Ubuntu linux compared 2 windows xp. pro and cons?

Question

Ubuntu linux compared to windows xp. pro and cons?

i'm thinking of installing ubuntu. when i search for "linux" and "free linux" on search engines, ubuntu is at the top of the results (after linux pages in general). so i assume ubuntu is the most popular linux distro right now.
i'm asking those who have experience with ubuntu and windows xp to tell me the advantages and disadvantages of ubuntu compared to xp. do you like ubuntu or xp better?
telling me windows or ubuntu sucks wont help anything. telling me why they suck will help.

Answer 1

which os is best for u actually depends on for wat purpose u use the computer....



are u a developer,researcher in computer field? do u want quality results want to implement ur own modifications and do new stuff with ur computer??

if the answer is yes better go for for an os with linux kernel.



on the otherhand if u use computer for entertainment and light and not pioneering developing stuff. play games. surf the net. ie not hardcore computer stuff windows xp is really an excellent choice.



currently there is not a friendlier os than windows. there is no doubt about that. u dont need to know anything about the computer for using windows efficiently.



but to use a linux based os it is advisable that u have knowledge about the basics of shell programming and basic linux commands. because even in ubuntu u have to use the "terminal"(linux console) to do some of the things.



best thing is to install both windows xp and linux based os(ubuntu,mandriva,fedora,freespire etc...) if u have a large capacity hard disk 5GB of HDD is sufficient for an ubuntu installation(3GB in ext3 and 2GB (more than sufficent) for linuxswap).



i have solaris 10 ,windowsxp and mandriva linux currently installed on my 160GB HDD.

Answer 2

You can run the Ubuntu LiveCD without actually installing it, so it is fairly simple to make a judgement as to whether you want to commit yourself to installing it on to your hard drive or not.



The main thing that will help you decide is whether you can get your devices working - in particular your modem. If you cannot connect to the Internet then Ubuntu will not suit your purposes. About 90% of people have problems getting their modem working. You might be lucky. If you have modem problems then try searching the Ubuntu forums for a solution. Persevere, it will be worth it in the long run.



Good luck.

Answer 3

By far, the best comparison I have found is at

http://www.easy-ubuntu-linux.com/windows-xp-vs-ubuntu.html



The same site compares Ubuntu with Vista:

http://www.easy-ubuntu-linux.com/windows-vista-vs-ubuntu.html



The above pages are more comprehensive than any answer here would allow, but the crux of the matter boils down to cost, choice, and ethics. Naturally, Ubuntu wins hands-down on cost. It also offers far more choice than Windows does. It also is focused on respecting its users as humans and enriching their quality of life, instead of fleecing them like sheep (viz. Microsoft and most every Windows software company that sells its software for a profit).

Answer 4

well it like this it a preference . what are you going to use it for if it just for playing games ,networking and basic stuff well xp will do. But if your looking to go beyond then you will find the real world of Linux quite fascinating. do you want to talk to the world in languages you don't understand but can change text for language you do . Ubuntu can network and in the network field much more. Msword that just talks to one platform or use openoffice that comes with ubuntu that has the look of word but can be saved to as many platforms. from msword to corel and any platform in between.

Answer 5

Ubuntu is friendly, easy to use with GUI and free for basic pack and pro pack. Ubuntu is the number 1 distro in Linux world. You can find it in : http://distrowatch.com

Ubuntu have derived version is: Kubuntu with KDE GUI, Xubuntu for low PC, Edubuntu for Education...

You can review the Linux distro screenshot to choose the most suitable distro for u: http://linuxscreenshot.blogspot.com

Answer 6

All linux distros are about the same to me.



Install it and try it out. Here are the two most used distros



1. Redhat



http://fedora.redhat.com



2. Suse by novel



http://www.opensuse.org



RJ

Answer 7

A nice comparison of them is done here

http://lxer.com/module/newswire/view/56437/index.html