OS Dilemma

[sharpbiohazard]

Figured this is the correct place to discuss this.

I have finally given ubuntu, and linuxmint a try after being raised on Windows. I am a hardcore gamer for the PC.

I love how unique linux is, and the learning challenge that it has (i like educating myself :P). However, I feel as though I am stuck with Windows for these reasons:
1. I love to game. Almost none of my games that I play will run under linux. Lots of my games are on steam.
2. Onenote. I have done forum searches on this all over the web, and I have yet to find a suitable replacement in linux.

Therefore, I ask for some opinions. Should I even attempt to use Linux based on my needs? It seems kind of dumb for me to dual boot a computer when 80% of the stuff I do requires MS.

Thanks

[NightwishFan]

There is no harm in using a GNU/Linux for what it is good for. Security, flexibility, reliability. I say keep a small partition with your favourite Linux OS on it. Or perhaps just keep one in virtualbox to play with. There is no harm in being a Windows user.

[Paqman]

Don't worry about it. A lot of gamers dual boot. Windows games work best in Windows, although you might find as you go on that there are some games you can play just fine in Linux (eg: World of Goo, Minecraft, etc).

You'll still get the benefit of Linux for doing all your non-gaming stuff.

[wolfen69]

Although I rarely use it, I keep windows around for occasional gaming and syncing my ipod. Who says you can't have 2 or more OS's? I keep several hard drives laying around to do whatever I want. You don't have to choose between them, use both.


It seems kind of dumb for me to dual boot a computer when 80% of the stuff I do requires MS.

99% of the stuff I require is on linux, but I keep windows around. Besides, once you learn linux, and about MS alternatives, you might just find yourself using linux more often than you think.

[aeiah]

if you're the type to game at specific times, then you can just have things dual boot and default to ubuntu, but if you're the type to dip in and out of games throughout your time at your computer you'll find it very inconvenient to use linux. in which case, a virtual machine or something might be worthwhile, if you still want to mess around with it.

[cespinal]

Keep it around for porn. You'll have to reinstall Windows much less frequently.

Who uses porn anyway? DUH!

[forrestcupp]

It seems kind of dumb for me to dual boot a computer when 80% of the stuff I do requires MS.
That's basically my reasoning for staying in Windows most of the time. I am getting ready to reinstall Ubuntu just for some things I can't do in Windows. I like the drum editor, Hydrogen. There is a Windows version of it, but it royally sucks. There are other things, too. I'll probably still be in Windows most of the time, but I like having a choice.

Just to satisfy your interest, you could always install Linux in a virtual machine and never have to reboot from Windows. VMs aren't good for gaming, but you won't be using Linux for gaming, anyway.

[Gremlinzzz]

Then there's programs you cant use in windows like rakarrack.very good for guitar players like myself.
http://rakarrack.sourceforge.net/

[tmette]

I would just dual-boot. I'm a bit of a gamer myself and use Ubuntu for everyday stuff like surfing. Then on the weekends I'll probably reboot into Win7 to play the occasional game and sync my iPod.

[Gremlinzzz]

Then there's the money you save!
no need for anti virus programs
do not have to buy cd/dvd burners
didn't have to pay for the OPERATING SYSTEM! :)

[forrestcupp]

Then there's programs you cant use in windows like rakarrack.very good for guitar players like myself.
http://rakarrack.sourceforge.net/

Nice! Is it real time without any delay? Can you easily run your guitar through rakarrack and record the output into Ardour?

In the past when I wanted to quickly record a rough demo and I didn't feel like setting everything up, I recorded my guitar clean then added some ladspa effects for distortion, etc. It sounded horrible compared to my effects processor, but I didn't care because it was a rough recording. Does rakarrack really give you a quality sound, or is it similar to what I described above?

This isn't really hijacking because it fits with my original reasoning of dual booting with Linux. ;)

[Gremlinzzz]

Nice! Is it real time without any delay? Can you easily run your guitar through rakarrack and record the output into Ardour?

In the past when I wanted to quickly record a rough demo and I didn't feel like setting everything up, I recorded my guitar clean then added some ladspa effects for distortion, etc. It sounded horrible compared to my effects processor, but I didn't care because it was a rough recording. Does rakarrack really give you a quality sound, or is it similar to what I described above?

This isn't really hijacking because it fits with my original reasoning of dual booting with Linux. ;)

never used Ardour
real time
try it
and this can be considered hijacking if others join in:)
check this site out
http://www.guitarbackingtrack.com/

[sharpbiohazard]

I'm a hardware guru, but a complete noob at programming/software. Any suggested VM programs that are good for beginners?

[spynappels]

Look at VirtualBox on Windows, use it daily for my testing machines for Windows during the week. Weekends, I run Ubuntu.

[uRock]

Oracle VirtualBox (http://www.virtualbox.org/) is the easiest I have used.

[scouser73]

Please give linux a go, although as you've said it doesn't meet 80% of your needs unlike windows and that's a shame but if you like learning new things then why not put linux on a small partition and get to know your way around it.

Perhaps you could use WINE for some of your games at least; http://www.winehq.org/ which allows you to use proprietary software on linux.

Here's a couple of links for free Ubuntu e-books which hopefully will come in very handy for you.

http://ubuntupocketguide.com/index_main.html

http://ubuntu-manual.org/

[Skelator]

VMWare player is pretty good if you want to have a virtual machine... In work I have Windows with an Ubuntu vm and Ubuntu with a Windows VM , just because i like messing around with things in my free time :-)

[sharpbiohazard]

I am assuming that I do not get all the security benefits of Linux when I run it in a virtual environment in Windows right?

[Paqman]

I am assuming that I do not get all the security benefits of Linux when I run it in a virtual environment in Windows right?

