Why do you choose Ubuntu over Windows

[Guitar John]

No BSOD. That was a constant source of frustration for me when I used WinXP.

Actually, after being Windows free since 2006, I am dual-booting on one computer. I recently bought a used Dell D610 (http://www.bobjohnson.com/). I have two of them now.

It came with WinXP and I was originally going to blank the drive (http://www.dban.org/) and install 9.04. At the last minute (literally) I decided to keep XP on half of the drive so that I could play around with Windows Movie Maker.

There are Linux alternatives, but there is also a learning curve. Since the computer was used, it came with no Windows install disc. I can get rid of WinXP later if I want, but once it is gone I cannot bring it back.

[Frantic_Earthling]

To make a long story short: I feel safe!

[skymera]

1. XP is mightily slow

2. I don't need anti-virus

3. no serial or Linux Genuine Advantage

4. no .NET

5. Ubuntu doesn't require a whole install from a buiggy USB driver

I use Ubuntu for many reasons. That's just a few

[DLG102282]

2. I don't need anti-virus

3. no serial or Linux Genuine Advantage





I use Ubuntu for many reasons. That's just a few


Number might be true now, but probably won't always be the case. I am 100% with you on the Genuine advantage thing. It is the main reason I started to using linux.

[JT9161]

Because Linux is Minix based?

^^^
Nitpicking

And that depends on how you define based on, since although Linus got his inspiration from MINIX, he wrote the kernel from scratch

/really nitpicking

[psgoodale]

I am surprised it took me so long to get away from windows. I should have done so a very long time ago. Tired of viruses to the famous Microsoft has encountered an error and needs to shut down. The unnecessary programs running behind the scenes, the ridiculous updates that have been very unstable. Microsoft has disappointed me for the last time. Need I say Vista? Lol What a waste of money! Linux is fast and clean. I love it.:KS

[starcannon]

I've pretty much had it up to here with Ubuntu. So I wanna see why other people choose this OS over the functional OS that is Windows. To me it seems if you want Ubuntu to work correctly, you have to tweak a bunch of errors. It's like having a good looking son who doesn't know how to do ****.

So Please. Tell me why you choose Ubuntu. And you can't say compiz or beryl.

If you leave Ubuntu alone, just install any 3rd party drivers you need (this is required of all operating systems, even Mac if you add hardware), then it will work perfectly; if however, you decide to start tweaking it, and customizing it with docks, compiz effects, emerald window decorators, and other unstable though interesting things its not gonna work as advertised.

I love Ubuntu, its stable, its safe, fast, free, and liberated; it values me, and I value others that use and are involved with it. It's community, its getting the job done, its 100% uptime on the machines I leave stock and stable, its everything the other OS's advertise themselves to be on T.V.

Concerning the Minix/Linux Question, let the man behind Minix answer it for himself, and that he did, read some excerpts of an interview with him here: http://www.cs.vu.nl/~ast/brown/
Enjoy, its great reading, wish I could have had a seat to watch that interview.

[Frak]

And that depends on how you define based on, since although Linus got his inspiration from MINIX, he wrote the kernel from scratch

/really nitpicking
based in the loosest sense of the word.

^^^
Epic save

[Ambly]

Its free!!! mainly that.
And sooner or later most people will use it instead of microsoft or apple.

[dnairb]

I used to run WindowsXP, but after Microsoft announced that support was being withdrawn for home users, and after seeing the price for Windows Vista, I started to look elsewhere.
I had been interested in Linux for a few years, and tried some distros (Suse, when it came as a 6-CD pack, Mandrake, before it became Mandriva and Red Hat). None seemed to really work properly.
Then, one fine Saturday last year, I found PC Pro magazine (IIRC) with a DVD with the Gutsy Gibbon iso file. I took it home, burnt the CD, rebooted, and, "bl@@*y hell, it all works!"

Recently a work colleague bought his first laptop (at 61 years old, no less): a Compaq running Windows Vista. He needed some help, and like a fool I agreed to help him out. IMHO Vista is ghastly! I'm so glad I didn't fork out £180+ for that.

I will stick with Linux in general and Ubuntu specifically, however I am also running Fedora and Debian on a multi-boot system as I don't want to be tied to one distro.

[u235sentinel]

I'm tired of Windows. Tired of being told what I can and cannot do. Tired of poor security and tired of Microsoft's predatory attitude.

I'm an MCSE and have had many years of professional experience with Windows and Microsoft products. When I discovered Linux in 94 I thought it sucked. In 95 someone gave me a copy of RedHat 5 and I thought "Can this be the same crappy Linux I used the year before". that's when I started to pay attention to Linux in general.

I have yet to find the perfect OS. Whether Windows or Linux. You will have problems. Just different problems to deal with.

I've had to tweak every OS I've ever worked with. But that's mainly because I want to do things my way not their way. I have certain things I want to see in my OS. that's one of the reasons I switched from Windows to Linux.

After building my computer last year I had to decide what OS I should install. Windows XP was going away and Microsoft wasn't interested in making an XP2.0. Vista was garbage (and still is). Today I refuse to help anyone with Vista problems. Sorry but I've wasted soo much time with that OS that I have facial tics now ;-)

Windows 7 isn't much better IMO. So after looking at Linux os's I decided a Debian based one. My free time is very limited these days and I was tired of RPM dependancy hell.

Been using Ubuntu on my desktop now for over a year (though I do have prior Debian experience). It's not perfect but it's far better than all the other choices I had available.

I'm using WINE for my Counterstrike Source and Team Fortress 2 addiction. I've also been purchasing a lot of native linux commercial games (Quake 4 just came in yesterday, Neverwinter nights and UT2004 are pretty good also).

So that's a quick rundown about why I choose Linux. Ubuntu isn't bad and it's always getting better.

Plus it's cheaper buying their cd's compared to the $400 I was looking at with Vista. Yeah that was far higher than I was willing to pay. That's half the cost of my new computer!!!

[mahenkpatel]

Because i wanted to try linux and Ubuntu name sounds cool:P

[AesoSpadez]

Long story short, I'm preparing for the switch over because I see a shift coming soon.

Windows is endlessly getting more bloated, more inefficient, and more resource-intensive. We've reached a stage in computing to where even the most basic of computers will do everything we need them to, so there's no need to continue forcing features onto the consumer.

If Microsoft doesn't change there mindset about what it's consumer wants and linux can come out with the right tools at the right time, we may see an entire shift throughout the gaming community. As hacky as it was to get it working, I actually run Counterstrike: Source better under wine then I do under Windows 7 or Vista.

At the end of the day, I don't need all kinds of bells and whistles. Just give me my resources back, you know? And to top it all off, linux has most of those bells and whistles if you so choose to download them. Ubuntu has shown to be very easy to use, and if Microsoft isn't careful, they might just lose an entire consumer group.

[crowin]

Ok then I will tell you why I have Linux. Because I have been using linux since I was a nanobyte, and the reason I have Ubuntu is I love the name!

The reason I have Windows Vista is because I need it for work.

The reason I have OS 10 is I love the new macbook, and I need it for work.

I haven't started my XP machine in years, but I do dust it off occasionally. I may put solaris on it just to see what them guys are up to.

:P

[crowin]

if Microsoft isn't careful, they might just lose an entire consumer group.


Just a thought... unlikely that MS would lose much.
MS makes most of its OS sales via OEM installs and it is highly doubtful that OEMs will stop installing their versions of windows anytime soon.:o

[Manigoldo]

Hmmm, just recently loaded up my home PC with Ubuntu 9.04. I must say that I am impressed, it was even easier and less of a hassle than to get my XP machine running. So far I have not had any major problems, just a few acceptable glitches which I was easily able to sort out.
I still have XP on my work PC (boss believes anything but Microsoft is the devil) and I dont have an issue with it in any way really.
So for me it is easier to work on XP and use Ubuntu at home, makes life a little more interesting and I don't need to worry about too many problems.
All and all a definite thumbs up! Though don't get me wrong, I can never hate any Windows... well... except ME :tongue:

[gndrive]

microsoft word. need it for work. im studying law and theres alot of footnoting and referencing needed. its hard trying to coordinate work with my collegues who are using word with open office.other than that, the computer running xp is just collecting dust. my main computer is running linux of course! main reason - its fast, and no worries about viruses.

[gfe]

I use Linux because it's faster, more customizable and much easier to troubleshoot. At work, I don't have a choice, but here at home I do.

At home, the only thing I use Windows for is watching Netflix and occasional ABC shows. And as soon as ABC shows go on Hulu, I'll have only Netflix. Hopefully Netflix will see the light one of these days.

[justinmiller87]

The wife doesn't like Linux, so I use open source stuff in XP.

[Drokles]

The only real reason why we all still use Windows is compatibility.

[Engus]

The only real reason why we all still use Windows is compatibility.

thats pretty much it. I can live without the newest games on my computer (thats why I own consoles) but I am tethered to windows for CAD and related programs.

[mickthomas1984]

Simply why not use both or even three or four operating systems because they all clearly have their advantages so why not make full use of them all. After all variaty is the spice of life

[ranch hand]

Because we bought this new computer with Vista on it and it ran slower than a 10 year old P2 with 128Mb of ram. This box was designed for Vista but we had to (sometimes) reboot up to 3 times to get Vista to run.

Basically we switched to avoid my having a stroke because Vista is NOT a stable OS by any definition.

Ubuntu loves this box and I have had no problems except getting dial up to work with my internal usr5610c modem. This is really a piece of cake under Hardy which is what I started with.

[rpwdh]

I just wanted to check it out. I'd heard it was more secure and it works great on this 2006 laptop.

I like the philosophy as well.

[jarrah-95]

a few simple reasons
1 windows is still using an upgraded version of the msdos kernal (ubuntu uses the linux kernal (way more stable)
2 ubuntu is free
3 if i need anything in ubuntu i can eather get it online or in the reposetrys
4 ubuntu has no end if you cant do it you can or you can download a new app or you can use the cli
5 no/minimal viruses
+ lots more to many to name

[lisati]

1 windows is still using an upgraded version of the msdos kernal


... which in turn "borrowed" a few ideas from CP/M

[Harpie Queen]

It is free, so I decided to give it a go. It is more secure, easier to use, the software for it is free, I can taunt people whenever windows messes up, when I see windows failing I can make attacks on it like 'windows: In cyberspace no one can hear you screaming.' I like to support free software, because I like the idea of software being free.

[Frak]

1 windows is still using an upgraded version of the msdos kernal (ubuntu uses the linux kernal (way more stable)

No it doesn't. The Terminal Emulator contains an MS-DOS emulator, but it's only used when an application requires MS-DOS. There are Kernel Extensions for the NTOSKRNL that support DOS requirements (such as loading up the config files used on old systems). Though, NT barely resembles the DOS Kernel, if at all. Novell Netware, as an example, still uses a DOS Kernel. If you're going to bash it for something that isn't even right, you may as well drag the others into it also.

[bonkadventure2]

I choose Ubuntu over Windows because:
-Tux is cool
-Ubuntu is faster
-Ubuntu is free and opensource
-You can easily install Open Source Software and Non Open Source Software from a simple list
-There is so much to choose from
Much, much, more. I can go blabbing on for hours. :)

[shabazzk]

I use both still. But now Ubuntu is my main OS instead of widows. Since I don't play games like I used to, it was OK for me to make the switch for the following reasons:

Linux Pros:

Just as stable as Windows.
It cost $200 then Windows (meaning I was able to try without spending a dime).
Small foot-print compared to Windows 7 (700MB vs 3GB install).
Highly customizable.
Faster than windows when it comes to video and music (playing and encoding).
XBMC seems to work better than in windows.
Community supported so fixes for problems happen quicker than in windows.

Linux Cons:

Not highly supported by Manufacturers, leaving you at the mercy of the community (but they're good people who like to help).
Learning curve for adding new features and reporting bugs.
Lots of things are not supported out of the-box (ie IR remote setup, which I was able to do in 20 minutes in windows 7, but that is for lack of support from manufacture of the hardware).


--------------------------------------

Windows Pros:

High manufacture support for many devices, making it alomost hassle free when adding new devices to the system.
Lot of rich 3D games.
Moderately user friendly environment.


Windows Cons:

HIGH $$$ price tag. $200 license per PC :(
Can be a bit of a learning curve if you are new to windows.
Good software for basic things like video encoding on window is going to cost you extra $$$.
Very restricted, changing/updating particular hardware can require you to activate the key again.
Moderately customizable for a price.
Bulky (Windows 7 has minimum requirement of 20GB of free space) and get bulkier with each new release.
Slows down considerably after months of use.

[Wiebelhaus]

I use Ubuntu for work and play and it just does everything better and faster and hardly ever crashes , I probably haven't had a crash in a year or more.

[kneewax]

363 pages 3624 replies. isn't time to can this thread?

[rdmike]

Like others I installed Ubuntu just to try it or tinker around with it. It didn't take long for me to be hooked. There are some drawbacks, openoffice not matching up completely with ms office for example, but these are, in my view, minimal and not worth haggling over. All in all, I've been quite pleased with Ubuntu.

[MGaddict2000]

363 pages 3624 replies. isn't time to can this thread?

Is it ever time to "can" a thread? This just shows the enthusiasm of a free culture. And some of the replies are funny like when some guy says he would switch, if his wife would let him.

[MFinkel]

I use XP because I can download a program and it works.

Using Ubuntu.

It took maybe a week for me to get BOINC to download and operate.

I have spent the afternoon trying to get LogMeIn to work. And it still will not download and open.

I love Ubuntu, I would love it more if it was easy. XP is easy but you have to pay M$ to use it. Ubuntu is free, go figure.

Now I want to use my Logitech webcam, works great with XP. I just do not have the time right now to attempt it, have actually already spent a couple of hours, I have to move on.

Now, my printers set up fairly easy but I can't use my scanner with Ubuntu as the HP Solution Center is non existent. I have to call HP for that, the online support can not handle it.

I still prefer Ubuntu as I really do not like the M$ thing!!

[dmizer]

Linux does exactly what I need it to do. It's also enabled me to do things (specifically: hosting my own web server) I would never have dreamed of attempting in Windows.

Linux also allows me to remotely manage other Linux systems. For example: I was constantly fixing my parents computer when they were running Windows. This wasn't really Windows fault, it was my parents fault for not keeping on top of security updates, and for messing with things that shouldn't be messed with.

