linux uses the same printer drivers that Mac OSX uses so your argument is already rendered moot before it even began. I told you that I have no problems printer in either a 17 year old laser printer or a modern $20,000 printer. Add your printer with one of the available drivers and be done with it.
I was quoting someone else about the CDR or PSD files. Did you see the " " in my post? And please share with me what realities I don't accept? Clue you in OSX is BSD, not really linux. About printer drivers maybe you can find one for a brand new Epson printer that works with linux or how about drivers to send a file to an EFI Fiery rip? Sure you can do it but it's not full function. Wait, do you know what a hardware RIP is? CUPS is a pain to set up along with Samba. XP sucks but linux is still not ready for the mainstream consumers, tell me why I'm wrong without the name calling. I'm sorry, I didn't see your hint of facts, you posted an opinion based on nothing but what YOU think. The basic fact is linux is not supported by hardware or software vendors, argue all you want, but it's true.
Michael Murphy
Bahaha! Dumbass, it doesn't matter what OS Mac OSX is based on. Mac OSX uses CUPS for printing — same as Linux. CUPS drivers are the same on both Linux and Mac OSX.
It's not my job to teach you how to set up a printer in Linux. It's straightforward enough as it is. There's really nothing you need to do with CUPS. Once you have added your printer, you can edit the settings from your printer control panel.
Samba is hard to setup? Geez, I had no idea, I mean you can right click a folder and select to share it, and access that share effortlessly on another computer by just clicking 'Browse Network' and selecting the computer with the share. Same goes for printers — it's automatically taken care for you by GUIs.
Linux has been ready since Ubuntu 12.04. I've been installing Ubuntu on customer's PCs since then without any problems at all. Heck, not a single person in my family uses Windows or Mac OSX on any of their desktops or laptops. Not even I have needed to use Windows for anything at all, and I'm a technology enthusiast that uses software far more extensively than you could dream of. If you are going to say Linux is not ready for 'mainstream consumers', you are going to have to provide a lot of evidence to back up that claim.
I haven't posted any opinions at all. If you think stating obvious fact is an opinion then you need to see a psychologist. Nobody gives a damn about what you've seen over '30 years'. Anecdotal evidence is not useful in an argument. Arguing about absence of evidence is also equally futile because absence of evidence is not evidence of absence — Devil's Proof. You can make excuses all you want but it's not going to change reality. You don't need Photoshop, InDesign, or Windows at all. GIMP and Scribus are both used and programmed by professionals. The above open source software can suit all the needs that the your proprietary software suits perfectly fine.
End of conversation. No CUPS and Samba are not easy to set up for the average user. Devil's Proof? what the hell are you talking about? Linux has what maybe a 3% market share with so many fragmented distros. None are the same to configure. I'll have to call BS on everything you post. So I just plugged in my printer on my wife's Linux Mint computer, guess what? Computer didn't recognize it. Linux is not the answer the way it is now, it needs to have more software and hardware support. You are narrow minded and don't grasp the concept of market share and marketing. I will not waste my time with you and your one sided views. And yes you have posted your opinions over and over, you're a delusional fanboy for Linux and open source. I do support open source but until it catches up with paid software it will not be mainstream. Don't bother to reply back because you will say the same BS again. Go play with your GIMP.
Michael Murphy
CUPS and Samba are that simple — not my fault you are intellectually challenged and can't click a few buttons like everyone else.
I've argued Devil's Proof multiple times but you keep ignoring it, only to reinsert your dumb argument that violates Devil's Proof. You wouldn't know anything about Devil's Proof because you lack logical reasoning skills.
I've already argued that most people are stupid, inject themselves with drugs, and use Windows XP still. Does that mean anything at all? No, not at all. Using a stupid metric like X percent of people use Y is ridiculous in this argument. I've already argued that this is not a celebrity popularity contest more than once, but as usual, you are set in your way to deny reality.
It's not my fault you're too stupid to know how to add a printer, rofl. If you are using a recent version of Linux with a new kernel like Ubuntu 14.04, you already have the best printer driver support on the planet. Open the printer manager and add the printer and done. So easy even my 80 year old grandfather could do it without needing to be instructed.
There you go, more whining, complaining, and absolute BS that proves absolutely nothing — you have no leg to stand on.
First off what is Devil's Proof. Second I have a leg to stand on, I don't want to use Linux and I don't give a shit what you think, your opinion means nothing to me, I stated many times before use what works for you don't try to shove your believes at me. "I've already argued that most people are stupid, inject themselves with drugs, and use Windows XP still." not that is about as stupid as it gets to make that comment. What kind of stupid drugs are you on to make that comment? Why do you not understand Linux is not for everyone? Some people just want to plug in a printer and have it just work, maybe we like to just share on the network and have it just work. Piss off baby, name calling is a sign of not being able to back up your conversation. I might be a bit offended by your name calling but you mean nothing.
Michael Murphy
I explained what Devil's Proof is three times already. The Devil's Proof is a logical dilemma that while evidence will prove the existence of something, the lack of evidence fails to disprove it. You can say 'professionals don't use GIMP or Scribus' and provide anecdotal evidence that 'you've never seen anyone use it' but that does nothing to disprove the fact that professionals do use it. Until you have searched the entire globe and individually met every 'professional,' you cannot say that professionals don't use it.
You don't have a leg to stand on, especially when your statements are logically unsound. What you are trying to call an opinion is an objective fact. You're trying to tell me that if I say that professionals don't need Photoshop or InDesign, which they don't, and you think they do, that I'm wrong because I refuse to accept your flawed logic. Because you are unable to produce coherent logic to defend your side of the argument, you resort to calling it an 'opinion' so you don't feel so bad about losing the argument. This is not an argument about opinion and it never has been.
Linux works for everyone the same as any other OS, except it is free and has more capability than either Mac OSX or Windows. Anything you can do in any other OS, I can do in Linux easier.
If you weren't such a fanboy in denial, you'd realize that adding printers in Windows is significantly harder than in Linux. Unlike Linux where you never need a driver CD or have to download a large printer driver installer that also installs a ton of bloatware, you must do that in order to get a functional printer in Windows. You can't simply plug a printer in Windows and expect it work out of the box. A blind, biased fool like you, of course, will refuse to accept that fact.
Open system settings, click Printing, click Add Printer, select your printer from the list along with one of the two or three drivers, and done. If you need any additional settings then right click the printer and select printer properties and you have access to changing all the many finer parameters of your printer in a GUI that's much more convenient than what Windows gives. If you want to share the printer then just right click the printer and click share printer — it just works, I even just did it two weeks ago along with instructing someone how to share files, and showed them how easy it was. A blind fanboy will always be a blind fanboy.
Again, you don't have a leg to stand on. You can try and produce a scapegoat argument that stating that I'm calling you names and therefore my arguments are null and void, but that means absolutely nothing to change the fact that I have provided a large amount of evidence backed by fact and logic that you refuse to counter. You are a complete dumbass.
Mike Verdone
You two guys sound hilarious touting your own horns. Anyone can be anyone on the internet. Your squabbling over your own opinions, redume doesnt matter much at that point. Some people can do more with one rogram then with the other. There are guys who can do more in MSPAINT then some can do in GIMP. There is no way that people do not use GIMP professionally! Of course there are people who do! However, Photoshop does have more features then GIMP and is the most popular (should I say most notorious) of the two programs. Can Michael Murphy do as much in GIMP as he could in Photoshop? Heck Ya! Can Michael Murphy do as much in GIMP as the other guy he is arguing with can in Photoshop? Who Knows? Can they all sit and say thier pedro is bigger then the next? Heck Ya! In the end photoshop is more feature laden and polished….. It's also STUPID EXPENSIVE! Ill take GIMP, Thanks bye
Mitul Vasa
somehow i was able to move to Gimp successfully…but the problem came when rest of the world is using photoshop…the local printers would just not accept any other file other than cdr or psd…. i was stuck as there was no clear way to convert format… I even exported in common formats like eps, but they would not get it and in the end u have to do it on photoshop and give it…..
I do graphic design, when I submit a job to a printer they prefer a PDF or EPS but they will take an Indesign file as long as you package in the fonts and links files and also a printed proof of what the file looks like. Any of that crap that comes from the above mentioned alternate programs won't fly if you're a professional.
Doug Johnson
GIMP is hardly a replacement for Photoshop. I've used both, and GIMP is definitely far inferior, not just in terms of capability but also in terms of usability and performance. In the case of performance, it isn't even remotely close.
Honestly, I can't recommend the GIMP to anyone. It's a pretty sorry excuse for an image editor.
And along those lines, LibreOffice bites the big one too.
Michael Murphy
Congratulations on not even attempting to place objective evidence to support your claim. Strawberry ice cream is definitely far inferior to chocolate. I honestly can't recommend strawberry ice cream to anyone. See how ridiculous you sound? From my perspective, I find Photoshop to be unusable in comparison to GIMP in terms of usability.
Aaron Crane
GIMP is just not as easy to learn, but it is just as powerful. LibreOffice is FAR better the Microsoft Office, but as for compatibility certain games and programs just don't work in Wine or take too much of a performance hit. Personally I am hoping between XP EOL and Windows 8/8.1 Microsoft will do enough damage to themselves to spur the growth of the Linux market share, but for now all we can do is continue to convert new people and show them how great the Linux community is. What we don't need to be doing is insulting people because they prefer proprietary software. One last thing(regarding the article, not this comment), please NEVER suggest wubi. It is depreciated and causes poor disk performance and loads of other problems.
Andy Liu
I find it the opposite, GIMP is easier than Photoshop and just as powerful, but LibreOffice lags behind MS Office.
Doug Johnson
You can't be serious. You really have no idea how ridiculous you sound to people who have really used both programs. I don't need to spell out how Photoshop is better… there just isn't any comparison.
But, just for one example… performance… operations which take seconds to complete in Photoshop often take minutes on large images in the GIMP. Performance in GIMP is abysmal, making it effectively unusable for people who need to get any work done.
Another show stopper for most photographers… the RAW processing plugins for GIMP aren't just anemic in comparison to what you get with Photoshop.. they're a complete joke.
GIMP may have many of the same primitive image processing capabilities, but in terms of advanced processing, it offers very little in comparison.
I've looked for a replacement for Photoshop… believe me I don't love giving Adobe $50 every month, and there just isn't anything else out there that even comes close.
Michael Murphy
You can whine and cry all you want, but that won't change the fact that Photoshop isn't better than GIMP. There are many things that GIMP can do a lot better than Photoshop. As someone who has actually used both programs, and has converted many people who work in 'photography' and professional desktop publishing, I find your statement amusing.
Don't blame me for having a crappy computer, all operations in GIMP only take seconds, especially now that GIMP is GPU accelerated with OpenCL.
Are you stupid? GIMP is not a photography workflow or RAW developer — that's what darktable is for: http://www.darktable.org/ GIMP doesn't have to be anything other than be an excellent image manipulation program. It does one thing, and does that one thing very well.
It's not my fault that you are too ignorant to use open source software.
Doug Johnson
You just made my point for me… "GIMP is not a photography workflow or RAW developer"
Considering that is what a huge portion of the population using Photoshop use it for, the GIMP is obviously not a suitable replacement. It's missing one of the most basic features that photographers need.
Personally I'd rather not have to jump around between half a dozen programs to edit a photo. And I think most people would agree with me.
And my computer is far from slow… six core i7, 24 GB RAM, 1TB SSD, GTX 760 x 2. The photos I edit are 20 MP, and GIMP really, really struggles with them.
Michael Murphy
Your imaginary population, ie: you, are using Photoshop for the wrong reason. That's not what Adobe Photoshop is designed for, that's what Adobe Lightroom is for. You, apparently, aren't even using the correct software.
GIMP and Photoshop are not for photography — Darktables and Lightroom is for photography worflow. As I stated before, GIMP and Photoshop are 'Image Manipulation Programs'.
Your argument about running half a dozen programs is moot. Why do you think Adobe has half a dozen different programs? I use GIMP, Darktables, Scribus, and Inkscape. Adobe equivalents are Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign, and Illustrator. These programs are for image manipulation, photography workflow, desktop publishing, and scalable vector graphics editing.
It's not my fault that you grossly overpaid for your computer when you could have spent significantly less for better performance. Even Photoshop performs faster with a single Radeon HD R7 260X/HD 7770 over a NVIDIA graphics card with crippled OpenCL — both Photoshop and GIMP 2.9 use OpenCL for GPGU acceleration.
Doug Johnson
You obviously don't know what you're talking about. Amateurs use Lightroom, professionals use Photoshop. Photoshop does ten times what Lightroom does. Why would I ever choose a less-featured product? I'd lose 90% of the functionality that I need if I was to switch to Lightroom — or GIMP.
It's becoming very evident from your comments that you really don't know anything about Photoshop.
Why the hell are you knocking my choice of hardware? My computer is also used for video editing, which works much better under CUDA than OpenCL. For what I do nVidia is a much better solution. The hardware I have is perfect for my needs.
I'm not going to waste any more time on this conversation. You've obviously got a closed mind and assume that open source is always better than closed source, which, while it may be true sometimes, is very much not true in this case. It's about choosing the right tool for the job, regardless of what technology or licensing it is based on. For some people with limited resources and limited needs, sure, yeah, you can get away with using GIMP. But for people who need the power of Photoshop, the GIMP just doesn't cut it — not even close.
