View Full Version : How many of you completely switched to Linux?
peyre
February 19th, 2012, 06:09 AM
For graphics and multimedia, which is really my thing, Linux as a desktop OS simply isn't practical. I wish it were, and if it ever becomes so in the future, I'll consider it.
I was in that position for many years. Keep coming back and trying it every now and then--desktop Linux is getting better and better, and one day you might find it works for you, finally. I did.
theducksfan2010
February 20th, 2012, 08:44 AM
Every system I have has Linux on it, Be it Ubunutu 11.10, Lubuntu 11.10, or my boot-able thumb drive with MacPup (Puppy Linux) on it. But I do not thin I will ever leave Windows behind. Some classes in school require Silverlight and Linux does not support that, plus I need a way to watch Netflix. Hopefully someday, although now most of my Window is through VirtualBox in Ubuntu
Robynsveil
February 20th, 2012, 11:17 AM
On my desktop with only the single purpose of running Poser Pro 2012: Win7. On my laptop, Ubuntu 11.10 with the Cinnamon desktop which solved the 2nd-monitor issue for me.
FOSS is amazing. It's about community, not corporations. I love it.
jcvhqdlon
February 20th, 2012, 11:20 AM
My computer does not take a Linux system !
http://www.jpopo.info/g.gif:popcorn:
cowboystitching
February 20th, 2012, 01:21 PM
Installed it on somebody's Compaq for them. Totally fell in love with it; like a more efficient, cooler, freer, non-corporate OSX. Just ordered a Lenovo Thinkpad to fully transition to Ubuntu.:KS
zaentzpantz
February 20th, 2012, 04:17 PM
I started on Ubuntu 11.04 with a dual boot system six months ago. My plan was to go over to Ubuntu completely from Windows XP by now as I counted myself as an enthusiastic fan of Ubuntu.
However after upgrading to 11.10 and the printer stopped working I was forced to use Windows for printing. I gave up trying to fix the Ubuntu printer problem after two months, and even now after all the CUPS and kernel upgrades it's still dead, so I keep Windows.
I do lot of audio and video transcription, authoring and encoding. One by one all the Ubuntu applications for these failed or crashed or just didn't do the job, and I've tried loads of them. This has forced me back to the Windows programmes that do the job so well, so instead of tinkering with the computer I can get the jobs done smoothly.
Ubuntu looks better than Windows, but as I now depend on Windows it's got to stay.
peyre
February 20th, 2012, 06:58 PM
Every system I have has Linux on it, Be it Ubunutu 11.10, Lubuntu 11.10, or my boot-able thumb drive with MacPup (Puppy Linux) on it. But I do not thin I will ever leave Windows behind. Some classes in school require Silverlight and Linux does not support that, plus I need a way to watch Netflix. Hopefully someday, although now most of my Window is through VirtualBox in Ubuntu
There's always Moonlight (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moonlight_%28runtime%29)...
pbpersson
February 20th, 2012, 07:35 PM
I still have two Windows machines here. One is a Vista machine that acts as the file, printer, and TiVo server. I have never created a TiVo server using Linux (downloads movies from TiVo, sends music and photos to TiVo) and back when the print server was Linux I had problems connecting to the print server using Windows machines (such as my wife's desktop or our laptop) as I think the Windows client expects the server to send the driver files.
I also have a Windows 7 machine that converts movies from TiVo and burns them to DVD. I have not found any Linux software that does a good job of that. As a matter of fact, I am dumping the Roxio software as there are some movies it cannot convert properly. I am now testing Video Redo which of course will only work on Windows.
Part of the reason why I still use Windows for these things is because in my experience doing specialized tasks in Ubuntu is very time consuming. I just don't have the time I used to for experiments like this. It is sometimes faster to use Windows for these things.
My main desktop is still Lucid Lynx and I have a test desktop where I will be installing 12.04 Beta I in March.
The laptop is a dual boot Kubuntu 11.10 and Windows XP. I kept XP on there for the wife and also in case I need to see how things are setup in XP to help friends with XP problems or test my software development projects there.
ChrisWere100
February 20th, 2012, 08:49 PM
I can't find any stable software to record from my HD webcam. Or an video editing software that doesn't crash every 10 mins. I love Ubuntu in every other way, but it sure does suck when it comes to any kind of video editing or encoding or supporting video hardware. Over the years I must have tried over a dozen webcams on Linux and I have never had one install and run smoothly. I hate the fact Linux is always playing catchup to propotiary software.
xxfireboy
February 21st, 2012, 06:30 AM
I stopped using the blue screen while using windows 95SE. After reinstalling 95SE more than fifteen times after starting to keep count, I said this is total BS, that there had to be something better.
I kept 95SE installed until I could learn Red Hat, then I dumped 95SE and have not looked back. After several years found Mepis. Then went to Ubuntu and back to Mepis, throw in Debian Woody there somewhere. And now I'm back using Ubuntu 10.10.
Because "I" didn't know what I was doing most of my major problems came during new installs. And I did not know all this help was here just for the asking. But now with the newer install CDs and DVDs it's a no brainier to have a new install up and running in fifteen clicks or less!
Geemonster69
February 21st, 2012, 07:37 AM
Nah! I wish in retrospect i'd started with Linux.
It says easy to use..but not if you've been using Windows for 10 or more years.
Im still getting my head round the command prompt.
But I had Ubuntu 8.10 a few yrs ago short term and Fedora 10 i tried..both seemed more stable than Windows..im dual booting with 7 and see myself using Ubuntu solely one day..i hate the greed that MS perpetuates over £100 pounds for a bloody licence key is disgusting in my book and it's not even as stable as Ubuntu it ease of interface is it's saving grace only.
danaross
February 21st, 2012, 09:57 AM
I've completely switched. I'm a professional photographer and am so happy with digiKam and Gimp for stills and Kdenlive (which is just now getting reliable) for Video that I am living completely without Windows.
I do have Windows in VirtualBox just so I can access Netflix. But other than that I don't have want or use anything else.
Shompol
February 24th, 2012, 08:35 PM
I've completely switched. I'm a professional photographer and am so happy with digiKam and Gimp for stills and Kdenlive (which is just now getting reliable) for Video that I am living completely without Windows.
I do have Windows in VirtualBox just so I can access Netflix. But other than that I don't have want or use anything else.
Everyone was wondering for a long time why does Netflix refuse to support Linux. Think about it, it works on Roku (Linux-based box) and it works on Android, so clearly not a technical issue. Guess what, Netflix CEO sits on board of Microsoft!
As for the running it in Virtualbox, why bother? Amazon streaming has all the latest titles and works in Linux like a charm. So does Hulu. If Netflix chooses to ignore me as a customer, I choose to ignore Netflix. Sounds reasonable, eh?
Adam Jensen
February 25th, 2012, 02:09 AM
I would like to rid my laptop of Windows and just stick with Ubuntu, but I can't. I have to use Visual Studio C++ for one of my classes. I prefer code::blocks, but my professor is adamant on us using Visual Studio:(
enjoijesus94
February 25th, 2012, 02:14 AM
I Use Ubuntu For Everything.
Pentesting.
Programming.
Browsing The Web.
And Yes Even Gaming.
But I Dual-Boot.
And Have XP Installed Bc I Test Scripts And Programs.
Now Theres Not Any Problem With Dual-Booting.
Hell You Could Even VirtualBox XP.:lolflag:
exitlimit
February 26th, 2012, 02:06 AM
"Wow" is all,
Newer to Linux, just installed 11.10 on a very old machine, and yet appears to be mostly keeping up with my patience. I've become nothing-but completely frustrated and bored as of late with "Windows". So I needed to give my brain a little bit of stimulation and thought I'd dive into something I mostly knew nothing about. One thing that drove me absolutely NUTS was time it took for an "UN-responding" program to get outta my face in Windows. I already like the fact that if I "happen" to have a an "UN-responding" windows with Linux, I just simply Close the window, and it "CLOSES"! -Nice! Also, another thing that absolutely FLOORED me was how fast it took for Thunderbird to detect my mail settings! Unlike windows, where I would actually have to do the research myself as to what settings were required to set up Outlook. It took WAY to long as a USER/CUSTOMER to have to figure out. Linux did all the work for me, and it was done in less than thirty seconds. Yes I am new to Linux, and yes I still know practically NOTHING, but my first impressions are this; very user friendly to get the basic executions done, I seem to like the Unity interface as opposed to 9.04 interface years ago (again, from someone who just want's my computer to work) and everything is mostly easy to find and navigate. Also, a BIG thanks to those here who helped my get my sharing folder up and running between my XP laptop and my 11.10 machines. I love the support here, you guys were extremely reliable, you know what your talking about, and you were all fast to help out. Everything is awesome so far. Good job.
Peace.
Snow Keld
February 26th, 2012, 07:43 AM
4 or 5 years ago..
i found stuff about linux online and downloaded mandriva, learned how to put it on a disk, then installed :)
i was 16 years old and broke xp, woops!
it was my dads computer, he got very mad... i could never use it again.
so within 1 week of this incident i found a desktop and got it for exactly $1 (it was a very old machine) and installed and tried over 30 different linux distros, i finally found ubuntu and stuck with it till 2 years ago when i switched to mint, then last year when i switched to debian.
now i'm developing my own distro based on debian sid (https://sourceforge.net/projects/imagine-linux/)
since i first started using linux i have used windows to..
- try to get it running well enough in VM for gaming, gave up on it, no need for it anyway.
- fix friends computers.
- my girl friend has it on 1 PC to put music on her itouch 4th gen (as it is still not supported on linux)
linux is the best there is. no windows needed in my life.