But now, I'm halfway around the world and I have no way of fixing Windows when they have a problem. Since I installed Linux, I can just SSH in, and configure router settings, printer server settings, RDP into their Windows laptop to fix whatever problems they may run into. To be sure, my parents have about the same amount of problems in Linux as they did in Windows, and I'm fixing things about as frequently. But at least with Linux, I can fix them from remote.

Edit:
I almost forgot my favorite reason of all for using Linux. I can pull the hard drive out of one computer, stick it in another and Linux boots right up.

[rjsec4ever]

One Word: Gaming. Sure that there are many games for Windows and Mac. Some Windows games are paid for when on Linux, it's not (i.e. Njam 2 for Windows vs. Njam for Linux). Others include that the open-source games are running in its native environment. Extreme Tux Racer 0.4 ran terribly on my laptop on Windows, but ran much smoother on the same system, with Ubuntu 8.10.

Also, the eye candy! XD

[Luca_turicci]

This is a loooooong post, and i didn't read everything before posting... But here I go.

I like Ubuntu because:
-Having it free is LEGAL
-All the software i use is legal, too (and free)
-I don't have to pay anyone for using what is already mine (VPC ((Very Personal Computer)))
-Makes me feel like I'm using MY computer and not EVERYONES computer
-Once you get used to it, it's much easier than Windows
-Is way more stable, I haven't restarted my pc in weeks
-I don't need to worry about virus
-Don't waste time looking for serials, cracks, keygens, etc.
-Can get new software from my desktop
- It's faster

I don't like Ubuntu Because:
-There's no software for some stuff i need
-My friends always complain when they use my PC
-It was complex on the begining
-Can't use my "eye 110!" webcam here (it's not supported)
-I can't send/receive audio/video at the same time with MSN users
-Need to ask my friends to install Skype in order to do videoconferences and stuff like that

I like Windows because:
-No one complains about my PC running windows
-Some software i need is only for windows
-While the system starts up it gives me enough time to make coffe
-Can use my webcam on MSN
-Can match the mess in my bedroom with the mess in my computer =)

I don't like windows because
-It's a monopoly
-They charge me for using the computer I already paid for
-There¡s many crappy software i need that has a price higher than it deserves
-Need to reisntal twice a year
-Too high system requeriments (higher than ubuntu)
-Anything without EULA is ilegal
-The guys who develop it don't hear my suggestions and i don't have a chance to help the OS improvement

[Salute]

I've stepped away from stealing software, "free to you for a limited time"

Using wireless and not knowin xp "inside out" I got owned alot, now It's a severely locked box -which of course I love to bits

[Chame_Wizard]

Cause i can do everything without to worry:popcorn:

[MOrz]

It is free...i think of making a company which Fix Pc...so...windows xp cost a lot.Not many users need windows for windows.They need to listen to music and watch movie+internet...sometimes games...So it is up to me what to instal them.

[RgnKjnVA]

It's free and I like to tinker, however, I am getting really tired of the functional limitations in Ubuntu. I've been using it for several years now and overall it is impressive as an open source project but the one-step-forward-two-steps-back aspect of it is wearing thin on me. Too many things require late night hack sessions to get working and even if they do, often they are not fully functional or bobo in some way. Little things like the ******* match between apps and the OS over who should remember window size and placement. I DON'T CARE who's right or wrong, as a user I only know it SUCKS to have to hack devilspie to force it to do something that should 'just work'.

Honestly, if M$ would sell their OS for $100 I'd use it instead. Then I'd be able to get 1280x1024 resolution on my laptop and my bluetooth headset would work with it and it would actually return me to a usable state after leaving it closed for extended lengths of time. However the virtual monopoly chooses to rape it's expansive user base charging a whopping $200+ for that POS Vista with reports that Win7 will cost even MORE! Seriously?! Makes me want to get a bootleg copy. The little annoyances in Ubuntu are slowly evolving into deal-killers.

[Frak]

It is free...i think of making a company which Fix Pc...so...windows xp cost a lot.Not many users need windows for windows.They need to listen to music and watch movie+internet...sometimes games...So it is up to me what to instal them.
It costs roughly around ~$50 to play (DVD) movies on Linux (legally).

[shane2peru]

Honestly I didn't read all 200 pages, so I'm probably giving repeat material, just humor me and let me state my reasons. :)

First Neither is without problems, so if I'm going to have problems I would rather not have paid for them! :) #1. Cost of Linux is free.

2. Speed, honestly I dual booted for quite some time with Windows XP (probably best OS that Windows ever put out), and on the same machine, Linux just ran faster!

3. Community support. There is a wealth of support for open source software in general, it goes with the philosophy of 100,000 people able to peer into source code, vs. the 100 employees that actually get to see the coding in the monopoly driven by Microsoft. (Numbers are strictly for example and not factual).

4. I like to tinker (see 3) and Linux gives me great opportunity to do this.

5. Security (Ok, this probably should have been number 2 on the list, but thought of it last.) Linux IS a much more secure OS, although security is also dependent on the end users usage. There is certainly less risk on Linux.

6. I can give it to friends free of charge as an option for them. (I enjoy helping others out, you definantly cannot do this with Microsoft unless 1. you are a pirate or 2. Bill Gates is your dad, or grandfather (even then it may be questionable) :D

7. You don't need the shiniest computer to run it (see 6).

That my friend is why I choose to use Linux. As stated in the beginning, neither is perfect, you have bumps on both roads. I have even contemplated paying for Linux to support the cause because IMHO it is a better OS. - Bottom line.

Shane

[Vrekk]

The only real reason why we all still use Windows is compatibility.

Im just gonna jump in on that old post and and say that is not true for all! I still use Xp on my home computer daily. I just change between the two depending on what i want to use. Windows Xp is one of the best OS's out there and very few OS beat it in my book (Im sorry if it makes me a heretic but Ubuntu dosnt beat it!). The only thing i dont like about it is how Windows tries to force me out of it and it wont happen until they pry it out of my hands. (wont happen for while, they still haven't stopped me from using my Win 2000 comp).

[shane2peru]

Im just gonna jump in on that old post and and say that is not true for all! I still use Xp on my home computer daily. I just change between the two depending on what i want to use. Windows Xp is one of the best OS's out there and very few OS beat it in my book (Im sorry if it makes me a heretic but Ubuntu dosnt beat it!). The only thing i dont like about it is how Windows tries to force me out of it and it wont happen until they pry it out of my hands. (wont happen for while, they still haven't stopped me from using my Win 2000 comp).

You aren't the die hard, my dad is still using Windows 98! I don't even think he has the second edition or 2nd package or whatever that upgrade thing was. He has to reboot everytime he plugs in a usb device to use it. lol. :D That is a die hard. I have a hard time even watching it run.

Shane

[ashmew2]

It's a whole new world ;)

Plus i like the philosophy and the Community of course!

[Thingymebob]

When my employer asks me to dial in from home using some proprietary software that is only available for windows so as I can work at home in my time. I respond you first need to buy me a windows licence, a hard disk to put it on and some hardware to put that in because that MS crap is going nowhere near my hardware, or you need to find and tell me how to configure something to work with Linux (about which they are clueless).
Incompatibility has its advantages

[glotz]

Because Ubuntu is browner.

[Giant Speck]

Because Ubuntu is browner.

If you've noticed in the past few releases, it's actually orangier. There seems to be less and less brown in every release.

[stuart.reinke]

No need to complain about the colors. It takes two minutes to change to whatever you want to look at.

Linux is great because it has infinite possibilities. I believe there is a distro to fit any need/computer.

Best thing is the price!

[hucane2000]

I switched to linux because my work computer crashed twice on me within 3 months, my personal laptop kept freezing up and my home desktop crashed. The desktop is a e-machine and it wouldn't reboot with the recovery disk. They would sell me another disk or charge me $60.00 an hour if I called them or I could buy a version of Windows even though the computer came with Windows. I am fed up with Window and Window computers. My laptop and desktop work perfectly on Ubuntu and they never freeze up or have any problems for that matter and I can add free program that would cost on window, such as Gimp, Inkscape, OpenOffice, audio and video players. I can set it up the way I want it, not the way Microsoft tells me to do it. I don't end up with 50 programs on start-up because Windows wants them there. It's my decision. To answer your question, why did I choose Ubuntu over Windows is because Ubuntu works with out any problems and Window doesn't, no matter how much you pay for it. Yes, Windows will work at first and it may seem like it's alsome at first, but after a while it will slow down and then something will happen and when you ask for help, they will ask how much help do you want and how much are you willing to pay. I am very happy with Ubuntu, happier then I ever was with Windows.

[goldblattster]

Well what does ubuntu have that windows does not? (besides gaming)

[Frak]

Well what does ubuntu have that windows does not? (besides gaming)
Photoshop CS4

[running_rabbit07]

I am very new to the Xubuntu thing but I like it. I tried Debian and needless to say I spent a whole day reformatting my PC to get it back working right because the nvidia display drivers wouldn't work. As soon as Xubuntu finished installing it loaded NVIDIA drivers and I was happy. I am windows savvy so I didn't have many problems with crashes and whatnot but I don't trust the freeware antiviruses such as AVG. Spyware is a breeze to get rid of if you load Spybot Search & Destroy. My biggest problem with windows is that they are stopping support for XP this fall and the upgrade to Vista Ultimate is about $300. I could get a brake job and a new set of tires for my car or new clothes for my 5 year old with that money (and I will do both)! Let us not forget that office depot wants $600 for the full on version of Microsoft Office 2007, wtf? Luckily if I want either programs I can get the for $60 each with college student discounts, but why waste my money when I'd still have to pay for antivirus programs and upgrade RAM again just to keep up with Microsft's needs? I recently upgraded to 2Gigs of RAM so that XP could run well, then I loaded Xubuntu and I now I run at only 30 percent as opposed to 70 percent with XP. I give great thanks to the people programming the different versions of Ubuntu because these systems work great. The only reason I keep XP around is that some of my college needs require a few programs that will not yet run on Linux.

[elianthony]

I like Ubuntu better. It's much more pleasing to look at, even the default install. It's easier to use, as in less frustrating. Windows takes a while to load stuff when compared to ubuntu on the same machine. Ubuntu just flows better while I'm using it. I end up feeling more like I'm fighting Windows at times, but Ubuntu feels like it's working with me.

I also make part of my living maintaining a bunch of Windows & Ubuntu boxes at work (public library) that get used by the public. These things get abused all day long. I have gotten the Windows machines to be almost as smooth running, & reliable as the Ubuntu machines, not too close though. And, in terms of responsiveness, my Windows machines routinely leave our patrons staring at the screen, having requested Internet Explorer a while ago.

[CylnZ]

driver signing was the last straw.

[mamamia88]

started with windows 95. switched to linux after increasing apathy about windows gui. at least now when i get bored of linux i can do a complete face lift and make it like an entirely new os

[Giant Speck]

Photoshop CS4

I think you got that backwards...

[Thingymebob]

and I can add free program that would cost on window, such as Gimp, Inkscape, OpenOffice,
All available free for windows too.

[Frak]

I think you got that backwards...
Adobe doesn't support GNU/Linux, so it's more detrimental to my workflow. I'm just as happy (and can do exactly the same things) on a Mac.

That's why I choose Mac over GNU/Linux. Not knocking Linux, it isn't anybodies fault. It's just that 40% of the time that I'm on a computer, I'm using Photoshop.

[Giant Speck]

Adobe doesn't support GNU/Linux, so it's more detrimental to my workflow. I'm just as happy (and can do exactly the same things) on a Mac.

That's why I choose Mac over GNU/Linux. Not knocking Linux, it isn't anybodies fault. It's just that 40% of the time that I'm on a computer, I'm using Photoshop.

No, I said you had it backwards because the question was "Well what does ubuntu have that windows does not? (besides gaming)"

Photoshop does not correctly answer that question because Photoshop is something that Windows has that Ubuntu does not.

[kstump]

I prefer Ubuntu to Windows for several reasons. 1.) stibility. 2.) far less chance of viruses. 3.) A very reasonable alternative to Apple and comprable. (Watch the PC vs. Mac commercials for more reasons. They are the same.) 4. I believe Bill Gates is a theif. He stole MS Dos from IBM. He stole widows 3.1 from Steve Jobbs. He stole the latest EI from Mozilla or Fire Fox. He has total distain for his customers.

I could probably think of more, but these are more than sufficient for me.

[ranch hand]

kstump
+1

[doomsword2001]

theres lot of reasons to abandon windows

first of all linux is free, so why not giving a try instead of paying

its much easier to use linux with the alt+f2 and the dictionary on the panel, the add/remove application with tones of free programs instead of download.com of windows (where lots of programs are not free)

another good thing is the menu which is organized and categorized instead of the crap menu on windows

windows is also a system that would crash and get virus easily

and in the end whatever it was problem or bug, i found help on forums

thats of course my oppinion, different ppl have different reasons to use linux

[doomsword2001]

Photoshop is something that Windows has that Ubuntu does not. ?
i found gimp much easier than photoshop and its free, but i am sure theres more programs like photoshop and gimp free on linux

[juancarlospaco]

I can save all my " con " files in Ubuntu, but i can't save my " con " files on Windows,
try yourself!, try to create a con file on windows, in example con.txt con.jpg con.doc
i can not create a file!

[Giant Speck]

Photoshop is something that Windows has that Ubuntu does not. ?
i found gimp much easier than photoshop and its free, but i am sure theres more programs like photoshop and gimp free on linux


Yes but there a lot of people out there that simply will not settle for an alternative. They want the real thing.

[Dark Aspect]

Photoshop CS4

Not really, (http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=version&iId=14318)

Ubuntu has compiz, and its free......which makes a huge difference when you have absolutely no money. Plus Ubuntu can't get (most) viruses so I am already hooked. Ubuntu could be better but I will probably always be a Linux user.

[bruno9779]

Photoshop is something that Windows has that Ubuntu does not. ?
i found gimp much easier than photoshop and its free, but i am sure theres more programs like photoshop and gimp free on linux


People fret a lot about Gimp and Photoshop, but that has a reason.

Gimp does not support CYMK color space, indispensable for professional editing of photos to be printed on paper medium.