For being so pro-open-source, you sure don't seem to be pro-open-mind.
Michael Murphy
Preposterously ridiculous. Photography workflow software is for amateurs? Pfffhahahaha! That's hilarious. Your arguments are entirely contradictory to reality. If there was no need for a tool, that tool wouldn't have been made. Therefore, because there is a need for photography workflow programs, they have been made.
If you require features beyond that, it's simply because what you are doing is beyond the scope of photography workflow, and into the territory of image manipulation — not photography at all. Image manipulation is not what photographers should be doing — that's for graphics designers.
Why wouldn't I be knocking your obvious hardware ignorance? Photoshop, GIMP, and the various proprietary and open source 3D rendering and modeling programs are all utilizing OpenCL, which AMD graphics cards have superior performance in. Proprietary standards like CUDA never last in the long term.
The right tool for every job is having a functioning brain capable of properly utilizing the software available rather than continuously engaging in a never-ending vicious cycle of willingly handing your butt over to a company to do with you as they please. Your argument might have been valid four years ago, but it is no longer valid today.
Doug Johnson
Wow. Just wow. You've never actually used Photoshop, have you…
It's called PHOTOshop, not GRAPHICS DESIGNERshop.
The ignorance runs strong with this one.
Michael Murphy
Poor argument; try again — this time without grasping for straws.
Doug Johnson
Nope. I'm done. This conversation is a complete waste of time.
It's pretty clear to me and anyone else reading this thread that you really don't know Photoshop… you haven't even given the slightest bit of evidence that you've ever even launched the software — everything you've said about it is just outright wrong, and anyone familiar with it can clearly see that. And your comment about only graphical designers using Photoshop just proves your ignorance (Lightroom is designed for light touchup, not hardcore editing, and very, very few photographers have their own graphic designers).
Photoshop is a much more comprehensive tool than either Lightroom or GIMP, and much better meets the needs of a real photographer, whether you're talking about fixing errors, tweaking colors, adding effects, or even batch processing. It doesn't take long to figure that out. Just go try the software for yourself. Free trials are available on Adobe's site.
Michael Murphy
Sorry, but I have been involved with training and servicing a newspaper company that was previously using InDesign and Photoshop — I am very familiar with what they are capable of. You can't seem to produce a single logical counter-argument so you have merely been resorting to grasping for straws. GIMP is already perfectly suitable for all image editing needs, as is Scribus for all desktop publishing needs in combination with it's GIMP integration, and darktables for developing RAW photographs. Your blind dependence on Adobe is nothing more than that — a blind and biased point of view.
Doug Johnson
If you knew anything about Photoshop, you'd already know this… but just a few select major features that I use every day that it has that the GIMP does not:
16-bit images
Layer styles
Layer alignment
Batch conversion/resize
Healing brush (I know that GIMP claims to have this through resynthesize, but its results are unusable, so it might as not even have it at all).
Just to name a handful off the top of my head. If I actually put any thought into it I'm sure I could make that list ten times as long as it is.
Michael Murphy
Sorry pal, but you are 100% wrong. The latest version of GIMP supports up to 32-bit, as did the previous version.
Batch conversion/resize is done with imagemagick — pretty simple to do, actually. The healing brush works just fine in GIMP, even better with an additional plugin. The layer tools also work just fine. The latest version of GIMP also brings in CMYK, OpenCL-accelerated filters, and non-destructive editing
Doug Johnson
I downloaded the latest version to try it before my last post. It absolutely does NOT support 16-bit or 32-bit. You lie.
As for performance, I took the same 20 MP image and edited in both Photoshop and GIMP. Performance on Photoshop was hundreds of times faster. For example, a 50-pixel gaussian blur completed in 0.2 seconds in Phothshop, and it took over 20 in GIMP. Same adjusting levels, color balance. Make an adjustment, wait 5-8 seconds for it to apply the change in GIMP. Time to perform these actions in Photoshop was unmeasurable — it happened before the dialog even disappeared.
I don't understand why you're defending this product. It's not good. You've been beyond dishonest — using outright lies to try to defend your point, when it's obvious to anyone who knows anything about what you're saying that you're completely wrong.
Doug Johnson
Oh, and by Layer Styles, I don't mean the 'layers' feature — I mean the ability to set effects like drop shadows, bevels, contours, etc. There's no such feature in GIMP.
If you don't know that, you don't know Photoshop.
Michael Murphy
I know what you are talking about, and GIMP does support it. If anything, it is you who has proven time and time again that 'you don't know GIMP'. Stop being ridiculous and making a fool of yourself. You're randomly grasping for straws in denial.
I'm sorry, no newspaper I have ever worked with uses GIMP or any open source software, I've been in the printing/graphic design business for 30 years. They switched to Adobe products and never went to anything else. Quark was what they used to use. No pro designer or printing company would use the crap open source you're drooling about.
Michael Murphy
That's a child's argument. Devil's Proof: Just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean that it isn't in use. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Your own personal anecdotal evidence proves absolutely nothing. Scribus was designed by and is is used worldwide by desktop publishing companies such as the newspaper company I am affiliated with. My grandfather has been in the printing business for the last 50 years, who has switched from Photoshop and InDesign to GIMP and Scribus last year. Anything you can do in InDesign, I can do quicker and faster in Scribus.
Let's see, Tampabay Times and Tampa Tribune 2 very large papers don't use open source low budget software, not sure where you're from. Now let me ask you this, how do you make changes to older files that were done in InDesign? Can Scribus open an .indd file and keep the formatting ? Most places used Mac's with Quark and Photoshop, around here now it's Windows with Adobe products and a hardware RIP like Fiery to send it to a plate maker. Scribus and GIMP don't do true postscript files they use ghostscript and are usually not compatible with high end equipment.
Michael Murphy
What did I just tell you about Devil's Proof? Nobody cares what company A or B uses — it is irrelevant in this argument and it will never be relevant.
The latest development version of Scribus can open InDesign files if you export them as IDML, but it's also effortless to export the document as a PDF and import that into Scribus and make changes on top of that.
Nobody cares about what most places use. This is not a debate on which celebrity is the most popular. This is a debate on the usability of Scribus and GIMP in the professional world — software that is both programmed by professionals in the field.
I've never had a problem printing from Scribus or GIMP to a $20,000 printer. I don't get your point there. The colors come out just fine. I even export them into GIMP and invert the color to print a negative to make a plate with.
Don't waste your time replying to Michael Murphy, he's a clueless fool that has this know it all complex, I made the mistake of replying to him and I shouldn't have.
I'm trying to be polite but you have no idea what you're talking about.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/dustrac/ juzzlin
I use Darktable for RAW processing and export (TIF, PNG). That's an amazing piece of open source software. I haven't had any performance problems with Gimp and 20 Mpix images.
Matthew Wilson
You should also investigate Wine. You can run a large number of Windows software packages on Linux using Wine.
The main compatibility issues you will find with Linux are related to licensing. Considering Linux distros are mostly open sources, you don't get certain things out of the box for legal reasons.
But the beauty of Linux is that people are always working to make it work better.
But still, you have to like to to tinker a bit. I went Linux and never looked back. But there are some days when I do have to dig a bit for information that will help me get certain things to work.
At the very least, dual boot your machine. Play with Linux and slowly transition some of your productivity tasks that you currently complete in windows over to Linux. I would bet that at some point soon after you will only boot into Windows to game. And even that is changing pretty quickly.
Good luck.
even though ms is slowly loosing the battle slowly they are still winning it as computers have windows pre installed they still get money we need machines with linux pre installed then that will make linux known to everyday people its the only way for linux to win linux needs more people developing software but xp ending support definitely helps as they are not buying a new machine and are fueling the switch to linux a bit they help anyway!
I hated XP, and Vista, as soon as 7 came out I jumped on it and love it, I even have 8 on my laptop and have gotten used to it. My wife has linux mint on her computer because XP was such a pain to maintain all she does on that is email and surfing, any real work she borrows my laptop. And you're 100% correct, more companies need to develop software for linux.
If you want. You can run linux on a virtual machine within the windows enviroment . So you can get use to it. In a virtual machine you can have a few different distributions to see which one you like. I have it running very fast on CPU 8400 775 mb and it works really fast. I have had trouble using it on an i7. I have not bothered to fix it yet on the i7 2011 mb. Not sure why it works fast and then stops and that. Though i am sure it will be worked out. But i just stay on my 775 mb with virtual machines. I do have a pc with just linux i like to program on it because at least i don't have to worry about backward compatibility as in windows. Funny enough i have not released any software ha ha.
Nicolas Klein
I'm a programmer, I really need Ubuntu for work since it's easier to develop in Linux, there's more support and it's plain simpler.
But for every day use… I tried it. Believe me I did. It's unbeareably inferior to Windows 7.
The experience isn't united, I don't feel like using a single OS more like I feel like using a series of unrelated apps that really do not synergize together… I tried it for months and really WANTED to like it, but I don't.
I had to recur to the console WAY too much, for many simple tasks (and not so simple tasks), and I don't have any particular problem in doing so; but it's much more annoying that GUI installations and configurations….
Lastly, it isn't as stable as I hoped; I had more programs crashing on Ubuntu that I had while on Windows, though it wasn't really by that much, it was enough for me to notice.
That being said, please go ahead and try it yourselfs. This is just my personal experience.
damn right, installing and using a lib in windows is hard while in linux it is just run the makefile and then just install it.
Doug Johnson
You're going to lose 99.9% of the population when you say 'makefile.'
Their loss.
oh so just typing make X, then install X is to hard for the averadge joe. i guess someone could make a RMB install tool if it doesn't exist already.
otherwise the avardge joe should be allowed to use a computer (only foolproef tables/ smartphones). long live the pc master race.
Could you be a little bit more specific about your complains? I've been using Ubuntu 12.04 LTS for 2 years as my only OS (and for all the people trying Linux for the first time, that's what you should be using – or 14.04 LTS when it comes out at the end of this month), and never had a crash, and I only use the terminal for automation, everything else is done on the GUI. I think the GUI is beautiful and consistent as well.
One important thing to remind people about Ubuntu is that you install programs from the Software Center, never from downloading stuff on the internet, as you do on Windows. You can download packages from the internet, sure, but you really need to know what you are doing… For a hassle free experience, use the Ubuntu Software Center: You don't need anything else, typically.
Nicolas Klein
Examples of really small problems that have been bugging me:
1- A bug concerning Caps Lock for big letters, it's present in many distributions and for people like myself who capitalize single letters using caps lock it generates something like : CApitalize instead of Capitalize.
2- The taskbar (or however it's called) won't let me easily rearrenge icons. Also I find it opening a new intance of a program many times I just wanted to re-open an old one. Lastly when I need to right click on something and go to the options the options many times dissapear before I can get to them. I have to be REALLY carefull for that not to happen.
3- The notification center works whenever it wants.
4- The default mail app is horrible (design-wise) and I couldn't find any good ones in the store.
5- Some little minor glitches I don't remember, but yet, are there.
6- Ubuntu software center DOES NOT have MANY things, I for once could only find like 55% of the programs I searched for, I had to recur for the other 45% to downloading from apt-get which for the regular user isn't any good. It's even annoying for me.
Though, many of those problems aren't hard to solve, nor are they BIG, the feeling of the whole OS (in a GUI interface level of course) seems unprofessional. Like really not well executed.
Those aren't "complaints" those are my personal experiences with Ubuntu. I wished I could work on just one environment and I NEED Ubuntu, but I can't stand it as my main OS.
Ivor O'Connor
Using Mint XFCE 16:
1) Never had the problem in any release of Mint
2) Never had the problem ever with XFCE
3) Yes. Linux programs are written to work with gnu, kde, xfce but rarely for all desktops. It is a problem if you use the notification area. I don't.
4) Yes. Default mail app is a joke. Use Thunderbird instead. Until you learn Mutt which is the best email client on the planet by far.
5) Yes.
6) Yes. Software centers are hit or miss across all of the *nix world.
You need to switch to Mint XFCE. It is a shame the author of this article bothered to mention Ubuntu.
I'm migrating off XP and was wondering what distro of Mint you would recommend as an experienced Mint user. I've been running Mint 16 KDE in VirtualBox and like it. We're not gamers and need a basic OS for home use. Any advice would be appreciated as I'm new to Linux. Thanks.
Ivor O'Connor
Mint 16 XFCE clearly.
You can configure it to look almost exactly like XP.
Put the bar at the bottom, top, left, right. You can put two or more bars on if you can't figure out whether you like the top or the bottom most. Or put say open apps on one bar and your favorite apps on the other.
You can hit the little "windows" button to the left of your spacebar and the applications box will pop open so you can type in the name of the app you want to run.
It works nicely with multiple monitors allowing you to keep the bars in one window or span all of the monitors.
Most importantly it does not change over time in any significant way. Old technology that works on the oldest computers you have just fine. On newer computers XFCE is so snappy you have to measure response times in microseconds. It allows you to do your work year after year and not be concerned about the desktop gui changing out from under you.
LMDE all the way ;)
I suggest Linux Mint Debian Edition. That way you don't need to re-install your OS every 6 months.
