What can Windows do that Linux can't?

[Dragonbite]

Pre-install windows comes with a lot of PC, where linux comes with a little.

Quality over Quantity? (works for Apple)!

[Raygreen]

I am impressed with Ubuntu and have used it since Ubuntu 7.04. Now running 11.04. But there are times things just don't work, and it takes days to figure out how to fix it. You can go to a Windows forum and find the answer a lot faster.

So its easier to resolve issues on Windows over Linux. It took me 2 days to figure out how to get to share files with my windows xp. Machine. But it did work eventually.

[gfe]

You can go to a Windows forum and find the answer a lot faster. So its easier to resolve issues on Windows over Linux.

My experience has been the opposite. I use Linux exclusively at home (except for watching Netflix) but haven't been able to talk the rest of the family into it. Whenever I've had to solve a Linux problem, I've been able to find an answer quickly through a web search. Not so with Windows. I have had several cases (most recently with a Firefox malware extension) where all my web searches would find would be forums where the same question as mine was asked, but no answers.

My impression is that Linux users are a lot more helpful with others' problems than Windows users are.

[peyre]

Pre-install windows comes with a lot of PC, where linux comes with a little.

A lot of what? You install the OS on a PC. Do you mean Windows comes with a lot of programs and features? While it's true that not all Linux distros do--some are pretty bare-bones--Ubuntu comes with plenty. Something tells me you haven't looked very closely at Ubuntu...if by PC you mean programs & features, anyway.

[sanderd17]

A lot of what? You install the OS on a PC. Do you mean Windows comes with a lot of programs and features? While it's true that not all Linux distros do--some are pretty bare-bones--Ubuntu comes with plenty. Something tells me you haven't looked very closely at Ubuntu...if by PC you mean programs & features, anyway.

No, he probably means that Windows is preinstalled on a lot of PC. Or a lot of PC come with Windows.

Ubuntu has way more programs than Windows, and still less bloatware (although the bloatware on Windows mostly comes from the OEM).

[Dragonbite]

No, he probably means that Windows is preinstalled on a lot of PC. Or a lot of PC come with Windows.

Ubuntu has way more programs than Windows, and still less bloatware (although the bloatware on Windows mostly comes from the OEM).

Depends on if you are including all the crap-ware usually installed on computers with Windows pre-installed!!

[MG&TL]

Sorry, I don't have time to read through this entire thread, so I don't know if this has been mentioned before, BUT:

The awesome animation you get when you press <super><TAB> and it scrolls through the windows-I know compiz can do this, but it just isn't the same.

Anything else, though...;)

[peyre]

No, he probably means that Windows is preinstalled on a lot of PC. Or a lot of PC come with Windows.

Ubuntu has way more programs than Windows, and still less bloatware (although the bloatware on Windows mostly comes from the OEM).

OHH! His comment makes more sense, then. If it had been better written, I wouldn't have misunderstood him.

[Copper Bezel]

Sorry, I don't have time to read through this entire thread, so I don't know if this has been mentioned before, BUT:

The awesome animation you get when you press <super><TAB> and it scrolls through the windows-I know compiz can do this, but it just isn't the same.

Anything else, though...;)

No way. Ring switcher 4evs, man. = P

= )

[Basher101]

The ONLY thing windows does for me what linux can't is play games on my laptop with the dx9 driver. I have very poor support on OpenGL with my onboard Intel Mobile 4 Chipseries. I will get myself a powerhouse with i7 2600k CPU, 8 gigs RAM, a GTX 580, watercooling...and see if i can get Win 7 to run in a VBOX and play games there at MAX. Still, i have yet to collect the money for all those parts.

[Stolgrove]

Linux is making me think for real for the first time since I first learned dos and qbasic in 1990. Frustrating that I didn't see this wealth before, now I'm 30ish and playing catchup

[wackawacka]

I just been wondering what other users have found that windows is able to do that linux (more specifically ubuntu) cant do...

so far the only thing i have found that i cant do anymore is gaming and a few online videos dont work sometimes

also, add anything to the list that makes one better or worse than the other, such as linux being practically virus free

the question should be asked the other way. linux is so stable it runs airport systems. if M$ didn't have such a huge monopoly on things like netflix's DRM, linux could do absolutely anything. but you can watch videos on linux and you can do audio production on linux, but most people are used to the popular programs on mac/M$, but the question should def be asked the other way.

[x-shaney-x]

Windows can do SKY player (silverlight).
It can also flash mobile phone firmware, I am yet to find a way to do it in linux.

[.hfxdesign]

Windows can convince users that $300-400 really is a reasonable price for an operating system.

j/k ^^

Currently Microsoft holds the rights to the DirectX API which seems to be the preference of many mainstream video game developers. Let's face it, wine works sometimes, but not all of the time :)

[Mikeb85]

Windows can convince users that $300-400 really is a reasonable price for an operating system.

j/k ^^

Currently Microsoft holds the rights to the DirectX API which seems to be the preference of many mainstream video game developers. Let's face it, wine works sometimes, but not all of the time :)

It's not necessarily their preference, just where they see economic opportunity for the time being. Let's face it - Xbox360 has the largest console market share, and Windows the largest PC share...

[clanky]

Professional quality CAD software.

I would so love to see good quality CAD software available for Linux.

[barthus]

Windows can convince users that $300-400 really is a reasonable price for an operating system.

Haha, this is funny. I agree with this. :D

[Mikeb85]

Professional quality CAD software.

I would so love to see good quality CAD software available for Linux.

Autodesk has already made a Linux port for Maya, maybe they can port their other software in the not too distant future?

[TigerNutte]

I just been wondering what other users have found that windows is able to do that linux (more specifically ubuntu) cant do...

so far the only thing i have found that i cant do anymore is gaming and a few online videos dont work sometimes

also, add anything to the list that makes one better or worse than the other, such as linux being practically virus free

Here's another thing Windows & Mac can do that Linux can't....PLUG & PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ubuntu in it's wisdom doesn't have support installed on DVD drives & now I can't read or write Cd's, DVD's

[sammiev]

Here's another thing Windows & Mac can do that Linux can't....PLUG & PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ubuntu in it's wisdom doesn't have support installed on DVD drives & now I can't read or write Cd's, DVD's

Can't read or write Cd's DVD's? Hmmmm no problems here.

[stinkeye]

Make you telephone their call centre when you reinstall on a new hard drive
to prove your not a thief.

[catlover2]

It can also activate flawlessly over the internet.

May the day never come when Ubuntu needs to do that...

[Dragonbite]

Here's another thing Windows & Mac can do that Linux can't....PLUG & PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ubuntu in it's wisdom doesn't have support installed on DVD drives & now I can't read or write Cd's, DVD's

Odd... I find that with Linux I get ALL of the drivers (well, maybe not the wireless or the graphics all the time, but I know about those). I use Linux because it "just works" more times than Windows does, without having to activate/reactivate/prove innocence/etc.

If I buy something, then it depends on whether the peripheral manufacturer as shared the drivers or not. It's kinda like years ago when Apple had the same issue; if it wasn't made for a Mac (or said Mac compatible), it didn't work (mostly). Now Macs are almost as common as Windows while Linux is where Macs used to be.

[makitso]

Reliably do suspend/resume. :(

[Furcifer]

I would have said that linux can't run the Unity Player web plugin for playing N.O.V.A. Elite on Facebook, but then Gameloft shut the game down, so apparently linux is not the only entity in play with limitations.

Of course the major limitation is market demand. If Windows, or for that matter, Apple, didn't exist, then all demand and therefore all development would be focused on linux, and nobody would have any frame of reference to make such comparisons. Then again, how honestly open-source would it remain? Would Steve Jobs have been as committed?

There are so many dynamic forces that brought us to this point in reality, but the frustration people have is just as real. It seems though, that there are so many little simple things that would apparently require throwing the baby out with the bathwater in terms of coding for a smidge-better responsiveness, reliability and ease of use.

Just as virtual machines are better for some applications than dual-booting and vice-versa, so are operating systems. I suspect that will always be the case but back to those simple things again: I recall going through every Red Hat release from 6.0 until they sold out before I got native support for AMD/VIA sound and a mouse wheel within the same distro! Why did it take all the way to Red Hat 9.0 before something so obvious as drivers for the second-most popular sound chip architecture in the industry actually worked? Did nobody notice? Did it actually take that long to fix? Or was there just a bureaucratic disconnect between the people complaining and the people setting the priorities for what to fix first? I'm thinking third guess, and where that exists at all will practically ensure that the small simple oolies will be routinely overlooked and tolerated in favor of bigger initiatives.

[peyre]

Here's another thing Windows & Mac can do that Linux can't....PLUG & PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ubuntu in it's wisdom doesn't have support installed on DVD drives & now I can't read or write Cd's, DVD's

Well no, true "plug and play" is a Windows thing. But Ubuntu will detect and install the latest drivers for most hardware automatically. And it does so with a much wider selection of hardware than XP or Vista. The trouble is that when you have something that the manufacturer hasn't provided Linux drivers for, or specifications so the Linux community can write some, you'll find installation difficult at best. That's hardly Linux's fault though--even though it is an issue that Linux users have to deal with.