It doesn't affect a lot of people, but it is a core functionality for many professionals

[stSpringer2003]

I do like the customization of linux but the whole spyware/adware thing and viruses I have never had a problem with, as long as your not being dumb opening random exe's its pretty much non existent. In reality the spyware is a big problem only because of the fact that the average computer user is attracted to flashy things and clicks.


If it wasnt for the games I could dump windows entirely but i play games on a whim and I hate having to restart just to play it. I could get used to the complexity of it. Honestly though I dont think I will switch to full install of linux or even being first on the boot up list because of the fact that I have the exact same things on windows and linux.

To me this is the real reason that linux is not adopted by the mass public, theres really no reason to go over to linux if you have windows and a casual computer user. However I do think if you dont have an OS and dont plan on being a gamer you should use linux because it is a good system. I also think its perfect for schools/governments/large business because you wouldnt have the major problems a windows network environment has curious/dumb users.

I agree with you. I am not a gamer but I do game for a needed break. Other precautions to take:

A program ChoicMail will eliminate any spyware issues, also always backup your DATA to an external Hard drive and CLONE your KNOWN GOOD Windows hard drive with GHOST, or whatever you like, and if you do crash or get a virus you just CLONE back to the Crashed Hard Drive and update your data from the external hard drive.

By the way, I tried cloneing a dual boot Ubuntu,Win XP Hard Drive with Ghost and it failed. Something to do with GRUB and the master boot record. I searched for a fix and found one but the suggested fix didn't work. I would dual boot if I could CLONE the dual boot Hard Drive. Any ideas?

[dragos240]

I would say cutomization, you can't do anything custom in windows without M$ fining you, and it's much easier, and free. I wouldn't do anything else than linux. It rocks.

[Frak]

No, I said you had it backwards because the question was "Well what does ubuntu have that windows does not? (besides gaming)"

Photoshop does not correctly answer that question because Photoshop is something that Windows has that Ubuntu does not.

Oh, I see it now. Thx


Photoshop is something that Windows has that Ubuntu does not. ?
i found gimp much easier than photoshop and its free, but i am sure theres more programs like photoshop and gimp free on linux


I've tried very hard to use GIMP. Very, VERY hard. I just can't get as much of a feel of it as I can with Photoshop. Besides that, there's still no CMYK support.


Yes but there a lot of people out there that simply will not settle for an alternative. They want the real thing.

My case.


Not really, (http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=version&iId=14318)

Ubuntu has compiz, and its free......which makes a huge difference when you have absolutely no money. Plus Ubuntu can't get (most) viruses so I am already hooked. Ubuntu could be better but I will probably always be a Linux user.

Well, for one, it still crashes on me. Second, I also need to use other programs, such as After Effects, that crash if I ever load my Red Giant plugins. In fact, I think it crashes when I install it anyways (I always install my RG plugins before I start AE for the first time).

EDIT
I don't give a #*$@ about Compiz. My work doesn't rely on some compositioning system set by the external programs. I only care about what the application sitting in front of me can do.

EDIT2
I haven't had a virus in at least 9 years. How do I know? Well, I haven't had any random popups on my screen, my system still runs at near light speed, and my identity hasn't been stolen. Besides that, I scan my system once a year, and I haven't come up with anything yet. Just don't download everything you see and you'll be fine.


People fret a lot about Gimp and Photoshop, but that has a reason.

Gimp does not support CYMK color space, indispensable for professional editing of photos to be printed on paper medium.

It doesn't affect a lot of people, but it is a core functionality for many professionals

Exactly my case.

[quinnten83]

I agree with you. I am not a gamer but I do game for a needed break. Other precautions to take:

A program ChoicMail will eliminate any spyware issues, also always backup your DATA to an external Hard drive and CLONE your KNOWN GOOD Windows hard drive with GHOST, or whatever you like, and if you do crash or get a virus you just CLONE back to the Crashed Hard Drive and update your data from the external hard drive.

By the way, I tried cloneing a dual boot Ubuntu,Win XP Hard Drive with Ghost and it failed. Something to do with GRUB and the master boot record. I searched for a fix and found one but the suggested fix didn't work. I would dual boot if I could CLONE the dual boot Hard Drive. Any ideas?

What did you use to clone with? Clonezilla has support for computers with multiple OS's installed.

[ruggles]

"So what are the advantages of l using linux over xp?"

Um.....here in Canada, to buy WindowsXP costs us $250 per computer. and with Ubuntu it's FREE. Now if your a gamer than WindowsXP might be the thing to have, but I am not a gamer and Ubuntu has all the necessary things that I need. Internet, Office, CDR-RW/DVDR-RW/, Movie Player, Email. And it's all FREE.

Microsoft limits it's Operating System CD for one computer, that means that if you have 2 computers in your home, you can only use one of them to install it's software, otherwise if you do both, your practicing an illegal operation. With Ubuntu and almost all linux distrubtions it's FREE, put them on as many computers you want, and there are no aggreements and no key codes.

And the best thing about Linux is it's virus free. Oh you'll have bugs, but not viruses, big difference.

[Rackstar]

Not really, (http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=version&iId=14318) (Link to wine appDB)

Hehe, I read this on the link:

Here follows the shamelessly stolen and edited installation guide:

Yes, stolen from my blog :p

http://ninetynine.be/blog/2009/04/photoshop-cs4-on-ubuntu-904/

[mentornz]

Is linux user friendly for a non tech person like myself?

[Mr. Picklesworth]

Oops, wrong thread. Don't mind me.


Edit:
Wow, CS4 works in Wine now?!
I remember Google working to improve Wine's support for it... I wonder if that's their contribution coming to fruition?

[gs.linxusr08]

I don't,I choose all of them, I use Kubuntu and Dream Linux for all my internet gallivanting,Ubuntu Studio for my art work and windows for my gaming and all of them for office tasks with open office and all for music.

[Roasted]

With the exception of Photoshop, I have yet to find a Windows application that works better than an available Linux counterpart.

I like the security of it. I like the functionality of it. I like how well the applications available for Linux work. I have my Linux machine set up to be a full blown file server, and I have spare drives in it running automated rsync scripts several times a day via crontab. Can Windows do that? ;)

I also have been utilizing Ubuntu more and more at work. For one, I can use FOG (like Ghost but open source/free) to image all of our Windows machines. Makes it a breeze. Secondly, I use an Ubuntu machine to check out failed hard drives that are still able to spin so I can extract data off of them. It seems as if Windows is sensitive to reading data on a drive and it often doesn't work unless the drive is in 100% condition, whereas Ubuntu can explore many hard drives that are unseen by Windows to extract data off of them.

I also utilize a lot of other open source software at work. Anything from the Ubuntu LiveCD, to GParted, Super Grub, FOG, Clonezilla LiveCD... there's a truckload of Linux apps I use. I don't know what I would do without the presence of Linux at my workplace.

[Col Matrix]

I've finally completely switched over. I tried Hardy, which was alright but I gave up because I got frustrated that I'd spent quite a bit of time trying to fix things but a few things didn't completely work (that, and the fact I was impatient).

Then I switched back to XP, then on to Linux Mint. Then I tried Jaunty and I have to say I was very impressed. Mostly because a few of the things that were harder to sort out previously worked well without much effort (my wi-fi card worked straight out of the box, for example).

The reasons I don't use XP (apart from at work were I have to) is:

- I don't have to worry about viruses etc.
- Ubuntu runs more smoothly on my relatively old laptop and doesn't get bogged down over time like XP tends to do.
- it's free!
- I wanted to try an alternative to XP, but Vista / Windows 7 would mean I'd have to spend a lot of money upgrading my hardware to run them (and to buy a new OS as well).

Jaunty has won me over. Everything is working smoothly and without any fuss, which is all I was looking for. Except that I've got a wee problem with Firefox at the moment, so I'll have to ask you all for some help!

[Sublime Porte]

one word: freedom.

or, more than one word:
If you want to be locked into a proprietary OS that's designed to siphon money out of you, and which in the long run harms your usability of your computer, then that's up to you, I prefer not to. Sure Windows might still have more support, and therefore if you can't "rough it" a little, then it's probably not for you, but that is changing, quite rapidly. When I first began using Linux, you were lucky if you could get a GUI working, and few people could get every piece of hardware working.. but that has changed immensely, and each day continues to advance more and more so.

Linux is for us, Windows is for Microsoft's profits.

[kc3]

So, just curious, why did you switch to using Linux? Also from what OS? For me, honestly just bored with Windows and I knew Linux was powerful and had no viruses or adware, what about you?

[don_quixote]

Easier to customize, didn't really need any software that's WIN only (thankfully, what I need, Linux has, and for free), didn't want to keep paying for updates. Had prior exposure in 98 and then 02. It was still too much bugging around for me, but my experience with Debian made me fall in LOVE with apt-get. Running Ubuntu and nothing else for the past month. It's really very good.

[durand]

My friend got me to install Fedora Core 2, used that for a few months then I read about ubuntu's shipit program so I gave that a try. I guess I just gradually started using linux more and more and there was nothing tying me to windows anyway so switching was really easy!

[drawkcab]

Back in 2004 or so I had an old PIII running windows 98ME. Despite my attempts to secure that OS, it became riddled with all kinds of crap, mostly adware, every few days. About that time I bought a new laptop with XP which was a bit more secure.

A friend suggested I try to avoid the cost/hassle of windows on my old box by trying my hand at linux. I did some quick research and then installed Ubuntu Warty Wart Hog with a little help from him. Later I installed Xubuntu, right before it became an official branch. Before I knew it I was testing various distros on my PIII and dual booting Ubuntu/XP on my laptop.

I still need XP for a few things but most of my time is spent in ubuntu or eeebuntu these days.

[lisati]

I heard of it, I tried it, I liked it!

I currently have:
1 seldom used machine Win98SE
1 sometimes used Ubuntu Studio 9.04
1 dual boot laptop (Vista Home Premium 32-bit & 9.04 64-bit)
1 latoptop 9.04 32-bit

[raymondh]

My personal preferences :)

I use OSX and find Ubuntu (linux) as "comfortable-to-work-on" and productive.... hence all our machines have ubuntu on them (whether in single, dual or 3-boot configuration).

[lovinglinux]

Terrible experiences with Vista, plus a lot of issues with Windows in general:

lot's of BSOD
degraded performance over time
insane required maintenance
the need to run a bunch of security tools that degrade performance
lack of driver support for old hardware on new releases
price

I didn't really knew the possibilities that Linux had to offer, but was really tired of Windows issues. Now that I know, I regret not switching before.

[monsterstack]

Luck, more than anything. I got a new PC with Windows Vista installed when I was in Taiwain. Of course it was all in Chinese, and I couldn't find anywhere that sold English versions of XP, which is what I was planning to install. So I gave Debian a whirl. I had lots of newbie-esque problems, but nothing too dodgy. A few months later I was back home in sunny ol' UK with easy access to XP, but by then it was already too late. I was hooked.

I reckon the reasons people switch are going to be largely similar: repositories, unified updates, no viruses, etc. So instead I'll post some things I've been prepared to go without since installing Linux:


Avoided getting MTP media players--opt for ones that identify themselves as generic USB devices. Great idea Microsoft: make a transfer protocol that is intentionally lousy on Macs. What's a Mac user gonna do when he finds out his Zune won't work? Install Windows or get an iPod? Whose dumb idea was that?
Document compatibility. Rather than run the risk of having your documents look weird when you transfer them over to Windows machines, export them to PDF instead of going for .odt or .doc in OpenOffice. Problem solved.
Games for Windows not working. Well that was hardly a surprise. Wine can and does work for lots of games I enjoy, but it's hardly a drop-in replacement.
Avoid DRM media like the plague. But everyone should be doing that anyway; Windows-users included. Most who know about DRM do, thankfully.
Getting the very latest versions of software can still sometimes be a pain in Ubuntu. Sometimes you end up having dependencies you can't fulfil when building from source. The ppa is doing a lot to change that, though. And if you really want new new new, you can always go with a distro like Sid or its less-scary cousin, Sidux.

[Dex73]

Tired of Vista bluescreening me every couple of weeks. Also heard that Linux is awesome.

[chris200x9]

being dumb and thinking "hey this game performance sucks on windows...I hear there is a thing called linux and WINE...maybe that will run it BETTER" just to sum up...I was like I'll download this tarball (I was on dial up and couldn't get online under linux) put it on my usb stick double click it like an .exe and it'll install! Nope, fast forward to now I have cable internet it solved my connection issues...100% linux...and doing a linux from scratch install on my other machine :D

[mamamia88]

part curiosity and part boredom with windows

[buzzmandt]

More than anything it was that I have many computers in the house, and I'm not going to pay for many windows licenses at 200-500 per comp. not gonna happen. If I could have bought windows and installed that one on each of my comps, I would probably still be using windows. but to be honest, now that i've switched completely i like linux much better and won't go back.

[RiceMonster]

workspaces
customization
security

[Keithhed]

part curiosity and part boredom with windows

+1

[Warpnow]

I dual booted for years because I was a developer for a game that's code was desiged to run on linux.

Then, my primary computer caught on fire due to a fault in the motherboard, out of warranty.

In my attic I found a pentium 2 350mhz computer. I installed DSL on it.

Since, I've never installed windows except for friends or expirimentation (I wanted to test the mingw windows port once).

[Dharmachakra]

Curiosity.

And then simplicity, control, customization, security. Free ain't bad either.

[y6FgBn)~v]

curiosity.

And then simplicity, control, customization, security. Free ain't bad either.

+1

[chucky chuckaluck]

came from windows ME. just got bored with it.

[Compucore]

Just got tired of all these critical updates to windows or when they held off till the major service packs on them. Had a spare computer to use and tired it out. Fell in love with what Linux had to offer in comparison. All for free on the same distro. Then just swiitched from one computer to another with a laptop. Never changed since. I still have an old PIII dell that runs nicely on Ubuntu. With every LTS that I had downloaded never had a problem with it since. Wth the amount of software that is available with each version Love to try out what is available there to use. Plus it is great to show friends and relatives of what Ubuntu is all about ona portable laptop.

Compucore

[Whatnotery]

I was already using mostly open source programs so I figured why not go completely open source

[dspari1]

So, just curious, why did you switch to using Linux? Also from what OS? For me, honestly just bored with Windows and I knew Linux was powerful and had no viruses or adware, what about you?