Ivor O'Connor
I've used Linux Mint Debian. In fact I still have that as my primary OS on a laptop I don't often use. It's been on for a year or two there. (I'm thinking of putting PCBSD on it this week.) The rolling release often gets stuck because they push things that are too cutting edge. So for instance I can't update the rolling release because of the problems. This seems to always happen when you go with rolling releases of Debian.
Version 17 of Mint will have long term support for years. So you can install it and get all the back ports for the next few years without having to re-install Mint. I will be switching to v17 and staying on it until the next long term release 3 or 5 years in the future. It should be out in the next couple of months. I highly recommend this to those who don't want to fiddle with their computer and just want to get work done.
Terrie Cheekoe Kanyezi
Those are Unity problems (and some of them are not even problems. Don't expect it to work like windows)… Try Installing Gnome… will give a better experience
Quinlan M
I myself use Cinnamon from Mint under Ubuntu
Michael Murphy
1) You should be using Shift as that's the proper method. Caps works fine otherwise — maybe your keyboard is dying.
2) Click and hold an icon and drag it — done. Options stay open until you click something else — your fault for clicking other things.
3) It always works.
4) Thunderbird? It's a great email program, but there are others like Kmail, Evolution, and Geary.
5) Did you report them? As far as I know, all of the glitches I experienced in the past were quickly fixed in an update after reporting it.
6) It has more programs than you could ever need and works as intended. It's hardly any different than running apt-cache search and running apt-get install should be even faster for regular use.
Sounds like you are using an unstable, ancient development release of Ubuntu.
Nicolas Klein
"1) You should be using Shift as that's the proper method. Caps works fine otherwise — maybe your keyboard is dying."
No, no I "SHOULDN'T" , if it doesn't work it's not the user's problem but the OS'… It happened to me in 3 different computers with 3 different keyboads, all of which were (and still are) working normally in Windows.
"Click and hold an icon and drag it — done. Options stay open until you
click something else — your fault for clicking other things."
The click and drag is not always working for me, if it is for you then congratulations, but for me it doesn't. I'm definelety NOT clicking something else.
3)" It always works." Maybe for you.
4) "Thunderbird? It's a great email program, but there are others like Kmail, Evolution, and Geary." That's your opinion, I couldn't find any decent one in the Store, don't remember those others, maybe I installed them, maybe I didn't.
"Did you report them? As far as I know, all of the glitches I
experienced in the past were quickly fixed in an update after reporting
it." I didn't report every problem I had, since it would be tedious. I did google some of the problems and many where already reported in the ubuntu forums. My opinion is that it has a lot of glitches for the regular user, who won't go around reporting them.
6) "It has more programs than you could ever need and works as
intended. It's hardly any different than running apt-cache search and
running apt-get install should be even faster for regular use." It doesn't if it had more programs that I could ever need, I would have found everything I need, and I didn't. Apt-get may be "faster", but it isn't simpler… For example I usually have to search all over the internet for the dependencies of that program witch sometimes do not come bundled in the apt-get package
"Sounds like you are using an unstable, ancient development release of Ubuntu."
12.04 …I think it isn't ancient.
Michael Murphy
1) Ever heard the phrase PEBKAC?
2) Of the dozen machines with varying hardware I have run Ubuntu on, none of them are afflicted with any such problems.
3) It always works for everyone — if it didn't it would have been fixed before it released in LTS.
4) Does it really matter if it's an opinion? Objectively, there aren't any better email solutions beyond what you can already install from the software center. Thunderbird itself is an excellent solution for most people.
5) LTS = glitch-free, those who have issues are people who caused the issues themselves, aka PEBKAC.
6) 12.04 is two years old, it's VERY ancient. The current LTS is Ubuntu 14.04 which looks and performs significantly differently with a significantly larger variety of newer software. Define simple, because it's far simpler to type apt-get install vlc mpv firefox etc than to manually click through and wait for a software center to load or to download deb's or exe's off the internet and execute them.
http://drgeorge.org/ ricegf
Just curious – do you happen to recall in which version of Ubuntu you saw these problems? I can't seem to replicate any of them on 12.04, so I'm curious if these problems were in the initial Unity release – the buzz making that a likely time for you to have given it a try, and I did find it glitchy (and switched to Mint until it settled down).
I recall the first version of Unity didn't support rearranging icons on the launcher, but in 12.04, I just drag them all over the place. The only icon locked in place is the Dash – but of course, you can't move Start in Windows 7 easily, either. :-)
And I can't get the caps lock button to malfunction as you describe – although I don't use caps lock for single letters, so that may have been an early Unity bug and I wouldn't have known.
I use gmail's web interface, which is identical on Windows 7 and Chrome OS and works very efficiently, compared to Outlook which I find nearly unusable – search (the one feature I desperately need in email) is particularly pathetic compared to gmail, and I periodically have to deal with corrupted proprietary .pst files (backup, backup, backup!).
I find a lot of other glitches in Windows 7 as well. For example, why can I STILL not swipe and middle-click-paste text in Windows 7? Copy / paste just seems fundamentally broken in Windows, and Microsoft hasn't addressed this for 2 decades! Their equivalent to the Software Center is a barren wasteland, and the install metaphor of "wizards" that often require actual reboots just to install an application is truly 20th century. The cmd.exe shell is truly incompetent and even childish compared to bash. Driver management is a mess. And I've never found an implementation of workspaces (for those of us that work multiple projects) that didn't feel totally alien and buggy, compared to the rock solid implementation that is provided by default in the Linux-based products I know.
I suppose it just has a lot to do with expectations. Better the devil you know, and all that. Didn't mean to rant. :-)
http://steamcommunity.com/id/metallinatus Metallinatus
I recommend you to drop Ubuntu and start developing on Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon after its release in may.
And, seriously, wait Mint 17 which will be LTS…. you will want a LTS release, trust me.
Please, do that, you will be the one to benefit from that switch.
Or simply use Linux Mint Debian Edition and never ever worry about re-installing Linux
Quinlan M
1. Learn to type properly
2. Don't use Unity, I use Cinnamon from Mint
3. Never had a problem on Cinnamon
4. Doesn't affect me as I use a web client, but yeah Thunderbird is better
6. Try adding more repositories and refresh?
Bottom Line: Still better than Windows 8
Desktop Environment is matter of taste. I love MATE.
"it's easier to develop in Linux, there's more support and it's plain simpler."— You can't be serious. Linux it's a huge mess. Anyone trying to sell anything on Linux has to deal with a real nightmare, there is no real standard, it's all a mess.
Barry P
agreed, linux is definitely far from ready for people to try to sell software on. Android is described as fragmented but linux in general is worse.
Nicolas Klein
Develop "IN" Linux, not "FOR" Linux.
I develop for Android and Web in linux.
Michael Murphy
Elaborate. It's no different than supporting anything else if you release your software compiled statically. If you package it in the default tar.gz format, you can use a program like alien to repackage it to every known distribution package format in one swoop. Furthermore, there are standards, but no one ever said you had to support every distribution under the sun. Just supporting the major distributions is good enough.
For what it's worth, I've found Ubuntu to be one of the least useable Linux OS's. Linux Mint, while based on Ubuntu, is actually quite a bit more stable and generally speaking a better "ready to use out of the box" experience. Their default Cinnamon desktop is a much more Windows like desktop as well. Far more intuitive and familiar than Ubuntu's Unity Desktop crap-pile. I use Linux Mint on my media center computers, but for my main workstations I use Arch Linux with Gnome which is every bit as stable and cohesive as either Windows or Mac. I have VirtualBox with a copy of Windows 7 in it for whenever the need shall arise…though…that need hasn't arisen particularly much as of late.
pclinuxOS is pretty awesome, too; i ditched ubuntu (privacy issues flared up with canonical) in favor of the pclos distro.
Did they ever release a 64bit version though? Seemed like an interesting distro, but last I checked it was 32bit only.
64bit is available at least for the 'full-monty' version here: http://www.pclinuxos.com/get-pclinuxos/the-full-monty-desktop/
i've not checked the other links
Chuck Hunnefield
The only problem I have with MInt is that, all of a sudden, Flash isn't updating anymore. Then you find out that NOTHING is updating anymore – it's all moved on. And there's no really easy way to upgrade in place (like Ubuntu).
Not so much of a problem for ME as it is newbs I've installed this for. Guess I should only work with the LTS versions from now on, eh?
Yeah, the lack of in place upgrades is something of a kink, which is why I only use it on my media centers. I haven't run into an issue of it not updating anymore, but I typically install a fresh copy after Mint releases a new version or two.
i think you need to try and re-evaluate with some of the other linux distros: Linux Mint, CentOS, and pclinuxOS
CentOS is based on RedHat and its enterprise linux made for web servers.
Terrie Cheekoe Kanyezi
i tried LInux (Ubuntu 12.04 ) out of curiousity one day….. now, I'm lost withoutn a lumux O.S…
I have been using Vagrant + VirtualBox on Windows 7, and it's a godsend. I have Ubuntu on a putty console at my fingertips, and I reap the benefits of both systems. My web server for local development runs off the Ubuntu VirtualBox seamlessly, and the files are available to my Windows programs.
It might work for you too!
Aaron Crane
I keep seeing all these recommendations for Mint, but personally I have never had anything but trouble from it(driver issues mainly). To be fair it has been a few years since I used it though. If you want something that feels unified try KDE. I am using Kubuntu atm and it is super easy to customize everything and you can just add it to your current ubuntu install by running 'sudo apt-get install kubuntu-desktop' logout select kde instead of unity and give it a go. If you prefer rpm you can give suse studio a go and make a distro built for you ready to go how you want it right out of the box.
get some other distro! debian is good for developers and or mint is a windows feel
And this whole chain of responses to Nicolas Klein's experience with Ubuntu linux clearly illustrates why 99.99% of Windows XP users will NOT switch to Linux.
Ray C
OMG how many more of these articles are we going to have to get this year, hopefully not too many. First, it's switch from XP to Linux. Then it will be swtich from X-Box and PS4 to Linux. Switch from iOs and Android to some Linux phone OS. I have no problem with Linux. I'm Linux certified, but I've never seen so many on various blogs root for a platform against almost ALL other platforms so much in my life. It's like a mission for some people
yep ^^ it is ^^"
PS4 is already FreeBSD based… no switch needed ;)
Its matter its open source. I don't want to support closed source and waste my money on shit such is windows.
Benny X
you mean you just want to get everything for free, right?
'open source' proponents don't realize that most innovations come from closed-source, commercial software…
it's the open source poor-man's inferior version that comes later, and it is always a bad attempt to reinvent the wheel.. many times over. you can see this quite plainly with the ridiculous amount of linux variants.
all that work wasted in repeating what already exists instead of innovating…
the hilarious thing about Linux is that its creator has admitted that he never would have wrote it if he had known [what would then come to be known as] 386BSD existed. (even though 386BSD was released after Linux was released)
Ikhsan Agustian
also, android is already based on linux, no need to switch :)
Linux kernel*
Quinlan M
Although honestly you should switch from XBox/PS4 to PC gaming…
iOS is terrible anyway, and Android=Linux, besides XP is eons old, at least upgrade to Windows 7.
It is indeed. And yeah, give Linux Mint Debian Edition a try ;)
You won't be disappointed! :D
Anand Radhakrishnan
I think switching to Linux Mint is a fair suggestion. I switched from
Windows a few months ago and am fine with the change. My essential
needs are browsing (firefox / chrome), music(banshee / rhytmbox) ,
movies (vlc) and rudimentary docs / spreadsheet work (libreoffice) and
all of which are handled well. Only issue is that your hardware should
work, which does more often than not. Use a Live USB or DVD, try it
our for a while before installation. Linux Mint is a good distro and
both MATE and Cinnamon flavors are good choices. If your system is bit
old, MATE is recommended option on older hardware.
I am NOT a developer, a pure desktop user and have got accustomed in
Linux desktop in few weeks. I also have Windows installed in same
machine as dual-boot for any contingency.
Is there a site that just is something like "tweaklinux" ? Something befitting with a user aqaunted forum and the like. Not a google click and crash type opportunity I mean to say.
Think that although linux can install on minimum hardware. The latest version is still necesity of using something that is a dual -core system. With plenty of fast ram.
No matter what op.sys. your using. Think that the days are gone where the experience went with the limber and quick. The latest software simply requires the modern hardware.
A comparison could be made just by looking at the extensions that the newer processors support. There are several which w/o them bring up error messages on the Windows system. And plenty of stuff for example video extensions,that will just bring the lack of them futility given you wanted to run the programs.
Barry P
This is not true:
"Think that although linux can install on minimum hardware. The latest version is still necesity of using something that is a dual -core system. With plenty of fast ram."
Linux has hundreds of 'latest versions' and there are many that will run on less than a dual-core system and have low ram requirements.
Have a look at some versions (distros) here:
Yes Its "not true", and "true" as well. Depends on what type of work you need to do. Then what you want to get from that work. I need to do the homework,but as I mentioned modern processors have feature sets that the pre-dual core systems did not have. There is really no going back to that. You can now,take a single core set up,and run linux for/from it. But just how limited that is is self explanatory w/o an upgrade path for the hardware itself.