DeathShot
February 26th, 2012, 08:59 AM
Please don't hate me for my reply, I'm mostly killing time but truth be told I am a hard core Windows user and I use Linux because I find that I just have to sometimes. I have literally used EVERY SINGLE VERSION of the MS operating system collection from MS-DOS to Windows 8. I have also used over 20 linux distoes. I do like to experiment. My issue with Linux is that it's way to complex for every day tasks and for customizing. I might be able to do more on Ubuntu but the Windows 7 control panel offers me a lot more flexibility then the plain default equivalent on Ubuntu. When Windows Vista failed me a few years ago I did become a full time Ubuntu user for almost 6 months, but then I got Windows 7 and honestly it never gave me problems. I don't have to care about if consuming too many resources or anything because my machines are all beasts and I am a hardcore PC gamer. I tried WINE and ports and all that other good stuff but it simply doesn't let you play Crysis2 on Ultra High or Skyrim or GTA IV or NFS. Hell HL2 via WINE runs just well enough to play it. That and I use a LOT of adobe products and got very used to the MS Office suits. I know that technically there is equivalent software for free both on Windows and Linux but I've been using it for so long that even if GIMP and OO.O were as powerful as their proprietary counter parts the transition is just too hard for something I don't need to do. Particularly because I can get all this software for free legally (well someone has to pay, but that someone isn't me or my parents).
In fact, I even stopped dual booting, because it was causing trouble for my poor incompatible windows so now I run EVERYTHING from within Windows 7, including Windows 7 it self in VMs. This is a Quad Core VM with 4gigs of RAM running Ubuntu 11.10 in full screen which I have been using exclusively for a little while now because I am working on it, but it gives me the power of a full machine with the flexibility to switch into windows to work on other projects.
Case in point I will probably never switch to Linux full time (aside from my phone) and I am even less likely now that even Adobe abandoned this platform completely by stopping flash support. With that said though, if I can get my Ubuntu to look and work just right (it's why I came to the forums) I might use it a lot more often... maybe even enough to actually dual boot it and use it as my primary OS. But as long as I am fortunate enough to have powerful machines and good software I don't think Windows is going away and it will never go away completely as long as society uses it (Unless of course windows 8 becomes the Next ME and Vista and Windows 7 becomes the next XP and they can't get windows 9 right either, if that does happen then bye-bye Windows).
I just thought this would be an interesting point of view, a slight change from the normal one seen here :P
farmgirl14
March 1st, 2012, 04:00 PM
My husband switched me over about 2 months ago. He's a Windows "Geek", but had mentioned Linux to me before. Windows went "belly-up" on my computer...and he said, "It's time for a change." So, I've been swimming' around in the Linux world ever since. I've learned a few things....but still have a long way to go. But, I must admit....I'm more comfortable moving around in it than he is, now.... :) I use Window SPARINGLY with Wine, because I use PAF for my Family History research.
I'm getting used to the Evolution Calendar. I had used Outlook before, but I like Evolution better. The only thing I'm having problems with is figuring out what I need to do/where I need to go to be able to add Categories to my appointments.
PrinceJoseph
March 2nd, 2012, 03:25 PM
Havent switched completely yet. I'm still obsessed with high-end games that run on Windows though I'll definitely switch over for good once I grow up :D
Jake5
March 3rd, 2012, 01:34 AM
All Linux baby!
I run ubuntu on my laptop, mythbuntu on my desktop I use as a media server obviously, Edubuntu on my nieces laptop, and peppermint OS on my parents laptop, Love em all and since i got a ps3 I don't miss windows at all, Look at my join date, that was the first day I ever tried Linux, I had been mulling it over for a few years before that, but bought into that bs line, "Linux is unstable and unreliable". I admit I've had a few issues that needed some fine tuning, but learning something has never scared me. Every issue I've had thus far has been solved via a few simple commands in the cli. I see no reason whatsoever to go back to lining bill and melinda's pockets. However I have made a few donations around the linux distros. I even have a friend who is a hardcore music engineer who is considering switching his brand new mac pro (idk G5 looking thing) over to Dream Studio. I'm a little skeptical about it, but he seems pretty sure, he has used Audacity for about six years anyways and swears up and down that it is the best recording software out there. I think he just likes the simple interface, but as a previously broke ex-musician myself I've used it and it is pretty darn good.:P
layers
March 3rd, 2012, 05:37 AM
yeah, dual booted in my first year in uni, switched completely in second. in third now, how can i go back to windows ever?
daslinkard
March 3rd, 2012, 06:20 AM
It wasn't until I had numerous issues with Windows about 2 months ago that I finally threw up my hands in the air with frustration and said to heck with Windows....give me Linux. I actually started writing about my transition from Windows to Linux here (http://ubuntuforums.org/livinglinux.wordpress.com).
I've only done a few posts but the more that I use Linux the more and more that I am falling in love with it. In fact in the past 60 days I would say that I have personally converted 3 to 4 people from using Windows to fully relying upon Linux. I have not heard any complaints thus far and believe me...if there was an issue...I would hear about it.
Robynsveil
March 3rd, 2012, 06:44 AM
It wasn't until I had numerous issues with Windows about 2 months ago that I finally threw up my hands in the air with frustration and said to heck with Windows....give me Linux. I actually started writing about my transition from Windows to Linux here (http://ubuntuforums.org/livinglinux.wordpress.com).
I've only done a few posts but the more that I use Linux the more and more that I am falling in love with it. In fact in the past 60 days I would say that I have personally converted 3 to 4 people from using Windows to fully relying upon Linux. I have not heard any complaints thus far and believe me...if there was an issue...I would hear about it.
That's exactly my experience. And it wasn't because I didn't *try* to make Win7 work... found a kludge to set up a persistent connection between laptop and desktop only because Win7 Home Premium wouldn't do this: you had to upgrade to Pro for that feature.
And of course Linux just *does* it.
But the antivirus and whatever else was running was stuttering Firefox to a point of unusability. It finally got so bad that I said : "this is nuts!! And I paid *money* for this rubbish!" and went back - yes, back - to Ubuntu. And found that Cinnamon knew where my second monitor was.
Now my netbook and laptop are running Ubuntu fulltime even though they're dual-boot. My desktop runs Win7 HP 64-bit for Poser. Someday they'll create a Linux version. I hope. I wish.
Ikaru
March 3rd, 2012, 07:50 AM
I switched to Linux. Sometimes I go back to windows if I feel the urge to play some games, but after that I always get back to Linux.
But I find that linux is too scattered and that we are in need of a unified linux. I know many of you think that this freedom of distros and softwares is what linux is all about and I get the point, but in my opinion, Linux and the community would gain so much if applications, desktop systems and others, received major attention from developers, instead of having hundreds of unfinished/no so good applications. I mean, some of the most popular applications are lacking so many options (or need tons of pluggins) that if you want a good-for-everything application your either switch to windows or install several other apps.
Robynsveil
March 3rd, 2012, 08:30 AM
Linux doesn't care.
A unified Linux would be completely antithesis to the whole idea of what this OS is about. Which is what I so *love* about it. Mac people and Windows people go on and on over market-share and market penetration and that sort of rubbish. Means nothing to Linux. Nothing. As long as Linux users - which are legion - are happy, that's all that matters.
I so love and cherish this way of thinking. It is revolutionary. It obliterates the whole money/greedy/income-grabbing side of things.
Let's say I need some feature that only Audacity has. Load my file in that, use Audacity. Let's say I need some feature only Photoshop has. Load Win7, PS-CS3 and use it. It doesn't worry me to use Windows for specific tasks: I use Win7 HPremium 64-bit for Poser 2012... that's IT. Nothing else. 99% of everything else, I do in Linux because I can do it quicker, more reliably, without interference of OS-tasks like rude updates that think they are more important than my work.
It boils down to productivity. You seriously don't need everything in one app until you find yourself repetitively going back and forth between OSes... then, it's time for a plugin. In the meantime, use Windows for what it does offer.
Linux doesn't care.
Ikaru
March 3rd, 2012, 10:11 AM
Linux users are legion yes, but they are still dependable from money grabber windows and Mac.
In what terms would a unified Linux that would be the most compatible with every software, with better and more reliable software and professional solutions for everyone, would drop the feel of freedom you feel right now? It would still be developed by the community for the community, only better. "Regular" OS users will not quit windows for Linux, Linux is not for everybody.
People usually say they use Linux for everything except this and that, most people saying they left Windows because of the corporate policies and whatever injustices they feel. When will Linux become the real Everything you need? You may like the Linux today state of things but I am not comfortable being dependent from other OS. Its like having an iPhone and an Android phone.. what's the point!
Linux doesn't care but I'm sure users of linux care (at least some of them).
But, there are flavors for everyone, so to speak. Freedom of OS choice!
Robynsveil
March 3rd, 2012, 12:14 PM
Linux users are legion yes, but they are still dependable from money grabber windows and Mac.
In what terms would a unified Linux that would be the most compatible with every software, with better and more reliable software and professional solutions for everyone, would drop the feel of freedom you feel right now? It would still be developed by the community for the community, only better. "Regular" OS users will not quit windows for Linux, Linux is not for everybody.
People usually say they use Linux for everything except this and that, most people saying they left Windows because of the corporate policies and whatever injustices they feel. When will Linux become the real Everything you need? You may like the Linux today state of things but I am not comfortable being dependent from other OS. Its like having an iPhone and an Android phone.. what's the point!
Linux doesn't care but I'm sure users of linux care (at least some of them).
But, there are flavors for everyone, so to speak. Freedom of OS choice!