Xubuntu installed my DVD±RW drive automatically. I installed K3B and Nero Linux and I'm able to burn CDs and DVDs just fine (the one limitation in Linux is I can't modify and add to a CD-R that's already been written to).

If you're unable to play professionally-made video DVDs, it's because they contain encryption which Ubuntu can't ship with support for, due to legal reasons. To enable it, you need to install Medibuntu: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Medibuntu

[Pferra]

The most remarkable thing I cannot do with Ubuntu is to sit my 11 years old boy in front of the PC as if it were an electronic pacifier for grown up kids playing GTA or games like it.

Thank you, Ubuntu!!!!

Being serious, I haven't found so far a good tool that allows me to manage my WHOLE collection of music, both computer files AND physical audio CDs.

Although I found an excelent alternative in gMusicBrowser, havent found yet a Linux tool to replace the sophisticated and powerful MediaMonkey, wich kept me stuck to Windows for a long time.

But I repeat myself: gMusicBrowser (http://gmusicbrowser.org/) is a great tool which allowed me to cross the line into Ubuntu, becaming this way my all purpose OS.

Best regards,

Pablo

[jtarin]

The most remarkable thing I cannot do with Ubuntu is to sit my 11 years old boy in front of the PC as if it were an electronic pacifier for grown up kids playing GTA or games like it.

Thank you, Ubuntu!!!!

Being serious, I haven't found so far a good tool that allows me to manage my WHOLE collection of music, both computer files AND physical audio CDs.

Although I found an excelent alternative in gMusicBrowser, havent found yet a Linux tool to replace the sophisticated and powerful MediaMonkey, wich kept me stuck to Windows for a long time.

But I repeat myself: gMusicBrowser (http://gmusicbrowser.org/) is a great tool which allowed me to cross the line into Ubuntu, becaming this way my all purpose OS.

Best regards,

Pablo
Installing MediaMonkey

MediaMonkey runs on Windows platforms only. It is supported on all 32/64 bit versions of Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP, but is also known to work on Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, and WINE (Linux).

[Hated On Mostly]

Windows has excellent PDF, OCR, and scanning tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro, Finereader, and Omnipage.

[jtarin]

Windows has excellent PDF, OCR, and scanning tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro, Finereader, and Omnipage.It's a no-brainer to get Acrobat 9 Pro working in Ubuntu....as for OCR....take your pick (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/OCR).While setting up anything in Linux can be daunting for some it's not impossible to have good, free and usable software.

[Pferra]

Thank you, JTarin, I know you can run MM with Wine, but I think that's a kind of "patch" and I would like to have a "native" solution under Linux up to MM level.

I would like to insist that gMusicBrowser is *almost* there and is more than a simple "better than nothing" option. The only missing feature, up to my needs, is the managing of "virtual CDs" as MM does.

But that is a feature request to post to some GMB specific thread, isn't it?

Best regards,

Pablo

[jtarin]

Thank you, JTarin, I know you can run MM with Wine, but I think that's a kind of "patch" and I would like to have a "native" solution under Linux up to MM level.

I would like to insist that gMusicBrowser is *almost* there and is more than a simple "better than nothing" option. The only missing feature, up to my needs, is the managing of "virtual CDs" as MM does.

But that is a feature request to post to some GMB specific thread, isn't it?

Best regards,

PabloGlad to see your optimism about Linux applications. So many give up and go back to Windows for some very trivial things that can be overcome with a voice and perseverance.:P

[peyre]

It's a no-brainer to get Acrobat 9 Pro working in Ubuntu....as for OCR....take your pick (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/OCR).While setting up anything in Linux can be daunting for some it's not impossible to have good, free and usable software.

And don't forget XSane for scanning.

[geoaraujo]

And don't forget XSane for scanning.Or Skanlite: http://userbase.kde.org/Skanlite

[Copper Bezel]

Well, those tools don't take a paper document in the scanner feed tray and turn it directly into a searchable pdf, which is generally the sort of thing you want out of a document scanner.

[firefox834]

What can Windows do that Linux can't?

I can play FM2011 with ease on Windows
I can run my CCTV set up
I can manage the conversion and burning of DVD's (which actually play on a DVD lol) something I have never achieved on Linux

Overall Linux is way way too pernickety to do normal things on but I do use it for browsing and thats about it

[chili555]

I can manage the conversion and burning of DVD's (which actually play on a DVD lol) something I have never achieved on LinuxI have very good luck with the package devede which is in the repositories.

[irv]

I have very good luck with the package devede which is in the repositories.

Yes DeVeDe is a great package. I used it to make instruction videos with a menu to select the videos. It did the converting and Burning all in one session.

[kurt18947]

I just had a little experience that shows why it's useful to have a small hardly-ever-used Windows partition. There was a firmware update available for my printer. Guess what was required to install the update? Yup, Windows. Same with my GPS. There's a program to write POIs and such to an SD card then plug the SD card in. Guess what? it only works in Windows. I just don't find it worthwhile to try to "fight city hall" when the instances are rare. Start Windows, do what's necessary, close it and "put it back on the shelf".

[irv]

I just had a little experience that shows why it's useful to have a small hardly-ever-used Windows partition. There was a firmware update available for my printer. Guess what was required to install the update? Yup, Windows. Same with my GPS. There's a program to write POIs and such to an SD card then plug the SD card in. Guess what? it only works in Windows. I just don't find it worthwhile to try to "fight city hall" when the instances are rare. Start Windows, do what's necessary, close it and "put it back on the shelf".

Yes, I agree. I paid for Windows and I keep a small partition on my hard drive just for those times when you need to do something like this. Maybe one every few months something come along that I need Windows. When I am done I go right back to Linux. Maybe some day I can do away with it, but until that day I will keep it around.

[Hated On Mostly]

It's a no-brainer to get Acrobat 9 Pro working in Ubuntu....as for OCR....take your pick (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/OCR).While setting up anything in Linux can be daunting for some it's not impossible to have good, free and usable software.

I am familiar with all of the Linux scanning options and none of them compare to the quality of Adobe Pro, Readiris, or Omnipage. Linux can do scanning and OCR but not at the same quality that Windows can.

Also, Adobe Acrobat Pro is not available for Linux. Adobe Reader is available which is not the same thing and does not offer scanning or OCR.

[dancingLoki]

Is there any way to play netflix video? This is pretty big for me.

[satanselbow]

Well, those tools don't take a paper document in the scanner feed tray and turn it directly into a searchable pdf, which is generally the sort of thing you want out of a document scanner.

gscan2pdf does exactly that - and does it very well :D

@Whoever said there were ocr quality issues:
Can't say I find any difference in the quality of OCR between windows and linux - the tesseract engine is common on both platforms.

@Hated On:
You are correct there is no native linux version - Acrobat 9 Pro is trivial to configure in wine ;)

[Lucradia]

...Windows has spyware built right into the operating system, by microsoft. (Windows Genuine Advantage) This wasn't the case before Windows 2000. Since the CD was [somewhat] bound to the CD-KEY you received.

[moldaviax]

apparently a netflix linux client is in the works....

The main issues limiting linux aren't really technical linux issues but external challenges such as

1) Application developers only targetting windows platforms (games, some business software)
2) Patents, DRM etc making linux solutions less elegant and/or illegal in some regions eg playing blu ray

M.

[chili555]

Is there any way to play netflix video? This is pretty big for me.Please see: http://liliputing.com/2011/08/netflix-video-streaming-for-linux-on-the-way.html

Or you could take the simple approach and buy a Linux-based device to stream to your television such as Roku.

[owiknowi]

esri software (arcview / arcgis) would be nice on linux. but, hey, think about the $$$

[michaell4]

The only downside(s) I've come across when using Ubuntu is the lack of support for the latest games and software such as Photoshop not being compatible with Ubuntu.

Those are the only reasons I still have a Windows partition.
If Adobe supported Ubuntu as well as game developers then i'd drop windows immediately.

[irv]

I know the question “What can Windows do that Linux can't?” And that this tread has been around for some time, and may never die, because of the market share MS has. There will always be something we need windows for, so I don't make it a big deal over that fact.
I am always trying different OS' so I keep two Hard Drive around to switch out. One thing I do is keep a copy of Windows on each so I can dual boot. But to be honest, I may go into Windows once every 3 to 6 months. And sometimes it is only to do update so I don't get to far behind.
I remember one time not using one of the Hard Drives for about a year and when I booted into Windows I didn't think I was ever going to get done with update. (Needed to reboot 3 or 4 times).
The point being I know I will need it, and I paid for it so why not keep it around just in case. Like I said not a big deal.

[Copper Bezel]

gscan2pdf does exactly that - and does it very well :)

I stand corrected, then. = ) The only ones I've seen in the past were primitive things, where you could scan a document into a series of images if you were lucky, then comb the images for the text, but there was no way to embed the text information in the scanned document itself.

[Hated On Mostly]

Secure wipe a drive using a GUI.

[dannyvanleur]

Blu-ray playback

[jtarin]

Secure wipe a drive using a GUI.
Name the application.

[jtarin]

Blu-ray playbackVLC plays them and its cross-platform.

[Lucradia]

Secure wipe a drive using a GUI.