A minimalist install of linux will probably get you web browsing,some office apps,a few games,and some graphics rendering programs from linux. And still how they perform in their time ,and yours is dependent on the present day hardware that is necesary for them to do so.
Check into Gimp,and some ray tracing. Then you'll recognize just what class of work your in for when you go looking at a new system. I would recomend linux sure. But given the state of the present day machines if you really want the computing,you'll have to use present day motherboards,ram,hardrives,and monitors.
Pre-millineum hardware,will remain,past tense for performance. And no matter the op.sys. you choose,modern parts represent state of the art. .
Barry P
Your welcome
I installed a tweaked version (using gnome fallback and Xcompmgr for effects) of Lubuntu 13.10 on 6 different PCs with single-core Athlon and Pentium CPUs with 1G to 1.5G of ram memory. On all 6 of them I have run H.264 encoding (albeit slower) and graphics processing using mainly the Gimp.
A faster processor configuration is of course the ideal but the present cycle means upgrades every 4 to 5 years (some even less) and this is doing no good to the environment, and, at the bottom line, wasteful. IT corporations, of course, would love for us to keep up to the latest and the greatest in hardware in OSes. However, these old PCs are proving their worth in providing more computing capability and Internet access without looking for more funding.
In the school where I volunteer, using Linux, we have already extended and resurrected the life of 5 single-core PCs for use in the library for Internet access, word-processing, spreadsheet calculations, presentation editing, database manipulation, multimedia processing, listening to audio, streaming video (up to 720p) and audio, scanning from and printing to a networked multifunction copier/scanner/printer which Ubuntu recognized automatically and installed the driver in a couple of minutes.
There are at least a dozen or score more of these old PCs sitting unused but still in full working order with half of them with SSDs in them in an earlier attempt by the school to speed up the old PCs but just over a year ago, the school finally "upgraded" to Win 7, abandoning XP. In doing so, they also had to upgrade the computer lab's proprietary student management system spending tens of thousands of dollars.
The software base,is getting larger not smaller,with larger program installs,and larger output files along with them.
An AMD AThlon for example,is several multiples less capable that a present day cpu.
When linux save you money on continuation of systems,then for certain go ahead and do so. I have not used linux for any lenght of time,but when the software is compatible among each other programs that will certainly save money.
However the dollar spent of present day equipment,gets a similar multiple of processing performance. The same amount of money spent in computer equipment 15 years ago,gets a greater amount of capability.Your dollars spent is worth more functionality than previously.
I know that when you need to run those graphics program. Video rendering,transcoding,- the h.264 cannot run in the hardware (like I say the new systems have the programing built into the hardware). The rendering will be time consuming. In their day,many 1mb cameras were common place. Web based photography requires rendering by the Browser. You should have the computer lab look at the prospect of benching those computers. To be sure that their work will be sufficient for their configurations.An Intranet should be fine.But their usefulness is about as good as the ethernet cable attached to them.
Dont have to replace the equipment every five years. I'm saying that if there is new equipment,be sure that there is an upgrade path for what you buy. I would venture to say that a Haswell based upgradable platform,would run at least 15 yrs forward. With options that predate future expenditures.
Embedded options even,with the new Nuc type machines. Run linux on one of these with a 500 to 1500% performance 'standard' multiple of the AMD single core. For between 100$,and 450 dollars per machine.
That stuff needs to be replaced. No doubt about it. Think I'll try that Lubuntu 13.10….
Michael Murphy
Try 14.04 instead:
Xubuntu: http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/xubuntu/daily-live/current/
Lubuntu: http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/lubuntu/daily-live/current/
Put simply, a lot of people just need a computer for web browsing, document-editing, email, movies and other videos, and music. Even old hardware is perfectly capable of doing all that with a good operating system.
The Linux kernel and open source software (almost all of which is available on every operating system since it is open source), is optimized for all kinds of different processors. Due to the various architectural designs of the file system, and advances in file system designs, it consumes significantly less storage and loads the OS and programs much faster, in combination with optimized code compiled by GCC.
Since no two people can agree on the best software, and some distributions only target specific types of users, there are a lot of different, but similar, Linux distributions out there. The default Ubuntu distribution uses compiz which has a lot of special effects that run on the graphics card. Ancient computers may struggle with that so it's often recommended to use Xubuntu or Lubuntu on those machines. Having installed a modern distribution on 14 year old hardware this year, and it was as snappy as a modern computer from the store, there is still a lot of value in those systems, if only as refurbished hand-me-downs.
Michael Murphy
I've installed Lubuntu 14.04 on a machine as old as 14 years, which was using a budget single core processor for it's time — ran perfectly snappy.
I disagree with Nicolas. I'm a network engineer and there are a few things I do on Win7 that just don't fly on Linux (Visio is the main one). Aside from that I do EVERYTHING on Linux. For users used to Win XP or Win 7 I'd recommend you try one of the other versions of Ubuntu. Mainly Xubuntu which I use or Kubuntu. The difference is the interface. You will find a menu system much more like you are used to and a panel with all your window buttons. It will be much more intuitive. The standard Ubuntu deviated some time ago with the tablet craze and it takes some work to make it look like a regular desktop. Just my opinion. Everyone has their own preference. There are applications to cover nearly everything. If you are worried about office stuff just install Libreoffice it's free and compatible with most Office documents. I've seen Windows 8 and never been happier that I'm a Linux user.
yeah, "most" office documents. More basic, higher chance. A little more advanced and higher chance of incompatibility. Not fault of LibreOffice, but Microsoft Office is the best product of its kind out there.
okoony .
Well for the price you pay to get M$ Office, it has to be somehow good !
LibO is an open source stuff that you'll get for free, you can't expect to have the same features and performances.
I also don't have 100% compatibility and still need MS Office for some old templates. For all the rest, LibO is just doing fine.
By the way, Wine will allow you to run MS Office under Linux if you really need it !
http://drgeorge.org/ ricegf
The greatest danger with Microsoft Office IMHO is the proprietary file formats. We literally pass around an ancient laptop at work (no network access!) with earlier Office installs to translate from earlier formats that have been deprecated by Microsoft. Maybe our projects just run longer than others. *Shrugs*
I use both MS Office and LibreOffice heavily (and *still* hate the ribbon ;-). I find MS Office to be more polished and feature-ful, certainly, but I'm careful to export documents that matter to standard, well-documented formats for archival – for MS Office and non-Office proprietary products as well, actually. Recommended.
Luke Jones
Okay then if ms office is your bag then run XP or Windows 7 virus free inside Ubuntu or Linux Mint with stealth vm by Robolinux. You'll love being able to run Firefox or Google Chrome Linux apps on top of Ms office.
Andy Liu
Lubuntu for XP users because they usually have lower-end machines.
My question is how friendly its Ubuntu?
As friendly as it can get. One pleasant surprise I had when I installed it for the first time, is that you don't need to install any drivers. In the wide majority of cases everything just works out of the box.
Barry P
I agree, I have tried out many different distros including several versions of Ubuntu over the last few years and it never failed to automatically detect all of my hardware and install the appropriate drivers.
Another nice thing is you can run it from a CD without installing anything to give it a test run and see how it feels for you.
This is actually for a client, not for me. I know if I wanted to I can work my way around Ubuntu but my client is not very knowledgeable about pc's sense he only uses xp and has a laptop with wins 7. So I was just curious how well it works for people used to xp and 7.
Don't sell your client a product you don't know.
If you're trying to sell your client Ubuntu, you're very likely trying to sell your client an unfinished/incompatible/unprofessional product and your client could become very frustrated.
I'm a longterm Ubuntu user and despite doing the switch from XP to Ubuntu, I wouldn't recommend it for most.
It's great in some aspects, but lacking in others, from a little to severely.
If your client needs some software that is only available / can only be supported by windows and they're not techies, and often even if they are, they'll immediately need to switch back.
On the other hand, your client might just fall in love with Ubuntu for the following reasons described here: http://www.whylinuxisbetter.net/.
All of them are true, but I could add more disadvantages then just those four. The halfyearly upgrades that could break and get you stranded in "DOS-mode" which is a big pain to get out of, outdated software on the app store with the newest only available via source code which can then be a really big pain to install, or no newest version at all.
I switched myself as a home user during the XP days because I hated the bloated anti-viruses/firewall I needed to put up with slowing my computer down, later I fell in love with it's package manager, somewhat of a precursor to the now infamous "app store", where XP has absolutely none.
Ubuntu's new "app store" it puts up front feels lacking, unfinished, probably due to overlap, so I switch back to the older package manager.
Ubuntu is also en route to become an all-in-one phone/tablet/desktop OS by the end of this year, just like windows 8.
Perhaps then it can tell your client if it truly is useful to switch to this OS.
http://drgeorge.org/ ricegf
@Folatt:disqus "The halfyearly upgrades that could break and get you stranded in "DOS-mode" which is a big pain to get out of"
NEVER sell your client the interim updates – always go with the Long Term Support (LTS) releases, which happen every 2 years and are supported for 5 years. This ensures you don't mess with a working system for years at a time.
The next LTS for Ubuntu is next week, actually – 14.04. After that comes a major Unity upgrade, so 14.04 is a good platform on which to build long-term projects.
Thanks, I didn't know it's sold like that. I hadn't read this article actually and it sums up what's needed to know. I don't know what your clients need Phobos, but if they just need it for browsing and printing documents, I tried switching my mom's computer to Linux 5 years ago and the problems were that
A) I did dual booting on a single harddisk without
'knowing'/'caring about' the risks, which eventually broke both OSes. Not sure if that has gotten safer.
B) My mom, who never got past much further than e-mailing and browsing, needed my help because she saved them in OpenOffice (now LibreOffice) filetype and the file couldn't be opened in MS Office at her computer at school.
Michael Murphy
None of those problems exist today. Ubuntu's installer was designed several years back to automatically be capable of shrinking a Windows NTFS partition and installing Ubuntu side by side with Windows effortlessly/automatically. The latest Microsoft Office supports LibreOffice's file formats too. The latest LibreOffice 4.2 in Ubuntu 14.04 has the best support for Microsoft's proprietary and ever-so-changing-and-often-incompatible-between-different-MS-versions formats.
Take an online tour
Michael Murphy
That 'tour' is heavily outdated.
Andy Liu
Very friendly, except it is pretty slow on older hardware. I recommend the variant Lubuntu.
I have tried to like and use Ubuntu, but never got around to really like it. It's slightly better for development, but when it comes to entertainment like gaming it's just missing too much.
I'll give it another shot when I can play C&C and Battlefield on it :)
Besides, there's another choice for XP people, Windows 8.2 or 7. I guess it comes down to what you need from your OS and what you do on a computer.
In the end, it boils down to what you want to do with your PC or notebook. I'm not into gaming and Ubuntu (or any suitable distro) meets 98% of my needs. Once in a while, I go back to XP which I still use for printing photos because of the proprietary software that I use and, to date, I have not been able to find a Linux alternative that does what I need. However, for Internet access, office tasks, cloud computing and even multimedia and graphics processing, it's Linux.
I'm not into gaming, so Windows does not affect me in that area.
For me, the choice whether to migrate to a Linux distro depends on one's needs – whether for entertainment, work or study and the related software that we have to use.
For me the problem is available apps in my field. I'm a law student graduating next year and I need – in the short term – exam taking software, Google drive, outlook, and ms office to work as well as they would on clean a Windows 7 install. In the long term I'll also need billing software and any number of drafting tools to function seamlessly. All of this plus no Spotify currently makes Linux a deal-breaker.
Before you say, "You idiot! We have Wine!" – yeah, which is clunky and takes (or took, last time I tried it) more advanced Linux skill than most people have to set up. I doubt I'm alone in this thinking as a student.
Michael Murphy
Your problem is simply that you allowed yourself to get locked into a proprietary software platform and are now suffering from that decision. There is great software for all your needs on Linux, but you have to be willing to adapt to using open source software alternatives to your outdated proprietary software.
http://drgeorge.org/ ricegf
I thought legal was still largely done in Word Perfect? But if you spend your days primarily in Microsoft Office, then of course you'll want to run it on Windows.
When you say "drafting tools", do you mean drafting legal documents, or mechanical engineering? I ask because the best professional engineering tools are on Linux – it's one area (along with video rendering) where you can reliably find Linux in Corporate America. I'm also curious as to your career track if you're entering the lawyer / mechanical engineering trade. ;-)
Google products like Drive work perfectly on Ubuntu, btw – I rely on them extensively. I recommend Insync Pro for Drive personally, but other sync products are available.
Required vertical apps like your exam software that work only on Windows and on which you rely, you should run on Windows. Of course. But hopefully the vendors will realize that the world has moved on (iOS? Android? Chrome? OS/X?), and make them portable soon, allowing you more choice.
At work my primary workstation is SUSE Linux, but I have a Windows 7 VM that I use for occasional Windows-only corporate apps. At home I just use Ubuntu Linux, with a Chromebook and Android phone for mobility, and life is good.
And YMMV, as always.
I have no problems using w8.1. If you do, you must have problems.
Barry P
8.1 is a good OS.
I think the problem is some people shudder at having to give M$ another $100+ when all they need to do is surf, email, or watch a video.
You can, of course, do a lot more as you explore deeper into linux.
It is actually pretty impressive for a completely free OS.
Barry P
lubba, how old are you ? 12 ?… 10?
