[UG Cyber]

I am seriously considering switching to linux, but i am not sure if my computer would do it, or if i would have some of my programs that i need such as MS Outlook, ect. Is there other progs out there for linux? Would my computer support it

CPU: 1.73GHz Intel core DUO.
RAM: 2GB
Type: Laptop

what are the plus sides to linux, and how would i need to change coding in C++ (e.g. i know no system() but what about winsock?). I'm tired of M$

[GWatt]

Um, linux runs on pretty much everything, so whatever you have now should be ok.
No, there is no MS outlook because MS does not make much in the way of *nix software. However, there is thunderbird, evolution, and Kmail. And yes there are applications out there that run on linux.
and finally, linux does have a system function, but sorry, no winsock.

[absynthe]

http://www.ubuntu.co...ts/whatisubuntu

[jacobjordan]

Linux and Windows are completely different. Just the same, Windows programming and Linux programming are equally as different. Linux has quite a bit of applications out there, but compared to Windows, there's no contest. I also know from experience Linux isn't as kind and user-friendly as Windows. I hope if you decide to switch, you have better luck with it than i have.

Microsoft is like a sexy bitch, they think they're so good they don't care about how they act.

[UG Cyber]

I'm downloading it now, worst comes to worst i got a backup of.....vista

[no2pencil]

jacobjordan, on 25 Oct, 2008 - 01:02 AM, said:

Linux isn't as kind and user-friendly as Windows.

Linux is very user friendly. Every program comes with thorough written instructions written by the authors/developers of the software.

Linux isn't idiot friendly. It requires a bit of common sense as well as common knowledge of computing. It's not as easy as 'next, next, next'.

** Moving to Operating Systems **

[MorphiusFaydal]

no2pencil, on 25 Oct, 2008 - 01:46 AM, said:

jacobjordan, on 25 Oct, 2008 - 01:02 AM, said:

Linux isn't as kind and user-friendly as Windows.

Linux is very user friendly. Every program comes with thorough written instructions written by the authors/developers of the software.

Linux isn't idiot friendly. It requires a bit of common sense as well as common knowledge of computing. It's not as easy as 'next, next, next'.

** Moving to Operating Systems **

Amen. I have to tell people this all the time.

To the OP: if you're using Outlook to hook into Exchange Server, you may run into some problems. If you're just using Outlook to check your email, then any of the free e-mail clients will work. I prefer Thunderbird, but it's by no means the only choice out there. I believe Evolution will connect to Exchange and provide you with the general feel of Outlook.

[baavgai]

jacobjordan, on 25 Oct, 2008 - 01:02 AM, said:

Linux isn't as kind and user-friendly as Windows

I would also disagree with this. A modern distro with all the bells and whistles can feel like a Windows box to the point it will fool the causal user. WalMart preloads Linux on it's low end machines; enough said.

I would recommend not taking the plunge until you've taken the LiveCD. Many distros will actually boot up a machine into a version of their OS that runs in memory. This will tell you if you like it and also how well that particular disto picks up your hardware.

[homemade-jam]

Yeah, LiveCDs are an awesome way of testing out the O.S., if you stick an ubuntu disc in the cd-rom and reboot it runs the os, you can get a feel for it etc. I find that all the Linux distros are essentially the same because you can customise them so much.

[abgorn]

What you should really think about is if you have any dependancies to Windows, if you don't try Linux on a LiveCD and if you are happy with it switch or you could dual-boot so you have both!

[Nykc]

If you are just using your PC to check email, browse the web or instant message (the basics) there is no reason anyone can't use Linux. All windose is, is a fancy GUI for applications that run on their Kernel. Linux can do anything Windows and Mac can do except there is one problem, Linux is free. So you will not being able to shovel out hundreds of dollars on a fancy little interface.

You need MS Word, Excel - we have OpenOffice.org
Outlook - Evolution, Thunderbird.
MSN Messenger - Pidgin (Which you can use basically all the messenger programs in one)
Internet Browsing - Firefox, Konquerer, Opera, Epathy....
Photoshop - GIMP

The list goes on an on, if you just want to sit around a play Crysis all day then Linux is not the best choice for you. From the sounds of it, your needs are more than qualified to use Linux. But it is not always just a point and click experience.

[homemade-jam]

And for coding.. vi!

[UG Cyber]

I took your advice and going for the live CD, but since my computer (more of vista) is being a pain im getting NimbleX because vista is only showing a max size on my CD-RW 518mb, Thanks for your help, i think i'll like it!!

Quote

What you should really think about is if you have any dependancies to Windows, if you don't try Linux on a LiveCD and if you are happy with it switch or you could dual-boot so you have both!

That would be awsome, how would i set that up??

[PsychoCoder]

Nykc, on 25 Oct, 2008 - 07:28 AM, said:

You need MS Word, Excel - we have OpenOffice.org
Outlook - Evolution, Thunderbird.
MSN Messenger - Pidgin (Which you can use basically all the messenger programs in one)
Internet Browsing - Firefox, Konquerer, Opera, Epathy....
Photoshop - GIMP

OpenOffice (Crap)
GIMP (Crap)

The others I agree with (well except Opera)


What you do with your computer should tell you what OS to use, if you develop in a Microsoft Language (C#, VB.NET, etc) then you cannot do that on Linux so use Windows. If you work with C++, Java, etc you can run Linux for this. If you do use .Net don't let anyone convince you that Mono is as good, it's really not even close

[homemade-jam]

Meh, the OpenOffice is good enough - I've only used the word equivalent and it did everything I needed it to, whats wrong with the others?