I've been trying to switch since around the time that KDE 1.0 came out in '98, but between the dependency hell on Red Hat and the bloatware extravaganza on SuSE, I was driven back to Windows when XP came out.

After the disaster that was Vista, I gave Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn a try and finally felt that Linux was finally ready for me.

At this point, I still have XP installed in VirtualBox for Office 2007 and Acrobat 9.0 (not the reader) because of real life necessities, but I can live with that until wine can get these two applications working at 100% with full functionality.

[Bölvaður]

I was always annoyed about windows and often used the phrase Microsux to vent my frustration... but I didn't even know there was anything usable other than Windows and to lesser extend Macs.

Then DRM became the big buzz on the block and because of that and Vista I was definetely not going to go to anything newer than xp, as some of the bad stuff that was supposed to be in vista was reschetuled to be in the next release after that.

I got into prefering open source through open office

I saw a video of some cool desktop effects and thought "whow this is Beryl is cool" and searched all 5 videos of desktop effects on youtube at the time.
The same day I gathered information about it, tried to find out which distro would fit me, some websites suggested ubuntu and there where some beryl videos that had ubuntu in their title... so that was why Im here.


I had troubles installing it on my computer because nvidia 8 series drivers where not yet available so I had to wait for a long time to actually be able to use it on my own computer :( So because of that trouble I got into the ubuntuforums community which later sealed the deal

[Einsamkeit]

I first switched on my Aspire One, from WinXP, because I found that I could use the computer more thoroughly with Ubuntu than with WinXP, also because I wanted to get out of the whole Microsoft scheme seeing as I don't really agree with their actions here and there, holding principles.

Then after using it for awhile, I dual-booted my desktop computer at home, leaving WinXP a few gigs in case I'd encounter something I needed but that wasn't compatible with Linux.

Another major reason I switched was because, seeing as how Win7 is taking its place, WinXP will be left behind, stranded and unsupported, while Ubuntu didn't need me to pay a fortune to get the newest release with support.

Tons of little reasons that made my choice clear and yet to be doubted.

[Bruce S]

Terrible experiences with Vista, plus a lot of issues with Windows in general:

lot's of BSOD
degraded performance over time
insane required maintenance
the need to run a bunch of security tools that degrade performance
lack of driver support for old hardware on new releases
price

I didn't really knew the possibilities that Linux had to offer, but was really tired of Windows issues. Now that I know, I regret not switching before.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I had forgotten about BSOD , now painful memories come back
Last MS I had was XP, and I got very upset about the reactivation business.

Especially having an Indian "help" desk person who had an accent that made understanding a very trying experience.
The cost of the security tools , like NOD32 which cost about
nz$50/year here in New Zealand. Plus cost of ZoneLabs Firewall of nz$60 plus nz$35/2 year renewal made Linux seem an attractive alternative.

Using Microsoft makes you poor.

Tried Xandros first ( I knew very little at that time).

Finding out about Ubuntu was almost like finding the Holy Grail.:D

[MikeA36]

Terrible experiences with Vista, plus a lot of issues with Windows in general:

lot's of BSOD
degraded performance over time
insane required maintenance
the need to run a bunch of security tools that degrade performance
lack of driver support for old hardware on new releases
price

I didn't really knew the possibilities that Linux had to offer, but was really tired of Windows issues. Now that I know, I regret not switching before.

This sums it up nicely. :)

[Ms_Angel_D]

Well at first I was bored with windows and curious. I've always liked learning about computers and felt my ability to do this had fizzled out with windows. I had vista, and never really had any complaints with it, my current computer actually came with vista and it always ran fine.

Well I read about Ubuntu and it caught my interest so I first installed it in virtualbox and checked it out I really liked it. Then I read about wubi, and decided to give it a shot, from there I moved to a dual boot and now I've been all Ubuntu for about a year now and I love it.

I just fell in love with system and the freedom it gives me.

[Mr-Biscuit]

There are no advantages if you are determined to believe such.

[Warpnow]

Mostly because Ubuntu and the majority of programs are free to use.

[SuperSonic4]

I was bored of windows and my mate suggested ubuntu and the rest is history

[KegHead]

HI!

Ubuntu is cutting edge and exciting.

Much the same that the early DOS releases were.

KegHead

[The_Max]

I choose stability and performance over the over-rated user friendliness of windows... and I was SO tired of vista too =P

also the "virus free, spyware/adware free" thing with ubuntu (and other distros) has been so handy

I don't miss the games because I have windows on my desktop (games) and ubuntu on my laptop (study)

I first tried out the "Hardy Heron" version, then went back to windows and a couple of days ago installed ubuntu again, upgraded to jaunty and here I am

[Sublime Porte]

I choose stability and performance over the over-rated user friendliness of windows... and I was SO tired of vista too =P

Microsoft don't even market it as user friendliness, about the best they could come up with was "familiar interface", meaning, you've been roped into using our OS's for about 10 years now, so if you switch it's going to be unfamiliar, so better you stick with us than change to something new, and have to learn it all over again. That's why Linux adoption occurs a lot when new releases of Windows come around, because a lot of people figure learning a new interface won't be much more than learning a new version of Windows.

That's about all they've got going for themselves nowadays...

[monkeyslayer56]

i choose it because
1)FREE!!
2)stable
3)does what i want not what *****soft wants
4)quite simply i hate microsft

[horned0wl]

I prefer Ubuntu over Winderz, primarily because of M$'s business model which tends to push junk/bloat, forces updates even when you have that functionality turned off, and because W$ simply costs too much for my budget. I started simply with Ubuntu 6.10 dual-booting with XP on my recently deceased laptop. After a M$ forced update literally killed my home media server two years ago, I switched entirely to Ubuntu for my home network, and I haven't looked back. My learning curve wasn't nearly as bad as I'd envisioned either.

Now, with the present economy weighing heavily on the marketplace, I'm advancing the notion of deploying Ubuntu at work, in place of Winderz, and am meeting with moderate success, both in terms of making it happen (got an Ubuntu machine on Active Directory today!), and getting people to recognize the possibilities. We're winning.

Nuff said?

Cheers;

[Fourcultures]

I chose Ubuntu because I'm fed up with the alternatives.

I have XP but it's broken - keeps crashing with a blue screen of death. I take it to the repair shop. They tell me it's fixed, three times, but it always goes back to crashing. Looks like I have to upgrade. So what should I choose?

XP? Well, it's dated now; as I said it doesn't actually work on my machine, and the long term support is winding down/ at the mercy of MS.
Vista? We have two of those in the house. I didn't buy them but I have to make them work to keep my family happy. It's truly an awful experience.
Windows 7? I'd give the release candidate a go - except that next year it will stop working.
This last point is the key for me. No company that deliberately supplies broken products just to extract cash is going to get my support. Sure they're entitled to their business model... and I'm entitled to ignore it.

I could chose a different distro of Linux/GNU, but having tried Knoppix, I prefer Ubuntu. Also, this forum and other community support for Ubuntu is extensive and helpful.

So why have I dual booted?

One day, when I have some time, I'm going to find out what the XP problem was. I suspect some kind of driver incompatibility, but the repair shop said not.
To the extent that it does work I can use Dragon Naturally Speaking, a voice recognition application I like, but which only runs fully in Windows. The company has no intention of upgrading to Linux. So if anyone knows about voice recognition in Linux, please let me know.
Basic conservatism, a bit like a person keeping rusty old cars in the yard. 'Seemed a shame to throw it away'.

I haven't even begun on the good points of Ubuntu. These are numerous and significant. I'm going to be using Linux until operating systems as we know them become redundant, whenever that is.

[perrti-y02]

The only reason I use Linux is because i know I can break it and suffer no repercussions. If I ballsed up a ******* install I would have wasted around £100.

Linux is free and a bit of a project. It is NOT perfect. Anyone who claims it is is a bit of a fool. There are loads of problems with it but then again you are paying a grand total of nothing, so you shouldn't really expect anything.

It is fun and free, ergo I like it.

[oldefoxx]

This is a long thread. Up to page 412 at this point. I read the first few pages, and the last one, but the rest is a bit much for the time it would take. Still, I feel that I have something worth contributing.

I guess the first is, instead of the question of "Why do you choose Ubuntu over Windows", the question might be better phrased "After choosing Ubuntu, why go back to Windows?'

Most of the answers I saw involved games. You got games, they run under windows, and you want to keep using them. Thus, this counts against Ubuntu or any other Linux distro (maybe against the Mac as well). But I have a couple of more:

You've learned Windows, and after all this time, it represents the way to do things. Why put up with the hassle of earning something new?

Email and documents. Maybe you can get them over on the Linux side, maybe not. You don't have exactly the same list of email clients to choose from, and that would both mean relearning and the hassle of converting over. OpenOffice may be fine for some, but I like the Office suite from Microsoft, and it just seems easier. Why? Because OpenOffice presents me with too many choices up front, and I like things that seem straight forward and simple.

Security. Look at all the free and paid versions of protection software that is out there for Windows. It even comes with the stuff pre-installed, and I still need to get back the benefits of having subsrcribed to things like Norton's. Everything is pretty much free with Linux, so what is the advantage of that? I would just be losing the benefit of what I've already spent or paid for. Just because Linux is too small a market and too varied for hackers to bother with? What if something like Ubuntu really catches on? That could all change, you know.

Look. XP is so good that I only need a securiy update or two every month or so. With Ubuntu, you are faced with getting what, maybe 50 updates a week? Oh, so you are going to claim that Ubuntu is improving rapidly, and Windows is only updated when a severe security bug is expoased. Hey, if I want more features in Windows, I can always just go out and buy the new or upgrade version of Windows. That way fewer updates. What? The new version of Windows won't run well on my suddenly old PC? Then I will just buy a new PC as well. But now I'm told that my applications won't run under the new version of Windows? Now that is just going too far. I paid good money for those applications. Now I.nm not happy. I guess I will just stick with XP as long as I can. The new features offered with the new version are not the equal of what I have already.

Now I gotcha! My applications under XP, meaning all my games, my real work applciations. my documents, my email accounts, just everything will not install and work under Ubuntu or any other flavor of Linux, so what do you have to say about that? Wine? You mean, get drunk? No, WINE, all capitals. What difference does that make? Now DOSBOX? What are you trying to tell me? VM? IS that suppose to be some sort of motorhome?

Hmmm. So what you are trying to tell me is that Linux+VM+Xp gives me the best of both worlds, right? You must be kidding me. No, I haven't heard anything about VirtualBox or VMware, or anything like that. Have I missed out on something?

I CAN DO THAT? Why didn't anyone ever tell me about this before? Now I feel sort of stupid for asking the question in the first place. If it really works the way you say it can, that could be the answer to everything!

No, wait. What do I do about backups and restores? They got something like that under Ubuntu or Linux? I've learned not to trust my PC, because with XP, I've had it fail a few times. Besides, I now keep a copy of everything off site, in case of a fire or something. No good answer for that? Then I got you finally!

Oh no, you can't tell me there is a way to take care of that too. More than one way? Don't you people know when to stop? This is just too much. I'm out of here. Just too much.

[ibokozan]

Basically I dont see any advantages to using linux over windows xp, Im dual booting windows and ubuntu. Ubuntu is nice and all but I dont see anything that would make me prefer it over windows.The only thing i have been using ubuntu for is web browsing playing music/movies (cant play games) which I can do better/hassle free in windows.

So what are the advantages of l using linux over xp?

did you bought the windows or office if so what costed? linux's all versions are free completely. if you dont want to download they even bring you cd to your home free.

there is no spy ware viruses bla bla bla...

you said (cant play games) which I can do better/hassle free in windows. what free. you must protect you windows with antivirus for example is the best know KASPERSKY. when you update kasp. you must pay 60-70 dollars for it. if you dont find. kaspersky will sit and live together with viruses friendly. didnt you bored yet?

you said which i can do in windows.... anything you are doing on windows there is the alternative program on linux. because millions help the linux to make it the best.

it is the differences to users who used windows for long years is only learning. which one didnt have to learn all the windows stupid crushs, what is the msconfig, regedit, blue screen, how to format c:\ enter, how to search cracks, bla bla bla.

ibokozan

[kc3]

You are right but there are a lot of games you either can't use in Linux or it doesn't work well, Crysis for instant, one of my favorite Windows games, BUT I still choose Linux haha

[wsonar]

Basically I dont see any advantages to using linux over windows xp, Im dual booting windows and ubuntu. Ubuntu is nice and all but I dont see anything that would make me prefer it over windows.The only thing i have been using ubuntu for is web browsing playing music/movies (cant play games) which I can do better/hassle free in windows.

So what are the advantages of l using linux over xp?

If it's a stand alone pc that's not on the network and no body else uses it it's cool

if it's on a network or others have access to it and you like privacy I wouldn't use windows

[fifth]

It amazes me how such threads keep going and going around here ;)

Although all helpful posts, the OP posted in 2005 and hasn't been active since 2007, so I doubt the message is getting through ... looks like we lost one 2 years ago :(

[monkeyslayer56]

Basically I dont see any advantages to using linux over windows xp, Im dual booting windows and ubuntu. Ubuntu is nice and all but I dont see anything that would make me prefer it over windows.The only thing i have been using ubuntu for is web browsing playing music/movies (cant play games) which I can do better/hassle free in windows.

So what are the advantages of l using linux over xp?

YOU CAN TO PLAY GAMES check out wine (winehq.com) i can play almost all windows games i have except crysis(sorta expected since windows struggles with it)
games that i play and work
COD4
BFH
and sometimes BF2
so that is not true and many times when i can't get one to work its just me and most other people don't have a problem so if games is waht holding u back i suggest that you check that out. theres nothing to lose since it is free

[bakedbeans4life]

It amazes me how such threads keep going and going around here ;)

Although all helpful posts, the OP posted in 2005 and hasn't been active since 2007, so I doubt the message is getting through ... looks like we lost one 2 years ago :(

A new thread should be started.

This is an announcement as spoken by our lord and saviour, Steve (Lord and High Master) Ballmer.

"Linux does not exist, Apple does not exist, *BSD does not exist, anything before Microsoft does not exist."

We are now expanding into mind-control and new horizons.

Although even Scientology types deem us loonies, we shall prevail.

[fifth]

This is an announcement as spoken by our lord and saviour, Steve (Lord and High Master) Ballmer.