I could say the same thing back to you about linux. I have no problem using it.
There are many other choices in life than the ones you make and people have thousands of different reasons for making those choices. You are to young to understand that now but maybe someday…
Read the title of the article and get back to me. If its not some kind of advertising and opinionated sell, then I don't know what it is.
Barry P
I apologize, I did not see it that way.
I saw it as just another of the hundreds of "XP is dead, everybody needs to panic! " articles that we have been blasted with the last few days.
Everybody is trying to put a different spin on it and encourage the mass hysteria.
One sight had a dozen XP articles over the span of a few days.
Ivor O'Connor
Yeah, I have a problem paying for a piece of software like w8 when I can get it for free with Ubuntu. However I can get the XP experience with Mint, have the latest software and patches, and not pay another dollar to M$ again. No problems with me wasting my money.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/dustrac/ juzzlin
Windows is useless for serious software development.
Asdf Ghjk
Oh come on. For people who had the nerve to still use XP in 2014, Linux offers zero tasks for which it is "significantly better". Actually that holds for most others as well.
And with regard to "Even for gaming, Linux is definitely catching up with Windows", this is like saying a toddler who has just learned to walk is catching up with Usain Bolt. Linux does have games, it's just that there are far, far fewer of them. Windows pretty much has every modern game with the exception of a few console exclusives, and has the widest and largest amount of titles of any platform. Sure, the situation on Linux is improving on the gaming aspect, but it is still something completely different – Windows can be a gaming platform and an alternative to owning a game console whereas Linux or OSX cannot.
Barry P
You are saying you are a gamer and do not like linux ?
No shocking revelation here….
Michael Murphy
Well for one, XP is unsupported, prone to viruses and infections, is very simple to compromise, and all the software updates it picked up over the years has made it very sluggish — plus the Windows rot that slows down the system over time. Linux is self-evolving over time and developers put a lot of effort into optimizing and improving existing software, something that Microsoft personally refuses to do with their software.
Fun fact: If you are using Windows XP, you're not a PC gamer. Why does Linux needs AAA games to be good enough for XP users?
"Fortunately, if you are having issues with a device after installing Linux, you can normally find very good support online." — Yeah, sure.. arguing with arrogant people writing on forums with their nicknames thinking to be some sort of geniuses members of a cult of some sort .. if that is good support…
If anyone wants to install a real free Unix system then BSD is the way to go.
Barry P
I agree that the arrogant 'support' people who think they are better than other because they know something you don't are very annoying.
There always seems to be several in every crowd.
I have encountered them in linux forums, windows forums, gaming forums, audio… you get the idea.
They are everywhere.
Mostly people trying to improve their self esteem by belittling others.
sure. FreeNAS http://www.freenas.org/ works nice enough with its generic iSCSI and bonded Ethernet ports support, funny we have not had any linux port of that turnkey BSD FreeNAS application yet
http://drgeorge.org/ ricegf
Ubuntuforums has always provided excellent and friendly support for me. Perhaps you're argumentative? ;-)
carol argo
Op is right,for millions its time to switch os!but there isnt a choice to be made ,why?if you havent gone to a newer window ,odds are you fully well know why you aint continuing your window adventure!and you know another thing as well, android is at worst #2 os on the planet .(highly unlikly tho)last numbers showed android ahead by a lot ,so your next os will probably be android .cheer at you futur android user be it elitist corp or noob gamer
Carol, Android uses the Linux kernel and because of that you can OC side load any linux app you can compile to Arm android http://linuxonandroid.org/
Indeed with the extraordinary developments Linux has made in convenience in the previous decade, there are still a few things http://goo.gl/6TIk33
The Trippmeister
I really wish more people would use Linux, but unfortunately it's becoming harder for me to recommend it. I'd say 2011 was the perfect time to switch to Linux — the major distros (especially Ubuntu) have been getting steadily worse since then. Granted, this isn't just a Linux problem (*coughWindows8cough*) but it's definitely disappointing.
Things that used to work flawlessly simply don't anymore (I'm looking at you, Cheese and Brasero). MATE's functionality still seems to depend on the current phase of the moon, and I wouldn't wish Unity or Gnome Shell on my worst enemy (never did like KDE).
My computer works okay, but only because I've tweaked and hacked the living daylights out of it until it did what I wanted. Still better than Windows, but I can't recommend it to a beginner anymore.
linux is not just the commercial Ubuntu,if its so hard to use that then just try SLAX http://www.slax.org/en/modules.php and its modules….
The Trippmeister
I'm well aware that Linux isn't just Ubuntu, thanks. I was talking about "non-computer-people" using it — people who would take one look at Slax or Gentoo and run for the hills.
David Trimble
I say, stick the command line and don't waste your time with the GUI. =D
LOL what, Gentoo and SLAX are polls apart ,slax copy all the files and modules you want o use to a dir, run a script and boot the USB stick…
Gentoo is "the source code" distro that is compiled locally according to the user's preferences and is often optimized for the specific type of computer.
Ivor O'Connor
I too was a bit pissed in 2011. Ubuntu was going off in a funny direction and I wanted things to just continue to get better. It took me awhile but I eventually followed the masses to Linux Mint. It continued from where Ubuntu had left off and has been getting steadily better. Much better than Ubuntu ever was.
Maybe in time Ubuntu will make a come back. I hope so. However Mint has it all currently.
I had to double-check myself. A mainstream tech website with a pro-linux article? Say it ain't so!
In all seriousness, though, good on you. It's this kind of publicity that could finally push Linux over that critical mass where developers look at it as a legitimate target. More dev support = more user support = more dev support. I'm still not sure if we'll succeed, but we're closer than ever now.
It's hilarious that people using XP don't like W8. XP is junk compared to W7 or 8. I liked it just fine in its day, but even Vista is a huge leap from XP.
vista was an unmitigated disaster you doof; vista had many kernel & 'memory-hog' issues with software which is why m$ killed it off so quickly and why xp home & pro outlasted it.
Andy Liu
Vista had a launch fail, but it was pretty stable after SP1 onwards.
I like the idea. I am trying to get my nephews to switch Windows XP to Linux. We will see how it goes.
Why reccomend Ubuntu over pcbsd?
With xp dying now is the perfect time to stitch to bsd!
With xp dying now is the perfect time to stitch to http://www.reactos.org/ :)
"ReactOS Project
ReactOS® is a free open source operating system based on the best design principles found in the Windows NT® architecture (Windows versions such as Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows Server 2012 are built on Windows NT architecture). Written completely from scratch, ReactOS is not a Linux based system, and shares none of the UNIX architecture.
The main goal of the ReactOS® project is to provide an operating system which is binary compatible with Windows. This will allow your Windows® applications and drivers to run as they would on your Windows system. Additionally, the look and feel of the Windows operating system is used, such that people accustomed to the familiar user interface of Windows® would find using ReactOS straightforward. The ultimate goal of ReactOS® is to allow you to use it as alternative to Windows® without the need to change software you are used to.
ReactOS 0.3.16 is still in alpha stage, meaning it is not feature-complete and is recommended only for evaluation and testing purposes."
Ivor O'Connor
I like the idea of ReacOS but it never seems to be taking off. Now would be a great time to invest in ReactOS if there were some movement behind it.
I like it too Ivor but as you I do not see it taking off.
Andy Liu
Note the last part about the alpha stage. -_-
I cannot tell if the author is trolling or he is not knowledgeable about computers …. People use Windows because it just work. They don't have years to waste on a OS that never works. Or waste time on a community that is to immature to think straight, let alone answer a question.
No thanks. This is not a perfect time to switch to Linux. Heck, with no upgrade available for XP, people will have to wait until Windows 9, late this year.
David Trimble
If Linux doesn't work, then why is that most servers that make up the Internet all run on Linux? Your Android phone is based off Linux, OSX runs on top of Unix which Linux is based off of. Cisco operating system IOS is based off Unix. Why are the fastest computers in the world all running Linux if Linux does not work? Sounds like user error to me.
Did you know your home router that connects you to the internet most likely runs Linux? Seems to work well enough for you to type such a noob ass statement.
You don't read much, do you? I can tell by your reply. Try reading this article. I know it's hard, but it's good for your health. It's about replacing XP … XP is not a server OS, idiot.
If you don't want to sound like a complete idiot. It helps if you know how to read.
Be gone, dumbass troll.
David Trimble
I'm the dumb ass when you say things like "with no upgrade available for XP, people will have to wait until Windows 9, late this year."? Most would agree that WIndows 7 was an "upgrade" for most Windows XP users.
I was making a point, a point that you clearly missed because you seem rather thick headed. You stated that "People use Windows because it just work. They don't have years to waste on a OS that never works." The fact that it powers so many computer devices so well (including for personal use)should make you question your statements. Instead you default to name calling because you are clearly out matched and can't win this argument.
If you bothered to read, you could easily figure out how to use Linux. But I guess that's asking too much of you. Oh well, some people just want to be dumb and stuck in their ways. Thanks for making the world a better place. =D
David Trimble
Ah, idiots tend to default to name calling when they feel
threatened and are out matched. If you bothered to read and don't want to sound like a complete idiot, you might see the point I'm making.
When you say "People use Windows because it just work. They don't have years to waste on a OS that never works?". I can't help but laugh at such a statement. You clearly missed the point I was making. The very fact that it runs
so well, on so many devices, including devices for personal computing, would cause an open minded individual to consider Linux as a possibility. But by your comments, you are proving that you are rather thick headed.
Then you accuse me of not reading the article and trolling
when you can't even read an article to figure out a simple operating system, and then claim that it never works. Maybe it
never worked because you can't follow instructions so there for, because it didn't work for you, there for it does not work at all, for anyone? LOL
And you are calling me an idiot? Hahahaha
So … when are you going to grow up and quit trolling? Probably never?
David Trimble
As soon as you stop responding and stop posting stupid shit.
Still trolling? This article is great for adults to converse. You need to grow up a bit, dumbass.
David Trimble
You are right, you do not belong here.
Keep it up. Fucktards like you are banned daily.
David Trimble
Haha…..oh noes. Fucktards like your self don't know how to use a proxy or a vpn.
You make the mentally disabled, look smart. I'll just wait until you are eliminated.
David Trimble
Evolution will eliminate your kind. =D
Whooo ! Wait Win9 ? You are really giving great advices ! Why should they do ? leave their computer tunred off until then ?
Who buys OS for the sake of OS ? People want to run software they collected over the years and hardware they have. Switching to Linux only guarantees that none of the collected software will run anymore and half of the hardware they have will either fail to run or will run with limited set of functionality. Windows 7 is far better choice as long as you can still get it.
Michael B.
Pretty much what you said is a lie. Linux handles most hardware automatically without separate downloads to get attachments to run. The only driver I have to download and install manually is for my scanner. Everything else was detected automatically.
http://drgeorge.org/ ricegf
Yep, my experience exactly. In fact, when endlessly re-installing Windows on friends' aging computers for which they've inevitably lost the "driver disks" (remember those? :-D ), I generally install Windows, reboot into a live Linux distro, go find and download the Windows drivers (since Linux reliably uses hardware and networks out of the box, and Windows doesn't), and THEN go configure Windows. Much, much faster.
Secrets of the Geeks, tonight at 11!
BS. WiFi cards often are not recognized by Linux and do not have drivers unless one specific WiFi chipset is used. Many printers have Linux driver that does not have full functionality. Cameras such as Nikon or Canon are coming with specialized software that is only for Mac or Windows. Have you ever tried to update firmware of your Nikon DSLR ? For most models that I know you can do it only if you have Windows (including ancient 98) or Mac. No Linux here. How do you update BIOS of your motherboard? Windows or DOS required from most vendors with no Linux variant. What about iPod ? Have you seen iTunes for Linux ? What about color calibration of you monitor or printer ? If you have Datacolor Spyder calibration hardware you can only use it on Windows or Mac. Hey, I have this great sound from my Sound Blaster Audio card – yeah as long as you have Windows or Mac. What about my great gaming Logitech G19 keyboard ? It has this nice bells and whistles. Sure it has as long as it works with Mac or Windows computer. Computer hardware if you lucky is recognized just like Windows will recognize almost all the hardware without any drivers at all on a very basic level. But if you want full performance or full functionality then in many cases you are out of luck and practically no luck with devices that hook up to your computer from time to time. So no, I don't lie. You are simply blinded by fan boyish approach to Linux.
"ja_1410BS.: WiFi cards often are not recognized by Linux and do not have drivers unless one specific WiFi chipset is used."
if you are going to accurately comment and not just wrongly assume, then its wise to actually google an answer first, then you would realize that the "ndiswrapper" is pretty much installed by default on many distro's for a very long time now.
ndiswrapper's sole purpose is to accommodate the OEM
"win driver" only problem and load its external firmware. Linux Mint comes with ndiswrapper preinstalled for instance.
anyone with sense will google linux driver "product" to see if there are any problems when they buy new hardware so if you want a new DVB-T2 tv card for HD broadcasts then you use something like "linux driver DVB T2″ and get http://www.linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/DVB-T2_USB_Devices#In-Kernel_Drivers for instance.
funny enough, XP is pretty crap at DVB with its windows drivers both DVB and non DVB compliment drivers crashing a lot, where as in Linux they were stable and allowed more functionality etc…
I.e capturing a full DVB MUX and multicasting it on the LAN/WAN to any other device with VLC installed to watch these broadcasts live locally etc.