One word: DBAN, because I don't know a GUI app on Windows that can secure wipe a drive for free.

Also, DBAN technically is a linux distribution.

[Hated On Mostly]

Name the application.

CCleaner

http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

One word: DBAN, because I don't know a GUI app on Windows that can secure wipe a drive for free.

Also, DBAN technically is a linux distribution.

CCleaner

http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

There are actually a few other free ones that secure wipe a drive with a GUI from within Windows.

On Linux you have to load a live CD (Parted Magic or DBAN) in order to use a GUI app to secure wipe a secondary drive. You can't just install DBAN into Ubuntu through the repositories and use it.

[Hated On Mostly]

gscan2pdf does exactly that - and does it very well :D

@Whoever said there were ocr quality issues:
Can't say I find any difference in the quality of OCR between windows and linux - the tesseract engine is common on both platforms.

The Windows programs have a lot of features such as deskew that auto-correct poor scans. On Linux you generally have to go use a separate program or try to configure a buggy plugin to correct scans.

On the Windows programs character recognition is excellent, especially on poor documents, poor scans, and foreign languages. File size is greatly reduced while maintaining high visual quality.

@Hated On:
You are correct there is no native linux version - Acrobat 9 Pro is trivial to configure in wine ;)

Windows vs Linux is a moot point for me as if I ever switch back to Linux I would use VMWARE for virtualization. Virtualization works well on even low-powered systems these days. If you have 2GB of RAM, you can use just about any program seamlessly and comfortably from any operating system you want. Without virtualization however I would have to stick with Windows. Windows is great for getting work done and more importantly getting it done easily.

[x-shaney-x]

HDMI output to external TV with sound.

At least not reliably or without extra faffing about.

[beew]

Forcing PC manufactures to lock down their machines so it can run Windows only. Not to mention laying traps to spy on you and prevent you from running things on your machine.

[Lucradia]

On Linux you have to load a live CD (Parted Magic or DBAN) in order to use a GUI app to secure wipe a secondary drive. You can't just install DBAN into Ubuntu through the repositories and use it.

That's logical because when wiping a drive, you shouldn't wipe it while using the/any drive. I don't need to secure wipe USB Drives, because no one I know in real life actually tracks me save for my troll parents.

[beew]

CCleaner

http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner



CCleaner

http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

There are actually a few other free ones that secure wipe a drive with a GUI from within Windows.

On Linux you have to load a live CD (Parted Magic or DBAN) in order to use a GUI app to secure wipe a secondary drive. You can't just install DBAN into Ubuntu through the repositories and use it.

What are you talking about? The CCleaner only removes unwanted junks and supposedly clean the registry(this function is not that good, at least when I still used WIndows ~1 year ago), it doesn't wipe your hard drive. A Linux equivalent would be bleachbit.

[Finn bjerke]

Cubase is Windows / Mac
TAbledit is Windows / Mac

COMPUTERVIRUS is well Windows / Mac

[jtarin]

What are you talking about? The CCleaner only removes unwanted junks and supposedly clean the registry(this function is not that good, at least when I still used WIndows ~1 year ago), it doesn't wipe your hard drive. A Linux equivalent would be bleachbit.Amen!+1

[ubupirate]

What are you talking about? The CCleaner only removes unwanted junks and supposedly clean the registry(this function is not that good, at least when I still used WIndows ~1 year ago), it doesn't wipe your hard drive. A Linux equivalent would be bleachbit.

What are you talking about? CCleaner does wipe free space / entire drives.

[beew]

What are you talking about? CCleaner does wipe free space / entire drives.

Here is the list of features

Where does it say it will wipe your hard drive?

http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/features

[sammiev]

Here is the list of features

Where does it say it will wipe your hard drive?

http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/features

I see it does use the word "Windows"

[ubupirate]

Here is the list of features

Where does it say it will wipe your hard drive?

http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/features

Right here:

http://i52.tinypic.com/10xwyog.png

[beew]

Ok, that is new. It didn't have it when I used Windows. But bleachbit also has that feature

Overwrite free disk space to hide previously files

http://bleachbit.sourceforge.net/features

In the gui it is simply called free space.

[ubupirate]

Ok, that is new. It didn't have it when I used Windows. But bleachbit also has that feature



http://bleachbit.sourceforge.net/features

In the gui it is simply called free space.

I know. I use Bleachbit on Windows, and also used it on Ubuntu too. It's really ace software, definitely recommend to anyone. :)

[Bunny Boy]

The only thing I use Windows for is to access iTunes.

[Hated On Mostly]

Windows supports Intel Quick Sync, Linux does not.

[Hated On Mostly]

because no one I know in real life actually tracks me save for my troll parents.

You break your poor mother's heart...

[akoskm]

Optimus Technology, saving battery power/life.
http://www.nvidia.com/object/optimus_technology.html

(First time that windows becomes cheaper to me than Linux, after so many years... I can get Windows 7 for free through academic licence => optimus support => + battery life)

[AgentZ86]

Windows can keep thinking and scanning my hard drive continuously for no apparent reason while linux cannot. It would seem linux just loads up and the hard drive light goes out and it's done

I don't think linux will ever be able to do this and continuously keep my hard drive light on.

Not that this is a good thing I prefer the system to load and be done with it

I noticed linux hard drive light never comes on unless I click on something or actually do something on the computer.

[asus701user]

Windows can 'see' and connect to an Ubuntu machine. Two Ubuntu machines on the same network cannot see each other.

Generally Ubuntu is poor at networking. E.g. autofs - a nightmare.

[irv]

Windows can 'see' and connect to an Ubuntu machine. Two Ubuntu machines on the same network cannot see each other.

Generally Ubuntu is poor at networking. E.g. autofs - a nightmare.

I think you are wrong on this one. Any Linux OS is better at networking then Windows. Here is a screen shot of my laptop looking at my server on my network. No problem seeing other ubuntu machines from one another. This includes running Remote Desktop or Samba. Maybe you can't see them because you do not have them setup right, and remember Linux has much better security then Windows.
206131

[sammiev]

Windows can 'see' and connect to an Ubuntu machine. Two Ubuntu machines on the same network cannot see each other.

Generally Ubuntu is poor at networking. E.g. autofs - a nightmare.

I run remote laptops all the time to update software from one to another with no problems. All 3 laptops running Ubuntu. :)

[KatDawg]

Windows can use a memory card for extra memory if needed.

I'm new here and relatively new to Ubuntu.

Can you configure Ubuntu to use a memory card as a swap partition?
I was going to try it myself but gparted just doesn't seem to be loading the parts.

Thanks in advance.

[viperdvman]

I can stream movies (and music too) from my Windows desktop to my XBox 360, no problem (requires doing a sharing setup in Windows Media Player). Not sure if I can do the same thing with an Ubuntu computer. It's one of the reasons I still keep Windows around on my desktop.

[Tri-Booter]

Windows can suck it now.. For some reason I always had issues with Wine and previous releases until 11.10.. I just finished playing MW2 on the highest level and it ran better than it ever did on 7 Ultimate 64... So I'm good..

[mamamia88]

Publisher had to boot windows just to create a pamphlet for a class today. That and gaming

[pavi_elex]

Annoy...

[krishna.988]

Windows:

1. Run Adobe Products.
2. Run many Games.
3. Most of the Phones and other peripherals comes with Windows software are compatible.
4. Run Standard Messengers from Yahoo, MSN, Google, SKYPE (latest version) etc..
5. Lots of other softwares.

This list is not complete....


Ubuntu (Linux):

Though alternatives exist for the above its not in par...

Always have to spend time in figuring out workarounds on how to get things done in Ubuntu.

[Dragonbite]

Publisher had to boot windows just to create a pamphlet for a class today. That and gaming

Yeah, Publisher is one of the annoying products that pushes my wife into needing Windows.

[Finn bjerke]

Windows can:

cost you money Ubuntu can not
Get PC virus Ubuntu can not

[Dragonbite]

Windows can:

cost you money Ubuntu can not
Get PC virus Ubuntu can not

If you need corporate support, Ubuntu can cost you money!

[asus701user]

Then I haven't set Samba up correctly. I didn't need to set up Win to see the Ubuntu machine. Is there a beginners guide/GUI or anything to set up samba? I have posted my problem on the networking forum but it is not yet solved. The folders are already set up to be 'shared'.

[irv]

Then I haven't set Samba up correctly. I didn't need to set up Win to see the Ubuntu machine. Is there a beginners guide/GUI or anything to set up samba? I have posted my problem on the networking forum but it is not yet solved. The folders are already set up to be 'shared'.
If you google it you will come up with sites like this:
http://www.unixmen.com/linux-tutorials/linux-distributions/linux-distributions4-ubuntu/1203-how-to-install-and-configure-samba-in-ubuntu-1010-maverick-meerkat-via-gui-

[asus701user]

Connecting two Ubuntu machines

I have installed (reinstalled) samba samba-common and system-config-samba on both machines (one is 10.10 and the other 11.10).

Samba runs on the former but not on 11.10 - it asks for password,accepts it and then nothing; no error or any message. Is this a problem with 11.10 - how can I can I get Samba GUI to run or find the problem? 11.10 is a new install and not amended.