Who's [lowercase] lord and saviour? :p Your reminding me of the Monty Python sketch;


Are you the Judean Peoples front?
F*** off, we're the People's Front of Judea

It all goes round and round but we're all after the same end :popcorn:


Not sure why that came to mind lol and what end we're all after ;)


[Edit ps ps]
Anyway this thread is past its sell by date, so time for me to ...



Alright, zip it.
Zip it, zip. Ladies and gentleman of the jury Ex-zip-it A..
Look I’m zippy longstockings.
When a problem comes along you you must zip it.
Zip it good.
Hie bla du wah mi sa heu iso-do.
(undertitle: Zip it)
Zip. Would you like to have a suckle of my zipple?
Zip. Zip, Zip it, zip it. zip…zip…zip…zip…zip it!

[/Edit ps ps]

[Frak]

Wine still doesn't work that great for me. Though, it has a ways to go still.

[gerowen]

I've been 100% Windows free for a while now. The only Windows game that I use (World of Warcraft) now runs almost flawlessly in Wine, given with a slightly reduced framerate, but completely playable; it actually still runs better than some of my friends who run it in Windows, :p. Anyway, it's free, and open source, and there are a slew of free apps of all shapes and sizes available. Here's an example. I use the proprietary ATI driver from the AMD site, and the other day something happened and it crapped out on me, so instead of getting a BSOD followed by a forced restart, I just rebooted into a root command line w/ network support, downloaded and installed lynx (command line based web browser), and used that to go download an updated version of the driver and reinstall it. I have exactly $0.00 invested in my operating system and all of the software I use, and I can do more with this than I could with my Windows Vista installation, without having to worry as much about viruses/spyware/wtf ever else they call all that stuff out there.

[TonyFordz]

Basically for me its a real stable OS & as the other guy said about spyware, viruses, and so on I never get them in Linux. I also get tons of free open source software & content for free you would never see that on Windows, and most of the freeware you get now days on Windows has 3rd party tool bars & other useless crap to suck up your resources. Plus if you think about it many anti-virus companies have gotten really greedy as I noticed when they first started making their programs they would sell you a license that lasts for life, now they want to charge you by the year to get even more money out of you. How do you think they stay in business those viruses have to come from some where & while kids do make them also more come from the companies that are suppose to be protecting you. I had a friend in Hawaii who back in the days worked for an Anti-Virus company & he admitted to me that they made them... So yeah any way if all my games worked I would never again touch anything with Microsoft on it other then games.

[GentleInferno]

Besides all the hundreds of thousands of advantages people told me of using Linux, i never imagined this one - namely that my laptop doesnot get hot anymore!! it is simply amazing, i could practically fry eggs on my hp pavilion using windows vista, not joking guys, it used to get really really hot.. and in came ubuntu.. my hp is cool as a cucumber now.. that alone is sufficient for me to continue using ubuntu and i bet my laptop will last a few years more now..

[ryecomp]

It is ...

free
no legal issue
performance
faster boot
extremely stable
no virus & virus protector
no defrag
not windows
less resource, no bloating
customizable
easy diagnosis
open source
server ready
user security
born multiuser
free app's
freedom
no monopoly
less maintenance
open file system
file system more logical
no drive
no registry
no slow down years later
install management
media management
Vista 15GB for OS
live CD
short release cycle
complete control over environment
always discover new things
thousands of utilities
man pages
tradition
compiz
community

[Chame_Wizard]

I upgraded yesterday an ENTIRE DE in 10 minutes:P

[monkeyslayer56]

EXACTLY now if all those *****soft user will see it our way

[MedellinManDem]

I sang Ubuntu's praises until I installed 9.04 on both of my PCs. It's caused me more trouble than any other upgrade, and I'm now using Vista. I love Ubuntu, but it's ridiculous at times.

[gerowen]

Besides all the hundreds of thousands of advantages people told me of using Linux, i never imagined this one - namely that my laptop doesnot get hot anymore!! it is simply amazing, i could practically fry eggs on my hp pavilion using windows vista, not joking guys, it used to get really really hot.. and in came ubuntu.. my hp is cool as a cucumber now.. that alone is sufficient for me to continue using ubuntu and i bet my laptop will last a few years more now..

Ditto, even running CPU intensive apps that cause my processor to heat up don't make my computer as hot as it did when it ran Vista. This computer came with Vista Home Premium x64, and it was never "not" hot, and now I've been playing WoW and listening to music for an hour and I'm sitting at 56 degrees celsius. This processor's critical temp is 105, and in Windows I had several times where it got pretty high, so I eventually propped it up on top of some old hard drives when I had it on a table for an extended period of time to keep it cool. Then Ubuntu finished downloading and I can put it about anywhere and I have no issues. I even keep the processor scaling turned of when I'm playing games and stuff to keep it from impacting performance by jumping up and down, and with the thing running at max non-stop it still only gets "warm". Who would have thought that your operating system would have "physical" benefits, :p

[justinmiller87]

I choose Linux over Windows because I needed a challenge. There's so much more to be learned when it comes to Linux and I want to know more and more. It's easier to play around and not break things inside this program, and if I do, I don't lose anything because (after the third time) I learned how to make a separate /home partition. That and the accountability software is free and not available on Windows. My addictive personality requires software like this to be installed. Windows is still on the system becaus my wife still chooses Windows over Ubuntu, but maybe someday I'll finally convert her.

[WatchingThePain]

I suppose you have to be a computer lover to appreciate Linux.
XP pro was the last decent version of Windows I used (Vista doesn't count) and initially I had doubts about Linux.
Once I found my feet I have fully dispensed with Windows.
Why do you choose Windows over Ubuntu?.

[Viva]

Opensource

[WatchingThePain]

Yeah let's hear it..

[Giant Speck]

Yeah let's hear it..

They stole that design from Microsoft HotSauce 3.1. [-X

[WatchingThePain]

They stole that design from Microsoft HotSauce 3.1. [-X

I know, You've gotta watch 'em!.

[JaguarXJ7]

Up until recently, I always thought "Linux" was command only ............. not my Cup 'O Tea.

Recently though, I picked up a virus that shut down my windows system; nothing I tried worked to bring it back to life long enough to get a file or two backed up. :(

A friend of mine mentioned that I could run a Linux distro live and access my files that way. I thought, yeah right! But desperately needing those files (before formatting) I looked into it and found Ubuntu < godsend! After playing around some with the live distro and a lot of reading online (mostly here), I decided to ditch windows all together .............. I haven't looked back yet. My other computer has MAC OS X Leopard running on it and I am eyeballing that one too:) The only thing stopping me there is I need my Adobe CS ....... all of it.

Oh Yeah .............. not getting those damn viruses is another reason for my switching (in case that wasn't obvious).

Thanks to all the developers of this AWESOME distrobution!!! \\:D/

Maybe in time I'll know enough to post more often ........ for now I'll stick to reading. :)

[WatchingThePain]

Up until recently, I always thought "Linux" was command only ............. not my Cup 'O Tea.

Recently though, I picked up a virus that shut down my windows system; nothing I tried worked to bring it back to life long enough to get a file or two backed up. :(

A friend of mine mentioned that I could run a Linux distro live and access my files that way. I thought, yeah right! But desperately needing those files (before formatting) I looked into it and found Ubuntu < godsend! After playing around some with the live distro and a lot of reading online (mostly here), I decided to ditch windows all together .............. I haven't looked back yet. My other computer has MAC OS X Leopard running on it and I am eyeballing that one too:) The only thing stopping me there is I need my Adobe CS ....... all of it.

Oh Yeah .............. not getting those damn viruses is another reason for my switching (in case that wasn't obvious).

Thanks to all the developers of this AWESOME distrobution!!! \\:D/

Maybe in time I'll know enough to post more often ........ for now I'll stick to reading. :)

Yes, I think a lot of people in this forum can relate to that.

[burvowski]

Why would I pay for something when I could get an alternative for free? \\:D/

[jdunn]

Why choose Ubuntu over Windows?

For me, here's just one of many reasons:

My HP laptop dual boots Windows Vista x64 and Ubuntu Jaunty x64. I primarily use Ubuntu. Ubuntu has a large community of support through these forums + the software is open source so the code is available to everyone. When I installed Jaunty, I had an obscure sound issue that was quickly resolved through these forums within 2 weeks. On Vista, I have an ongoing problem where sound drivers always use 50% of the CPU when idle...the only resolution is to wait for IDT to fix the problem in a future driver update.

[Roasted]

I was so excited to build my first computer a few years ago that I had completely forgotten to grab an operating system. My cousin suggested I get Linux, so I can at least get email, be online, firefox, etc.

Linux was a temporary solution that turned into a permanent answer.

I wouldn't have had it any other way.

[monkeyslayer56]

I was so excited to build my first computer a few years ago that I had completely forgotten to grab an operating system. My cousin suggested I get Linux, so I can at least get email, be online, firefox, etc.

Linux was a temporary solution that turned into a permanent answer.

I wouldn't have had it any other way.

ya i started off similar only it was because i had an old pc that didn't work right and i needed a free alternative until i could get new hardware then when i did build my own pc i liked free and now i am hooked with theses vista smacking effects(compiz fusion and animations... :D)

[Polar Eyes]

To get chicks (just one)

[Feelin_froggy8877]

It's all about [open source]!!! The protest against software patenting!!! Screw microsoft (micro*&%$) and their multi billion $$ industry. Buck 'em all!!!! I try to get all my friends to switch, "I have a dream, put ms out of buisness" haha hell yeah!!!

[edit] And oh yeah...the visual fx are sweet as well!

[Bödvar]

One thing I enjoy about Ubuntu (I'm using Kubuntu atm, will switch to Ubuntu again on next release) is that I can reset my computer, and when I use it, my printer, scanner, music, everything works without having to desperately search for old driver CDs in my cupboard.

I have dual-booted Windows XP and Kubuntu since last week. When I resized my partition of Ubuntu to allow 20 GB of space on the same disk for Windows, my Kubuntu stopped working. I took my Kubuntu disk that I burned and installed Kubuntu again on the same partition. All my programmes were gone, but all my files were left exactly like I left it before the repartitioning. I wonder if Windows XP would also do that.

It took me a whole day to install all my drivers for Windows XP. My screen resolution was stuck at a very small value because I didn't download a 60 MB driver (in South Africa 60 MB is extremely expensive) and I had to install my scanner, router, wireless adapted, printer, sound devices, etc. in order to have them work. I do not really understand this, as the logical thing would be that a distribution as large and commercial as Windows would be able to support these things in a plug-n-play way.

Anyhoo, I only use Windows now for playing Age of Empires on the ESO servers with my Swedish penpal. It frustrates me that all my FLAC music that I ripped from audio CDs won't play in iTunes and my mouse also jumps around on Windows, it is really puzzling and annoying. I do not know a lot about computers, and this is why it puzzles me that something like Kubuntu which is developed by people who I believe don't get as high salaries as the Microsoft people, can work so great and support plug and play.

It's truly amazing and I've always been extremely satisfied with Ubuntu (and now Kubuntu).

I am always annoyed by Windows, and for a long time I couldn't use a very expensive Windows XP Home Edition because they refused to let me install it again, as I have reformatted my computer with that disk for more than three times, which apparently is not allowed. Luckily this time it worked again when I did a telophonic activation.

At the beginning I was quite intimidated by the new interface and so, seeing as I have no computer knowledge. I was also very much afraid of the command prompt console, which always reminded me of broken programmes in Windows, for some reason.

Luckily the Ubuntu community is quite big and I can find all the answers to my problems on Google, with step by step information on where to get new programmes, how to set up stuff, etc. I am really looking forward to further developments in the Ubuntu software and I hope they don't ever start asking money for this! This is wonderful. But indeed, if I needed an OS and I could only buy one, and Ubuntu was cheaper than Windows, I would probably pay the money. Windows is simply too extremely expensive.

[conradin]

I will assume we aren't thieves:
Microsoft OS 100$
Visual Studio 100$
Office 2007 100$
MacroMedia Flash Dev Studio 100$

Price of software that does the exact same thing in Linux? 0$.

No hassles about licenses. Ever lost a license and tried to consult Microsoft? it will cost you more in the hot-line time than to just buy a new License.

My problem with Microsoft is its harder to do things in an ethical / legit way than to just "Get around it".

outside of this, I find program file sizes are smaller, security is greater, Client management is better controlled, As the root / admin user I have greater control, Hardware requirements are far less which means I'm not subject to Microsoft trying to "drive" the hard ware market with in efficient software.

By security, I am not referring to the absence of viruses, I assume this to be a temporary thing, I think viruses will emerge in Linux eventually. What I meant was the software architecture of Linux is a better approach. In windows, all users by default are admins, with no passwords. Linux, just the opposite.

I love how i can try Linux flavors Live, Microsoft has never done this.
(from what i can see)

I enjoy that my computer is not CONSTANTLY trying to contact Microsoft to let them know I'm writing a document or a program. I like that I control when my computer reboots after updates.

What Really sold me was the ease at which I could remove sound from video and convert it to mp3. And the Fact that the tools I use to do my job finaly dont come up as security breaches.

I also love the total absence of that snooty i-culture that plagues other non-Microsoft users.

There are many things I also like about this OS over Microsoft OSs but this is enough for now.

[kushal.7]

I choose windows over Linux.

I can get all microsoft product for next 3 years absolutely free.
I am not fear from viruses.
I am a Hardcore gamer.
Plenty of software are available & supportable for windows.
All drivers are available for windows.
I have windows live CD
windows is easy to learn & use.

[Viva]

Windows doesn't offer anything to me that linux doesn't.

[monsterstack]

I choose windows over Linux.

I can get all microsoft product for next 3 years absolutely free.
I am not fear from viruses.
I am a Hardcore gamer.
Plenty of software are available & supportable for windows.
All drivers are available for windows.
I have windows live CD
windows is easy to learn & use.

My gosh, you're right. I'm going to reinstall Windows. Thanks for showing me the light.

[abhilashm86]

linux ubuntu is simple, friendly, fast, meaningfull, source code modifications, no license, no infinite re starts, free, beautifull, easy handlins, no viruses, no anti-virus:), no need for driver cd,
awesome people community, nice forums and also i think ubuntu as a 24/7 smiling girl:) so i love ubuntu:)

[ImpressMe]

I don't (even after 4 years of use)

[linux-hack]

That alone makes it worthwhile!!