You missing the point. Why bother with Linux switching from XP when I already have hardware at home and a lot of software and high chance is that part of it will not work with Linux.. It is much cheaper to buy Windows 7 instead of using "free" Linux and buying new hardware and replacing all software. WiFi was just an example. There are many hardware products that people have at home that will not have drivers for Linux. You also seem to ignore software that comes with hardware products. Printers often come with OCR, cameras come with raw image software that is only for Mac or Windows. If I have to "google" and buy new hardware just to run "free" Linux, then it is not free anymore. Why bother with Linux that will not allow me to use my screen and printer color calibration hardware that I already have worth $600 which will work perfectly well will with Windows 7 that will cost me mere $100 or so. Why would I have to resign from Nikon NX software because there is no Linux version. How it is "free" to use Linux if I can't upgrade software for my $3000 Nikon D800 camera etc, Besides even quick search of Linux forums shows how many mysterious hardware incompatibility problems people have that require deep knowledge of Linux and mystic command line long command to resolve if possible at all. Most normal people do not have skills to even ask the right question on Linux forums. Advising people who had Windows XP for years as a "switch" is not practical.
Torsh Johansen
There's not a high chance it won't run. That's the point.
Nowadays, the whole "will the computer run with Linux" has changed to "will a particular part have a driver that's lacking its extra features?"
Essentially, if you're a computer company that wants to put Linux on the systems and sell them — it's avoiding a MINORITY of pieces that won't run well. It's not the mid 2000s anymore, it's the mid 2010s.
MOST of the people don't have nor will ever need a particular specialized this-or-that, that won't run or only partially run with Linux. You're putting the 2004 lense on it, not the 2014 lense.
Point is, if many people were to switch to Linux (as what OS you run becomes less and less an issue in today's day & age for everyday computing) — the more niche-oriented hardware devices will end up becoming even a less issue….
… so the argument "Why have a lot of the masses run Linux where they wouldn't need anything else — it won't change anything!" is wrong.
And "why not run Windows"? It's cost. It's ability to be hijacked by virii/intrusions and the like. Difficulty getting another (yes, legal) copy, etc.
It's advantages? Particular programs not made for or able to run on Linux that one specializes in or is all about. It has it's place, and always will.
But for much of the masses? They aren't affected by it.
It'd be like buying a cheaper, slightly older version of Photoshop to do basic graphics changes. There's other graphics programs, not just (free) GIMP that will do more than enough and still more than they need.
So when it comes to an OS choice — yes, ANY OS will fit most people's needs, and then some.
Andy Liu
The problem is, Windows 7 is expensive and may not run well on some older hardware that Windows XP users have.
Good point. Someone trying to upgrade should check Windows 7 requirements. If not sufficient, then Linux is a good choice as long as one is OK that some of the hardware will not work and all the accumulated software is useless.
Ironically, for MOST average, non-technical users who don't have the $$$ for an iPad or other internet connected tablet, Ubuntu would be PERFECT for them if it was only for Looking at Video, checking email or social Media. Something that MOST adult users who AREN'T PROGRAMMER/DEVELOPERS do anyways.
But in the REAL, EVERYDAY office– (NOT the SOHO PROGRAMMER / DEVELOPER companies!!!) a switch to Linux is littered with usage bombs. Libre Office is great until you get a DOCX file, or the LATEST XLSX file that Open Office cannot open. And telling the sender to Please re-send the file as a PLAIN XLS or DOC gets you a blank 'Huh?' response and the 'Click' of disconnection.
Open Office is great…but so long as Microsoft keeps practically giving the latest versions away for next to nothing to Universities and Gov't Offices it will be too much trouble to deal with Linux in an ordinary connected office.
I myself have various *'Buntu' versions running in VM and continuously expand my knowledge in alternative OSes, but experience-wise…in the REAL World Office: Windows Still Rules.
Michael B.
I have not had a DOCX or XLSX file that I could not open with Libre Office. It opens everything. However, just last week someone emailed a DOCX file to me that MS Office 2010 could not open. I opened it with Libre Office and then resaved it on 2003 Office format. Worked perfectly.
Whoopee for you. Do you know which VERSION of DOCX it was? Are you certain it was the LATEST version? Are you able to process the LATEST XLSX version?
You DO know there's more than ONE, Do you?
I didn't say it could NEVER happen. It just does, when it's the MOST inconvenient…and yes, I had the LATEST Open Office because I downloaded and updated to 4.xxx that very day in order to open the XLSX….it froze. It was a report file sent out by a Healthcare Company Rep…and according to the fine print in the email, due to HIPPAA, it was edited with the LATEST SECURITY features to protect Patient Healthcare Information. Unfortunately, my office only had MS Office 2003…Not the Latest 201X version.
So please, enough with the– "It worked for me, therefore I don't understand why everyone else has a Problem…" answer.
It's really unthinkingly, unrelievedly, oh-so-incredibly…juvenile.
Just stop it.
You need to use LIBREOFFICE > 4.1 for a best OOXML compatibility. OpenOffice is a different project now.
http://drgeorge.org/ ricegf
"Whoopee for you." … sticking caps lock… "unthinkingly, unrelievedly, oh-so-incredibly…juvenile."
Yes, you are.
And think for a moment. Why are you using an office suite in which the proprietary formats keep changing? Think standards, while your documents are still your own.
(I use LibreOffice to recover borked MS Office documents as well. It's not an uncommon practice for us grown ups. ;-)
Why don't you try some more advanced Excel spreadsheets. You know, those with format XLSM that have world of functionality coded by the user in Visual Basic for Applications. See how this works for you with Libre Office.
Ivor O'Connor
You were lucky. Very lucky. I however am not lucky. Ever. I just write them from scratch on Excel, Libre, and Google and assume they will never work on the other platforms. And though I'm proficient with spreadsheets I'm certainly not an expert on any platform.
Heath Parsons
Running 1 Debian distro with XFCE on an EeePC that had XP, a Debian desktop that does distributed computing that used to have XP, and 2 Debian/Windows 7 dual-boot laptops. I'd say it's the perfect time as well. Not going to lie though, I had difficulty on the first installation when I corrupted a system file I needed. Those that say linux is inferior or it sucks compared to Windows, don't know the true power of linux.
Brian Winter
This is not an option for the five PCs that I have running XP.
Because of the software and hardware that is used with them.
Firstly the hardware is no longer available and there are no reasonably priced equivalents. Why spend money when you don't have to?
And some of the software will not run under later Windows versions – mostly because of the drivers used with the hardware.
Why change just for changes sake?
Note that none of these special use computers are connected to the internet.
http://drgeorge.org/ ricegf
Disconnect them from the Internet. Please.
David Trimble
Failed to mention Wine for Linux nub. You can run office and adobe products in Linux using Wine.
I'm pretty sure one cannot run the adobe creative suite or AfterEffects under wine.
Google "AfterEffects under wine" says different, one can in fact run several versions under wine and its by weekly updates get better every time.
I have cs4 and most of the test results on WineHQs own page says most installs dont work or installs with bugs: http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=version&iId=20245
And Cross Over on Linux is even easier, install and then put in the Office CD or other supported software and away you go. Rock solid and not *too* expensive.
I wish it was a bit cheaper. People see that CX is almost as expensive as a Windows licence, but support is included.
Jack Hsiung
Why even switch? Just continue to run XP until its time to buy a new computer. no longer supported doesn't mean you can no longer run it… the author is an idiot or a troll.. or both
David Trimble
Honestly, I see thousands of computers a year infected up the arse with all sorts of nasty virus infections. The worst infections tend to be computers using Windows XP. Well known exploits make Windows XP machines 6 times more vulnerable to virus infections. It's a 13 year old operating system. It's fine unless you go online, then no antivirus product is going to provide sufficient protection in many cases. Not to mention buffer overflow vulnerability that exists with 32 bit based systems. Linux is indeed a more secure option but from my experience, (though I try to shove Linux down customers throats) most hate change. Take Windows 8 as an example. People freaked the heck out with the UI change. Given it was a horrible design decision but it's mostly functional. Short response, if you going to be cheap you should use Linux and try to learn something different unless you want to pay me good money to scrub your system clean. Ubuntu is very easy to install and use these days.
Jack Hsiung
typically, a machine is "safe" for at lest 1-2 years after the last patch.
likewise, if a machine is not infected with a virus today, it is unlikely it'll be infected by a virus tomorrow or over the next year due to 1. there must be an antivirus software already installed 2. the user doesn't have a habit to click on EVERY ad on the web and don't open EVERY unknown document in the email.
once again, reiterate, end of support DOES NOT mean you cannot run XP anymore. just keep running it until you feel like to buy a new computer and run windows 8.1 (which is actually pretty good).
on the other hand, if you like to try variations of unix/linux, go ahead, its a very nice and secure system. but to try to use EOL of XP as an excuse and using it to FUD people into using unix/linux and give people a pretend like if XP systems will erase its own software once it hit EOL, is plain stupid.
David Trimble
I think it's time that you guys release a forum. It seems like you guys have enough a community to justify it. Most large tech sites have one.
Time to switch to OS/360 or abacus
yeah but abacus OS is more for developers to create mobile applications between cloud services and local devices.
and you need an OS to run the Hercules (emulator) for the OS/360 on
Terrie Cheekoe Kanyezi
"Linux support isn't quite at the same omg-500-search-results-for-a-really-obscure-bug level as Windows, but it's pretty good."
Ive been using both operating systems, and I have to say where help and support is concerned, Linux is ahead!!! WINDOWS might give more results, but most of them are pure trash…. (Try comparing Microsoft Help (help.microsoft.com) to Arch Wiki and you'll get my drift)
Also, specifically, if you're using Ubuntu then the AskUbuntu web site is awesome.
If using another Linux distro, the Linux & Unix Stack Exchange is also very useful.
http://drgeorge.org/ ricegf
Ubuntuforums also works well for me. And I likewise find far better support on-line for Linux than for Windows.
Ubuntu desktop online tour – usefull
Agreed. Its time to switch Linux. Life is hard. Why should your OS be easy to navigate?
http://drgeorge.org/ ricegf
Exactly. Windows 8 is a freaking UI disaster. I understand 8.2 will be more usable, though – Return of the Start Menu! – so Windows fans may have something usable again soon. We can hope!
In the meantime, Linux Mint et al offer plenty of familiar and easy to use options for XP refugees.
" In my opinion, the best thing you can do after installing Linux is to use it. Don't fall for the usual trap: Don't run back to Windows with your tail between your legs the first time Linux throws an error in your face. Stick with Linux, and you might just find that you like it".
Thats exactly whats wrong with Linux. Windows is easy. Anyone can figure it out. If the LInux people care so much, they should make a distro that is more or less a mirror image of Windows.
Michael Murphy
I switched my entire family from Windows 7 to Ubuntu two years ago without any problems — It's not that hard for people to adapt to; actually much easier once they learn how the system works.
http://www.everythingillegal.com.au/ Damien O'Brien
What they dont tell you is that Nvidia/AMD Drivers are a pain in the ass to install for beginners.
Most late 2013 and 2014 Laptops do not work with the kernel versions shipped.
Anything with IDT Audio after October has no support
2014 Intel Drivers dont work without Kernel patches and beginners are like What.. Halp
AMD Backlight driver wont work with beta drivers on pretty much any APU
AMD has a strange bug where it cant auto switch from APU graphix to Dedicated ones without a Reboot.
On top of that you have Installing on newer hardware like Bluray Drives wont work / EFI bricking and not detected networking hardware to finish install.
Dont get me wrong I love linux as much as the Next guy. I run Ubuntu 1404 beta on my Laptop and Debian 7.4 on my Desktop without much trouble. Except the Laptop has no Audio, Backlight, FN key Support and buggy touch pad drivers. but hey It'll get better in the next few Months.
My warning is Just be careful recommending Linux to people without first giving them the warnings of NEW hardware
while its not really clear to a novice OC the generic edgers is simple enough.
a PPA that makes available the latest versions of the drivers, a day or two after the launch. Just enter the following command in a terminal (you will need root access):
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:xorg-edgers/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install nvidia-331
http://www.besthearing.com.my/ Best Hearing Aid Centre
I am XP user for many years and still is. Hmmm… its time to adapt new OS perhaps.
Jack Hsiung
why not just keep XP? its not like its going to erase itself or become any less secure within 2 years.
Keeping XP is the last thing you should do. MS has stopped updating XP so if a security hole is found it will never be fixed. Anyone useing XP should ether switch to lubuntu/xubuntu or upgrade their pc.
Jack Hsiung
wrong. XP machines won't all suddenly shut down or get infected with worm and virus.
there are already enough updates in xp to make it secure "enough", as long as you have a router and antivirus installed, for at lest a year or two.
i don't understand why people create a mass hysteria of this sort to make believe that all xp machines will all the sudden all get hacked etc etc… the fact is, IF IT RUNS FINE TODAY, IT'LL RUN FINE FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTH.
