View Full Version : Who uses Linux?
Just wondering :P And what distribution (and why)?
Me, I've used Ubuntu for months now, but I tried Gentoo just recently, and I gotta say, it's a lot more... customizable.
It's something I'd like to try but just haven't found the time to experiment yet. My network guru mate is going to be giving me a crash course soon just so that I can manage the dedicated server we're hosted on here a bit better (hopefully without the crash).
I have Ubuntu installed on a spare laptop, I only use it rarely, but I find it fine. Other than having a different editor, it feels like Windows to me, as I'm mostly in Firefox.
kadhal
08-15-2006, 11:27 AM
I also use ubuntu because my web services firewall runs only there.
What are the benefits of using Linux over Windows? I've never really gave thought to trying Linux, but I'd like to learn more about it. Mabye you can change my mind.
Ooh, it's great :P
*List*
- Faster
- More customizable (you can do all kinds of things to everything, you can make everything the way you want it).
- Better community :P
- For me, it's easier to develop (it has built-in FTP and junk)
And, well, it has better programs, hehe :P
Well seeing as that stuff doesn't really interest me, I think I'm going to stick with Windows for now.
Sure it's great to be able to customize stuff, but I'm not really picky so it doesn't matter to me. Everything else is neat, but there's nothing really appealing to me, so for now I think I'll just stick to windows :)
keith
08-15-2006, 11:28 PM
I uses the following Linux distribution:
1) Debian Etch
2) Ubuntu Edgy Eft
3) Suse 9.3
Basically, I am a fan of Debian, which is by far the most stable operating system for Linux. You can't disagree with me, because it's likely you haven't got the system configured correctly. Debian has the largest pool of packages available for users.
Of course, if someone who wants a quick fix for Debian, will go for Ubuntu. The latest stable release, Ubuntu Dapper Drake 6.06 LTS is by far the most impressive and popular linux distro for all users.
Suse, now known as openSUSE, not to be confused with the Novell's Suse Linux. I like Suse because of its excellent KDE it provides for users. However, I am still hesitating in upgrading to the latest release, primarily is because version 10 is still currently very unstable, with lots of unfixed bug. Suse 9.3 was the last release by Novell, before it went to open source community to manage the operating system.
Besides the above, I have also fiddled around with Red Hat and Mandrake. Didn't really like these distro.
Johan
08-16-2006, 03:24 PM
I use Red Hat Enterprise v 3 on our web server.
I use Ubuntu, the latest, on my dual boot desktop. Don't use it much but do love it.
I run CENTos on a spare box where I have Trixbox running (Asterisk PBX).
Mac OS is also Linux so I also use that one :)
I've playes with Fedora before. Don't have enough experience with them to really favour any flavour but I was very impressed with the ease of Ubuntu. Literally 45 minutes and you have a working machine suitable for moms and dads and sisters alike.
FourBear
08-16-2006, 10:17 PM
Great, now you guys have me wanting to fiddle around with Linux. Which would be a disaster, since I have no idea how to work it anymore. I need to talk to my IT friends and get more into it.
keith
08-16-2006, 10:21 PM
Great, now you guys have me wanting to fiddle around with Linux. Which would be a disaster, since I have no idea how to work it anymore. I need to talk to my IT friends and get more into it.
Don't worry about venturing into Linux. For newbies, it would be good for you to start off with Ubuntu.
FourBear
08-16-2006, 10:26 PM
Oh, don't worry, I didn't mean immediately. My friends know exactly where I sit with that stuff: low. Just got really eager at the possibility. Can't build Rome in a day (cliche yes), and I don't expect to suddenly become familiar with something I'm not. I've heard many good things about Ubuntu and have already looked into it.
Johan
08-16-2006, 10:47 PM
Great, now you guys have me wanting to fiddle around with Linux. Which would be a disaster, since I have no idea how to work it anymore. I need to talk to my IT friends and get more into it.
The beauty nowadays is, you don't have to 'work it' anymore. Download the ISO, burn it, run the installer, boot up, run updates on the package manager and you're done. Most will have come with all your favourite apps. FireFox, Thunderbird etc. etc.
With Ubuntu 6.06 (Dapper Drake I think), the installer is totally GUI. It is simple, an idiot could almost do it. :)
keith
08-17-2006, 04:01 PM
With Ubuntu 6.06 (Dapper Drake I think), the installer is totally GUI. It is simple, an idiot could almost do it. :)
Well, that is true.
The only problem you might face is when encountering dual-OS systems, ie. you already have Windows in the HD, and altering the partition to include Linux will require a little bit more of computer knowledge.
capitalist_junkie
08-17-2006, 05:13 PM
Yeah, I had a terrible time with that. I wanted to keep my Windows installed, and partioning took forever. And was almost a total failure.
keith
08-17-2006, 10:07 PM
Yeah, I had a terrible time with that. I wanted to keep my Windows installed, and partioning took forever. And was almost a total failure.
*sigh* I hate to re-write this again. But maybe you find it helpful. I'll keep it short here, unless you want more detail.
1. In Windows, first partition your HD using Partition Magic, or any tool that allows on-the-fly partitioning.
2. Then, with Partition Magic, create 1 Linux SWAP partition (about 512MB will do), and 1 Linux EXT3 partition.
3. Once that's done, everything will be quite simple, because (1) and (2) are the more difficult part.
4. Next, download the Ubuntu iso file. Then, burn it into a CD.
5. Boot-up using the CD, which will bring you into the Linux desktop, like a Live CD does.
6. On the desktop, there is a installer file, double-click that to begin Linux installation.
7. Follow the instructions by Ubuntu.
8. Keep an eye, once you reach the section on partition, make sure you designate the root "/" to the EXT3 partition which you had created in (2), and "SWAP" to the Linux swap partition.