Right. Gotcha. I think. Trying to follow your line of reasoning... failing.
Linux is the "real Everything I need". Am I missing something?
Ikaru
March 3rd, 2012, 02:43 PM
I use Win7 HPremium 64-bit for Poser 2012... that's IT. Nothing else.
Seems to me Linux doesn't do everything for you, so..
Robynsveil
March 3rd, 2012, 11:44 PM
Seems to me Linux doesn't do everything for you, so..
That's not a Linux problem, is it? Smith Micro haven't seen fit to develop a Linux version of their software.
The issue as I see it is that you expect one OS to do it all for you. I don't. I have a dedicated system for Poser. Doesn't do much else but that. And because I don't try to make it do all the other stuff I need doing, it does Poser beautifully.
Everything else, I do in Ubuntu on my laptop. And because I'm not trying to do anything graphics (besides Blender, Inkscape and GIMP on it... all native Linux apps) the laptop is fast and runs brilliantly well. It is a complete solution for me.
I don't try to make my laptop into a phone or make it do the laundry or any of the other things I need doing during the day. I'm happy with what it does do... enormously so. And the freedom to chose *which* distro and even *which* desktop has made the entire OS infinitely more appealing to me: if one distro or desktop doesn't have the solution, there's always another that does.
If you do require one standardised OS, there's always Windows or Macintosh (http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm).
Lightbeam7
March 4th, 2012, 12:47 AM
Made the switch in '07. Not looking back.
Ikaru
March 4th, 2012, 02:33 AM
That's not a Linux problem, is it? Smith Micro haven't seen fit to develop a Linux version of their software.
The issue as I see it is that you expect one OS to do it all for you. I don't. I have a dedicated system for Poser. Doesn't do much else but that. And because I don't try to make it do all the other stuff I need doing, it does Poser beautifully.
Everything else, I do in Ubuntu on my laptop. And because I'm not trying to do anything graphics (besides Blender, Inkscape and GIMP on it... all native Linux apps) the laptop is fast and runs brilliantly well. It is a complete solution for me.
I don't try to make my laptop into a phone or make it do the laundry or any of the other things I need doing during the day. I'm happy with what it does do... enormously so. And the freedom to chose *which* distro and even *which* desktop has made the entire OS infinitely more appealing to me: if one distro or desktop doesn't have the solution, there's always another that does.
If you do require one standardised OS, there's always Windows or Macintosh (http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm).
Never said it was a problem and I don't expect an OS to do everything, I expect software to do that. You use Poser that is about the only paid software you use and for everything else you use opensource/free software. Well, as I see it there could be a clone free version of "Poser" if enough developers worked together. And that was my point from the beginning.
The "unified" linux I stand for is nothing more than a powerful system of OS, desktop (KDE, GNOME, etc) and software, that with more effort and developers combined would be more reliable than what we have now.
pinguinhood
March 4th, 2012, 09:35 AM
I have only Ubuntu installed, but I have also a windows 7 virtual machine to run programs for work.
astroclast
March 5th, 2012, 09:48 PM
I switched off Windows in 2002, and I'm not looking back. I was using Unix until 2004 or 2005, and since then it's been Linux: Fedora/CentOS at work, Ubuntu on my laptop.
rob1408
March 6th, 2012, 01:49 PM
The only reason I retain a windows partition is because of SkyGo and their use of Silverlight. After the football season ends I doubt I'll boot into it for three months.
I'd say I use Linux 90% of the time.
stalkingwolf
March 6th, 2012, 06:31 PM
Since linspire one form of nix or another has been the primary OS on all of our computers.
Until 11.04 the primary was a ubuntu fork. usually Super OS.
Now it is either Zorin or Mint 12 and testing others. There is no perfect OS. each has a feature i dont like. so i either find a way around it or learn to live with it.
i do have windows partitions so that i can help those that still use it.
vandamme
March 8th, 2012, 07:21 PM
At work, 6 year old ex-XP box, Ubuntu 11.10. At home, laptop runs Bodhi, LMDE, Ubuntu Unity, and *******7 (I paid for it!, but seldom use). Wife runs *******7, I'm Tech Support (yuk). Ran Puppy on an 8 year old laptop, and put DouDou on another old laptop for the grandkids. I really like Mint12 Cinnamon, but waiting to see what Ubuntu has up its sleeve.
Diametric
March 8th, 2012, 08:50 PM
I moved solely to Linux a little over 2 years ago - I only keep a Microsoft VM's to test Metasploit and other pen-testing utilities.
steve_dupuis
March 8th, 2012, 09:57 PM
I switched to Linux around 2000 to Red Hat V8 I believe, at work and at home. I set up an Oracle database development environment (including their new Application Server) on Red Hat at the same time. I've since moved to Ubuntu at home (xubuntu on my old machines) and currently on my laptop. Was not able to get Unity to work properly for me, Too many hangs and crashes, and no preferences available, but I'm waiting for 12.04 to go final. I'm trying out the first beta in a VM with full Unity and the MyUnity add-in. So far, its working quite well for me. Getting used to having a phone interface has taken a while though. No touch screen. I think we have quite a way to go before the window managers and all my favorite apps will be touch-screen enabled.
If I must use MS Windows, (usually at work) I install the Cygwin kit so I can use a bash shell and all the GNU utilities there, including X. I swap all my utility scripts back and forth, so Windows becomes much more bearable ..
ex_isp
March 9th, 2012, 02:55 AM
4.5 yrs ago, wiped all 6 home systems of Win-anything and replaced with Mint, Zorin, or Solaris.
Had my fill of MS and don't look back.
bpb_21
March 12th, 2012, 03:12 AM
i like to think i have switched to linux i have been using it fr the last 4 years, but then i need to scan something so i to dual boot to xp because i have never got my scanner to work on linux, i have been trying on ubuntu since version 8.04 tried all the different ideas and installed the drivers from avasys dozens of times . also i find the photo printing progs not as good or very limited on options to print. so i still have not fully switched from that virus ridden os . :(
Ditto here. I find printing (from a supposed-to-be-shared printer on an Ubuntu server by a Windows or Linux client) to be next to impossible. I have to load up a virtual machine and open Word just so I can get an envelope to print correctly. Haven't figured out how to make LibreOffice understand that an envelope is sized differently than a regular 8&1/2x11" page.
Also, there's just nothing like the features in Adobe Acrobat Professional and Dreamweaver. Other than that, however, I'm Ubuntu all the way!
antevans
March 12th, 2012, 04:10 PM
I've been trying to switch (from Windows, on the desktop) for four years, on and off. Despite Canonical's incredible efforts, it's getting harder, not easier.
I'm a relatively knowledgeable user with limited time for OS futzing. In my last sorry round of Linux building, I learned the following things from the following distros:
Mint KDE 32, 64, Xubuntu 11.10: Windows 7 is fast, and it has the fastest mouse-driven UI bar none. KDE is a good example of how the OS can get in your way. Get over yourselves, people. The OS is not the app.
Lubuntu 11.10 32, 64: EUFI makes dual boot installations much more dangerous. No normal user should have to restore their MBR. It's nice that the installer actually apologizes before bricking your machine.
Lubuntu is the only Canonical distro that still has acceptable performance, and the only one I am still running. It is noticably slower than XP on old hardware. The rest are even slower.
Ubuntu 11:10: Unity. Say no more.
All of the above: the handling of samba and ntfs shares and volumes is as infuriating and impenetrable to the average user as ever. The network stack works beautifully, but the desktop behaviour can be inexplicable to a GUI-only user, because nothing is mounted automatically.
All the above: to get any Linux of Linux running on a 6 month old machine I had to edit mount tables, blacklist modules, edit conf files, download kernel headers, and generally perform surgery requiring fairly advanced architectural knowledge. Nothing has changed.
In fact it's got worse, in two ways. First, even the fastest Ubuntu is fat and slow. Second, by adopting Unity, Ubuntu has dented its status as The Default Linux Distro, leaving would-be switchers with something like 600 distros to choose from again. They can't. Canonical had a chance to take Linux out of its niche, and I think they're busy blowing it.
antevans
March 13th, 2012, 12:26 PM
Oh, wait - I've just tried to use Windows Metro. Luckily it is even worse than Unity. I predict that as Unity loses power users to Windows, or to other Linux distros, Metro will lose power users to Linux, including Ubuntu. Ubuntu has been given a reprieve by Microsoft - on the desktop.
UnknownFearNG
March 13th, 2012, 02:36 PM
Made the switch sometime last week, haven't looked back. Used Ubuntu on and off since 8.04, but never really got rid of Windows due to gaming. I mainly do all my gaming on my 360 now, so I switched over and am very happy. Even got rid of my Apple iPod Touch and got a cheap SanDisk Sansa Fuz+ with a 32GB MicroSD card, just so I would feel more "open-source" :P
boazjones
March 13th, 2012, 03:38 PM
I'm working on it.
If I can get some help from the brilliant folks here at Ubuntu Forums, then I may be able to incorporate Linux into my work paradigm.
By using SPLAT! RF Propagation Modeling software - instead of HNIT Baltic for ArcGIS; I will be able to save thousands of dollars.
Hmmmmmmm...
Do any of you want a consulting job?
Is it inappropriate for me to ask in the context of this forum?
</solicitation>
</grovelling>
noswal
March 13th, 2012, 04:04 PM
Ubuntu on my 2 laptops, desktop for gaming with win XP
wolfen69
March 13th, 2012, 05:23 PM
All the above: to get any Linux of Linux running on a 6 month old machine I had to edit mount tables, blacklist modules, edit conf files, download kernel headers, and generally perform surgery requiring fairly advanced architectural knowledge. Nothing has changed.
