Move from windows to ... what Linux?

[batmang]

Ubuntu will be your best newbie to Linux OS IMO.

 

[windmill007]

Not what I expected

Well being a avid Windows user and in tech support I figured I would give this Ubuntu a go that I heard so much about. Really it was not what I was expecting. I expected something new and exciting. When in reality it was alot more confusing than I imagined and I am in IT. I really can't imagine how people think think this would be any good for newbies. If I was a newbie I would be totally lost. If this is a polished version 7.10 I would hate to see prior versions. I really wanted to like it but after a few days of working it and finally figuring out how to install crap and figuring out the crazy file system it still doesn't impress me at all. I try to do right clicking and other things and it just doesn't have that option and things don't flow. Maybe I'm warped but this reminds me of my dos days and I really don't want to go back there. I think it has a long way to go. Sure if I had time to figure it out I could but who has time now adays. I want to jump in and go. You guys mention Suse..is this really any different than Ubuntu and will it restore my faith in linux? If its the same thing I mise well not even try it.

 

[caravel]

From what you've said there, I'd say that either Linux is not for you, or that your not giving it enough time or approaching it with an open mind. You can try other distros certainly but in general all of those points you raised may apply to any Linux distro. you may want to try a KDE based distro and see how you get on with that. Many people prefer KDE because it has much more bells and whistles than gnome and has more of a windows - like feel to it.

 

[caravel]

Using 3D acceleration on your desktop causes additional power drain for nothing but a visual boost. The enhanced productivity added by using Compiz is zilch. So it is useless and a gimmick.

"power drain"?

Using your 3D cards rendering capabilities to render the desktop(s) takes the load off the CPU and actually makes perfect sense. In this aspect compiz is not a gimmick. The 3D cube and other eye candy on the other hand are a gimmick but actually don't cause any "power drain" or of a performance hit on a half decent system.

 

[captaincranky]

Another Incarnation

The new Ubuntu 8.04LTS hasn't been mentioned yet. I ran it live the other night and it picked up my 1920 X 1200 monitor at full rez right off the bat. 7.04 & 7.10 wouldn't do this, at all.
The desk top discussion is and has been a bit silly since I can't imagine myself using a Windows wallpaper, so if I were using Linux full time I'd have a folder full of photos to put up on a whim.

Linux has some drive recognition issues (SATA drives), but "johnlvs2run" found some help in these 2 threads; https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/199573
http://www.ubuntu1501.com/2007/01/installing-ubuntu-on-your-dell-1501.html

The problem for me still is the program issues, particularly Photoshop Elements. WINE is back at PSE2.0 in getting it to run, at least the last time I bothered to check, and we're on PSE5.0.

At the end of the day, these distros are free, and many of them will run a live session, so what's the big deal, try them til you find out which one rings your bell.

 

[SNGX1275]

Linux is not Windows

Well being a avid Windows user and in tech support I figured I would give this Ubuntu a go that I heard so much about. Really it was not what I was expecting. I expected something new and exciting. When in reality it was alot more confusing than I imagined and I am in IT. I really can't imagine how people think think this would be any good for newbies. If I was a newbie I would be totally lost. If this is a polished version 7.10 I would hate to see prior versions. I really wanted to like it but after a few days of working it and finally figuring out how to install crap and figuring out the crazy file system it still doesn't impress me at all. I try to do right clicking and other things and it just doesn't have that option and things don't flow. Maybe I'm warped but this reminds me of my dos days and I really don't want to go back there. I think it has a long way to go. Sure if I had time to figure it out I could but who has time now adays. I want to jump in and go. You guys mention Suse..is this really any different than Ubuntu and will it restore my faith in linux? If its the same thing I mise well not even try it.

This is a great read, if you have a few minutes I hope you will take a look.
http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm

 

[captaincranky]

I Read That........And This Into It......

"Ask not what Linux can do for you, but what you can do for Linux".

Hey, it's got a ring to it, I never said I didn't pinch it.

 

[dreamermountain]

Would like to try Linux but can't understand the terms KDE, Gnome, etc. Where should I start? Can any body help? Thanks

 

[SNGX1275]

Start by downloading the latest Ubuntu disk. Reboot your computer with that disk in the CD drive and it will start up with Ubuntu. There you have a mostly functional Ubuntu installation running completely off the cd. It will not touch your hard drive unless you begin the Install process.

Gnome and KDE are just common desktop environments, like advanced Themes are for Windows.

 

[mom2techsupport]

Would like to try Linux but can't understand the terms KDE, Gnome, etc. Where should I start? Can any body help? Thanks

iyou don't need to understand those terms to try linux.
f you can have windows and linux available the transition will be pretty smooth and painless.

1) start with something small.
run a live install and check your email.
check out the browser.
print a list. etc.


2) after the small steps, move on with the applications you use less frequently.
for instance, i have to do a lot of powerpoint presentations for work. i have expectations with powerpoint. spending 2 hours on a slide show on linux that would have taken me 10 minutes on powerpoint would have really frustrated me.
spreadsheets are less frequent for me, so there is less habit and more thinking involved. (this explains why a windows it guy would have a hard time with linux)


3) if you've got both systems going, you don't need to sweat anything. there will be a lot of "a ha" moments in the first few weeks. it will all click faster than you think. and if it doesn't, just reboot .

 

[mk_once]

Do you use Proprietary Drivers - (K)ubuntu 8.10 will be able to mange even them during a upgrade
may you give Sidux or Debian a try - main thing for me are the Binarys you get the DebPakage System - so no RedHat(Fedora) , Mandrivia or Novell (*SUSE*) for me.

There are also big differences in Philosophies and Usage.