I have questions about Ubuntu?

Question

Ubuntu VS Windows 7 Home Premium?

I was wondering a few questions about Ubuntu

1) Does it allow you to have messengers such as Skype, MSN, Aim, or Yahoo?

2) If it worth the downloading?

3) Will I be able to use Google Chrome on Ubuntu

4) Should I change my operating system or should I stick with Windows?

5) I have Big Fish Games will I lose that?

6) Will I still have Avast anti virus?

7) Will I have to re install anything like for example a printer?

8) I have a HP will that change anything on me getting Ubuntu?

If you can please show a Pro's and Con's list.

Please and Thank you also no mean comment it will result in no 10 points.

Answer 1

1. Yes, it comes with Empathy, a multi-platform chat client, though many prefer Pidgin. Skype is also easily installable.



2. Sure; even if you don't like it, the ability to run it as a live session and check for ease-of-use, default apps and features, and hardware compatibility before commiting to installation already gives it a leg-up over Windows.



3. Yes, you can install Chrome directly from it's website, or use Chromium, the open-source version of Chrome which is already available in Ubuntu's own repository.



4. That depends on you; your individual preferences, workflow, favorite programs, how wedded you are to services like Netflix or iTunes that aren't available for Linux, etc etc.



5. Big Fish Games does not officially support Linux. https://bigfishgames.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/268/kw/linux People have successfully run the BFG client and myriad games with hit-or-miss results: http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?bIsQueue=false&bIsRejected=false&sClass=vendor&iId=4166&sAction=view&sTitle=View+Developer



6. You could install Avast, but frankly I wouldn't bother. If you do wish to do system scans, a competent anti-virus program called Clam is, again, already available in Ubuntu's software repo. Using the repo is the preferred and optimal way of installing software on Linux.



7. Drivers in Linux are provided through something called the kernel, you typically don't install drivers from disc or downloads for every piece of hardware you own like in Windows. There is an amazing level of plug-and-play functionality built right into the core system, auto-detection is very good.



8. You mean your computer is an HP? The only concern would be driver support, video, audio, and touchpad mostly, and this is where the beauty of a live session truly shines: you'll be able to check if anything isn't working *before* bothering with the installation process. All that said, HP is a contributor to the Linux Foundation, and from what I have seen of forums driver support for their devices appears good.

Answer 2

1) Does it allow you to have messengers such as Skype, MSN, Aim, or Yahoo?

We have multi-chat clients, you get all those except maybe skype in one. Skype also works in linux.



2) If it worth the downloading?

If you like computers, yes.



3) Will I be able to use Google Chrome on Ubuntu

Yes, but I recommend chromium-browser, as it is the free version of chrome, and most likely what you will find in linux.



4) Should I change my operating system or should I stick with Windows?

Test linux on a usb drive. You can boot off the usb drive and be in linux. When you shut down and remove the usb drive it will restart into whatever you have currently.



5) I have Big Fish Games will I lose that?

I don't know what that is.



6) Will I still have Avast anti virus?

You can, they have a linux version, but it's terrible. Use clamav if you need to scan something. Sticking to the supplied repositories from your distribution means an incredibly insignificant chance that you will download malware. The only thing you have to worry about is java and other cross platform problems that effect everybody.



7) Will I have to re install anything like for example a printer?

If you use a debian based os (debian/ubuntu/mint) then setting up printers is quick and easy. I can setup a network printer on linux faster than on windows.



8) I have a HP will that change anything on me getting Ubuntu?

I don't think so. Normally you only have to worry about anything with a 'broadcom' wireless chipset. Also there are new graphic cards, something like 'optimus' that are a problem. If you don't have either of these, then it should be relatively smooth sailing.



Make yourself a live USB and boot into linux a few times. Give it a fair chance, and a live usb is a great way to surf the web safely, as nothing is saved, each reboot is like the first time.

Answer 3

1: It has messengers which are compatible with many popular networks like Yahoo, MSN, AIM among others but I don't know about Skype.



2: I think it is, but it depends on what you want to do with it exactly.



3: Yes there is Google Chrome for Linux.



4: Again it depends on what you want to do exactly.



5: Unfortunately most games will not work under Linux. Most Linux users use a dual-boot computer so they can use Windows to play games.



6: Linux does not need an anti-virus program because viruses written for Windows won't work under Linux.



7: You'll have to configure things, yes. Most large hardware companies provide software drivers for Linux.



8: An HP what? Printer? That shouldn't be a problem.



Ubuntu can be installed onto a USB thumbdrive and booted that way. This way you don't have to install anything on your hard drive and mess up your Win7 install. This is the best way to test drive Ubuntu to see what it's like and if it's right for you.



In general, there is equivalent software available for just about anything you would do under Windows...EXCEPT games. Most PC games only work under Windows with no Linux version available.

Answer 4

1. No, probably not.

2. Yes, to me at least.

3. yep, I'm using it right now.

4. Why would you change? Dual-boot!

5. Probably.

6. You don't need antivirus for Linux.

7. No, it should be detected. If there are no Linux drivers for it, you'll have to reboot to Windows to use it.

8. No.



Pro's and Con's really depends on what kind of computer you use it on.

Mostly, it's pros are that it's very light and fast, boots up quickly, stays stable.

Cons are that it's difficult to install programs yourself (unless you know terminal commands) and that there are not a lot of programs available for it.