What does linux of linux mean? And btw, after a couple hundred installs of linux, I never had to any of the stuff you speak of. Consider yourself unlucky.
wolfen69
March 13th, 2012, 05:28 PM
Oh, wait - I've just tried to use Windows Metro. Luckily it is even worse than Unity.
Btw, just a heads up: Some people will like Metro, and some people will like Unity. You should preface your statements with "IMHO". Afterall, it's just an opinion, not fact.
troymius
March 14th, 2012, 03:39 AM
Ever since I can do taxes online (in browser) I don't use windows at home period. I don't play computer games. My favorite game is finding bugs in my python code, fixing them and creating new bugs in that process. Very entertaining!
Jaybyrrd
March 14th, 2012, 03:52 AM
Windows for gaming and when I am at school, Linux for real stuff.
Max Blyss
March 14th, 2012, 05:22 AM
Finally ditched my largely unused Windows 7 install on the Laptop. I am now all (x)Ubuntu all the time.:guitar:
Supp3rMario
March 14th, 2012, 02:41 PM
I have!
Reptillian
March 14th, 2012, 11:34 PM
Once I get into college, my laptop would be using Ubuntu with hardening in mind. However, I do not trust anyone using my current computer once away from the computer during college and will buy a new one as a result. There won't be much point into 3d modeling inside Windows during college due to potential lack of time.
BezoBT
March 16th, 2012, 12:25 AM
Hi. I got on my 250 gb HD win7 for games only. And on the 500 gb Linux bt5. ;)
ExSuSEusr
March 16th, 2012, 02:07 AM
I run linux about 99.9% of the time now that I can run MS Office through PlayonLinux and Everquest II through WINE.
The only other issue I had/have was/is with getting an iPod to work.
I still have an XP partition, but I keep that "just in case" I run into a program I need that I can't get working in Ubuntu / Debian - or there isn't an acceptable "clone" for us to use.
synaptix
March 16th, 2012, 02:08 AM
[delete me]
sougat818
March 16th, 2012, 08:04 AM
I have Windows installed but I hardly boot it. Only in the odd times when my friends come over for a friendly game of CS I use it.
UnknownFearNG
March 16th, 2012, 02:38 PM
I have Windows installed but I hardly boot it. Only in the odd times when my friends come over for a friendly game of CS I use it.
You could just use PlayOnLinux (http://www.playonlinux.com/en/) for that :)
malsha
March 16th, 2012, 03:28 PM
Linux is my OP by default since Windows won't load after my hard drive crashed. Though I've been using Ubuntu w/ Linux for about two years now I still can't get used to it. It's hard to fix when I don't what commands to type to solve certain issues. I am not all that good at solving most computer issues but I can do some basic stuff. Right now I'm having issues with my laptop again and about to change my hard drive and load MS and go back to familiar places. I prefer to press a button and the the problem is solved. It's too time consuming trying to type long commands and figure out what is wrong with your computer program especiall if you are not versed in technical stuff. Right not I need a virtual technician. I am so clueless :confused: right as to how to solve my computer issues not to mention my VirtualBox isn't working either :mad:. I like Linux because there isn't much of a virus threat but it's better used by those who are programmers or technical geeks. Right now I wish I were one if not both of those kinds of persons.
CrusaderAD
March 16th, 2012, 03:38 PM
I've been using Ubuntu rock solid since 9.04. I first started with 5.04 (Hoary Hedgehog) and I still have the CDs. Does anyone remember when Ubuntu sent you CDs for free? That was back when high speed internet wasn't as main stream. I'm in the development release of Ubuntu 12.04 now. It just keeps getting better.
Robynsveil
March 17th, 2012, 05:45 AM
Linux is my OP by default since Windows won't load after my hard drive crashed. Though I've been using Ubuntu w/ Linux for about two years now I still can't get used to it. It's hard to fix when I don't what commands to type to solve certain issues. I am not all that good at solving most computer issues but I can do some basic stuff. Right now I'm having issues with my laptop again and about to change my hard drive and load MS and go back to familiar places. I prefer to press a button and the the problem is solved. It's too time consuming trying to type long commands and figure out what is wrong with your computer program especiall if you are not versed in technical stuff. Right not I need a virtual technician. I am so clueless :confused: right as to how to solve my computer issues not to mention my VirtualBox isn't working either :mad:. I like Linux because there isn't much of a virus threat but it's better used by those who are programmers or technical geeks. Right now I wish I were one if not both of those kinds of persons.
I'm not particularly good at typing long commands either, but highlighting text, copying it and pasting it into terminal is pretty easy.
I had an issue with getting WiFi to work on my netbook whilst i was waiting for a flight at Sydney airport. I have the thing set up to dual-boot Win7 Starter and Ubuntu. I logged into Win7 Starter which found the network, and I did a google on my problem. Saved the page for future reference and downloaded the needed .deb file. Logged back into Ubuntu, installed the .deb with a double-click, and then following the instructions on the downloaded page copied and pasted the commands from the page to terminal.
Boom. Done. WiFi worked.
Why not just stay in Win7? During my very short interlude looking for a solution, every app tried to update itself, Win7 tried to update itself, all sorts of things were trying to interrupt what I was doing, including the antivirus. The whole Windows environment is just plain *rude*. No manners. Doesn't matter what I'm doing, *it* is more important.
It was such a relief to get back to the ME-controlled environment of Ubuntu. Plus, WiFi worked brilliantly and has done so since then.
CGW
March 17th, 2012, 06:11 PM
All my PCs are Linux based except for my HTPC at home (Win7) and my work laptop is a MacBook Pro. The other 5 PCs at work are all running Ubuntu.
ogburnpaul
March 18th, 2012, 03:25 AM
I want to erase Windows but unfortunately, I'm still a gamer at heart.
as far as a gamer goes...there are plenty of vms you can do or use...or programs that are window program friendly...and you can game on ubuntu...Im sure there are plenty of people that can help you with that...I just switched to complete ubuntu about three months ago...
swright007
March 19th, 2012, 12:46 AM
I was only using Windows 7 for Netflix ... but when I got my new blue ray player and could access netflix on my HDTV I unplugged the dual boot. I now dual boot Ubuntu 12.04 and Ubuntu 10.04... :) SO yeah.. I am completely converted.
Max Blyss
March 19th, 2012, 01:00 AM
After a year of barely using the Windows 7 on my laptop, I killed it off last week.
2 desktops, and 1 laptop, all -Buntu'd.
Now I have to work on Linux-Brainwashing the wife, lol!
ubunbu
March 19th, 2012, 03:20 AM
I want to , but I keep a Windows partition for games also. I'm sort of stuck because I don't play games enough to justify a separate gaming computer but I play them just enough that I can't leave Windows.
linoseros
March 19th, 2012, 05:16 PM
All my computers are running GNU/Linux hehe
bcarlowise
March 19th, 2012, 07:29 PM
I've been a Linux user since 1999 but I was using mostly Mandrake and Redhat/Fedora until 2007 when I switched to Ubuntu. I still run Windows in a VM inside VirtualBox because I need it for Photoshop but ultimately I spend 98.5% of my time in Ubuntu. I don't do much gaming anymore so no real need for running Windows natively. I got rid of my Windows gaming desktop years ago.
ExSuSEusr
March 20th, 2012, 03:59 AM
Linux has it's place that's for sure. But, most users still have a Windows partition they can go to for the programs they really need. I suppose a lot of the blame goes to the software companies who write closed source programs that only truly works out of the box with Windows. And, really who can blame them. They spend four years in college learning how to program... hell... they deserve to make a living to. With Linux sadly - for most of the programs that people use on a daily basis.. well you end up spending hours upon hours trying to figure out how to install and use. And, the so-called "community" isn't much help. I see so many basic and simple questions, even on this board, that go completely ignored - and the author, in a lot of cases, throws their hands in the air and goes back to Windows.
In my honest and humble opinion - Linux is a hobbiest's OS. It's not ready for the main stream. And, until it takes serious the demands of the average user it never will be.
I had Rosetta Stone working in 10.04.... I upgrade to 12.04 and now it doesn't work. So, now I get to spend another day of my life trying to figure out how to make it work again. Or I can pose a question to the so called "community" and get no answer that actually works. So, in the end I just say ef it and use Windows. Or you get answers that require three days worth of tweaking and screwing around until the next update when your program is broken yet again. And you're back to where you started. Lots of "cool" things and applications, but nothing that really has any value where productivity is concerned.
Nothing works. Everything works. Then it's broken. Then it works again. Then it's broken again. That is why Linux will never be mainstream.
mörgæs
March 20th, 2012, 09:54 AM
Beta software is likely to break. Finding and reporting bugs is the sole purpose of a beta release.
DS McGuire
March 20th, 2012, 10:42 AM
I have, thanks to wine ruinng office pretty well I can do all my work without having to use windows at all. I say at all, we still use windows in college haha.
extramayo
March 20th, 2012, 07:42 PM
I didn't completely switch, running it on my main computer and have a laptop running w7 next to it.
corvus85
March 23rd, 2012, 02:57 AM
i have, several years ago i did my first install of ubuntu. first personal experience with linux and havent looked back. for myself the switch was necessity, pieced my old pc back together after a substantial hiatus. the poor frankputer needed an OS and i didnt want to spend some insane price for windows. got an iso burned at my local pc shop. ubuntu has become my go to. ran it on three other machines since. while still quite a novice with linux i am quite happy. does everything i need and more. costs next to nothing and makes me feel as if im participating in a more egalitarian world haha.
ubunbu
March 23rd, 2012, 10:02 AM
I actually just did, I realized linux > gaming in terms of a hobby , in that I'm not really that into gaming anymore and the Windows partition was just kind of eating away at my soul everyday.
jfmd
March 23rd, 2012, 03:58 PM
I actually just did, I realized linux > gaming in terms of a hobby , in that I'm not really that into gaming anymore and the Windows partition was just kind of eating away at my soul everyday.
