Linux benefits, shortcomings?

Question

What are the goods and the bads for Linux? I have Windows Vista right now. If I were to switch, what would I be getting, and what would I be giving up?

Answer 1

Gain: Speed, efficiency, stability, customizable

Loose: Native use of windows programs

Sacrifice: Your free time, and some performance if you choose to still use windows programs.



Linux is superior in most respects of what you would want out of an OS, the only downsides are compatibility and that it takes a while to learn and set up.

Games and windows programs can be used via a program called WINE, or by setting up a virtual OS (running xp while inside of linux) but in the case of games, you will loose a fair bit of performance.

But why choose, when you can have both on your computer at once?

Answer 2

The latest version of Wine will allow you to run and install pretty Much any Windows application (except messengers). I use Ubuntu 8.04 and I am as productive as I was in Windows. My SYSTEM feels faster since you don´t need to have anti virus. Some people that do not use Linux think there are viruses I been using Ubuntu since version 6.10 the same way I used to use Windows and have not have any problems with viruses and if there is a virus for linux and it would not harm your system in anyway because it would not have root privileges In other words no virus will affect your system. The only thing I miss is Yahoo Voice Messenger,( I don´t think yahoo cares about linux users) but there are alternatives you can use Skype or Gizmo and actually Gizmo is really good will allow you to call your yahoo friends. You can do anything with Linux but you have to read and understand the system. If you install Ubuntu you will get a lot of community support in ubuntu forums. Do not ger rid of Windows you can have both OS and if you are able to see the light eventually you will get rid of Vista or you will stick to Windows forever.

Answer 3

There is the option top try it out alongside Vista. You can install Ubuntu 8.04.1 using Wubi installer within Windows Vista.

You keep Windows as it is, Wubi http://wubi-installer.org/ only adds an extra option to boot into Ubuntu. Wubi does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers.

Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.



Linux has many benefits, the only drawback being gaming support is poor. Find out all about Linux and what makes it so good here http://www.whylinuxisbetter.net/



LUg.

Answer 4

Linux is faster, more secure, more stable and easier to use (once you understand it), it's free, and all the apps for it are free.



The downside: a lot of games don't work.