True.

---------
Linux is better cause it gives you the freedom that you'll never have with windows.

[prvteprts]

I have dual-booted Windows XP and Kubuntu since last week. When I resized my partition of Ubuntu to allow 20 GB of space on the same disk for Windows, my Kubuntu stopped working. I took my Kubuntu disk that I burned and installed Kubuntu again on the same partition. All my programmes were gone, but all my files were left exactly like I left it before the repartitioning. I wonder if Windows XP would also do that.


Wow. I'm assuming you just left the format checkbox unchecked? Or did you do anything special during installation?

Also, what are you doing talking about Windows XP in South Africa? Isn't that taboo there? South Africa is like the flagship country for Ubuntu, right? :D

But really, I thought Ubuntu was like THE big thing in South Africa when it came to computers.

[ranch hand]

I believe that Canonical is headquartered in GB the website just says Europe.

[rmausser]

There are several reasons.

Some being practical and others simply philosophical or "the way I think things should be"

First, I started getting interested in Linux at 13. Even at that age I was disappointed with Windows and wanted an alternative. We used all Mac's at my school and was really impressed by them. My dad introduced me to Linux and I sort of got into it experimentally, but it was very limited back then (this was 1999)

After using XP for a while and deeming it OK, I really disliked Internet Expolorer, WMP, itunes, Acrobat Reader, Office 2007 etc. They were bloaty, buggy and it just ticked me off that we are paying for inferior software.

I realized that I didnt need flashy cover art and all these additional features, so I started replacing everything with freeware alternatives like Firefox, Foobar, Foxit Reader, OpenOffice.

I was just really impressed by how they "just worked" and used barely any resources at all.

It wasn't long until someone came along and showed me Ubuntu...and I was really impressed with how far Linux had come and how easy it was at this point.

I then had a revelation, and realized that while all of my apps were now replaced by much lighter, better versions, I was still using one last bloated, overpriced piece of software....the OS.

All of the freeware software worked in linux (most, and there are other light alternatives anyways) so I decided to make that last crucial step.

So to me, Ubuntu is to Windows as Firefox is to Internet Explorer.

Lighter, faster, it just works, and while not 99% of all things work with it, I would rather have a bug free stable system, then worry about the fact that I had to sell and buy a new printer because there is no support for Lexmark. Boo Hoo...Lexmarks are crap anyways so I'm better off as it is.

End Rant

[Roasted]

I choose windows over Linux.


To each his own.



I can get all microsoft product for next 3 years absolutely free.


I get Linux products for the rest of my life absolutely free.



I am not fear from viruses.


No problem with that here.



I am a Hardcore gamer.


Me too. That's why I dual boot. Some people power on an xbox and change the TV channel to use their console, I simply reboot to Vista. It's my "gaming OS."



Plenty of software are available & supportable for windows.


Same with Linux.



All drivers are available for windows.


In almost all cases, same with Linux. However, this can be argued with Windows too. Vista has been out for 2 and a half years and my sound card still doesn't have 64 bit Vista support. Ubuntu supported it out of box.



I have windows live CD


I have an ubuntu live CD



windows is easy to learn & use.

So is Linux. Linux is tainted by people who use Linux expecting it to work just like Windows. "Where's my start button?!" "Where is device manager?!" "Why can't I run an .exe in Linux?!"

Your input is opinionated, while my input is opinionated. At the end of the day, you just have to use what works and what gets the job done. There will never be a right or wrong answer. However, there will always be an answer that just looks better. To me, that choice is clear. ;)

[iiyohnewb]

I chose Ubuntu over windows because

- i was sick and tired of 1.2 gigs of my 1.75 gigs being use all the time for web browsing and having this terrible slow down of death when i tried to open another applciation
- i was sick of the fact my cpus would work like crazy and almost overheat running vista, what kind of OS is that when it overheats 2 cores?!
- Windows just dropped vista so im sure as hell not paying another 300 bucks for a new OS, which is bascially vista 2.0

- ubuntu is more responsive...no more of that "click"-"white screen"-program-is-not-responding bullSht
- you have a list of stuff you can download without having to pay for it!
- windows stuff runs on ubuntu
- i dont fear viruses as much with ubuntu
- faster download speeds
- my plug and play stuff actually works!
- instead of needing 350 million video players and codecs, ubuntu just says whoops you are missing it, install now?! and thats so much easier than, googling stuff to find it

[Giant Speck]

I have windows live CD

Oh, come on! :roll:

[ranch hand]

oh, come on! :roll:

+1

[stanca]

And I have a mac live dvd.;)

[Arthur Millar]

(cant play games)
So what are the advantages of l using linux over xp?

i only use windows for games and it has improoved how my games run
i do EVERYTHING els and more with linux for FREE

guilt free

[M&StL]

I am no geek, but I once typed out punch cards and loaded them into an IBM 1130. It was agonizing. It was a Math for non majors credit short cut.

An old Pentium 4 machine given to me refused to boot. Microsoft wanted the original XP Pro disk inserted. Of course, I lacked it. Ubuntu disk and a magazine for $25.00 at Barnes & Noble brought the machine to life and a whole different experience has ensued.

It works. It is quirky, but intuitive. I end up using the old P4/Ubuntu more for my meager needs than a 3 month old HP with Vista.

I may try putting pieces together from Tiger Directs budget page. It looks a little more complicated than plugging an Empire turn table and Ampex reel to reel deck into a tuner amp. I learned years ago and guess I still can try.

One thing I will never pay for again is a Microsoft operating system. Someday, I should get a lap top. If Ubuntu is bundled, I will take it over Microsoft.

[Lr5]

Basically freedom. You have freedom to do whatever you want with Linux. When a new version of Ubuntu comes out, you won't have to pay for the upgrade. There is no professional version with more feature that costs.

Also, no ActiveX or registry, which is enough for me.

Those, and I like the command line.

[Frak]

And I have a mac live dvd.;)
Me too.

[loveandequality]

Everything is better in Linux more secure and no monopoly something that will be there for everyone in the future not jamming it to you charging you $100 per day.:KS

[heroidi]

Because i don't like blue
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a8/Windows_XP_BSOD.png

[starcannon]

Basically I dont see any advantages to using linux over windows xp, Im dual booting windows and ubuntu. Ubuntu is nice and all but I dont see anything that would make me prefer it over windows.The only thing i have been using ubuntu for is web browsing playing music/movies (cant play games) which I can do better/hassle free in windows.

So what are the advantages of l using linux over xp?

I seem to be seeing more of these "I'm happy with my current operating system, why would I want to move to some other OS" posts. If your happy and getting the job done with what your using, then why are you considering switching to begin with? If you just want to try something new, then by all means, do a Wubi install, if nothing else you may have some fun trying something different.

[mhawkins2]

It is just more fun!

[ranch hand]

it is just more fun!

+1

[dyingsun]

I just like everything about Ubuntu. I've had XP for years, its sitting on another physical drive on this PC but it's gathering cobwebs. Next semester I'll be studying development and we have to use all this ASP crap, so I guess I'll have to keep Windows around, unless I can make all the apps work well in Wine/Crossover.

I like Ubuntu's interface and design, I like it's package management, I like the way you can customise it completely, I like the fact that the CLI is not dead, I like the fact that it doesn't load millions of garbage services I don't want, I love the incredible amount of utilities and general *stuff* you can add to it. I LURVE it's price :)

Windows is probably good for people who don't really need to do anything overly useful with their PC, but if you want a serious work-horse, install Ubuntu. If you're a gamer, try running them under Crossover. Most of the games Ive installed have run flawlessly.

The competition is rapidly losing its monopoly on hardware drivers - all my hardware works fine. True, most of the big software companies are mainly coding for Windows/Mac, but there are plenty of open-source alternatives sitting in the repos just begging to be installed automagically by Synaptic. It's all been vetted, and is designed to install without a hitch. Does Windows have huge free repositories just overflowing with utilities and games and big applications served buffet-style, all installed with the click of a mouse?

Using Windows to run your PC is like hiring a sumo-wrestler to clean your house - it has huge hands and can pick up lots in a handful, but it also makes a lot of noise and knocks things over and breaks your furniture and can't fit through the closet door so it just nails the door shut and pretends it doesn't exist, and all the while it's eating all your food and wasting water. Then it charges you a whole heap of money for destroying your house, then promptly has a heart-attack and dies, and you have to get a new one, which does the same job except it eats twice as much of your food and wears a different coloured loin-cloth.

And that's why I like Ubuntu. It's more like a ninja than a sumo :)

[monkeyslayer56]

I just like everything about Ubuntu. I've had XP for years, its sitting on another physical drive on this PC but it's gathering cobwebs. Next semester I'll be studying development and we have to use all this ASP crap, so I guess I'll have to keep Windows around, unless I can make all the apps work well in Wine/Crossover.

I like Ubuntu's interface and design, I like it's package management, I like the way you can customise it completely, I like the fact that the CLI is not dead, I like the fact that it doesn't load millions of garbage services I don't want, I love the incredible amount of utilities and general *stuff* you can add to it. I LURVE it's price :)

Windows is probably good for people who don't really need to do anything overly useful with their PC, but if you want a serious work-horse, install Ubuntu. If you're a gamer, try running them under Crossover. Most of the games Ive installed have run flawlessly.

The competition is rapidly losing its monopoly on hardware drivers - all my hardware works fine. True, most of the big software companies are mainly coding for Windows/Mac, but there are plenty of open-source alternatives sitting in the repos just begging to be installed automagically by Synaptic. It's all been vetted, and is designed to install without a hitch. Does Windows have huge free repositories just overflowing with utilities and games and big applications served buffet-style, all installed with the click of a mouse?

Using Windows to run your PC is like hiring a sumo-wrestler to clean your house - it has huge hands and can pick up lots in a handful, but it also makes a lot of noise and knocks things over and breaks your furniture and can't fit through the closet door so it just nails the door shut and pretends it doesn't exist, and all the while it's eating all your food and wasting water. Then it charges you a whole heap of money for destroying your house, then promptly has a heart-attack and dies, and you have to get a new one, which does the same job except it eats twice as much of your food and wears a different coloured loin-cloth.

And that's why I like Ubuntu. It's more like a ninja than a sumo :)
very nicely put lol i like ninjas :cool:

[privatejarhead]

I can contribute to this discussion. I have a Linux HD and Windows HD. I use Windows for most stuff, Linux for experimenting because as you said, there aren't all that many advantages. However, I just got a nasty case of the Aurora spyware that I couldn't kill, so I went to reformat the HD after backing things up. Apparently my hard-drive is partially fried and neither windows nor Linux will install on it... So I'm using Linux now exclusively until I get a new HD to put Windows on.

I'd honestly dump Windows entirely if it weren't for lack of game support/lack of good ATI drivers on Linux.

I don't know about you, but my Emachines T6412 with an ATi card runs perfectly with ubuntu 9.04, right out of the box.

[joyneo04]

first of all its totally a free software and its easy to operate...........also no tension of viruses....

[tcturner]

because i have no choice. I can't afford a pay for use os. Using a garage saler puter I fixed up pretty nice runs ubuntu excellently compared to older versions of windows. thanks tcturner

[H2SO_four]

no bloatware, no viruses, it does what its told when its told. very easy to change/configure, etc. the list goes on

[joyneo04]

i do agree wit H2SO_four (http://ubuntuforums.org/member.php?u=848750) it does whatevr and whnevr is asked to do.....esy and free to upgrade as well as i try to support a free software revolution....

[freedomisgood]

How do I say this without sounding harsh? windows sucks, linux is good.
it's that simple.

[xx58]

:rolleyes: You buy new computer and it come with preinstalled hardware and software, where is large that what you just don't like and don't want, but IT IS THERE and you Don't have the choice over it.
1. Linux Ubuntu coming without that trash
2. When you learn and know Linux you just love it

You need to learn Linux or you will always come back to Windows!!!

Linux is easy if you know what do too with it!

I love Linux over Windows....

[Amilo1718]

why? cuz i know what the files & commands are for :p

[ridowan007]

I am computer engineering student from University of Dhaka (http://www.cse.univdhaka.edu). I have a duel-boot system with xp & ubuntu. For my day to day works(coding,watching cinema, music & so on) I totally on Ubuntu. But as a programmer I have to make windows program for that I have to go xp. I have to make sure my web pages have to look good in a faulty, ediotic ,rubiss ********** browser so I open xp. And some times I play games for that I have to open xp. I dont dislike xp but I have more freedom,usability,stability in Ubuntu. And last but not least My mother-language Bangla is on ubuntu(Might you know Bangladeshis laid their life for our language when we didnt have freedom). So I love Ubuntu so much. If I dont have to programme for windows & play game I would kik xp out. If you dont see any benefit of Ubuntu I guess you dont use it much. Trust me one day insallah U will say "I love Ubuntu"

[TheBuzzSaw]

I had abandoned Windows before I even knew about the Linux universe. I had had enough of Microsoft's unethical behavior and incompetent products. I wanted something that did not eat up my computer's resources needlessly. A friend recommended I give Linux a try. Here I am years later completely happy with Ubuntu and everything it offers.

Windows is only good for gaming.

[running_rabbit07]

Basically I dont see any advantages to using linux over windows xp, Im dual booting windows and ubuntu. Ubuntu is nice and all but I dont see anything that would make me prefer it over windows.The only thing i have been using ubuntu for is web browsing playing music/movies (cant play games) which I can do better/hassle free in windows.

So what are the advantages of l using linux over xp?

I haven't been using Ubuntu for long, but I have been using it long enough to notice how fast it boots. I also like how when the desktop appears on the screen you do not have to wait a few before starting to click on anything because even though you see the desktop on MS, it is no where near done loading.

The first time I turned on the printer, it worked! XP required loading drivers.

If you have a 200 professional such as I do on my laptop, the highest you can go with explorer is 6.0 which is incompatable with my college's website. I am sure the new Explorer 8.0 will be the last supported version for XP. Why would I want to pay hundreds for Vista just to stay up to date with new technologies? Ubuntu is free, free, free!

Who knows, when I am done with my Network+ Cert I may go for the COMPTIA Linux+ Cert. That would definately open a few new doors for future jobs or just show that I am that much of a geek.