I agree, gaming sucks too much time that I could be using for something constructive. At least doing Linux as a hobby, your learning. Now, there is nothing wrong with playing a few mins...here and there... it's the multiple hour gaming sessions that I see so many people consumed by that I'm talking about.
Maybe I'm just getting old....
Anyway....I'll never completely switch to linux due to work, school, and some aps Linux doesn’t have. But I think I'll always try to run Linux as my Primary OS.
ukchris
March 25th, 2012, 01:05 PM
The plan was to switch completely but without support for mainstream services like Netflix it just won't work in our household.
miche13
March 25th, 2012, 03:18 PM
I use my older dual-core linux machine for everyday tasks, crazy hacks and as home server, while I use the quad-core-windows_7-monster for gaming.
andreigherghe
March 25th, 2012, 11:55 PM
I'm trying to replace OSX with Ubuntu, but as ExSuSEusr said, the comunity isn't very helpful.
I get a kernel panic, i mentioned exactly what i did, what machine i was using, posted pictures, but not wven 1 post :(
mikaere66
March 26th, 2012, 12:51 AM
I am a newbie to Linux but already I have tried Mint, Ubuntu and Lubuntu. I like Lubuntu and since the Mint install wrecked my booting to Windows, I haven't bothered fixing it. I stay up til all hours of the night learning about Ubuntu/Lubuntu and I am enjoying it. Unfortunately I don't play any games so I'm unable to comment about that.
jasonrisenburg
March 26th, 2012, 01:36 AM
Does anyone find it weird that we have been talking about why we switched to linux or not on the same thread for 8 years now...lol. I tink its pretty great. I love ubuntu. The laptop I am on now is a dell inspirion 1545. it will not run gnome 3, so I booted unity. I am satisfied with it too. I have another laptop that is a think pad one of my former guild friends sent me when I was playing wow. it is dual booted. I use it when I am not lending out this one to people...lol.
bobcam111
March 27th, 2012, 03:25 PM
I use ubuntu (11.04 & 11.10) - yes I like Unity! completely to run my business but as I do computer repair, I have to use Windows as that is what most of my customers have! I have sold some second hand aged laptops that we dead under windows but now fly runing Ubuntu. The major issue that I have is that I can't install a client for logmein on my Linux customers. {Mind you the controller runs on my standard linux box!}
:KS:KS:KS:KS
ranger1021994
March 27th, 2012, 03:39 PM
I keep Windows...just to play GAMES...
Linux rockss!!!
Ubuntu Rocks!!!
:) :) :)
ashindeed
March 27th, 2012, 03:48 PM
I have been hopping distros for 4 years, but always kept coming back to Ubuntu. Now for the past 6 months, I have completely switched to Ubuntu. I would say the conversion was not easy on me, since I am constantly tweaking and fixing problems. But personally, I think Linux (Ubuntu) has made great progress and there is still a lot more to look forward to.
Some of my hardware don't work like touchscreen, TV tuner and IR Remote. Hopefully, Ubuntu will evolve to a point where everything will work with little or no effort from the consumer. But, for the most part I am happy with Ubuntu, especially with the power and flexibility that I have.
mrsudo
March 27th, 2012, 05:35 PM
I use it 99.5% of the time.
I still have xp installed but no documents or personal files on the ntfs drive. Disk space is no problem for me so I just keep it around for that 'just in case' scenario when i NEED some piece of software to run when I don't have time to deal with wine, etc.
When i do reboot and log into windows, I'm reminded of the headaches of updating all the software and antivirus. I'm terrible at keeping up to date with software so it usually only gets updated for me now when i distro hop. I tend to stay debian based though.
Currently on crunchbang (debian squeeze), with awesomewm.
sumithar
March 28th, 2012, 01:42 AM
Need IE to run the full featured Outlook Web Access (work mail), ergo need Windows.
DVDFab doesn't work under wine, nor does FairUse Wizard.
Inherited a Zune when my daughter got a Samsung Galaxy, need Windows for that.
Otherwise can manage pretty well.
solocommand
March 28th, 2012, 05:26 AM
I've been working with Debian or Ubuntu distros for the last few years server-side, but I still haven't switched over completely. My development workstation is running Ubuntu 11.10, but still has a Win7 partition/VM for critical work apps. And my gaming machine is still (and probably always will be) running windows.
johnno56
March 29th, 2012, 07:04 AM
Dabbled with Linux since Fedora was called Red Hat. Switched to Ubuntu when 8.04 appeared. Been using it ever since. Apart from the rare program bug, I have enjoyed a "viral bug free" existence. Best computing decision I have ever made. "In a world without walls and fences, who needs windows and gates?"
Amalka
March 29th, 2012, 09:47 AM
Switched to Ubuntu when 8.04 appeared.
Same here.
"In a world without walls and fences, who needs windows and gates?"
Nicely said. :)
HermanAB
March 29th, 2012, 11:53 AM
Need IE to run the full featured Outlook Web Access (work mail), ergo need Windows.
I use Evolution with Exchange - Works OK.
gentryliving
March 29th, 2012, 03:02 PM
What's the difference of Linux between windows? I am a windows user so i don't have idea what linux is.
ravinfy
March 30th, 2012, 01:08 AM
ME!
I dumped Windows completely - Win 7 ditched me by failing to recover from a backup. That is when I decided I have had enough, even after 'paying' for the OS!
I gave 11.10 another try... (after using 9 some years ago)..
You know what, after eating 100 dollars, my Win 7 could not handle "Mouse Scroll" on my Trackpad... Ubuntu let me use it without any fuss...
(Frankly, this is when I figured out that the scroll was 'meant' to work... :) )
I am currently using 12.04... though I see some crashes, I am happy to google and learn and find answers on my own with the help of this GREAT forum.
Long live Ubuntu! :)
-r@v!
mörgæs
March 30th, 2012, 07:58 AM
What's the difference of Linux between windows? I am a windows user so i don't have idea what linux is.
These general questions are best answered by googling. The forum is mainly for specific problems and advice.
If you want to see the difference and not read about it, trying a live boot is an option.
Maloy14
March 31st, 2012, 01:56 PM
I started my PC life with windows, then started using xubuntu gutsy on my laptop w/ dual boot of winXP way back in early 2008. Then I had to reformat my laptop and remove the linux partition because I needed the extra disc space, and I couldn't afford an external drive.
Had a new laptop on October 2010 (with a lot more HD space) then I tried wubi as the new laptop came with windows 7. Then I reformatted the computer with a clean ubuntu partition a year later. So I'm basically Windows-free since October 2011.
I switched to linux because 1) it's free and 2) I have to cure my addiction to gaming, as it almost ruined my academic career. Tried to work around it by trying to install thief:gold and nba live 2005 using wine. But to no avail.
So I just accepted it. No more going back. I'm a free man.
Just waiting for Precise Pangolin to arrive. :)
stanbx
April 2nd, 2012, 04:00 AM
My only holdout is the printer! Tried long and hard to get it to work and could only secure partial functionality. For this reason I'm glad to have an old all but unusable G4 laptop around. Oh... and netflix!
schopenhauer1962
April 2nd, 2012, 03:25 PM
I changed two computers (netbook and old laptop) entirely to Linux Ubuntu, my desktop is dual boot XP & Ubuntu and the gaming pc is win 7. I think that gaming is the main reason for not changing completely, but there is change at the horizon ....
The greatest joke was that I was unable to play a microsoft game on windows 7 but was able to play it on Ubuntu using play it on Linux ....
Oceola
April 2nd, 2012, 03:48 PM
Have been running no other OS but Ubuntu since Hoary Hedgehog.
Have been dual booting versions of Ubuntu for 5 years or more.
Currently running 8.04LTS on one drive and 10.04.4LTS on another drive.
Was surprised to be able to get 10.04 to work on system since it's a 14 year old Gateway.
No real issues as it works well though the updates on dialup can become tiresome. :lolflag:
peyre
April 2nd, 2012, 05:32 PM
What's the difference of Linux between windows? I am a windows user so i don't have idea what linux is.
The short answer is, they're different operating systems. I liken operating systems to languages--one will do the same tasks as the other, but handles them in its own way.
So--a little more down to earth, Linux is a different environment and a different computing experience from Windows. A lot of the things you're used to, even little things like right-clicking on something in Windows Explorer and hitting Send To--aren't necessarily there. But other things you've never seen might be available, such as rolling up windows--that is, you can have the window you're in close, except for the top bar, which stays visible (it's another way of switching around between windows; you roll a window down when you want to use it again).
Applications are different too; you don't have WordPad, Notepad, Windows Explorer, etc.--there are equivalents for all those, but they have different names and there are more of them, and they tend to work a little differently.
Installing software in Linux is either easier or harder than in Windows. In Ubuntu, for instance, you can open the Ubuntu Software Center, find a program you'd like to install, then just tell it to install--it downloads the files and installs it automatically for you. Or, if you find something online and it comes with an installer file for your package manager (that would be a .deb file for Ubuntu and other Debian based distros), that will work similar to a Windows setup.exe. But if you can't find a .deb file you'd have to install it from source like in the old days. That's a big pain...but, most users never get around to installing from source these days.