Windows sees the shared folder straightaway with no changes or settings. Ubuntu cannot.

I have several shared folders on both machine but in File Manager - Browse Network it just shows Windows Network (?) and then Failed to retrieve share list form server. How can I get this to work. do I have to 'mount' the folders one by one or do they just appear and where.

I want to use Ubuntu but with simple networking Windows is winning easily.

I do hope someone can show how Ubuntu can do this out of the box.

(I have also posted this problem in the Networking forum but no-one there can tell/show me how either.)

[TeamRocket1233c]

Actually, not much. Also, Windows can be a virus and malware magnet, unless you have really good anti-virus and anti-malware software, whereas Linux don't even need any anti-virus or anti-malware software.

[TeamRocket1233c]

Windows:

1. Run Adobe Products.
2. Run many Games.
3. Most of the Phones and other peripherals comes with Windows software are compatible.
4. Run Standard Messengers from Yahoo, MSN, Google, SKYPE (latest version) etc..
5. Lots of other softwares.

This list is not complete....


Ubuntu (Linux):

Though alternatives exist for the above its not in par...

Always have to spend time in figuring out workarounds on how to get things done in Ubuntu.

True. GIMP, MyPaint, and Pinta are supposed to be as good as Illiustrator and Photoshop. Also, if you need to run any Windows games in Linux, that's where WINE comes into play. DOS games: DOSBox.

[RadhikaM]

My experience has been the opposite. I use Linux exclusively at home (except for watching Netflix) but haven't been able to talk the rest of the family into it. Whenever I've had to solve a Linux problem, I've been able to find an answer quickly through a web search. Not so with Windows. I have had several cases (most recently with a Firefox malware extension) where all my web searches would find would be forums where the same question as mine was asked, but no answers.

My impression is that Linux users are a lot more helpful with others' problems than Windows users are.

I agree with this statement. The response I've gotten from the Linux community on the forum and off has been much easier - as if I have any problems with Ubuntu.

The only thing I use Windows for is to access iTunes.

Though, I must agree with this sentence. This requires - at all times - at least one computer to be a Windows or a Mac.

Allow me to tell you something Windows can do that Linux is not able to - get me addicted to gaming and away from doing schoolwork. One of the major reasons I completely switched to Linux was the more access to puzzle games (My brain's still working, eh?) and the productivity for school and my writing.

Also, I LOVE how the software is so easily found, and not searched for throughout the internet.

[BrettWilkin]

I have been teaching and using Macs for 2 years at work, My computer of choice for the last 10 or more years has been windows and I have had a KDE desktop for 3 years. More and more I gravitate to my kde and have spent hours playing with Gimp Cinelerra and Blender. I also added Kmess recently and skype. The big thing I notice is that I can do almost everything On my kde that I can do with with the others. the big thing I have noticed is that my KDE is getting better all the time and surprising me with what it can do while the Macs and Win are surprising me with how much their development appears to be slowing. I am starting to recomend to my students to give Linux systems a go. I have found that open office has some functions that Numbers and Keynote are lacking. I also find Cinelerra better than iMovie with the exception that it stops often but it also recovers very quickly and easy and I have even found the Macs getting slow and needing standard maintenance procedures and iMovie occasionaly crashing. I monitor and maintain 60 student owned Macs and about 97 student owned windows computers. Linux is gradually getting very high in my estimations and regards.

[stanbx]

Someone has probably already said this... But my one missing feature is begin able to stream Netflix. This is solved with VMware Player to make a virtual windows machine. I understand why this is and I'm not complaining, just thought I'd add my two cents.

[peyre]

:guitar:Someone has probably already said this... But my one missing feature is begin able to stream Netflix. This is solved with VMware Player to make a virtual windows machine. I understand why this is and I'm not complaining, just thought I'd add my two cents.

Yes, and maybe in a few years we'll be able to use ReactOS in our VMs instead of Windows itself, and go Microsoft-free altogether!

[BertN45]

Windows is printing money, Linux doesn't.

[peyre]

Windows is printing money, Linux doesn't.

Your objection to Linux is its inability to counterfeit money? We should advertise that to the government! ;)

[SAKeeler]

Windows can do many things that Linux can't do, as well is the oposite.
I have gone back and forth over the past few years using several different *nix variants, then back to Windows for one reason or another. Most often due to gaming. I really enjoy PC gaming much more than on Xbox, though for the time being I will stick with the Xbox as I have once again gone fully Linux on my machine (Ubuntu 11.10 in this case, though I had a brief stint with CrunchBang). This time though I am adamant to stick with Ubuntu as my OS, and here is my reasons for doing so:

I much prefer the way software is handled with Linux as opposed to Windows. Sure you have Microsoft Update, which is pretty good all things considered. But as it is you have far to many individual Applications installing odds and ends all over your system eating up space and resources which just gets tedious to deal with after a while.

On the Linux side managing software is far simpler to me. Consolidated package management is wonderful. It just is, I really can't say much more about it. Is it perfect, certainly not, but it's damn good.

Next we have the Appearance and Configuration. Is there a reason Microsoft and Apple (to a far lesser extent than even Microsoft) only let you customize so much of the OS, sure there is. And those reasons differ for each, Apple is, well Apple, and prize there own particular astetic. Microsoft's primary concern is with busnisses, and make no mistake about that, so a consistant look and feel as it were, is important. You can certainly do somewhat more than each would like you to, but it's not easy, or stable in most cases to do so.

Linux can be respun in so many different ways it's hard to keep track of it. Say what you will about Unity, Gnome 3, Openbox, awesome, or any other of the countless number of Window Managers and Desktops out there, you still have a choice as to what to use, and how you want it to look and feel.

The real meat of the issue, so to speak, is Productivity though. I grew up with Windows, from DOS and Windows 3.1 through Windows 7, did I get things done? Sure, school reports, marathon sessions of L.O.R.D on a friends BBS,(though I'm hard pressed to argue this is productive in any way, still), and many other examples.

But the one things I did more than any other was troubleshoot. Maintaining a Windows machine is a constant battle, Anti-Virus conflicting with drivers, Game installs, the OS itself on a few occasions.

My gaming habit is still alive and well however, and when it comes down to it, I will still need a Windows machine for that. And I am sourcing parts for a HTPC build for the task.

My have I rambled, I do hope some of it made sense to someone:p

Each OS has it's own drawbacks, and it's high marks. What task you need to achieve will determine which one works for you in that situation. Sometimes if you do some digging what you thought could only be a Windows solution can be done with Linux, with some work, but you know, I really like doing that work so for me it's OK. Others haven't got the time or inclination, or both, to do so. And using Windows works better for them.

I fear I haven't really stuck with the thread but there you have it.
Discuss!):P

[Bucky Ball]

Pro-tools, Cubase, Sibelius and many other pro-level AV softwares ...

[rima]

I never understood the Windows vs Linux anyway. I love both of them! :D Both of them do amazing things. (But I must say I was utterly disgusted with Windows Vista....Especially that my parents now silently took complete reign over it from the last 2 years, the computer is now in the state of trash (they won't even let me fix it! O.O)

However, business strategies are a completely different topic and a completely different story...

But I did almost have a heart attack when my friend who had to use my computer (running Ubuntu on it at the time) looked at the GUI and stated: "What a strange Windows you have there."

Please don't tell me I'm the only person....:D

Well to not completely offtop for me Windows does writing school projects and running Adobe products. If only Adobe made Photoshop, Shockwave, Dreamweaver etc. for Linux THOUSANDS of people would be running to Linux completely

[zombifier25]

But I did almost have a heart attack when my friend who had to use my computer (running Ubuntu on it at the time) looked at the GUI and stated: "What a strange Windows you have there."

Please don't tell me I'm the only person....:D

For most average dudes, Computers = Windows. It's pretty much burnt on their mind since they are taught computers with Windows, they don't know, and don't need to know that Windows is just an OS and not the computer itself.
So no, you are not the only one :P
(some IT schools at my place still make that mistake - they advertise that they 'teach Turbo Pascal', not knowing the fact that Turbo Pascal is merely a compiler and NOT the programming language itself)

[johnno56]

Create and play golf courses like MS Links using Arnold Palmer Course Designer. (Tried Wine. APCD ran ok but could not get Links to run)

[Dragonbite]

Windows is printing money, Linux doesn't.

Red Hat's working on that.. they've reached the $1B mark last week!

[BertN45]

Red Hat's working on that.. they've reached the $1B mark last week!
Congratulation, but I think that is the money Bill spends on charity each year. Sorry :D

I know another major thing Windows does better, it almost never corrupts my files after power failures, ext4 has file corruption as a feature. I just found out, I go back to ext3.

[irv]

Congratulation, but I think that is the money Bill spends on charity each year. Sorry :D

I know another major thing Windows does better, it almost never corrupts my files after power failures, ext4 has file corruption as a feature. I just found out, I go back to ext3.

I have been using ext4 since it's release and I have never had this problem, and I have had power outages. Besides this I have been beta testing 12.04 64bit with ext4 since Dec of last year and I never had one time where I had to reinstall it because of any major problem. so far this has been the best release of Ubuntu yet.