The problems will start when M$ fixes a security hole in W7/8 because problems in windows 7/8 are usually also in XP. So microsoft's update list is like a handy guide to creating viruses for XP. http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2014/04/patch-tuesday-the-real-windows-xp-problem-begins-in-a-month/
One thing XP users can do is getting a good anti-virus but that is just patching the problem instead of fixing it
Jack Hsiung
there is already over 100+ patches out over the years… do you actually expect more to pop up? xp is not perfect, but it is based on the NT kernel and is relative secure… there just aren't that many security holes anymore after so many patches. hack i'm still running 2000 client and server on my home server and i have not had any problems. Once again, a router pretty much eliminates most of the new/old threats anyway.
http://www.besthearing.com.my/ Best Hearing Aid Centre
maybe its time to update? Im interested to give Linux a try.
Andy Liu
Try Lubuntu. Ubuntu, with Unity, does not run very smoothly on older computers.
http://www.besthearing.com.my/ Best Hearing Aid Centre
Thank you for your suggestion Andy. Cheers.
Linux, at its heart, is a command-line based operating system.
And with that admission … any argument the article had just went right out the XP Window.
The idea that people should adapt to the computer rather than vice versa just won't fly. It's like arguing that the 91% of people who drive a car with an automatic transmission should give it up and learn to drive a manual one.
It is fundamentally an "anti-technology" stance rooted in ideology rather than reality.
Ivor O'Connor
You do realize windows, at its heart, is a command-line based OS? That also goes for OSX. Go research it.
Joel Solís
Yeah you're right, but the thing is that windows tries to avoid to use the command line as much as possible to make things more appealing for the regular user. Sometimes I like to play with the terminal in linux, but for a regular user it could be "ugly" to have to learn to use a tool that may look old compared to their smartphones. Linux desktop is nice, but needs to make things simpler for the user, even more than they already are, and attract third party developers to have a much richer app ecosystem, hopefully if ubuntu phone succeeds or jolla succeeds the ecosystem may get a lot better, but that's just my opinion :)
Ivor O'Connor
Fair enough. :)
I tend to think on a distro like Linux Mint people never need to use the command line any more than a windows user. That the command line in Mint would only be used by power users. I could be wrong though, I often am. :)
Torsh Johansen
Many brands of Linux avoid the command-line just as much as Windows does.
Just because there's Linux distros that are very command-line oriented, doesn't make the made-for-common-user Distributions more command-line driven than Winblows.
Obviously, jqpabc123 — you haven't used a good Linux Distro.
Oracle's free VirtualBox has really benn helpful for me over the past few weeks so I can experience these Operating Systems before switching. I like Ubuntu, but linux Mint 16 seems more comfotable to me migrating off Windows XP. I'm looking forward to becoming a full time Linux OS user and the terminal functions are becoming more comfortable to use with time and trial. Goodbye Windows, hello Mint!
Brian Winter
Ricegf, so you can't read?
Sorry, but the human interface design in *nix world in abysmal, and, yes, that matters when you are doing real work 10 hours a day and not just some geek tinkerer. Even at the pro level of tools, like DxDesigner or Modelsim, the GUI elements seem like afterthoughts. I have to quit and restart Modelsim a few times a day because the interface gets irrevocably screwed up. I want that at home? I'll stick with Windows and Mac. OS X is BSD Unix under the hood, by the way. I'm using it to learn Ruby. All the gnu stuff is there for anyone with a *nix itch to scratch. Get a refurb mini or something.
Great article. I recently gave my dad the same advice. He has an old computer which he insists on keeping for some reason. I told him to put Linux on it. I think he will like it. Ever now and then he pines about the Dos days and how he misses the command line. So it should be perfect for him.
This argument has been going on forever. I was part of an R&D Linux based team where everyone loved to bash Microsoft and say how that in the next few years Linux would be ready for prime time and have a significant impact on market share. I was in that team from 1999 through 2004.
If you could read your article from a typical user point of view, they have no reason to switch other that to play with a new OS that has maybe 50% the capability of Windows. Your article just highlights everything that is, and will continue to be wrong with Linux – not enough support for mainstream apps. And when they want to install it on their HP/Dell PC, they're going to run into problems as they don't know what components are inside.
The whole point that's missing is why would a normal user want to forego functionality and have to do a complex (to a typical user) installation? There's no better performance or security (open ssl bleed doesn't affect Windows!) anymore. 10 years ago – sure. Its just hassle. And with an OS that lasts ~3 years, you're paying about $70/year for a much better user experience.
Linux in 2014 is the same as 2004 – for a tech savy user who doesn't want to play the latest games or use mainstream applications.
Ivor O'Connor
I've been saying *nix will soon replace all OSs since before ms dos. I'm still saying that. And I've never had problems with linux mint recognizing hardware on HP or Dell computers.
Jon Donnelly
I really wish blizzard would port Wow to Linux it may net blizzard a few thousand new subscribers and thousands more that have left may return.They could offer unique mounts and pets, (Tux) unique to Linux client users for a small fee. If you build it, they will come.
A linux native transmog set would be cool, cloak (matrix trenchstyle) and glasses for another small fee to help support the development.
The only way to make Linux a viable option for me would be to hand it over to Microsoft development for a few months and let them adapt it to someone who doesn't want to ever touch the command line. I began using computers in DOS days, so I understand the structure, which is exactly why I don't want to go back to it.
The biggest improvement MS would probably make to any Linux distro would be simply renaming apps and processes so that the name gives some hint toward what it does. Microsoft's brilliance in naming an office program "Office", or a media program "Media Player" should not be taken lightly. A search for apps within the Linux installer requires an added level of learning to the already daunting curve, so why do it? It's just another of the little land mines laid by the geeks developing the apps in their disdain for anyone not dedicated to making the distro their life's work. It's an intentional road block of geek snobbery and only a preview of what to expect should you ever have to relate with the cluster that is "support" (mostly kids in their mom's basement laying in wait for unsuspecting users they can troll).
Windows7, the best OS ever developed IMHO, is available at $79 for single license users and you can put in the disk, answer a couple of questions no more demanding than your time zone and name, and walk away. By the time you finish breakfast, or vacuum the bedroom, it's done and you're ready to roll without much more interaction with the process, and certainly no demand to learn a foreign language before getting your video card to work. You couldn't possibly entice me to install Linux on someone's system for only $80, so why would I do it for myself?
Jon Donnelly
Well I use VLC, not a great name, and a worse icon (traffic cone). I also use google chrome, again not a clear or descriptive name for what it does. GIMP! worst name ever! I suppose giving the apps good names and icons would help. I argument I get, "all the time" when I suggest the switch, is that all the apps above work just fine on windows too, but windows apps like Photoshop, Vegas don't work in Linux too well. Someday I hope I can refute that argument and rid myself of the dual boot.
Windows was forced to venture into the no man's land of consumers choosing an app when they launched Win8 without a media player attached. The selections suggested were at least categorized so you knew you weren't downloading a program completely unrelated to what you were trying to accomplish. There were, however, a couple of the selections offered that simply didn't function with the kernel, which was a shocker for me. They were, of course, the freebees.
I think if the developers, easier with a well paid staff, had to endorse the app for functionality and grade it the consumers wouldn't mind so much picking from a "top 10″. It's when faced with a thousand available apps and no designation of their purpose, or guarantee they even have a purpose, that most first time users just throw in the towel.
I'd much rather "not" pay for my OS, but I also recognize that function requires people, and people generally want to be paid. In that light, considering what $79 buys for you, Win7 is the best bargain in computing right now. I've worked with it from early beta and have installed it on many customer's systems that I have to support. I rebuild systems that I find on the cheap, or get stuck with, for elderly shut ins and the thought of handing them a Ubuntu system that I have to phone support gives me nightmares.
Tom Scharf
Oops…I thought this was an article reprint from 2004. 2014…definitely THE YEAR of desktop Linux.
Barry P
Or just upgrade to windows 7. :|
Andy Liu
Unless you have an older computer with crappy specs. Then try Lubuntu.
Rob T.
I don't think there is any OS that is better than another one. It only depends on which OS you where using from the first time you started using a computer.
The reason most people use Windows is that people mainly look at a company's history. MS-DOS was one of the most advanced OSs of its time, so when the first Windows came out, people thought of MS-DOS and so thought Windows would be better than its competitors. The first Windows was very successful, so again when the next Windows came out, people thought the same thing and so went with Windows again. This is why Windows has always been more popular than other OSs, and being more popular is the reason most PCs come with Windows and most softwares are targeted at Windows.
If you ask me, I'd say Linux is for those who only use their PC for simple everyday tasks and Windows is for those who do more advanced tasks with their PC. Windows is always more advanced than Linux, and Windows 8 has become so advanced that it's become awkward to use.
I think people need to be extra techy to use linux. I tried Linux on three seperate occasions but left it soon because of the same reason Microsoft got bashed by users for introducing Metro!
From the point of view of someone who is still using XP, he will like things to remain the same. So it won't matter to him that linux does these things better or not, it will matter to him that he is able to do most of his stuff the same way in Windows (more in 7 than in 8 though) as compared to a new venture in linux.
The conclusion, I really really don't think linux or chrom os will benefit from Microsoft ending XP, most people will choose Windows 7 as it resembles alot, some will go with 8 as it comes with new PCs.
Luke Jones
Now you can run Windows XP or 7 Virus free inside Linux Mint or any Ubuntu derivatives with stealth vm by Robolinux. Then you don't have to dual boot which wastes a lot of time.
Dave Hunt
I have been using Ubuntu for the last 4 years. It works great. I still have to use Windows at work because there simply aren't any Linux versions of the proprietary software I am required to use and our IT department hasn't gotten back to me about the possiblity of virtualizing my Window's environment. I think they are worried they will have to support two OS'es on the desktop or they simply are not familiar with Linux. Oh well. I still use it exclusively at home. In fact, I am using a Samsung Ativ 7 with Ubuntu 13.10 on it and everything worked out-of-the-box right after installation. No tweaks required.
I regularly install the OS on old computers for novices to use who just want to browse the web, buy something on Amazon or email their kids. It just works and no viruses or malware or degraded performance overtime or any of those other Window's issues.
If you are going from Windows XP, give it a try. Use the Software Center to install new apps, and run your apps from the Launcher. Stay away from all the nonsense on the forums that may tell you to change the desktop manager or put another distro on your computer until AFTER you feel comfortable with Ubuntu and you feel adventuresome.
Come at it with an open-mind. Things will be different. Before you start looking online for ways to modify it so it behaves more like you want (or are used to), I suggest you get used to how it works before potentially breaking it. No one buys a $2000 Mac and then says, "I wish when I pushed a window to the left it would snap like it does in Windows." They just deal with the differences. After all it's not Windows.
With that said, once you get comfortable, Linux distributions have the most customizable desktops of all the OS'es. This is both a blessing and a curse. But for those who are up to the challenge and love their computer it can be well worth the effort for a beautifully customized system.
Linux Novice
Very much true. Installed Mint Maya when it released, didn't looked back to Windows except for some programs which refuse to work on wine. Awaiting next LTS from Mint.
To be completely honest, Microsoft is pushing the Windows 8 shit into our faces while ditching XP, the much more competent and preferred platform? It's like Vista all over again, but with an interface that makes you wish you had a needle for gimmicky feature, so that you can shove all the needles into the fingers.
scott patterson
I moved to Linux Mint about three months ago and I'm enjoying it. I would also suggest Elementary OS. It's very polished and very much OS Xish.
Melissa Marry Marry
Understanding 18
This is confirming the suspicion of some people from this article from a couple of years ago:
"The NSA wants you to drop Windows XP"
I dont think switching to Linux is what Microsoft had in mind….
Linux is fine if you like Linux. I've never been able to get comfortable with it. When I had finally had enough of Windows about eight years ago, I jumped ship for the Mac and never looked back. Great user experience, total stability, it's been great.
Andy Liu
People should install Linux on their XP machines, but in most cases, not Ubuntu. Ubuntu is slow on lower-end or older hardwar (from experience) and I recommend the variant of it Lubuntu, or Zorin OS Lite.
Abdullah Khan
Just want to make a point here, "Linux" might run on Windows XP era hardware but it's unlikely Ubuntu will run on such hardware smoothly with it's intensive UI. Lubuntu or Xubuntu may have better luck here.
I use Ubuntu as my daily driver with 4 computers at home running different flavours of Ubuntu.
I prefer Linux Mint Debian Edition. That way, they will have stable and fair OS which doesn't require re-installation. Believe me guys, with Linux you can always find yourself at home. It simply supports everything, even MS Office trough PlayOnLinux. You can even run Windows applications by using Wine. Try it out, you won't be disappointed!
Mitul Vasa
It is a myth that new linux releases would run on old hardware. I am a Ubuntu fan and that is precisely the reason i tried to install ubuntu at my family business old pc's of staff… trust me it did not run..not even lubuntu..I thought it was unity which was the proble because of graphic requirement, but then other lighter versions also did not work properly….had to install XP back….
Linux Novice
The majority of people still on XP are older users who know nothing but MS Windows, and businesses with tech that only ran on XP.
Older users will stick with Windows, because that is what they know best. And if you say to somebody who barely understands computers "Now, this is LIKE windows, but half the stuff you want to download won't work, you keep getting messages about incompatibility but you save £70″ then I think you are daydreaming a bit.