Another big difference is open vs. closed, free vs. proprietary, free vs. pay-to-play, or however you want to call it. You have to pay Microsoft to use Windows. You don't notice it most of the time because the cost of the license is hidden in the cost of the computer you buy from Dell, HP, etc. But it's there, and it's non-transferable, meaning you can't take your copy of Windows from one computer and install it on another. Transferable copies of Windows exist, but they cost a lot more--like $200. Most versions ("distros") of Linux are free. You never have to pay for a license to install, say, Ubuntu on as many computers as you like.
A final difference I'd like to mention is that Linux tends to be more of a DIY (do it yourself) kind of thing. There are fewer people out there who know how to fix & do things in Linux than for Windows. However, support is available for free in online forums, here for instance--but you're likely to do more legwork to solve your Linux problems than you did for Windows. In any case, switching to Linux will be an adjustment for Windows users--not an insuperable one, but it's a big learning experience however you do it.
jonasbdotcom
April 3rd, 2012, 06:41 PM
I dont' have Windows 7 installed as an independent OS anymore. However, I kept missing my beloved Acoustica Mixcraft software so I installed Windows 7 again (after maybe 6 months without it) via Virtualbox - and it works OK. It drains my RAM a bit - but that's a sacrifice I'm gonna make for now. :-#
Also Windows 7 on Virtualbox comes in handy after I bought the Nokia Lumia 800 - which is in no way compatible at all with Ubuntu. That's really annoying by the way, how hard could it be to have made it Mass Storage ready? :(
I'm going to get myself a new laptop soon - and I will have Windows as dual boot, but be working mainly on Ubuntu.
So I have been off Windows for a while - but has been drawn back to it again. Funny how things change once in a while. ;)
Russell Burrows
April 6th, 2012, 08:44 AM
I used to use double boot or Virtual Box to run these three windows programs:
Mkv2vob, Winrar and Office but now I just use WINE to run them in Ubuntu.
Hear that??
Its the sound of another computer user being free of Windows operating systems.
R3DP!LL
April 13th, 2012, 08:56 AM
I recently deleted my Windows 7 partition for the umph-teenth time. The thing that has made me re-install Windows time and time again is gaming, but at the moment I don't have the time to spare. I still have a VirtualBox Windows machine to smoothly get me through some banking/electronic ID stuff that I've had trouble doing under Linux.
Cheers!
gmp34
April 14th, 2012, 05:20 PM
Hi,
I am Linux as primary boot since early 2008 (Ubuntu 8.04) installed a brand new machine (by then) build up out of different parts bought on Internet.
I do everything under Linux
- Office work with Libre Office
- Accountings with Kmoney (capable of importing Quicken files)
- Thunderbird
- UbuntuOne
- Dropbox
- Currently strunggling to have PHP working with Apache in order to test Joomla CMS
- I do not play any game nor play around with video.
I keep Windows around as i need it for a InSight vision tool software from Cognex, would love to have it under linuw though.
):P
Bandit
April 14th, 2012, 06:40 PM
It makes me proud to see so many people switching to Linux. Doesnt bother me which distro they choose as long as they are taking time to learn to really use their computer other then being a windows appliance mess.
woxuxow
April 14th, 2012, 07:34 PM
I use win for scheduled download because there is not any good download manager like FDM or IDM in GNU but my default OS is GNU (ubuntu)
jf812
April 15th, 2012, 12:02 AM
I've been using Linux on and off for a number of years now. I started off using slax in the good ol' days where i had to upload my configuration to a webserver because there wasn't any persistence in live distros back then xD.
Then i started to use ubuntu. First distro i used was either 7.10 or 8.04. Though i used my PC to play games at the time so had to hop between linux and windows. Ended up dumping linux on that machine. But cutting things short, i tried a few distros since then, and finally decided to try ubuntu again. It's now running on my 6 year old PC with no problems, so all happy here! Also when i get a new laptop for university later this year, i'm definitely using 12.04 as my primary OS and probalby sole OS :D.
decktrio
April 15th, 2012, 01:10 AM
To the OP: What exactly do you mean by "completely"?
:) I've completely switched all of my personal devices to the linux kernel. Right now, I'm drawn to (L)ubuntu, Debian, Backbox (on a live usb), and Android on my phone & tablet.
That being said, there are still two Windows-only PCs in my home. Both belong to my dad.
StickyMick
April 15th, 2012, 11:06 AM
Just completely replaced Win Vista *spit* with Ubuntu 11.10 on an Acer laptop. My father completely trashed it by messing about with the system files so I couldn't do a factory reset after he picked up over 120 bits of malware :eek: because the recovery partition was naffed as well.
But still got an E-Machines laptop on Win 7 and my desktop on XP. Also using a Nokia N900 (Maemo5 O/S) and surprised how well that matches Ubuntu in nearly all aspects apart from the desktop.
tuxmarc
April 15th, 2012, 04:27 PM
I have switched for good to Linux when I heard that surfing via wifi became possible.
The name of the marvel was Ubuntu 7.04, downloaded un January 2008.
My computers are in my workshop and I did not want to drill across the concrete floor, so wifi is the unique solution.
Before that I had been compelled to use what you know, the 2000 version which has failed seriously once and later for good.
I could retrieve all my stuff connecting the W$ disk as a SLAVE to a Linux Master :lolflag:
Just after saving everything interesting (program files ? ..... I'm joking ;)) the disk was plugged as a master again and was converted to something a million times better :p
The computer which is running, purchased empty, has a 1 To disk with :
Ubuntu 10.04
Hybryde EldoradOS
Hybryde Evolution
Voyager 11.10
MacUbuntu
Puppy Linux 4.3.1
and Mandriva that must be replaced because its Grub1 is conflicting with Grub2.
One one my brothers gave me a server where I run all kind of distributions scattered on 15 disks at least.
I have still my good old dinosaur, rebuilt with some parts coming straight from a dustbin and still able to run a faithfull Linux with its 300 mhz and 256 mb RAM!
Last year I could purchase a laptop with nothing inside after having searched for long months.
Immediately I had tested Ubuntu 10.04 (the touchpad could not work), Open Suse, Fedora and eventually I have installed Mandriva, replaced by Hybryde EldoradOS fully, absolutely fully compatible with hardware.
I am also a gamer and found many good games in repositories.
My grandchildren enjoy playing with linux games and I hope that as soon as they are able to use their own computer, Granddad will install a penguin ;)
The Immortal
April 15th, 2012, 07:28 PM
I was ASTOUNDED that this "alternative" OS exists...and is FREE and is better by a long shot than windows and I believe superior to Apple(even though I own a pile of Apple stock).
I love, love, love Linux and use ONLY Ubuntu now because I am a newbie.
The only drawback is that I can't watch Netflix on Ubuntu....so, I have to keep a version of Windows on my computer....icky.
But Ubuntu is amazing!...I tell everyone about it. Last night at 2300 at a bar I was tellign all the drunk patrons about 'Ubuntu...yeah, promounced U-BUN-TU....just like it sounds...try it!!..you can install it side by side in a Windows computer and I gurantee the day will come where you are wiping your computer clean and installing ONLY U-BUN-TU"
I cannot support this OS enough!!...both in spirit and in cash...
Which brings me to the latter question of "Where can I donate?"....I tried and search for a site on this board to donate and ended up here.
For the future and benefit of the human race we MUST eliminate Windows!!!!!
THE IMMORTAL.
nmyrick
April 15th, 2012, 07:41 PM
To The Immortal,
I believe you can find out where to donate at http://www.canonical.com/about-canonical/contact .
Ubuntu is great! I've been windows free on my laptop since 2008!
WindowsToLinux
April 15th, 2012, 07:55 PM
I completely switched over in the last 24hrs after trying it side by side with winxp for... 12hrs!!!\\:D/
Highly unlikely I'll go back to windows... well, I will be using it on Monday and have to unfortunately!!](*,)
Long live Linux :lolflag:
scu-ba-de-buntu
April 15th, 2012, 08:21 PM
I had switched completely until all the problems with Unity and Flash. Now I am forced to use an old glitchy winxp machine when I need to test compatibility of my software or do critical computation and need an 'standard' machine. So about 70% linux now. Previously it was 99.99999% save when fixing someone else's broken machine
S2UIRR3L
April 15th, 2012, 09:32 PM
When my XP crashed, I went to 7 so I can practice on, for not "IF" one of my friends needs help with their windows, but WHEN they need help lol. When 7 crashed on me, I started screaming all sorts of profanities and swore to never touch it again. All my computers have been wiped clean from any existence of anything related to microsoft windows...
Now, instead of fixing the problems of windows on my friends' computers, I choke it from the root (pun intended) and tell them to forget about windows all together and try Ubuntu instead. It's free, lots of help (via forums), and they can go back to the problems ERR-WINDOWS when ever they want to.
As of March 2012, I am VERY proud to say that I'm strictly Ubuntu ONLY.
cmcanulty
April 15th, 2012, 11:01 PM
netflix coming
http://http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2011/10/native-netflix-client-coming-linux-in-12-months/
M_Mynaardt
April 16th, 2012, 01:07 AM
Myself; I switched entirely to Linux after first trying Ubuntu 10.04.
Both my PC and laptop would require about five minutes to start up. Doubtless due to loading all that bloatware, etcetera. I couldn't help but notice that exactly the same machines were up and running with Ubuntu 10.04 in about one minute. And then it didn't take me long to realize that a Linux OS needs neither virus software nor defragmenting apps.
For the first week or so, I was just giving Ubuntu a trial run as dual-boot computers. However, it took me less than a week to conclude; ******* has got to go!
I have to admit, it took a bit of time and effort to learn a lot of the nuances of Linux, especially using the terminal, compared to years of only using Windows. But I think it was well worth it.