[Hirobian]

Photoshop? Nah theres gimp.

I have to say GIMP doesn't have the same feel to it, I use Adobe Photoshop CS2 (Yes, I know its old but it works like a charm :P ) and I appreciate how it works. I prefer Adobe Photoshop because its meant to be a photo editor but can be used for art, GIMP, I believe, is more of an art program that is edit capable...anyways it just feels very different despite having a fairly familiar UI compared to Photoshop. In my opinion anyways.

I have made an effort to get used to GIMP but I still prefer Adobe Photoshop.

[peyre]

I have been using ext4 since it's release and I have never had this problem, and I have had power outages. Besides this I have been beta testing 12.04 64bit with ext4 since Dec of last year and I never had one time where I had to reinstall it because of any major problem. so far this has been the best release of Ubuntu yet.

I've noticed that when I pull out a flash drive before the OS has decided it's completely done with it and I get the message saying that some data has been lost: in Windows it's not serious and usually no data has actually been lost--but in Linux it means you've just hosed some data.

[peyre]

I have to say GIMP doesn't have the same feel to it, I use Adobe Photoshop CS2 (Yes, I know its old but it works like a charm :P ) and I appreciate how it works. I prefer Adobe Photoshop because its meant to be a photo editor but can be used for art, GIMP, I believe, is more of an art program that is edit capable...anyways it just feels very different despite having a fairly familiar UI compared to Photoshop. In my opinion anyways.

I have made an effort to get used to GIMP but I still prefer Adobe Photoshop.

Very true. The GIMP is a great application (though it needs a new name), but still it isn't Photoshop. There are things Photoshop can do that GIMP can't, but then we're talking about very expensive proprietary software vs. something you can download completely for free. I use the GIMP myself--works well for me--but my wife uses Photoshop Elements because the GIMP just doesn't do what she needs for her scrapbooking.

[irv]

I've noticed that when I pull out a flash drive before the OS has decided it's completely done with it and I get the message saying that some data has been lost: in Windows it's not serious and usually no data has actually been lost--but in Linux it means you've just hosed some data.

I have never taken note of this because I right click on the device and do a safe remove before pulling the USB. I even done this in Windows. Just a good habit to get into.

[Hirobian]

I have never taken note of this because I right click on the device and do a safe remove before pulling the USB. I even done this in Windows. Just a good habit to get into.

True that. Its the appropriate way to disconnect your flash drive from a working computer and I think it should be a protocol every computer user learns as a simple habit. Just like how we pick up the habit to make sure your trackball mouse doesn't have dust in its trackball socket. (Yep :p I have a trackball mouse)

[irv]

True that. Its the appropriate way to disconnect your flash drive from a working computer and I think it should be a protocol every computer user learns as a simple habit. Just like how we pick up the habit to make sure your trackball mouse doesn't have dust in its trackball socket. (Yep :p I have a trackball mouse)

I remember the days when my mouse had a little rubber ball that got dirty all the time and the fuzz go on the little wheels and I had to clean it them also. Now my mouse has the little red light no moving part. What a great improvement.

[rmil]

Windows is single task OS.

[dpny]

Windows is single task OS.

That's not even remotely true.

[Dragonbite]

I remember the days when my mouse had a little rubber ball that got dirty all the time and the fuzz go on the little wheels and I had to clean it them also. Now my mouse has the little red light no moving part. What a great improvement.

How about having to touch something metal in the back to make sure you are grounded before flipping the switch (in the back) to turn the computer on and off!?

[Hornitodog]

There are two things for me that Windows can do well, and Linux can't:

1. Windows can run my TV tuner without problem. While the TVTime program I have installed in 12.04 works the tuner itself well, I have yet, despite months of trying, been able to get stable sound from any flavour of Linux. I have spent dozens and dozens of hours trying, and failing, to find a solution. With Windows (both XP & 7), it was as simple as 1,2,3.. it just works. The TV tuner sound problem has been terribly frustrating for me, and it keeps driving me back to Windows, as the only TV access in the house, is via my computer, so I can't do without it until a solution is found.

2. As a photographer, I use Adobe's Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, and a Canon Pixma Pro 9000-MKII printer, none of which work with Linux. WINE does not work with the Adobe programs well.

That said, I love my Linux, and have been using it for years, unfortunately (because of the above) in a dual, and sometimes triple boot, configuration. I love being able to make my operating system look and run how *I* like (again, with exceptions noted above). I'm running 12.04 now, and have several docks, and much customisation. I love it.

If someone could tell me how to finally get stable sound out of TVTime, I would gladly make a $25 donation to their favourite charity! A solution to that problem would allow me to use Linux 90% of the time.

[avacado]

A lot of professionals use GIMP for photo editting - I prefer it. Takes a little while to learn the differences. The drivers for new printer hardware can take some time to appear - your printer may just suddenly start working in linux if you keep it long enough.

[Hornitodog]

A lot of professionals use GIMP for photo editting - I prefer it. Takes a little while to learn the differences. The drivers for new printer hardware can take some time to appear - your printer may just suddenly start working in linux if you keep it long enough.
Yes, I've used GIMP for quite some time, and its newest iteration is greatly improved. Still, to me, there's nothing like Lighroom. But, as I previously pointed out, you pay for what Lightroom gives you, so.... And yes, you are also quite right about the printers. In the meantime, I happily hop back and forth between the operating systems, using what I need. Someday, I will no longer have to do that, and I look forward to that time. Thanks for the reply.

[Hornitodog]

Well, it seems I'll be making that donation to my favourite charity... Last night, and after countless hours of researching and trying other "fixes" over the last six months, I was finally able to discover a workaround to get sound out of TVTime!

I happened to download and install the "Multimedia Systems Selector" app, and then discovered that when I ran it along with TVTime (choosing ALSA for both output and input, and for "device" at input, "SAA7134PCM"), bingo, I had wonderful, clear, stable, perfectly timed, stereo sound! So for now, and until TVTime is updated to work without problem in 12.04 and other distros, I'm good.

[Fisher]

Have you tried to use any virtualisation solution, like VirtualBox or VMware to run your Windows apps??
For me works great, and I don't need to reboot.
Windows tun in a window, and can even be integrated with the rest of the system.
You should give it a try!!http://ubuntuforums.org/images/smilies/guitar.gif

[peyre]

True that. Its the appropriate way to disconnect your flash drive from a working computer and I think it should be a protocol every computer user learns as a simple habit. Just like how we pick up the habit to make sure your trackball mouse doesn't have dust in its trackball socket. (Yep :p I have a trackball mouse)

If you want to take it down to what we're supposed to do in a perfect world, sure. We're also supposed to come to a complete stop at a stop sign and always stay under the speed limit, but those laws are legal fictions because they just don't correspond to day-to-day realities. Yes, doing a software disconnect is the safest way to disconnect a flash drive, but it's an extra--and usually unnecessary--step in the middle of people's busy computing lives. Just sayin'.

[tuxmarc]

a BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH :lolflag:

[peyre]

a BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH :lolflag:

Linux has the kernel panic, the exact equivalent of a bluescreen.

[tuxmarc]

Hi Peyre !

Linux has the kernel panic, the exact equivalent of a bluescreen.
True, but kernel panics have only happened after I tried to become a sorcerer ;)
On my wife's laptop (wives never listen to their husbands) it happens at random : "darling there is something strange happening" :P

[MGaddict2000]

Gaming is a big issue, but like I've said in other threads, the real issue is since it's open source, multimedia companies, netflix for one, don't want to support it. It leaves too big of a hole for pirating. I don't have enough intricate knowledge to figure out how, but somebody out there has got to know how to make DRM work in Linux. The insane number of Linux variants makes writing games very difficult for companies, which means money. And for the same reason Apps don't exist for Window's Phones, because there is not enough market share, games don't exist for Linux. Linux gained a lot of ground while Windows Vista was on the market, once Windows 8 hits shelves, all the Linux communities need to bind together and try to shove open source down Microsoft's throat. If DRM could get on Linux by the end of this year, Linux could cripple Microsoft in the next 3 years.

[MGaddict2000]

a BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH :lolflag:
Look in the depository, I'm pretty sure you can download a blue screen of death program. A buddy of mine did it to me when I left him alone with my laptop once. (Don't worry, it's doesn't actually hurt your computer. But it's a riot to do to a Linux Newby.)

[Chame_Wizard]

Infecting people with Trojans!:guitar:

[adamstuart07]

Hello Friends


Windows works better because it is integrated by one source.

Windows and its applications are more thoroughly tested in general.

Windows has a lot of good applications for monitoring the system temperature etc.

Linux is based on an archaic text command system with its GUI an after thought add on. Windows GUI is integrated and doesn't rely on text commands.

Linux is more secure.

Linux is more adaptable to specific technical needs.

Linux is free!


___________________

Submit Article (http://www.zigyasu.com/)

[Handfull of Buddha]

Look in the depository, I'm pretty sure you can download a blue screen of death program. A buddy of mine did it to me when I left him alone with my laptop once. (Don't worry, it's doesn't actually hurt your computer. But it's a riot to do to a Linux Newby.)