And Windows Vista, 7 and 8 have XP compatibility mode, so businesses can use their old programs. Heck, it was a major theme of MS BUILD this year, and for a company still yet to transition off XP, speed and compatibility is everything.
Fact is, MS have a lions share with Windows, and third parties will never support all linux distros to the extent of just making something for Windows, where 98% of the market lies. That's also a reason why I think SteamOS will fail miserably. Everybody in their target audience already has a computer, so why buy another gaming rig that won't run all your games? Or do much else?
Linux mint mate is easy to install and easy to use. If your in windows download Universal-USB-Installer from pen drive linux here http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/ download the appropriate Linux version and it will put it on a usb stick. You can boot from it and run Linux. If you like it you can install from the usb stick.
I have been using Linux (Ubuntu) for about 6 months now and have loved it. Mostly the GUI looks really good, boots really fast and is generally amazing. There is a linux app for almost everything eg MS office = libreoffice PS = GIMP. The only problem is when you need to use a specific app that is windows only and even then you can sometimes get it working with "Play on linux". With steam on linux now gaming is great there are heaps of linux games but often not big budget games like skyrim. I am using the cutting edge version of Ubuntu not the stable one and it sometimes messes up but it is always fixed with a reboot. The software center could use some work it often has out of date versions of apps but this is solved just by going to the developers website and getting it there just like you would on windows.
One major setback for someone moving to linux is complexity. Sometimes you need to know what you are doing to get things fixed. This often involves using the terminal. If you do run into the problem you can just ask the community for help and they can help you get it fixed.
Sebastian, what's that old saying about damning with faint praise? I've been using Linux for 15 years, but if I were a newbie I think your piece would be more inclined to scare me off than to entice me to give Linux a try. I agree that there are snags in Linux for non-technically-inclined users that you've properly pointed out, but someone who's never even seen a DOS prompt is probably never going to master the command line. Still, Linux Mint or Lubuntu would be a very workable XP substitute for folks like my father-in-law who just need to surf the Web, do their email, and write the occasional letter. He would certainly need someone else to install it for him and show him the ropes, however.
http://www.mrseb.co.uk/ Sebastian Anthony
Well, I'm not going to lie to people and say that it'll be a flawless, easy transition :)
It's aimed at ET readers, who would know if they were being lied to. If you're an ET reader setting up a new Linux computer for your mom/dad, then of course you don't have to tell them any of this, and just let them get on with using the web browser :)
Right! To avoid mental shutdown I'd still want to warn them that the file system will look completely different, installing new software will be quite different, and so on. But for day-to-day simple tasks, Linux does just fine. It's better to know the pitfalls in advance—I remember the old Corel Linux, which was promoted as perfectly simple but never even warned customers that they'd have to partition their hard drives.
"You will love apt-get."
Good to hear, I need a new apartment!
You'll need apt-cache search for that
Linux Shell Puns, goodnight everybody! *8D
@mrseb:disqus Could you add that Ubuntu has it's very own Stack Exchange? http://www.askubuntu.com, it's amazing. That's serious help for Linux uninitiated and a great friendly place too.
I installed Linux Mint on my laptop for the first time the day XP support ended. I am not paying Microsoft $100 for an operating system on a computer that is 4-5 years old. The computer is perfectly good. I am really enjoying Linux and have realized there isn't really anything I NEED a Microsoft operating system for. It is funny how we have been trained to think we need Microsoft but really most people do not.
My next laptop is going to either be a Chromebook or a System 76 laptop. I am done with Microsoft.
http://inordinatemind.com Anthony Topper
I just finished doing what you suggest, though slightly modified. I took an older Vista era laptop that had XP on it, installed my $40 Win 8 upgrade on then upgraded that to Win 8.1. Then installed Ubuntu 12.04 and let it create the dual boot. All was well until I put the Gnome UI on it. That also replaced the GRUB boot manager, and somewhere in all of that it turned off the wireless radio and I could not get it turned back on, in either OS.
I finally just reinstalled Ubuntu 12.04 in that partition and was able to get the radio back on. Guess I'll just work a little hard to learn to use Unity.
You might want to retract that statement about FPSes! Just have a look at this. http://www.gamespot.com/articles/left-4-dead-2-faster-on-linux-than-windows-says-valve/1100-6390089/
Joe Cimmarrusti
I would beg to differ. The present and historical bragging rights that Linux lovers have always cheered about has always been that everything is cool and free on Linux. So, if you are a company who is paying rent, and staff to create software, why would you plop it onto an OS that believes that everything should be given away? Steam will probably be the only force popular enough to make the Linux transition profitable, for we are conditioned to purchase software from them, but companies such as Adobe will not. Now, regarding web surfing and the like, you can surf on anything these days, but if you require to use commercial software or even Netflix, Linux is a waste of time. Drivers have also been a very big issue with most available drives are still limited and/or buggy. Also, about Microsoft being the big giant to take down? Microsoft is a deflating balloon who has been conquered by an even bigger monster called Apple. These folks have catalyzed the degradation of home computers all together! Most people now use tablets or phones for surfing, chatting, and playing games. Many teens are losing the ability to use computers, for they don't use them outside of school anymore…trust me.
Joe Cimmarrusti
I would beg to differ. The present and historical bragging rights that Linux lovers have always cheered about has always been that everything is cool and free on Linux. So, if you are a company who is paying rent, and staff to create software, why would you plop it onto an OS that believes that everything should be given away? Steam will probably be the only force popular enough to make the Linux transition profitable, for we are conditioned to purchase software from them, but companies such as Adobe will not. Now, regarding web surfing and the like, you can surf on anything these days, but if you require to use commercial software or even Netflix, Linux is a waste of time. Drivers have also been a very big issue with most available drives are still limited and/or buggy. Also, about Microsoft being the big giant to take down? Microsoft is a deflating balloon who has been conquered by an even bigger monster called Apple. These folks have catalyzed the degradation of home computers all together! Most people now use tablets or phones for surfing, chatting, and playing games. Many teens are losing the ability to use computers, for they don't use them outside of school anymore…trust me.
Michael Murphy
Your logic is a bit flawed. The OS believes nothing and does not hinder you from using or selling paid software. The actual argument is, why pay for something when something free already does the same job, and does it better?
Rather than conning people with software solutions that already exist (I'm looking at you, Android and iOS markets), why not produce software that doesn't already exist and is actually useful? Communism is a concept that thrives really well with computer software. Companies and individuals across the world are free to take the already existing software and make it even better. You may even take open source software, modify it, and sell it.
What do you think Android, iOS, and Mac OSX are built on? The answer: open source software. Android actually uses the Linux kernel so technically it is a Linux distribution. Chromebooks are also using Linux with ChromeOS.
In the end, open source will always prevail. You can't latch onto an idea and hold a monopoly on it forever — that's counter-productive to society. If we want to evolve as a species on this planet, we need to work together to create the best software. Instead of spending millions producing software yourself, a company could hire a few developers to enhance existing solutions or start a new project developing new open source software. Even then, why work on software that you have no passion for? If you are only programming for the money, you won't be able to make software as good as someone who programs because they love programming.
In the industrial era, people argued that machines removed the need for human workers and were upset about that. Open source is just the next evolution from that stage of human development. Rather than pay tons of programmers to program something, you can use software that already exists and is free.
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I did. I promise. I made the leap to Ubuntu (also tried Mint) and shortly after, I formatted the drive and re-installed Windows. Shortly after that, I bought a Chromebook and never looked back. To understand why, I'll first tell you why I wanted to switch:
a) Several laptops were getting slightly dated, thought, why not put a lighter OS on
b) I tried Red-Hat back in the day and gave up on figuring out console commands although I had 4 giant books that taught everything about linux – it was just too much and frankly, even for my geekish tendencies, I didn't have time. So, I wanted to try the modern versions, at the very least, for nostalgia's sake.
b) Wife and Mom use a laptop for what 99.9% of all people do these days – surf the web, watch Netflix, play simple web-based games. I wanted to give them a simple, point and click interface that did not encumber them with the hassles of the windows crapware, malware and virus universe.
c) I use a laptop for the same but also gaming, the occasional vpn connection, xbmc, filing taxes, printing, etc but thought, "hey, everyone's saying I can do that on linux so, let's give'r".
Here's why I switched back:
1) WTF, I still needed to learn console commands? Why? Most websites I went to, to learn how to install drivers or codecs, pointed me to console commands. Then, I actually needed to re-learn keyboard shortcuts – believe it or not – there are a couple different ways to cut and paste depending on what you're cutting and pasting from and to. Odd, but ok, not a deal breaker
2) Netflix didn't work – required some massive work around – which still didn't work for me
3) Computers kept overheating and shutting down or the fan become unbearably loud – why? – graphics drivers. To find the right ones and install them was a pain in the ass and didn't work for 2 out of 3 computers. Keep in mind, this was just running Ubuntu/Mint barebones – no gaming was done.
4) If something were to go wrong, and I wasn't around, would my Wife and Mom know how to fix or repair stuff – no. So, that says something about the maturity of the OS. Granted, they don't know a whole heck of a lot of admin related stuff on Windows but they know how to uninstall a program completely, run ccleaner, the antivirus program, etc.
5) Installing simple weather widgets, etc is not so simple – see 1) above.
6) I went to a store and tried Chrome OS. 99.99% of tasks were performed easily. New app installation was a breeze. Netflix worked.
7) Proprietary vpn software not available for Linux. Also, open vpn configuration was… messy
8) Tax software not available for Linux.
End Result: I could keep linux, even use it for browsing the web on 1/3 computers but why would I? I know it has steam – not that I can use my windows games library – but why would I switch entirely? So, I didn't. I dual booted for a bit on my laptop. Wife got the Chromebook, Mom reverted to Windows.
Vicky Ou
Go to http://www.mskeystore.com, you can get keys of windows products.
Richard Lloyd
I'm surprised the article made no mention of live Linux distros or VMs (e.g. run via VirtualBox, though XP-running PCs probably don't have hardware virtualisation, making the VM very slow) – both are very good ways to check out Linux without having to install it on bare metal.
Dual boot is the obvious way to go initially, but I would switch to as many cross-platform applications first under Windows (e.g. LibreOffice, Thunderbird, Chrome/Firefox, GIMP etc.) before installing Linux, so that you're familiar with the day-to-day programs first and moving to Linux becomes less of a jolt.
I'd also look at Paragon ExtFS for Windows at http://www.paragon-drivers.com/extfs-windows/ (free for personal use, reg to get a code). This shows up your Linux ext2/ext3/ext4 partitions under Windows with full read-write access (Windows NTFS/FAT are visible in Linux as standard of course).
If you're doing just the "basics", you want as long term a release as possible (e.g. 14.04 LTS Ubuntu if you want or my preferred CentOS 6, which has updates until Nov 2020).
http://www.digitalworkshed.com/ Digital Workshed
Why would you switch to linux? Windows 7 is still here.
Yogi Dpblog
"With the death of Windows XP, now is the perfect time to switch to Linux" or if you're clever enough hold on to Windows. Why would you want to change to Linux?
Marty Plummer
Erm, I'd like to mention that cygwin is for linux-programs-in-windows, not windows-programs-in-linux.
Lance Prior
Unless you are a gamer you should use Linux. I recommend Mint, Ubuntu's interface is dumb.
Ralph Rassweiler
"[…] perfect time to switch to…" Windows 7.
Don't count on "Google will give you a dozen easy-to-follow guides". Go to the GNU/Linux distribution's home page and get the ISO to download as well as instructions/assistance there.
"What should you do after installing Linux?" Steam is probably only useful to gamers who don't have Xboxes or PS/ns; I would think that utilities such as LibreOffice, Firefox, and Thunderbird would be higher priority for installation.
http://www.facebook.com/gabriel.sharp Gabriel Sharp
Bottom Line: I don't think we need windows users going to Linux. You have no idea what you are asking. Don't you remember what happened when "the rest of the world" started using the internet back in 1995-96.. starting with companies like AOL, Mindspring, Free-I, etc..??! [aka, the free cup coaster mailers]
That's right, all the absolute retards showed up… and that is exactly what is starting to happen with linux. Used to be able to search for programming information and just "-windows" and add linux to avoid idiots, but now they are "leaking" into it too.. one of the last few domains of the computer world that hasn't been infested with the likes of them. They had no place taking over the internet and have no place in Linux. Go buy a copy of Windows 8 already!
And yes, I AM serious, this is not some joke, prank or troll, I really, really feel this way, if you do not believe me then read my blog: http://cowsthatgomoo.blogspot.com
And yes, they really do go moo if you were wondering!
Your fear & anger that Windows users will desecrate the hallowed grounds of Linux is misplaced. Linux is no longer the place for the computer elitist. Many Mac & Windows users have taken the journey & there's no looking back. Since my recent conversion to Linux, I've found the Linux community to be gracious & extremely helpful to newcomers. Padawan Gabriel, Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.
Robert Millar
I've tried to install 4 different distros in the last, Ubuntu, Lubuntu,Mint kde, mint mate. I've tried usb install, cd install, dvd install and I can't get any of them to install. I tried to install these on 3 different comps and none would would install. Just goes to a blank screen or a screen filled with underscore marks. Think I'll stick with Windows, I've never had a problem installing windows on any machine. :(
randy trachsel
windows xp still runs better than linux will ever!