Who really wants to have to run antivirus programs weekly just because you like to surf? Not to mention having to run SpyBot Search and Destroy along with Windows Defender just to protect your PC?

When I connect my MP3 player to XP, no matter which program I use I can only upload not download from the player. Ubuntu alows traffic both ways. Tried and true.

Linux is better all the way! I am hooked!

We owe great thanks to those who build these systems for us to load for free!

[n4mgr]

I have used every version of Windows since '95 and dos before. I used Win2K Pro in school as well as Server 2003. I switched my laptop to Ubuntu with Fiesty and have been with it ever since. I hate Vista, and though XP was ok, they both have stability issues and are resource hogs. I love Jaunty due to the ease of both installation and use, haveing purchased a new laptop recently and installing Jaunty wiping out MS Windows (lack-of)Vista. I know the gaming aspect of Ubuntu is still unrealized/unexploited but give it time. I have a feeling the day will come when Ubuntu will rival Windows in the gaming community.

[chips24]

vista doesnt run my old games.

[chips24]

i do agree wit H2SO_four (http://ubuntuforums.org/member.php?u=848750) it does whatevr and whnevr is asked to do.....esy and free to upgrade as well as i try to support a free software revolution....


h2so4 used to be my password... sulphuric acid... ok why am i writing this?

[kay-man]

I like an operating system to be something that allows me to operate my pc instead of having it trying to operate me.

In other words, with linux I know what's going on in the pc and I am in control. I kinda like that

[rolleander]

I like being able to have a choice instead of being force-fed somebody else's idea of what a computer should be, and if your a gamer - dual-boot like I do - besides, then if you do get one of those nasty windows viruses, adware, etc, you can usually back-door it through ubuntu or other OS and manually destroy it before windows boots next - that way you don't have to wipe out and start over again

[khelben1979]

I don't. I'm actually using both Windows XP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_xp) and Debian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debian) and both works just fine.

When something goes wrong with Windows it has been a pain for me to fix it and although it can be very time consume'ing to configure up a Linux system, once it works it feels like a big relief using it. Everything just works and all upgrades are always hassle free (sorry Ubuntu, but that hasn't been my experience with Ubuntu).

[vampko]

Well, to be honest, Vista devalidated itself, and none of the methods on the support site worked. Plus, they weren't available on weekends. On top of this, I had homework to do, which involved programming. So, I needed an OS and fast. I already installed Ubuntu before, so it was just a matter of, one: getting grub to work again as vista had deactivated that when i installed it. Two: getting a working C++ program. This one took me the longest, because there was sudo commands that I had to carry out, even though I installed the programming module. I guess that's the thing that most Windows users would have to get used to. Having to do more than just installing something. I'm okay with it, I just believe that the programs should at least notify you that you need to do so and so commands to be able to compile C++ code, or various other features. But, I'm used to having tons and tons of problems, as I've been using Windows' more advanced architectures for years now. And have dealt with nearly every issue possible.

That was my initial reason. But, now I use it because it's completely and totally free, and requires ZERO validation. Plus, once you've figured it out, it works quite nicely and doesn't hang up all the time like windows did. That, and the support is just so much better.

[crtlbreak]

An Operating System (nix) ;)

as opposed to

a System Operating (Doze) :(

[AFarris01]

@vampko
you dont have to enter anything into the terminal to start developing on linux. just install the 'build-essential' package through synaptic, install an IDE (like MonoDevelop, or Code::Blocks(preferred) ) either from synaptic, or Add/Remove, and you're off. no command line required.

@world:
I've been on Ubuntu for around 2-3 years now...don't really remember how long... but I've stuck with it because I can do the things I wanna do on the computer, when they need to get done... NOT whenever my computer decides to work.

It's never even really been about Ubuntu being loads 'better' than windows to me... I'll admit that it's got problems and there's things I don't like about it... but whats important is that I can change things to something I DO like. Sometimes these likes/dislikes are minor things, sometimes major, but at the end of the day when you tally the marks, Ubuntu comes out on top... Not because its got one or two uber features, or because it does things 'sooo much better' than windows does, its the little things.

The little differences in the way things run that really make the difference to me. Ubuntu just 'feels right'... Its just got a much friendlier feel to it, and it makes me WANT*to keep using it... not because I SHOULD, not because I MUST, and not because of any 'evil corporations' or 'ethical ideologies'... only because I WANT to use it. I guess it just makes me happy.

I never felt happy about using windows... like ever. The closest I ever felt to happy on that system was relief after the desktop would (finally) showed up, without blue-screening. With Ubuntu, I just feel happy seeing the circle of friends for a few seconds while it's loading.

Sorry to go off for so long there... but hopefully that was somewhat informative for anybody who cares :)

[Racecar56]

Winblows is made by Microsoft, an evil company.
They want to limit what you can do.
Anyway, this thread is old.
I have to admit I dual-boot XP and ubuntu, I'm trying to move away from XP and I'm getting there... :popcorn:

[zenon7]

If you are asking this question, you have not really used Ubuntu yet. Microsoft will never offer what Ubuntu can, hundreds of free applications and a stable OS.

:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p

[khelben1979]

If you are asking this question, you have not really used Ubuntu yet. Microsoft will never offer what Ubuntu can, hundreds of free applications and a stable OS.

Many who uses Windows don't care about whether Microsoft can release 10 or 100 applications with their OS, since you'll find Windows applications all over the net and many more than any Linux distribution can offer, I think. The problem here is that some of them might cause Windows to crash, while Debian for example have tested that all applications should run okay with Linux. Not even Windows 7 can live up to that no matter how good it is. :)

[Frak]

many who uses windows don't care about whether microsoft can release 10 or 100 applications with their os, since you'll find windows applications all over the net and many more than any linux distribution can offer, i think. The problem here is that some of them might cause windows to crash, while debian for example have tested that all applications should run okay with linux. Not even windows 7 can live up to that no matter how good it is. :)
+1

[brew1brew]

I find this funny!! Threads take on a life of their own!!

The opp has not posted on the forum since October 25th, 2007.

So for the last year and a half or so people have been answering a ghost!!

Well, I'll be a sheep too: I chose Ubuntu over windows BECAUSE!

:popcorn:

[kasl33]

I choose Ubuntu (Well, I'm using Mint Linux technically right now - but may end up with actual Ubuntu later today as I like the menu setup better without screwing with it) over Windows and even over other Linux distributions that I've used like Gentoo, Fedora Core, SuSE, Mandriva (PcLinuxOS) because it just works. It is stable, I never experience slow downs, things go fast, everything is easy to configure, it is just wonderful.

[JessicaD]

Racecar56,
If you are trying to slowly migrate away from Windows XP but still would like to keep a dual boot option, I would highly recommend you give Windows 7 RC a spin around the block! To learn more, Microsoft does have a site with whitepapers, tutorials, walkthroughs and screen casts on all the “under the hood” features in Win 7. Check out the Springboard site for Windows 7 on TechNet here <snip>
Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team

[Thingymebob]

No thanks Jessica, I like real freedom.

[JordyD]

No thanks Jessica, I like real freedom.

I think most here do.

[Groucho Marxist]

I favor Ubuntu (or, in the case of my humorously old desktop, Xubuntu) over Windows for several reasons. First, the loading times are faster in Ubuntu in comparison to Windows; my hypothesis is that Linux has less bloatware, and thusly loads faster. Secondly, I can legally obtain open-source versions of programs I need (comic book collection software; audio editing... etc..) without paying ridiculous sums for proprietary versions. Lastly, the mindset and philosophy of belonging to a social community that envisions, creates and maintains software "for the people and by the people" is something worthy of supporting.

[el.otro]

I use Linux because


I got tired of not learning anything new with win-doses, and after using it for a week,
I got used to troubleshooting my problems from the system itself, without buying software or downloading fixes...



and while using several workspaces I felt like I had so much *space* that my computer was super-powerful!
Windows Vista 64 was so slowwwww, that I thought I had bought a 0.005MHz wrist-watch cpu

Jessica, are you kidding me? What version of Debian do you guys use on your Micro$how servers?

Like Bob Dylan would've said:

:-({|="how many years can computers exist, before they're allowed to be free?":-\"

[Technoviking]

Racecar56,
If you are trying to slowly migrate away from Windows XP but still would like to keep a dual boot option, I would highly recommend you give Windows 7 RC a spin around the block! To learn more, Microsoft does have a site with whitepapers, tutorials, walkthroughs and screen casts on all the “under the hood” features in Win 7. Check out the Springboard site for Windows 7 on TechNet here http://tinyurl.com/832nco
Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team

Jessica,
While Windows 7 looks to be a better release than Vista, Microsoft is still missing the boat. Windows 7 still looks to be a release that tell users how they can run computer and what they can do with it. The openness that Ubuntu Linux and other fine Linux distro give a user more power and freedom.

T-V

[Sxeptomaniac]

Thought I'd join in and give my reasons, even if the OP isn't going to read it. I just like the freedom to play with my computer the way I like to.

I was recently trying to work on a Vista Home 64-bit system, and found that Microsoft has decreed that I am not allowed to install unsigned drivers. It seems MS wants me to pay more money for a professional version if I want to get them to remove that restriction. It kinda bugs me when I have to pay extra to have my software un-crippled.

[bubbhasdance]

I just moved from Win Vista to 9.04 last week, and I have to say that it is loads better. It's more efficient, hogs resources less, faster, more secure, able to fix problems w/o patches/fixes/etc, and it's free!

I think MS is starting to realize the opportunity that they are letting slip away. Win 7 is going in the right direction, albeit slowly. Less of a resource grabber, some open-source support...this is a good thing though.

[blackxored]

Well, i could say I haven't switched since I've used linux lifetime. I'm pretty young too.
The main advantage I see among others, is that I have a OS that lets me do anything with it I'd like to, the only barrier is my technical knowledge, no useless legal and redistribution penalties, no unknown behaviour and source, no patents issues. That's one on the things free software has given me. Thanks.

[jonian_g]

Racecar56,
If you are trying to slowly migrate away from Windows XP but still would like to keep a dual boot option, I would highly recommend you give Windows 7 RC a spin around the block! To learn more, Microsoft does have a site with whitepapers, tutorials, walkthroughs and screen casts on all the “under the hood” features in Win 7. Check out the Springboard site for Windows 7 on TechNet here http://tinyurl.com/832nco
Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team

Well I think this shows, since you got bothered to join ubuntu forums, that microsoft considers ubuntu as a threat. Thats good.

[aged hippy]

JessicaD must be quite worried on behalf of Microsoft, she also joined Mac Forums: http://forums.macrumors.com/search.php?searchid=16560733

... i won't go on, anyone can search Google.... :P

[Blacklightbulb]

At first my reasons were:
1. It is defiantly more stable than any windows OS.
2. It doesn't need anti-malware which takes quite a bit of processing power on windows.
3. It is free and so there is no way someone is trying to rob me.
4. I hate microsoft (I hare corporations)
5. Ubuntu is much more user-friendly and better lokking.
6. If you need support for Ubuntu you use this amaizing forum. For windows you have to talk to an indian guy who claims to be named Fred.

[Frak]

Well I think this shows, since you got bothered to join ubuntu forums, that microsoft considers ubuntu as a threat. Thats good.
Ubuntu puts a very, VERY tiny dent in Microsoft's market share.

[durand]

Well I think this shows, since you got bothered to join ubuntu forums, that microsoft considers ubuntu as a threat. Thats good.

Most ubuntu users will probably have paid for windows when they got their computer. I know that when I bought my dell, I had no option to buy without windows. So even if there are lots of ubuntu users, it wouldn't affect Windows' profits in the short term. Hopefully, this changes in the long run.

[bhaumik_thacker]

hi guys,

switching from XP to linux wasnt easy for me.
as some of you said, not having XP on your computer was kind of scary. it freaked me out too...

so, in early stages, i used to dual boot....

but then i realised, i almost never came to linux and always booted from XP...

one day i decided to give it up, and since then i have been using ubuntu without any problems....

i always get stuck, but the forum helps me out....this is where i started learning things...i come here more often than google(crazy....isnt it? but true)...its fun and easy....i m lovin' it...

[ddrichardson]

JessicaD must be quite worried on behalf of Microsoft, she also joined Mac Forums: http://forums.macrumors.com/search.php?searchid=16560733

... i won't go on, anyone can search Google.... :P
Search Google (http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Jessica+Microsoft+Windows+Client+Team&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=com.ubuntu:en-GB:unofficial&client=firefox-a), she's been very busy...

[aged hippy]

Search Google (http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Jessica+Microsoft+Windows+Client+Team&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=com.ubuntu:en-GB:unofficial&client=firefox-a), she's been very busy...

*Shrug* ... well i didn't want to rub it in... :) which is why i suggested it. :P

Us ol' Suffolk boys do have a dry sense of humour. :mrgreen:

[penoo]

Im pretty new to Ubuntu but Im really starting to love it. Even though I would like to play any game I want to there are a lot of factors that makes me want to send a mail to some Windows guy with only this: FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!
Im really into customizing the looks of my comp, so I have made a couple of msstyles and messed with explorer.exe, browseui.dll, etc in vista. For starters, why would they do it so hard for users to customize their desktop?? 3 or so preinstalled themes is what casual get to choose from. In ubuntu you dont get too many preinstalled either but the customization progress is so much easier.
However, when you get vista the way you want it, you have to be careful not to run a system check because it will fuc* up vista. I havent heard of anyone having problems similar to this in Ubuntu.

There are more things that are better in Ubuntu and probably every Linux distro but this post is long enough >.<

[arm-c]

I choose it because:
a. I can
b. I am poor
c. I don't want to be a pirate
d. It is virus free (mostly) and secure
e. It is powerful
f. I am proud to be a GNU/Linux user!
g. I believe in the ideas of GNU/Linux (You won't understand until you make the jump and see what freedom is and how much better our government resources could be utilized if they used OSS instead of purchased the MS BS.
h. I believe in cross-platform programs. Hence what runs on Linux, runs on Win and Mac. Why, because I believe in choice and think all schools/governments shouldn't disenfranchise its citizens/students because they choose an alternate platform.
i. It is stable.
j. It is fun.
k. It is REWARDING to get involved in the movement, support forums, programming, etc...
l. Ubuntu has MOMENTUM!
m. It just works for me (usually) and has saved many a windows user (data recovery).
l. I can take my OS with me (LiveCD) and also find PortableApps that run on most windows machines of the same software I use on Linux.
m. Sure, it is missing some areas of support (Audio / Vidio Editing anyone... and games...) but it never will have it unless Critical Mass is achieved in users... hence, I pitch my tent where I want the support. Build it and they will come...