I would love to do that to my wife :P

[zombifier25]

I remembered downloading a Blue Screen of Death screensaver for Windows off TechNet a while ago. Here is its link:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897558
It's really, really realistic; it even simulates a Windows boot up after the BSoD (only to crash and give a BSoD again)
There are also a ton of cool stuffs on TechNet, a must have for Windows users (no, I'm not advertising. Just wanna point that out. I only recently touched Windows for checking some of my games before booting back to Ubuntu an play them via Wine)

[peyre]

Infecting people with Trojans!:guitar:

Linux can actually be very good at infecting other people with trojans--hence the importance of running AV (such as ClamAV) on one's Linux box, to avoid passing on infected files.

[Herpythebrony]

I only had 1 kernel panic out of the many years I used linux. And that was on Linux mint 11 kayata.

[tmaranets]

Windows has the advantage over Linux distros with its gaming capabilities. Some artists might still be comfortable with Photoshop which is accessible on Windows. Still, I believe that Linux is the better OS.

[Dragonbite]

Windows has the advantage over Linux distros with its gaming capabilities. Some artists might still be comfortable with Photoshop which is accessible on Windows. Still, I believe that Linux is the better OS.

"better OS" is always subjective. Some people will find Windows better (or they would not buy computers with them because not everybody is sheeple), others Apple while others will pick Android or iOS!

And it is more than just the apps, too. Photoshop and games may be part of it, but there are other reasons to choose one instead of another OS.

[kathmary]

After using various versions of Linux for about 10 years, I am definately a Linux user and will stay so. I think hardware peripheral support is the weak spot. Lots of manufacturers simply do not have a linux driver. Example, canon printers. I know you can make many of these print in Linux, but they never have the functionality of the windows drivers. You can do some hacks, but that takes more time than I have. These days I use both Windows and Linux to get the most out of my computer build.

[mfZero]

Run Chrome properly.

[peyre]

Run Chrome properly.

Really? I'm running Chromium on both my desktop and laptop (Xubuntu and Lubuntu respectively), and actual Chrome ran fine on my desktop before I installed Chromium.

[inspiredbylasers]

Ubuntu has way less 'mainstream' software available to run on it.

It is a pain, for example, to have iTunes on my Windows/Lion OSX partitions, but not be able to automatically sync to Ubuntu.

Best,
Y.

[Dragonbite]

Ubuntu has way less 'mainstream' software available to run on it.

It is a pain, for example, to have iTunes on my Windows/Lion OSX partitions, but not be able to automatically sync to Ubuntu.

Best,
Y.

Not so long ago, Mac users were saying this too. Give it time is about the best I can suggest.

[GHerzog]

Windows can suck the life out of your cash flow and continually keep up paranoid about buying something via updates.

Admittedly, there are things that Windows has because some of the absolute best applications are proprietary, but they cost huge amounts of money and often with that kind of cash you can afford something better in Apple.

I gave up throwing money at computers that didn't run right and moved to Ubuntu where what I have is quite stable and costs nothing.

A great deal of time was wasted on administration of updates, backups, and anti-virus in Windows that I no longer have. I found my productivity interferred with when I turned a machine on and Windows wanted to complete an update. I also have found that I couldn't turn off the machine when I wanted to; and that the update process more often than not would take over the computer when I wanted to do work.

In sum, Unix was around before Windows and got the whole computer system scheme right. Windows is still trying to work around what Unix owns.

[SPARTAN-118]

I have Windows 7 on one hard drive and Ubuntu 12.04 on another. The Windows drive is 500 GB and has a separate "Libraries" partition that takes up most of the drive. The Ubuntu drive is 80 GB. If I could, I'd switch it around right now, but, as I lack an external drive to back up to, that's not possible.

Windows is a great OS. Somebody needs to tell Microsoft that, because they keep changing things to the point of being unrecognizable (just look at Windows 8, if that doesn't flop for PC users I'm going to be very surprised). However, Ubuntu is my primary OS. It is faster than Windows in general, and about the only thing I miss, to be honest, is the built-in slideshow feature for the desktop backgrounds (I currently use Wallch, but I can't figure out how to make it start when I log in). I'm sure I miss some other things, but as long as I have Firefox, a Bittorrent client, a good enough music player (the only thing Rhythmbox is missing is a "Stop after current song" feature) and a way to obtain more apps, I'm set.

Some might say "gaming", but my computer can't run anything beyond 2007 at full settings, and I refuse to turn down the graphics just to avoid lag. I am a console gamer through and through, probably because of that, so that's not really an issue for me (though when games such as Half Life run perfectly in Wine, I'm thrilled).
And Photoshop? Sure, I used to use it, but I could never afford a license for it, and GIMP does everything it does for free.

[altheablue]

Play NHL streams on the sports sites. :( I hate booting my Windows partition to get my hockey fix.

[szymon_g]

"What can Windows do that Linux can't?"

if you understood "linux" as a "most popular distributions of it"- than safe upgrading to the newer versions of software are impossible without upgrading whole system (sic!).
Getting proper sound from more complicated sound cards (than onboards) is hard to do (like: xtrame gamer).
Also- installing drivers without access to the Net & compiler is almost impossible in Linux

[Arnoldijzermans]

generate BSOD :guitar:

[Lucradia]

Install Terraria with ease.

[traditionalist]

There are a couple of things that wont work, often because there is no implementation of the software for Linux, or missing drivers. There are workarounds for most things. I have installed my Windows 7 Ultimate in a VM ( VMware player) on UBUNTU 12.04 and that solved the problem with my banking software, but I still can't watch TV because there is no support for the hardware I use, ( DEVOLO TV-Sat plug). Otherwise I think UBUNTU is better than Windows for many reasons.

I have been using Windows for a very long time,( since the very first non-public release as it happens), and just recently switched to UBUNTU. Just installed 12.04 and apart from a few tweaking problems it now seems to work fine.

Regards....Trad.

[peyre]

Ubuntu is my primary OS. It is faster than Windows in general, and about the only thing I miss, to be honest, is the built-in slideshow feature for the desktop backgrounds (I currently use Wallch, but I can't figure out how to make it start when I log in).

In Xubuntu, you could do that pretty easily: in Settings, you go to Session and Startup, then click Add and point it to the app you want to start on login. I don't know about mainstream Ubuntu in this regard, but maybe it has some equivalent.

[mamamia88]

Play NHL streams on the sports sites. :( I hate booting my Windows partition to get my hockey fix.

you could get a ps3 and do it on there from your tv.

[archolman]

CONS:
Remove large amounts of cash from your pocket.
Break office software compatibility, so you have to spend more money to maintain compatibility with other MsOffice variants.
Crash repeatedly.
Eat data without leaving any trace of the work you've done... even with autosave enabled.
Take ages to boot & shut-down.
Not install updates etc. in the background, but only do it on shutdown.


PROS:
Run many on-line games.
Run audio software like Reason, ProTools, Ableton Live, CoolEdit, (although I use Audacity now), NI synths, etc.
Stream content from LoveFilm.com & similar services.

All of the pros, apart from the games (http://off.jenkat-games.com/survey/jenkatarcade/?productsubID=128&a=13513&f=priceisright), (I'm not a gamer) is why I keep a copy of WinXP on my box.
LoveFilm might look at porting their software to Linux, if enough users write & ask for it.

[oregonbob]

There is Picasa for Linux (which is quite a step if you ask me :))

Not anymore. Google is just plain evil in that it removed all traces of Picasa for linux. Why would they do that?

Just try to find a link to download even Picasa 3.0 for linux. Someone at Google gave the order to remove it all.

[Tibuda]

There was not Picasa for Linux. What they called Picasa for Linux was the Windows Picasa bundled with Wine.

[gtayton@nextcom.ca]

I miss most the Flying Simulator.FSX, by Usoft and can't see WINE running it yet..
alas..

[oregonbob]

There was not Picasa for Linux. What they called Picasa for Linux was the Windows Picasa bundled with Wine.

Yes there was a Picasa for linux. I am aware that it used Wine for years, however there was a neat, downloadable deb package for picasa that was click and run, including mods to run on linux. It was called "Picasa for Linux". That package has been erased from existence.

[Copper Bezel]

You're talking about the same thing. It was a nice, neat .deb package that installed Picasa with an invisible implementation of the Wine loader. If you install Picasa for Windows through Wine, you get the same effect. (The complete lack of desktop integration included.)

[Lucradia]

Do cheat-engine properly through wine on Fortune Summoners via Steam :V

CT For Fortune Summoners: forum.cheatengine.org/viewtopic.php?t=547505

Fortune Summoners on Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/203510/

Make sure Use VRAM "Normal" is selected, and do "Fullscreen" or Windowed. (As a note, the game can only do 4:3 ratio (http://www.carpefulgur.com/fs/faq.htm).)

[peyre]

What can't it do? Leave my god damned icons alone!!

Every now and then, Xubuntu decides it's time to f*ck with the icons on my Desktop, and it shuffles them and arranges them seemingly in random order starting at top left. Backing up and replacing xorg.conf doesn't help, apparently. What gives?

[jtarin]

What can't it do? Leave my god damned icons alone!!

