Always used Microsoft Windows and now have second PC and wondering about the benefits of running Linux?

Question

Never used Linux but have heard good things, what does everyone think? I have pretty good knowledge of PCs but as I say this is a second PC so it wouldn't matter if I had to spend a while re-installing Windows!

Answer 1

I haven't done much at all with Linux, but I have Ubuntu on a drive that I haven't used for about a year and it was a great way to learn about what Linux was and how to use it.



I would say that if the PC isn't going to be something that you will have to absolutely do something on it, you could create different partitions and put different distros on those partitions and see what each Linux piece has to offer.



There are many uses for Linux, I just don't have one at this point in time. Somewhere down the road, I might have to use Linux and if it weren't for installing it and just using it, I wouldn't know what to do.

Answer 2

IF a person is interested, there is no reason why they can not learn more about a subject!



You could try a "live" Linux that runs from the CD without needing to be loaded to the hard drive.



Myself, I have 9 computers, (1 with a selector and 3 separate drives, each having a different OS); and several with multiple-boot systems. I use, from time to time, ALL of the following:

MS-DOS 5.0 & 6.11, CPM, JPL, Unix System V, Win 3.1 & 98SE & XP, and, (at last count), 15 different versions of Linux. I also use machines that run from 200Mhz CPU with 16MB RAM and 30Mhz FSB and 10MB HD all the way to 4Ghz CPU with 4GB RAM and 400+Mhz FSB and 2 - 300Gb HDs; and much in between; AS WELL AS AN older Mainframe from Control Data Corporation (no longer in business!)



Try something new, and have a good time!

Answer 3

go for a linux-based system!



if you say you have a pretty good knowledge of PCs then this is a way to expand that knowledge. if this is a second PC that you have time to learn with, set up the linux and then get yourself some learning materials (books or internet help)



i've only used windows too but if i had the opportunity to get a 2nd PC, i would go for something new and teach myself as much as i could. don't be intimidated by the computer geeks!

Answer 4

linux is a free app (dependant on the distro)

the benefitsa are clear,



higher securities, most things you need free

and even better it can help you partition your windows setup safely so you can run linux and windows on your pc and choose which you want to run from



the only downside is some usb devices are not too good with linux, (freespire has a multiple of usb drivers but it's a ***** to set them up )



also if you need windows apps you can use the program WINE to emulate the environment in which windows runs,



if your confused on which distro to go for get micromart from the local newsagent it will help you

Answer 5

properly first it truly is loose, open-source, and rather a lot each and each of the application for it truly is loose and open source. And believe me, there's a lot reliable loose/open-source application available that you gained't care about living house windows/Mac courses. different advantages: -it truly is able to genuine multitasking. you gained't understand what genuine multitasking is until eventually you employ Linux. Ever note how even as installation application in living house windows, it asks you to close all different courses before installation? you are able to run almost as many courses as your pc can deal with concurrently lower than Linux without issues. -You in no way truly could reboot. for this reason Linux is everyday on servers, it rather a lot in no way must be restarted permitting the servers to run 24/7. -helps almost each filesystem familiar to guy: ext3, ext2, fat16, fat32, reiserfs, ntfs, jfs, and bigger i visit't even imagine of as we talk. i have self belief living house windows in reality helps fat, fat32, and NTFS -it truly is a lot swifter! -once you're a programmer, it has each and each of the compilers you'll ever desire. -it truly is rather a lot virus-loose. it truly is because of smart permissions, it being open-source, and fairly because of it being a lot less everyday than living house windows/OS X. you gained't desire an antivirus or something like that. -you've finished administration of your equipment: What is going in and what is going out. and also you are able to configure almost each little thing of your equipment to make it your human being. that is only a small record. i'm particular you'll discover many more suitable by technique of typing "Linux advantages" into your famous search for engine

Answer 6

just put 3 Linux os on a pc they all worked great for Internet no set up b/b it just connects but was unable to install other thing web-cam, Internet

tv. p2p etc apart from that it was great i do not blame the Linux o/s it was me not knowing how

Answer 7

before installing linux on your p.c why not download a live linux os ,these live cd,s can be run on your p.c just like a program and they dont affect your current os

live linux cd,s come in all sizes,there are small linux distro,s like "damn small linux"(http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/download.html)and larger distro,s like ubuntu(http://www.ubuntu.com/)

all you need to do with these is make sure your dvd-rw is set as the first boot device in bios(press delete at start up and go into advanced bios settings,remember to save and exit set up before leaving bios),then your live cd will boot up and load,all usernames and passowrds will be shown onscreen,but most linux live cd,s use "root" as username and "toor" as password

i personally like slax popcorn(http://www.slax.org/) ,its a 115mb download and its quite easy to use,but for a full list of live cds avalible for linux go to http://www.livecdlist.com/?pick=All&showonly=Desktop&sort=&sm=1

another good idea is to create a partition on your hard drive,or add a second hard drive and install linux alongside windows xp,this way you have the best of both worlds

good luck mate

Answer 8

Linux is not easy to use, but if you know how to use it it's better than windows. But if you want something good change to Mac.

Answer 9

Have a look at best answer to my Linux question by clicking on my profile!

Answer 10

stick to windows i would say;

Linux needs that the user be technically cound (at least a bit)