I could go on and on :)

Honestly, I do keep XP around in a very, very small partition. While my world is Linux, sometimes I have to goto town (XP) to do what I need to... but for me, Green Acres is the place to be... so I get the hell out of the city ASAP once I have finished my business there!

Fun Post...

[philcamlin]

ubuntu doesnt have a bsod every ******* 5 minutes :) :popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

pardon the language

[Frak]

I choose it because:
a. I can
b. I am poor
c. I don't want to be a pirate
d. It is virus free (mostly) and secure
e. It is powerful
f. I am proud to be a GNU/Linux user!
g. I believe in the ideas of GNU/Linux (You won't understand until you make the jump and see what freedom is and how much better our government resources could be utilized if they used OSS instead of purchased the MS BS.
h. I believe in cross-platform programs. Hence what runs on Linux, runs on Win and Mac. Why, because I believe in choice and think all schools/governments shouldn't disenfranchise its citizens/students because they choose an alternate platform.
i. It is stable.
j. It is fun.
k. It is REWARDING to get involved in the movement, support forums, programming, etc...
l. Ubuntu has MOMENTUM!
m. It just works for me (usually) and has saved many a windows user (data recovery).
l. I can take my OS with me (LiveCD) and also find PortableApps that run on most windows machines of the same software I use on Linux.
m. Sure, it is missing some areas of support (Audio / Vidio Editing anyone... and games...) but it never will have it unless Critical Mass is achieved in users... hence, I pitch my tent where I want the support. Build it and they will come...

I could go on and on :)

Honestly, I do keep XP around in a very, very small partition. While my world is Linux, sometimes I have to goto town (XP) to do what I need to... but for me, Green Acres is the place to be... so I get the hell out of the city ASAP once I have finished my business there!

Fun Post...
This is the best reason I've seen in a while now. Congrats.

[kauboy]

If something went wrong with any of your Windows programs, all you could do is stare at a "Please report this error to Microsoft" pop up and choose the "Don't send" option, because you know it ain't gonna change anything even if you hit the "Send". On the other hand, even if something went wrong under Ubuntu, you could fix it yourself or report it and it will *definitely* be fixed in the shortest possible time, because of the sheer number of experienced programmers who can look into the issue and provide a fix. Linux users are a *one big family*, helping each other out. Windows users are *customers*, left in the lurch, once they *buy* the OS. For anyone with even the slightest of programming experience, Linux is a paradise, you can learn a hell lot in a very short time. Best of all, it comes *free*. What more?? :) Not to mention the BSOD, viruses, trojans, spyware, blah, that come *preloaded* with Windows. The only reason why anyone would prefer Windows over Ubuntu would be for gaming, but this, I'm sure, will change soon with the increasing number of Ubuntu users. For non-gamers (like me!), Ubuntu is already the way to go!

[Chayak]

I use linux because I'm a malware analyist and security researcher by trade. My work is on windows platforms but the base systems are always linux running windows virtual machines. That way I can revert to clean snapshots after looking at malware samples.

Antivirus is a poor solution. I see a lot of samples every day that don't show up on any AV software.

[ZLance]

Simple. It loads faster, it runs faster, looks cooler, looks more like me, costs nothing and the only thing i have use for XP right now is iTunes for itouch and... well, I don't really play much games anymore.

[wojox]

Iĺl take open source over proprietary software any day.

[hyperzahranism]

many things make me love ubuntu & getting windows out of my head

i feel ubuntu like a baloon you can inflate it with any thing you like
it's still lighter, still a baloon (spherical) & flying smoothly

windows reminds me with kids toy (building blocks) you can build what ever but
every time getting heavier, complicated & uggly


1- i feel myself strechable, ubuntu adapt itself to my needs the exterme opposite with windows, you have to adapt yourself with windows the small box

2- windows offers you many programs really amazing but you have to pay for every software & use it like what it was designed to & for every update you have to spend some money for ,, ubuntu is open source, you can have what ever you like & for nothing all what you need is to open the package manager & choose or open the updater & update your PC for free

3- i've been using windows for almost 15 yeasr & i'm using ubuntu for less than a year & i really noticed that i was in the wrong track for long time

4- windows you have to have antivirus, spyware, adaware, firewall ,,, long list & altough you will be hacked ,,, with ubuntu: excuse me what does virus mean?


many thing i didn' discover yet but once i found something i'll let you know

[halovivek]

Why i choose ubuntu over windows
1. security
2. spyware
3. virus
4. graphics
5. stability of using- i use to switch the system ON for some days and leave. it is not possible in windows. you have to restart once in a week.
6. Lot of applications
7. built in office applications
8. built in messengers
9. good browsers (firefox)
10. speed
11. you can do experiments in software

[wojox]

Because chicks dig it !!!

[Thingymebob]

7. built in office applications
8. built in messengers

Be fair here Ms routinely gets criticised for trying to include such software, I believe in europe windows 7 won't even have IE or WMP installed by default, not by MS choice but to please Europe who are concerned about giving this MS software an unfair advantage (however, it will be made very easy to install them). So why would they even think about providing MS office when they can't even get away with software they give away.

[jonian_g]

Be fair here Ms routinely gets criticised for trying to include such software, I believe in europe windows 7 won't even have IE or WMP installed by default, not by MS choice but to please Europe who are concerned about giving this MS software an unfair advantage (however, it will be made very easy to install them). So why would they even think about providing MS office when they can't even get away with software they give away.

Well, they can have Open Office preinstalled with windows. No goverment is going to stop them. Also they can have Firefox or Opera for web browsing and Winamp or any other media player for windows. Someone is going to tell them a big and honest bravo if they do it.

I'm glad that someone is trying to stop them, though, from having preinstalled their own apps for web and media cause the result from their dominace in those areas will be proprietary standards in both of them.

[ranch hand]

Racecar56,
If you are trying to slowly migrate away from Windows XP but still would like to keep a dual boot option, I would highly recommend you give Windows 7 RC a spin around the block! To learn more, Microsoft does have a site with whitepapers, tutorials, walkthroughs and screen casts on all the “under the hood” features in Win 7. Check out the Springboard site for Windows 7 on TechNet here http://tinyurl.com/832nco
Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team


Posted by Racecar56
Winblows is made by Microsoft, an evil company.
They want to limit what you can do.
Anyway, this thread is old.
I have to admit I dual-boot XP and ubuntu, I'm trying to move away from XP and I'm getting there...

I fine dear JessicaDs post very interesting.

Is it just me or is her choice of folks to respond too strange. Racecar56 is not a likely person to get yet another of MS' fine products, at least not judging from the post. Her (assuming JessicaD is not a 40 something naked guy that haunts youth chatrooms looking for victims) post is most likely to be takes as "Big Sister" looking in on what is being thought and trying to "correct" it as one would expect from and "evil company".

This is the only post by JessicaD on these forums. Why?

Why post in the first place if you do not want to respond to the certain critics?

Is this an example of the quality of research done at MS that the post would be here, with a poor choice of "victom", rather than a thread about dual booting where most people are at least more likely to be non-hostile to MS?

Just seems weird to me.

As a side note, I see that "JessicaD has made no "friends" according to her(?) profile page. I am shocked.

[Thingymebob]

Well, they can have Open Office preinstalled with windows. No goverment is going to stop them. Also they can have Firefox or Opera for web browsing and Winamp or any other media player for windows. Someone is going to tell them a big and honest bravo if they do it.

What business would. This is a ridiculous suggestion. That MS should package other peoples software with their OS instead of their own. The best you can ever hope for is what's already happening, they package nothing forcing the end user into making a choice.

[aged hippy]

Maybe my casual hint of googling JessicaD embarrassed her/him. :confused: :mrgreen:

[James7]

I choose Ubuntu for total liberation in all aspects of software. :)

[magmon]

I chose ubuntu for its speed and features.

[jonian_g]

What business would. This is a ridiculous suggestion. That MS should package other peoples software with their OS instead of their own. The best you can ever hope for is what's already happening, they package nothing forcing the end user into making a choice.

I think the correct word is letting.

So, when they have a choice and they choose to not do it, why someone has to be "fair" to MS? Like you said in your previous post.

[Thingymebob]

I think the correct word is letting.
Indeed, you're right.

[loudog23]

the open-source phylosophy

[afroman10496]

Its simple- Windows SUCKS and Ubuntu ROCKS. If you think that Windows programs don't run on Ubuntu... programmers usually make versions for Linux, as well as Mac OS X and... may I say it... Windows. And, if you can't find a Linux version for a program, a generic program (as in Photoshop and Gimpshop) is mostly always available and you can run many games and programs via Wine (with configuration, which you can Google). There are many other reasons, too, but I won't waist your time or my keyboard durability with them :-).

---------/------ \
---------(>) (<)
------o -____ ----o
----o--- / --- \ ----o
---o----\____/- ---o
--o------------------ o

This is what Windows does to puppies. Microsoft surely hates puppies. And who could hate a puppy?

----/--- \
---(/\) (/\)
--________
---\------- /
----\____/

Pick Ubuntu. They like puppies.

[jolo]

My commitment to use of open source applications, which are almost always superior.

To fight the negative, monopolistic control of the industry the Microsoft/Apple is all about. They keep trying to destroy industry standards and force vendors into creating propriatary hardware and software, with those ugly drivers that allow the propriatary non-standard Windows to be used with their hardware and software.

There is a MAJOR push coming with Windows 7, where vendors, like Nvidia will be making Windows only GPUs.

Other reason is that I don't believe that constant re-booting is a spectator sport.

I want to remove all Microsoft/Apple apps as much as possible for the same reason that I got my hemmroids removed.

Jon

[kixome]

Security, I can change the code if I want, I can do anything I want with it "even game" . Security and much less malware are the main advantages though. PC gaming is so yesterday anyway.

[kixome]

Oh i forgot no per client liscensing agreements that I have to pay for!

[Ojustaboo]

I've only read the last page of this thread, but from what I've read it shows to me that Linux fanboys are no better (or worse) than Windows ones.



Its simple- Windows SUCKS and Ubuntu ROCKS. If you think that games and Windows programs don't run on Ubuntu... programmers usually make versions for Linux,
Even Ubuntus creator has acknowledged how good windows 7 is according to this article

http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2009/06/16/windows_7_oem_netbook_price/

99% of commercial windows games do not have a Linux version.

You can get a lot of games working under wine, I have got LOTRO working very well on it. But it still doesn't look quiet as good as it does when I run it from my windows boot. Also on windows I simply inserted the DVD, installed, then run the program. The interface simply starts, automatically checks for any updates then away I go.

With Wine, I had to install a separate launcher, (and I have to make sure I remember to manually select patch before starting the game), and also must remember to disable pulseaudio before starting the game. On top of that, the previous version of wine needed a patch applied to allow me to have the post processing turned on in my LOTRO options and with the current version I have to have Glow mapping unticked else all the lights flicker (and I wont even get into antialiasing)


I also disagree that PC gaming is `yesterday`. Fallout 3, Oblivion, far far better on the PC than the consoles (plus plenty of user made content on the PC which isn't available on the consoles)

I also believe that WOW has a few users ;)



My commitment to use of open source applications, which are almost always superior.
CS4 miles superior to GIMP.

Office 2007 better than any free alternative



Other reason is that I don't believe that constant re-booting is a spectator sport.
Been running Windows 7 since beta, now running RC version. Had to reboot after installing Nvidia drivers and had to reboot after installing sound card. Just twice installing hardware after the install.

Since I've had the RC version of windows it's not crashed once. It's asked me to reboot once or twice at most after doing updates, 99% of updates haven't required a reboot.

I've had Ubuntu installed for a week. Yesterday it said updates were available. Once they were installed, guess what, it said I needed to reboot


Everyone's entitled to their own opinions, but if you want to try to convince the masses as to why Ubuntu is better, with a modern PC and Windows 7, you need to get better arguments.

[NightwishFan]

Originally I began to use more and more free software and not freeware. I figured out the difference pretty quick. Once I migrated to using pretty much all free software, I heard about people using this 'OpenSUSE' on Team Liquids forum. I ran a search on top Linux distros and got the distrowatch page. Guess which one was at the top. This was just about right after Gutsy was released. The desktop effects and excellent software selection won me over.

What keeps me on Ubuntu from other distros is the upgrade framework and release schedule. I can keep up to date for 6 months or run a server for over 6 years. LTS would be good for casual users as well.

[Stryc9Fuego]

The biggest thing that sold me on Ubuntu is connecting to WiFi. It's just plain easier and more intuitive on Ubuntu.

What kept me on Ubuntu and made me full-on switch without looking back is the facts that I can do anything I used to do on Windows either native or through Wine, and that recently when the heat sink and cooling fan popped off the North Bridge to my old PC, I was able to get a VERY nice new computer, with no OS, for $300.

The closest benchmarked machine that came with Windows on it was about $1400.

Blanks FTW.

[demios]

rather than shell out thousands of dollars for audio software, I can get better, more supported stuff for free, and learn how to use it in the process. not for everyone, but it works for me.

[dnguyen1963]

Be fair here Ms routinely gets criticised for trying to include such software, I believe in europe windows 7 won't even have IE or WMP installed by default, not by MS choice but to please Europe who are concerned about giving this MS software an unfair advantage (however, it will be made very easy to install them). So why would they even think about providing MS office when they can't even get away with software they give away.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but is it true that most Windows viruses use IE as the mean to infect the computers? I used to have Windows XP and Vista...tried as hard as I could and still could not remove IE from the computer. Does anyone know how (or is it possible?)to remove IE from Windows?:lolflag:

[afroman10496]

Does anyone know how (or is it possible?)to remove IE from Windows?:lolflag:
HACK ATTACK!!! Maybe go into the C:\Programs or whatever folder and toss all the files in the trash and set in on fire and send it to Bill Gates' door and then get the... never mind... JUST DO THAT!:guitar: but- it might screw up the system even more and you might not be able to use some features like the "Favorites" menu and so on.