Every now and then, Xubuntu decides it's time to f*ck with the icons on my Desktop, and it shuffles them and arranges them seemingly in random order starting at top left. Backing up and replacing xorg.conf doesn't help, apparently. What gives?Try this fix (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1919849)

[SPARTAN-118]

Try this fix (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1919849)
Huh... that has happened on occasion with me on Ubuntu 12.04, but as I always change the resolution back to native as soon as I am able to in game settings, it's a bit of a non-issue for me.
Really, all I have to do is right click Desktop -> Organize Icons By Name.

[jtarin]

Huh... that has happened on occasion with me on Ubuntu 12.04, but as I always change the resolution back to native as soon as I am able to in game settings, it's a bit of a non-issue for me.
Really, all I have to do is right click Desktop -> Organize Icons By Name.I think you meant to quote the guy I quoted.:P

[Lucradia]

Do cheat-engine properly through wine on Fortune Summoners via Steam :V

CT For Fortune Summoners: forum.cheatengine.org/viewtopic.php?t=547505

Fortune Summoners on Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/203510/

Make sure Use VRAM "Normal" is selected, and do "Fullscreen" or Windowed. (As a note, the game can only do 4:3 ratio (http://www.carpefulgur.com/fs/faq.htm).)

be careful on fullscreen too, the game can't do higher than 720p in 4:3 terms. So windows will be forced to scale down (and so will your workspaces as a result.)

[vahnx]

Linux can do almost everything Windows can, but only half of it at a decent speed. Go ahead, dual boot Windows and 'x' distro and see how fast your browser launches. Visit youtube and open a video in full screen.

[roelforg]

Linux can do almost everything Windows can, but only half of it at a decent speed. Go ahead, dual boot Windows and 'x' distro and see how fast your browser launches. Visit youtube and open a video in full screen.

I disagree, my 7 year old laptop needs 5-10s to launch firefox with 12+ tabs open and happily takes youtube at full screen with other audio/hw-intensive-software running in the background whilst delivering an uniterrupted, clear (well, as clean as youtube-vids can be ;)) audio/video feed.

[weasel fierce]

Linux can do almost everything Windows can, but only half of it at a decent speed. Go ahead, dual boot Windows and 'x' distro and see how fast your browser launches. Visit youtube and open a video in full screen.

My wife's windows 7 PC has faster hardware than my Kubuntu machine and doesn't compare particularly favourable in terms of speed.

[roelforg]

My wife's windows 7 PC has faster hardware than my Kubuntu machine and doesn't compare particularly favourable in terms of speed.

Amen ;)

Here's the comparison between a 2 year old Packard bell and my 7year old acer.
It doesn't look good

How about this:
Acer running ubuntu (the one i'm typing from):

Intel Centrino Dual-Core 1.5GHZ
2GB DDR2 ram
160GB sata hd
a/b/g WiFi

Packard Bell with Win7 (for school work, if it was up to me, i'd throw ubuntu on it):

Intel 1st gen Core I 5 2.53GHZ (quadcore)
4gb DDR3
500GB Sata2 hd
b/g/n WiFi


On cold boot (e.g, no sleep mode or suspend or hibernate):
Acer boot time: 60-70s until login and 10-20s to become fully usable (when unity finishes loading)
PB boot time: 5-6MINUTES until login and another 5-8MINUTES before it has finished booting to the point where the taskbar doesn't freeze the second you mouse over to it (and another 1 min until i can launch an app).

Internet surfing time:
Acer: 10-15s to load FF with 12+ tabs, new tab takes 1s at the most to become usable
PB: 30-40s to load IE with 1 tab (google homepage), new tab takes 10s to show and 20 before google loaded in it and i can edit the address bar
Acer: usually 2-4s page load
PB: usually 10-60s page load

Idle (no apps) usage:
Acer: 0-8% cpu vs. 350-390MB ram
PB: 10-20% CPU vs. 1-1.5GB ram (it isn't fair to compare this with percentages as the PB has 2x the ram)

[bjje]

It looks like there is a good handwriting recognition app coming for windows and there just isn't much for linux yet. This is really important, but not enough to use M$. :P

[Dragonbite]

Anything you can do
I can do better!
I can do anything
better than you!
No you can't!
Yes I can!
No you can't!
Yes I can!
Yes I can! Yes I can! Yes I caaaaan!
:guitar:

[MisterGaribaldi]

Well, let's see. Windows can run the world from the dirt to the sky. I guess that's something.

[KiwiNZ]

Make me cry
make me spout expletives
But never make me coffee

[I2k4]

I'm enjoying dual booting and Live USB, but not being an old hand, what's struck me over the last year are:

1) Windows runs MS's own software, e.g. Office. Many users either work or have personally invested significant time and money in sophisticated Office documents that will never convert adequately into any other software.

2) Windows makes it much easier, for me anyway, to create and add devices to a home local area network for file sharing. We can play video over wi-fi from a drive attached to the main PC on a laptop or netbook with no problems. Instructions and forum threads for setting up a simple file sharing network in Samba froze me in my tracks.

[leoheck]

Windows Explorer can sort in groups by filetype.
[B]OS X finder can show parent folders at same time.
Linux Nautilus can't..

:(

[jtarin]

Windows Explorer can sort in groups by filetype.
[B]OS X finder can show parent folders at same time.
Linux Nautilus can't..

:(
You haven't been around Nautilus or Linux long.....have you.:P

[Dragonbite]

You haven't been around Nautilus or Linux long.....have you.:P

Or Dolphin (KDE) or Thunar (Xfce).

[scottbomb]

For me, this answer is easy: TELEVISION. Myth TV doesn't come close to Windows Media Center. I consider myself and advanced computer user (since 1984) and I also do some Java programming. Been fiddling with Linux for a couple of years (I'm currently learning how to write shell scripts) but I STILL can't figure out how to get that damned Myth TV to work. I got it to tune in some channels about a year ago but the quality was ****** so I gave up on it. Been trying again lately and I can't get the damned thing to play with my Hauppage tuner card. Hours and hours of googling and fiddling with configurations and I get nowhere.

On the other hand, someone who can barely use a browser can fire up Media Center and start watching TV almost immediately.

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I watch little TV but what little I do watch, Media Center records for me and I watch it on my computer. With all the other fantastic software offerings out there for Ubuntu, I'm amazed that no one has built a decent TV tuner package.

[jtarin]

Link not viable.

[irv]

For me, this answer is easy: TELEVISION. Myth TV doesn't come close to Windows Media Center. I consider myself and advanced computer user (since 1984) and I also do some Java programming. Been fiddling with Linux for a couple of years (I'm currently learning how to write shell scripts) but I STILL can't figure out how to get that damned Myth TV to work. I got it to tune in some channels about a year ago but the quality was ****** so I gave up on it. Been trying again lately and I can't get the damned thing to play with my Hauppage tuner card. Hours and hours of googling and fiddling with configurations and I get nowhere.

On the other hand, someone who can barely use a browser can fire up Media Center and start watching TV almost immediately.

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I watch little TV but what little I do watch, Media Center records for me and I watch it on my computer. With all the other fantastic software offerings out there for Ubuntu, I'm amazed that no one has built a decent TV tuner package.
You may want to take a look at this one also.
http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2012/01/how-to-install-ubuntu-tv-right-now-via-ppa/

[oldsoundguy]

Been messing with Myth for several years on a dedicated box. My main issue is that I can install a NVidia GT430 card (PcIE) and it will work for a while, but then it will not see the card (card has dual HDMI outputs) and wants me to load the on board system.

NOT very reliable. IF it were that important to me, would have abandoned all hope long ago.

[wilee-nilee]

Run as my primary OS's ever.

Never have never will lol.

[thatguruguy]

For me, this answer is easy: TELEVISION. Myth TV doesn't come close to Windows Media Center. I consider myself and advanced computer user (since 1984) and I also do some Java programming. Been fiddling with Linux for a couple of years (I'm currently learning how to write shell scripts) but I STILL can't figure out how to get that damned Myth TV to work. I got it to tune in some channels about a year ago but the quality was ****** so I gave up on it. Been trying again lately and I can't get the damned thing to play with my Hauppage tuner card. Hours and hours of googling and fiddling with configurations and I get nowhere.

On the other hand, someone who can barely use a browser can fire up Media Center and start watching TV almost immediately.

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I watch little TV but what little I do watch, Media Center records for me and I watch it on my computer. With all the other fantastic software offerings out there for Ubuntu, I'm amazed that no one has built a decent TV tuner package.

I notice that you haven't posted a single thread in the Mythbuntu sub-forum. I'm not sure which Hauppauge tuner you use, but most are well-supported. In fact, I wrote a How-To some time ago on how to set up the 950Q (the Hauppauge USB tuner) for Mythbuntu. MythTV is a pretty amazing package, and it's too bad you've decided not to even ask basic questions on how to get it to work for you.

[SPARTAN-118]

Run as my primary OS's ever.

Never have never will lol.

Heh, same here. This fact just confirmed itself when I switched out a defective motherboard a little while back, and Windows was broken (irreparably, I might add) while Ubuntu took it in stride. The only issue I have now is that GRUB seems to be of the wrong aspect ratio and resolution for my monitor (the bottom disappears off-screen and a "Not Optimal Resolution" popup appears on my screen) but as GRUB (and the "shutting down/hibernate/etc" command line screen) are only on-screen for a little bit, I can manage. I can probably fix that in Boot-repair or something anyway.