9. Continue the installation. Everything else should be fairly straightforward.
10. One last main thing, you'll need a broadband to install Linux, otherwise downloading those packages over the Internet will take hell of a long time.
Enjoy!!
Well, that is true.
The only problem you might face is when encountering dual-OS systems, ie. you already have Windows in the HD, and altering the partition to include Linux will require a little bit more of computer knowledge.
I agree with that, but when I set up a dual-boot with Ubuntu, it was almost simple. I was still scared that I was going to erase everything, but it worked out in the end and the boot loader was simple to use.
rulapower
08-18-2006, 02:22 PM
I don't use any Linux distribution because I haven't found webdevelopment programs like as Macromedia Flash, and I need it to work.
In home, I have the Ubuntu live CD. ...but I haven't taken out the box. :(
smrtdrmmr
08-18-2006, 06:48 PM
I use it Linux a decent amount, but I still prefer windows with cygwin. I have used Gentoo, Redhat, Fedora, and straight up UNIX. Gentoo was hell to maintain. Redhat and Fedora are not bad. Because of compatibility and ease of use, I opt for Windows and just get the ported functionality of Linux through Cygwin. It's a good way to go if you want a good combo.
netwurkpunk
08-18-2006, 11:17 PM
I wouldn't go with Linux just for customization. There are a lot of programs out there like Desktop X, Window Blinds etc. that can make Windows look however you want it to. To me, Linux seems to make things more complex than Windows. And with most versions, in my experience, you have to manually configure things like your network connections, wireless etc., whereas in windows there are wizards to do such things. I see no reason to switch to Linux.
Windows does have programs that can edit the look, but most of them have to be paid for. Still, Linux isn't just customizable graphics-wise... you can choose different desktop environments (e.g. kde or gnome), have a stipped-down system (e.g. just a terminal), choose what programs you want just by searching through one list, whatever.
And besides, customization isn't the only thing Linux brings you :P I really, really got a speed increase when I switched to Linux.. IMO, it's more stable (less freeze-ups), blah, blah, I could keep going on :P
I did have to manually configure my wireless setup, but it wasn't too painful, and once you've done it, you're done :P So what if you have to configure things in the beginning if in the end it's going to be a whole lot better?
But if you like Windows, nobody told you you had to switch to Linux. :D If you're happy with what you have, who cares?
Supertip
08-19-2006, 01:17 AM
Been running Ubuntu for 3 years now on my main machine. Everything works great and i haven't had a crash yet.
pastrychef
08-19-2006, 01:39 AM
I have Ubuntu (Dapper Drake) installed in a spare laptop. I just wanted to check it out and play with it a little. I must say that I was very pleasantly surprised. However, I still prefer my Macs...
keith
08-19-2006, 02:07 PM
Hahaha.... I am running Ubuntu Edgy Eft now!! Their latest development (package release) is becoming far more stable than I expected.
Guess what, I run Windows XP on top of Ubuntu Edgy Eft :P
tidiman07
08-19-2006, 06:27 PM
i use linux mainly because i was tired of Windows, its like getting a new pair of shoes, your old ones are fine but a little beaten. The new ones are faster, becoming popular, might as well join the club, but you keep the old ones in the closet in case of a change in trend, you feel me?
: Im still waiting for my Ubuntu Edgy cd, is it faster than Dapper?
keith
08-19-2006, 07:48 PM
i use linux mainly because i was tired of Windows, its like getting a new pair of shoes, your old ones are fine but a little beaten. The new ones are faster, becoming popular, might as well join the club, but you keep the old ones in the closet in case of a change in trend, you feel me?
: Im still waiting for my Ubuntu Edgy cd, is it faster than Dapper?
Particularly, the mainframe is as fast as Dapper. However you may face a slightly longer time taken during system the boot-up. That's primarily because the developers have not finalised on the boot-up system yet.
The last update patch includes the network manager, which was initially broken. Now, that the network-admin and network tools are back, it seems much more powerful than Dapper Drake; firstly because they are using the latest package version, and secondly, there are more features packed within Edgy Eft, with this version likely to take over Dapper as more up-coming support.
Initially, I will not advise users to upgrade to Ubuntu Edgy Eft yet, but I think at the moment, the system seems to be on the stable side. Perhaps only a few tiny bugs to be squashed but so far, I have no problem with this system. So, the conclusion is, dist-upgrade is recommended, if you are willing to take the risk to experience.
Gentoo custom compile dual boot with XP on my lappy
pastrychef
08-19-2006, 11:07 PM
One of the reasons why I wanted to try out Ubuntu was because:
1. I had read from many sources that Linux runs fast.
2. I'm just not very comfortable in Windows.
3. I couldn't install Mac OS on that particular computer.
Unfortunately, I don't think that Ubuntu feels very quick. I would say that it feels about on par with the Windows XP that I had on there before installing Ubuntu. Since then, I've read that Xubuntu would be quicker. Do you guys have any input on this? Also, will I have any problems re-installing the apps that I've already installed on Dapper Drake? Thanks in advance.
One of the reasons why I wanted to try out Ubuntu was because:
1. I had read from many sources that Linux runs fast.
2. I'm just not very comfortable in Windows.
3. I couldn't install Mac OS on that particular computer.
Unfortunately, I don't think that Ubuntu feels very quick. I would say that it feels about on par with the Windows XP that I had on there before installing Ubuntu. Since then, I've read that Xubuntu would be quicker. Do you guys have any input on this? Also, will I have any problems re-installing the apps that I've already installed on Dapper Drake? Thanks in advance.
Give gentoo a try but compile the kernal. Its fun to install =)
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