Now, if only I could find some easier way to make people I know personally to make the big switch... The biggest obstacle is not an aversion to Linux, per se. But an aversion to the ever dreaded monster called "Change"! Tricky!
:-k
Peripheral Visionary
April 16th, 2012, 02:54 AM
I had a computer with XP on it, and inherited this old Dell from a dear friend. It had Xubu 10,04 on it and runs faster and simpler than my Windows XP machine did when it was brand new! I took lessons from the former owner and even "distro hopped" (is that the right word?) trying other Linuxes on LiveCDs.
For four months I haven't used Windows at all for school or anything else. This old beast is quick and pretty and full-featured enough to be a drop-in replacement for Windows, at least for what I did in Windows (not into gaming or CAD or anything really fancy).
If the next Xubu turns out to be too much for this old hardware I'll try Lubu or SalineOS since I really like the Xfce desktop.
Color me Linux!
rima
April 16th, 2012, 11:24 AM
I have not yet done so, but I am definitely planning, 85% chance, starting with 12.04. Windows XP is boring, and Ubuntu does everything I need even BETTER than Windows, so I'm planning on switching...See how it goes
With me, you can switch me to ANY OS as long as it has a decent web browser :p You can please me so easily XD
cmcanulty
April 16th, 2012, 01:23 PM
I think the major off putting issue with linux is still the lack of drivers. If every printer, wireless, graphics, sound worked I could get lots of people to switch. Not everyone has the time or will to tweak hardware to make it work.Eye candy is way behind but that is where all the effort seems to be going.
decktrio
April 16th, 2012, 10:14 PM
Highly unlikely I'll go back to windows... well, I will be using it on Monday and have to unfortunately!!](*,)
I'm guessing you're forced to use it at work?
blithen
April 17th, 2012, 12:49 AM
When I first posted in this thread back in the day(3-4 years I believe) I was completely switched to linux mostly because I was young and without money for a good gaming computer and didn't game that much. But now that I have a job and can afford higher end hardware I'm dual booting with linux, yes wine can do a lot and I do use it sometimes to play Team Fortress Two, but not all games play nice with wine, and it's just easier to boot into windows then try to work out wine's problems. However I do shed a tear everytime I boot into windows. :P
peyre
April 17th, 2012, 02:48 AM
And then it didn't take me long to realize that a Linux OS needs neither virus software nor defragmenting apps.
Actually not quite true. It's still a good idea to have AV on a Linux box, partly to protect it from what little is out there for Linux, but mostly so you don't pass on an infected file to other machines. Then again, ClamAV is free and easy to install, and has minimal impact on performance.
It's a myth that fragmentation doesn't occur on Linux and that it has no need for defrag whatsoever. It is true, though, that Linux's ext file systems are resistant to fragmentation. Still, it would be really handy if defrag software were readily available for Linux (of course, much harder to do universally since Linux supports so many more file systems than Windows), since a heavily-used Linux system can suffer degradation due to fragmentation.
stookin
April 17th, 2012, 08:21 AM
run games with wine and/or vmware
jonathonblake
April 17th, 2012, 06:42 PM
since a heavily-used Linux system can suffer degradation due to fragmentation.
If your *Nix system suffers drom degration due to disk fragmentation, then the simplest/easiest/fastest way to defrag the partition is to back up the content, delete it, then restore the backed up content.
If you want to throw in an extre, unnecessary step, reformat the partition.
jonathon
peyre
April 17th, 2012, 07:23 PM
If your *Nix system suffers drom degration due to disk fragmentation, then the simplest/easiest/fastest way to defrag the partition is to back up the content, delete it, then restore the backed up content.
If you want to throw in an extre, unnecessary step, reformat the partition.
jonathon
Thanks, that's exactly what they told us in NT classes back in 1999. Windows has moved on since then. Granted, Windows needed it a whole lot more than Linux, but still, I've been surprised to see that it hasn't even tried to keep up with Windows on defragmentation.
shieldw0lf
April 17th, 2012, 07:59 PM
I ditched Windows 4 years ago on all my computers, including my servers, workstations, entertainment box, kids computer, etc. Only time I ever see Windows anymore is at the office.
Between Unity and Gnome3, I've seriously considered reinstalling windows, but with Metro on it's way, there really isn't any point.
I really feel that the entire industry has abandoned us in their efforts to create toy devices that will separate 50-somethings from their retirement savings.
Herpythebrony
April 17th, 2012, 11:43 PM
Ditched Windows. My brother wants me to go back (cause he wants to use wired Internet but the Belkin crappy usb thing will not work on linux) but I told him screw windows. You can get a wireless usb linux compatible drive for like 20 bucks anyways.
CaptChadd
April 18th, 2012, 09:55 AM
I really like Ubuntu as I think that open source software is great and the general interface and regular OS updates keep everything looking fresh.
At the moment however I will still be keeping my Windows 7 dual boot as I play alot of games and do video gaming commentaries on YouTube and I don't know how to do this yet on Ubuntu.
peyre
April 18th, 2012, 05:55 PM
At the moment however I will still be keeping my Windows 7 dual boot as I play alot of games and do video gaming commentaries on YouTube and I don't know how to do this yet on Ubuntu.
alot, as opposed to afew? </snark> :-#
True, games are an issue for Linux users. I'm able to play pretty much all of mine (I'm lucky in that regard), but it's always harder to set up than in Windows.
deanswift
April 19th, 2012, 04:01 PM
Been using Ubuntu for about a year and erased WinXP last night for good.
Not really that techo and I find it hard to remember the stuff I've learned on forums like this, but some of it is sinking in D:)
:guitar:
mamamia88
April 19th, 2012, 04:08 PM
I have windows 7 on my netbook in case I feel like sitting back on my recliner and watching netflix and not on my tv.
S2UIRR3L
April 19th, 2012, 07:08 PM
I will still be keeping my Windows 7 dual boot as I play alot of games and do video gaming commentaries on YouTube and I don't know how to do this yet on Ubuntu.
Check out "OpenShot Video Editor" (it's fantastic). I'm not that good with terminal yet, so I went to the Ubuntu Software Center (in the main menu) and searched OpenShot and hit the install button.
http://www.openshotvideo.com/2010/03/openshot-11-included-in-ubuntu-1004.html
al111
April 20th, 2012, 02:39 AM
I still need to play an occasional game or two-
peyre
April 20th, 2012, 04:37 AM
I still need to play an occasional game or two-
I play several! All in Ubuntu.
Redangrybird
April 20th, 2012, 06:58 AM
I still have Windows XP. I'm accustomed to it and I think it's not bad.
GuiGuy
April 20th, 2012, 07:56 AM
You can get a wireless usb linux compatible drive for like 20 bucks anyways.
... sure, if you're happy with < 1mbps transfer speeds.
BTW, I have a huge collection of 'recommened' USB g & n devices here that were supposed to work with linux. Ha!
nypaulie
April 20th, 2012, 10:34 PM
I've been using Linux for years now and am currently using Mint (version 11). I actually have a dualboot system with WinXP-Pro as the other half, only using it when absolutely necessary, which is almost never.
cgaie
April 20th, 2012, 10:39 PM
I would move to Linux if somebody could fix the bloody problem I have with my XPS8300 Creative SB X-Fi Xtreme Audio.
I can't play any music and everybody seem to have problem with it
corrytonapple
April 20th, 2012, 10:44 PM
I am 100% Linux, and of some distro based on Debian. Be it Ubuntu, Mint, or Debian itself
Its been now two years.
cgaie
April 20th, 2012, 10:50 PM
For the old Linux crowd
Which OS works better Ubuntu or Linuxmint?
I install Linuxmint today and it is actually faster than Ubuntu
Is there any difference between them in performance?
Non of them have the audio working though
I'm looking for one Linux OS supporting my Dell XPS8300 audio card
Mr_Leo
April 20th, 2012, 11:49 PM
For me, it's been about 4 yrs. since I completely switched to linux; both at home and for my small business. I do like gaming and disappointed that many game developers don't offer options for linux users.
tora201
April 21st, 2012, 03:22 AM
I would move to Linux if somebody could fix the bloody problem I have with my XPS8300 Creative SB X-Fi Xtreme Audio.
I can't play any music and everybody seem to have problem with it
Just get a new sound card that is compatible with Linux man. I always look for hardware that is compatible (most is these days but still check just in case).
Pisses me off sometimes when sometimes there are drivers and the thing just won't work properly. (Canon are you listening??)
marl30
April 21st, 2012, 07:44 AM
At the moment I have fallen back to using Windows 7 for the mean while. The latest Nvidia driver (295.40) messed up my Linux desktop. Whichever DE I use with 3d effects in both 11.10 and 12.04, have serious performance issue, and Unity 3D does not load either. I'm just gonna be using Windows until Nvidia releases the bug fix version they are working on. I'm too busy to be fooling around my system at the moment, so I'm taking a break until things get sorted out.
cbennett926
April 21st, 2012, 08:23 AM
Unintential complete switch, I bought another hard drive to try out different distros, but for the past 6 months or so I have just been using Ubuntu!