That reminds me, does anyone know how to burn a single .tar.bz2 file across multiple discs? I'm trying to using the "split" command: $ split --bytes=8400m largefile (bytes set to that because I'm using Dual Layer discs) but the burning process seems to fail (Brasero looked good up until a point, but K3b just fails immediately).

I realize I should probably create a separate thread, but I figured, while I'm here, might as well ask, as I'm trying to back up my "Libraries" partition before wiping my 500GB HDD and moving Ubuntu to it, then installing Windows on my 80GB drive.

[ExSuSEusr]

I don't think gaming is that important to most peopleI disagree with that... and the post a few up from yours that said Photoshop. I run Photoshop on both my Mint and Ubuntu machines with no issues at all - flawlessly in fact.

As for the gaming issue. I think the Linux community overlooks the fact that typically speaking - gamers are, in many ways, computer nerds for the most part. If there is anyone that would be attracted to Linux, it'd be a gamer before your average every day "let me check my email and surf the web" type user. But, since the OS isn't friendly to gaming - I think there is a HUGE portion of the market that is being lost.

Hell, World of Warcraft alone has touted some 100 million subscribers world wide at one point. Then consider other games like EVE online, Everquest, the list goes on an on.

Even with the console market (PS and Xbox) there is somewhere up to 1 billion people world-wide that play PC based MMO's - that's JUST the MMO market. Let's not forget about the other types of PC games like Dioblo III et al. Console games have made their mark, but there is still a massive number of people who game through their PC as well.

I think that most people are like me in that they don't mind spending a evening with a mixed drink playing around with their Linux machine to configure compiz, or whatever.... but when they are forced to spend hours, if not days trying to get their games to work - and then only to find that a lot of their games even if installed won't work 100% - end up turned off and leave the OS completely - or leave it as a partition they hardly use.

Again, when you have the MMO's alone pushing a total (collectively) a billion players world-wide then you add those who are more into the PC version of CoD or Diablo.....

It blows me away that Linux still has its back turned to the gaming community - as if to admit it has absolutely no idea how big gaming really is, in the big picture.

Sure, you have Cedega, PlayonLinux and the like and that's all well and good but they don't touch the tip of the ice burg when it's all said and done... but whatever... Linux hasn't listened to gamers up to this point, so why would it now?

In a way it reminds me of an old man... an old man that runs a record company - and sees that millions and millions of music lovers are screaming for MP3 versions of their favorite songs, and the old man CEO ignores them and keeps making 8 Track Tapes and then wonders why his "company" can't keep up with Company X that is giving the customers what they want....

Not complaining - just saying.

Gaming is LOT bigger of an issue than you think. I think part of the problem is that the people who care the least are those who simply don't game.

I'm not suggesting that turning Linux into a gamer's dream OS is the answer - BUT if Linux was gaming friendly (and by that I mean easier to install and run the games without hours of endless tweaking) it could take a huge bite out of the market to the point it could make MS nervous.

Start a poll and ask people what the number reason they still keep a version of Windows on their computer and I'll bet you a year's salary the majority of the answers will be "gaming."

Think about it....

Here's a couple of links to help you see:

http://www.extremetech.com/gaming/97047-thank-you-farmville-pc-gaming-will-soon-overtake-consoles

http://blogs.imediaconnection.com/blog/2011/03/14/forecast-for-pc-gaming-industry-looks-rosy/

A quote from the second link:

Powerhouse Electronic Arts (http://www.ea.com) is somewhat upbeat too. In an interview with Gamasutra (http://www.gamasutra.com), EA Games President Frank Gibeau said MMORPG’s (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) and other PC games will continue to be a key revenue producer for EA.

“The user base is gigantic,” said Gibeau. “PC retail may be a big problem, but PC downloads are awesome. The margins are much better and we don’t have any rules in terms of first approvals. From our perspective, it’s an extremely health platform. It’s totally conceivable it will become our biggest platform.”
That's from EA.... one of the biggest game producers out there... admitting that PC platform games could over take console games as their company's biggest sellers. But, yes, let's continue to ignore gaming and write it off like an irrelevant past time that most people "don't really care about."

I have a business degree and for the life of me I can't understand why Linux (as a whole) just can't see the error of its ways. Why in God's name would you turn your back on one of the most important uses of a personal computer and write it off with "well just keep a Windows partition handy" why? It blows me away.....

We all want Linux to be big - we want it to take over Windows as the world's OS... but... anyway.... deaf ears.

And, before you start giving me all kinds of reasons.... Ubuntu is one of the best versions of Linux out there... it can basically do anything. If [they] can create an OS that out-of-the-box can pretty much do anything that Windows can do - literally. You can't tell me [they] can't make the OS or any other flavor of Linux game friendly. I don't buy it. [They] just don't care. It's not a priority. And, because of that potentially billions of potential users get left on the curb.

[Mikeb85]

You can't tell me [they] can't make the OS or any other flavor of Linux game friendly. I don't buy it. [They] just don't care. It's not a priority. And, because of that potentially billions of potential users get left on the curb.

Ubuntu is fairly 'game friendly'. It is. Look at Oil Rush - phenomenal graphics, and it runs super smooth, or X-Plane 10 - probably the best flight sim ever, and great AAA graphics. It's the game studios that need to catch up. Of course, I never thought I'd see the day OSX has so many titles, so it's perfectly conceivable Ubuntu will be the same in a few years.

[zombifier25]

Ubuntu is fairly 'game friendly'. It is. Look at Oil Rush - phenomenal graphics, and it runs super smooth, or X-Plane 10 - probably the best flight sim ever, and great AAA graphics. It's the game studios that need to catch up. Of course, I never thought I'd see the day OSX has so many titles, so it's perfectly conceivable Ubuntu will be the same in a few years.

Agree. Many games studios (like EA) are having a look at Ubuntu/Linux now, because it's growing very fast in the recent years.

[Dragonbite]

Seems a number of games are coming to Ubuntu, and the Ubuntu Store is helping to make this easy and seamless.

[jtarin]

That reminds me, does anyone know how to burn a single .tar.bz2 file across multiple discs? I'm trying to using the "split" command: $ split --bytes=8400m largefile (bytes set to that because I'm using Dual Layer discs) but the burning process seems to fail (Brasero looked good up until a point, but K3b just fails immediately).

I realize I should probably create a separate thread, but I figured, while I'm here, might as well ask, as I'm trying to back up my "Libraries" partition before wiping my 500GB HDD and moving Ubuntu to it, then installing Windows on my 80GB drive.I use HJSplit (http://www.hjsplit.org/linux/) for things like this.

[SPARTAN-118]

I use HJSplit (http://www.hjsplit.org/linux/) for things like this.

Thanks, I'll give it a try. Seems to be basically a GUI for the split/cat commands, but was made by people who know what they're doing...
Unlike me...

EDIT: Okay, I tried it, and it fails. Epically.
I let it go for somewhere around three or more hours.
It never got past 2%.
Ironically, the file it was creating was getting bigger, so it was doing something, at least.
However, I must say, "No, thank you" and stick to using the "split" command for now. That would have not only consumed less system resources (comp was slooow) but it also would have completed infinity times faster.
Thanks anyway, though.

[jtarin]

Thanks, I'll give it a try. Seems to be basically a GUI for the split/cat commands, but was made by people who know what they're doing...
Unlike me...

EDIT: Okay, I tried it, and it fails. Epically.
I let it go for somewhere around three or more hours.
It never got past 2%.
Ironically, the file it was creating was getting bigger, so it was doing something, at least.
However, I must say, "No, thank you" and stick to using the "split" command for now. That would have not only consumed less system resources (comp was slooow) but it also would have completed infinity times faster.
Thanks anyway, though.

I will admit to it taking a long time but I have never had a problem with putting the files back together. There's always .rar if you want to split into volumes. How the file is packaged before splitting can have a bearing.

[Musicmaker384]

I'll be honest, I don't really see Linux as much of a gaming platform. Originally, I installed Ubuntu so I could fall back on it if Windows started having problems. Now I'm using it for all my schoolwork. I have heard, however, that they're developing a version of Steam that will run on Linux, and that'll be nice.

In response to the original question: Pretty much nothing.

[benjamin.s.vaccaro]

Biggest thing for me is that windows can run Office Suite. Honestly, Libre and OpenOffice are so pitiful that I now use google docs until I can jump onto Word or Excel. There really is no comparison and Ubuntu needs to recognize that if it is going to be a competitor in the personal and business OS markets that they need to provide basic office programs that are as GUI dependent as the Office Suite.

The only other thing Window's offers is a splitting headache.

[ExSuSEusr]

Actually, Ubuntu (Linux) can run MS Office just fine.

Go to your software manager or Synaptic and get PlayonLinux. Install it. Pop in your MS Office disk and install. I use MS Office all the time and without any problems.

I do believe PlayonLinux will even install the MS core fonts for you too...

I am not sure how much you know about the program - but it will also install a complete Wine (including Wine Tricks) for you as well.