Windows, whether it's the host or the client OS, always brings its own security issues with it.

[angryfirelord]

Figured this is the correct place to discuss this.

I have finally given ubuntu, and linuxmint a try after being raised on Windows. I am a hardcore gamer for the PC.

I love how unique linux is, and the learning challenge that it has (i like educating myself :P). However, I feel as though I am stuck with Windows for these reasons:
1. I love to game. Almost none of my games that I play will run under linux. Lots of my games are on steam.
2. Onenote. I have done forum searches on this all over the web, and I have yet to find a suitable replacement in linux.

Therefore, I ask for some opinions. Should I even attempt to use Linux based on my needs? It seems kind of dumb for me to dual boot a computer when 80% of the stuff I do requires MS.

Thanks
There is no stringent requirement that one has to use Windows simply because that's what the majority of your applications need to use. I've been using a dual-boot setup for years and I'd say it has done well for me. But then again, that also depends on your philosophy and whether or not you want to take the "purist" route.

I am assuming that I do not get all the security benefits of Linux when I run it in a virtual environment in Windows right?
Depends on what you mean by "security benefits". If you went to a malicious site using Windows inside your virtual machine, it's not going to somehow infect Linux. That's one of the key benefits of virtualization is that the operating system is isolated from everything else. It's probably a better way to use Windows, but the drawback is that virtualization is very heavy on resources. If you do play games, it's best to use a dual-boot setup because you won't get very good frame-rates.

[Old_Grey_Wolf]

Therefore, I ask for some opinions. Should I even attempt to use Linux based on my needs? It seems kind of dumb for me to dual boot a computer when 80% of the stuff I do requires MS.

Thanks

If Microsoft Windows is right for you then use it. Use whatever OS works for you.

The fact that you are asking this question makes me think that you have some reason to want to use a Linux based OS.

What is the reason you want to use a Linux based OS?

[sharpbiohazard]

If Microsoft Windows is right for you then use it. Use whatever OS works for you.

The fact that you are asking this question makes me think that you have some reason to want to use a Linux based OS.

What is the reason you want to use a Linux based OS?

Call me weird, but I like being different. I like not going with the masses; being educated on stuff that others have no understanding on. :)

Linux seems awesome, and I have only been using it for the past week. I am just saddened because my 1 main reason why I use my computer is for gaming. I have checked the Wine Databases on my current games that I play, and they are not compatible. So I am just thinking from the standpoint "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" with me and Windows. But yet I want to be different! :lolflag:

[Gremlinzzz]

NO one mentioned wubi is there some reason? you can install ubuntu using wubi.google wubi.

[NightwishFan]

If you like the experience of learning Linux I recommend as before to dual boot or virtualbox. It is a lot of fun. :)

[scouser73]

NO one mentioned wubi is there some reason? you can install ubuntu using wubi.google wubi.

As Gremlinzzz said, use Wubi. Wubi is a way to install Ubuntu in windows without messing anything up, and should you not like Ubuntu then you can remove Wubi because it acts just like any other application for Windows as it's easily removable.

Wubi (http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/windows-installer)

[uRock]

I don't recommend Wubi, because you have to fight with the Windows boot manager to remove Wubi from the listing. Uninstalling Wubi doesn't remove the entry.

[sharpbiohazard]

Sounds like I will just put Ubuntu on a physically separate HD. That way I can have the full functionality without having to deal with a boot manager from either OS, just from the BIOS.

[Fedz]

I have 2 internal drives: 1 for Ubuntu on default boot & 2nd has Windows XP Pro which I press esc on boot then highlight the Windows drive to boot into it which is amazingly rare - cos ya never know :)

[johnnybgoode83]

If 80% of your activities are Windows based I really do not see the point in even dual booting. If you do want to learn and play with Linux, perhaps you could install it on a virtual machine within windows or have it on a live USB with persistent storage for when you need a Linux fit. That is what I did when I was first contemplating the switch.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do

[forrestcupp]

NO one mentioned wubi is there some reason? you can install ubuntu using wubi.google wubi.

Probably because Wubi sucks. ;)

You still have to reboot to get to Ubuntu. So why not just dual boot and get a more native feel and response.

And since no one uses it, you're not going to get Wubi specific support very quickly.

[tmette]

Call me weird, but I like being different. I like not going with the masses; being educated on stuff that others have no understanding on. :)

Linux seems awesome, and I have only been using it for the past week. I am just saddened because my 1 main reason why I use my computer is for gaming. I have checked the Wine Databases on my current games that I play, and they are not compatible. So I am just thinking from the standpoint "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" with me and Windows. But yet I want to be different! :lolflag:

Your not weird, this is the exact same reason I switched. I wanted something that was "different" from everyone else. One boring afternoon in college I decided to dual-boot my system with Ubuntu. I kept it on there for a while as my main OS and went to Windows whenever I needed to do projects for class or play a game or so. But I would say about 80% of my time on the computer in college was surfing the internet, IMing and listening to music.

It actually worked out well too. I had a certain roommate who always wanted to use my computer for inappropriate things when I was away at class. He wasn't very computer smart, mainly because he didn't even have one of his own. It's not too hard to noticed he was on my computer when I saw the internet history. Heck one time, he left a popup open! I told him to stop but for some reason he thought that I was bluffing, little did he know I also installed a key-logger after catching him several times. After installing Ubuntu, he never touched my computer again, plus it helped that Ubuntu auto-locks after like 5 minutes of inactivity. I never set my computer to do that in Windows.

In the end I told him if he used my computer for that crap again, I would mess up all of his social-networking accounts since I had the passwords for them. Then I got a different roommate after that semester!

[s3a]

I would also stick to LTS releases since I find normal "stable" releases often bring issues with them.