Wootyeah
April 21st, 2012, 03:15 PM
I completely switched on my laptop for about 2 years. I went from Hardy through Maverick (hated Unity so I stopped at 10.10) However, I always thought that my laptop just didn't have good 3d capability. I was more than angry when I found out it did have the hardware, just never any decent drivers. (radeon "legacy" x1200). I now use windows because people on this forum said I could never use the newer releases and get them to work with compiz. I went back to Hardy at their suggestion, and now I can't get software for it!!! (skype)
marl30
April 21st, 2012, 03:32 PM
I completely switched on my laptop for about 2 years. I went from Hardy through Maverick (hated Unity so I stopped at 10.10) However, I always thought that my laptop just didn't have good 3d capability. I was more than angry when I found out it did have the hardware, just never any decent drivers. (radeon "legacy" x1200). I now use windows because people on this forum said I could never use the newer releases and get them to work with compiz. I went back to Hardy at their suggestion, and now I can't get software for it!!! (skype)
Why don't you use 10.04 then? It still has another year left on it.
tmaranets
April 21st, 2012, 03:36 PM
I would switch over to Linux completely, but I think of myself as a gamer, in which Windows provides the games that I like to play. But I also like games made on Linux like Assault Cube.
ITPhoenix
April 23rd, 2012, 04:18 AM
I started with Windows and still use it because I find it rock solid and more fully developed (not for free) software is available. I use it when I have to get something done fast and for sure. I also have a lot of $ tied up in the OS and software.
I started with openSUSE and was not satisfied because of bugs and the lack of support on the forum. I also could not get wireless to work. I tried 11.10 live on my W7 machine and wireless came right up without spending days researching it. I also asked a question in this forum and was impressed with the helpful responses. It appears Ubuntu people are more tech oriented and serious when compared with the SUSE dudes. I had also noticed that when researching topics. The answers I was looking for seemed to always pop up here on Google search. The methods usually would not work on SUSE but I was educated to at least have a better idea as to what the topic was all about.
So I am looking forward to trying Xubuntu 11.10 as soon as my Linux box shows up. I already got the software list made. Oh, it also appears Ubuntu documentation is more sanely written!!
erbeesr
April 23rd, 2012, 05:30 AM
I was finally all set to get rid of Microsoft when I tried Ubuntu 11.1. I am currently using 11.04 and it looks like that is as far as I will be going. If I wanted to hunt around for everyting by using thumbnails, I would stay with Windows. There is NO way to beat drop down menus. A GUI is supposed to be for convenience. When you have to start clicking thumbnails to TRY to find things, that is definately NOT convenience. If we were all programmers we wouldn't need a GUI. STOP FIXING WHAT AIN'T BROKE !!
fara
April 23rd, 2012, 05:43 AM
My box is dual boot, but I don't remember when was the last time I booted into windows, it was a long time ago, I don't know if it still boots if I want to.
and for gamers, I played a lot of games before, most of then couldn't be run under linux at that time, the only which was running perfectly unreal tournament 2003 at that time, which I enjoyed a lot.
though I don't play games these days, but I have my eyes on them, probably I buy a console for gaming, that works better for me.
cgaie
April 23rd, 2012, 08:39 AM
Just get a new sound card that is compatible with Linux man. I always look for hardware that is compatible (most is these days but still check just in case).
Pisses me off sometimes when sometimes there are drivers and the thing just won't work properly. (Canon are you listening??)
Good news. My sound drivers are working on beta.
GuiGuy
April 25th, 2012, 12:33 PM
Over the last week I have moved all my ubuntu OS pcs to Mint (http://www.linuxmint.com/).
All of a sudden so many things that have annoyed & frustrated me are working!? USB transfer speeds, fixed. Running multiple tasks at once, fixed. Quick boot, fixed. Unity, gone. Cinnamon, great.
What I don't understand is if Mint is derived from Ubuntu, why does it work so much better?
Anyway, I can now see myself in switching off Windows on all but one PC I need for Windows development work.
Cheers
km3952
April 25th, 2012, 02:38 PM
Good to hear of another (almost) total Linux convert.
Most hardware problems arise from very new equipment that the developers haven't had time to write drivers for yet.
cgaie
April 25th, 2012, 03:19 PM
As my sound card drivers are working on ubuntu beta I want to move to linux but before I would like some advice on which one is better to use and faster
Linuxmint or ubuntu. I had tried both of them and linuxmint doesn't have drivers yet for my sound card
Buntu Bunny
April 25th, 2012, 05:06 PM
Technically I've not switched completely to Ubuntu, as I installed it on one partition and left Windows on the other. After Windows overwrote Grub files so that I couldn't access the menu, I've stuck with Ubuntu since I got the menu back. I don't want to risk that happening again, and the few times I've needed Windows aren't worth it.
So, technically no. In practice, yes!
peyre
April 25th, 2012, 10:00 PM
Over the last week I have moved all my ubuntu OS pcs to Mint (http://www.linuxmint.com/).
All of a sudden so many things that have annoyed & frustrated me are working!? USB transfer speeds, fixed. Running multiple tasks at once, fixed. Quick boot, fixed. Unity, gone. Cinnamon, great.
What I don't understand is if Mint is derived from Ubuntu, why does it work so much better?
Anyway, I can now see myself in switching off Windows on all but one PC I need for Windows development work.
Cheers
I've considered Mint myself. I think only three things are holding me back.
Ubuntu still ships on CD, not DVD (I hear main Ubuntu is going to DVD, but not the derivatives I use)--yes this is a tiny inconsequential item, but I'm still kind of in love with the CD installer, as something to show how much more lightweight Linux is than Windows.
I have a silly preference for sticking with a type of *buntu that still has the name (it's especially silly since I don't use mainstream Ubuntu, but its derivatives).
The only important reason: Xubuntu and Lubuntu do everything I need, so there's no pressing reason for me to switch.
xTheAngrySockx
April 25th, 2012, 10:14 PM
I've dual booted Ubuntu once before, then I got rid of it for some stupid reason. Yesterday I tried to setup multiple partitions but after installing Ubuntu, Windows 7 went into a 'bootloop'. So I just installed Ubuntu over Windows.
Smartest.Move.Ever.
sam-c
April 26th, 2012, 01:25 AM
Every computer I have had in recent years has had Windows Problems and Related Microsoft Problems. First of all let me Point out that I have always Supported Legal Software including MS Software.
a-My First Linux Computer Was IBM Thinkpad With Windows XP OEM that I installed RED HAT 8 When RH was Free. I got RED HAT Linux 8 Unleashed a Rather Clumsy and Big Book with 2 CD's The ThinkPad was OK when New but Went to Peaces about 18 Months And MS License gave Support for only 30 Days from IBM.
Eventually I stopped using it as HD was to small and to repare poor Screen and Motherboard could cost more than a New Computer.
b- this Computer is a Lenovo Desktop that came with Windows Vista Basic Pre-Installed
I added many Linux Partitions and it Crashes from time to time. I stopped using The Windows Partition that is Non Bootable.
c- I got a ASUS PCeee with DVD OEM from ASUS with Win XP ASUS version. That is still working with Ubuntu Fedora and Linuxmint. BUT it always gets stuck on .Net that I am not interested at All.
I had WIN 7 Beta but MS "threatened" me so I have removed it.
What Next...
Samuel Cohen
CHANA Systems LTD
Jaffa Israel
mm1286mm
April 26th, 2012, 01:52 AM
Havent't booted windows in a month, since i installed linux..
John F
April 26th, 2012, 04:15 AM
I have not used Windows for two+ years (and that was running under a VM on a Mac). The last reason to keep Windows was that our office information system worked with Explorer only. When they opened it up to universal browser support, I shut down Windows forever. Now I run a mix of Mac and Linux. Our office system runs best with Ubuntu/Chrome but there are still things Mac OS does better like Mac Screen Sharing (KRDC needs frequent re-starting).
Boab1993
April 26th, 2012, 05:41 AM
I keep my windows about mainly for games and compatibility for old programs that are favourites of mine, but im new to ubuntu and ive already learnt more on this than my years on windows so im thinking a full switch over at some point.
Never seen my crappy netbook run so fast.
Carnendil
April 27th, 2012, 09:33 PM
Ubuntu 10.04 LTS at office, Lubuntu 11.04 in an old laptop at home, and just updating to Ubuntu 12.04 LTS wife's dual-boot laptop.
Uncle Spellbinder
April 27th, 2012, 10:41 PM
I've dual-booted over the years. From Fedora and Gentoo to Debian and Ubuntu. Yet I laways find myself going back to Ubuntu.
Did a clean install of 12.04 64 bit. Rock solid. Erased the hard drive upon install, wiping Windows from my PC. So, I am now 100% Linux. Ubuntu, to be more precise. Pun intended. ;)
No more Windows, no regrets.
Xelort
April 27th, 2012, 11:43 PM
I'm a 30 years old programmer. Started in the nineties with Microsoft tools, mostly Visual Studio 6, vb5 previuosly, some other BASIC flavors, and a lot of HTML + scripting and server side.
Switched to GNU/Linux in 2008/2009, but still with dual boot. Last year i completely removed Windows from my computer, i no longer take job offers regarding Microsoft technologies, and promote free software every time i got the chance.
Switching was A PAIN. Here, on Argentina, the programmers job market if full of C# and ASP.NET positions, and maybe some PHP or JAVA here and there. You can't just "choose", that simply, to take Microsoft out of your life: it's a lot of work, at least for a programmer (i don't think it should be for a casual user).
Microsoft is a disease, that's all i can say. No matter the cost, it should be removed from everybody's lifes as soon as possible. I loved Microsoft's tools for a long time, because i felt very productive as a programmer; but when i discovered the free software way of doing things, and the communities involved, i could no longer even pretend to take seriously any Microsoft product: they're like a bad joke.
oxman
April 28th, 2012, 01:10 AM
I started using linux with Red Hat 5.3 in the mid 1990's. I haven't looked back. It has supplied all my needs. The learning curve back then was pretty steep and I am not very geek (old man). Nevertheless I have produced multimedia productions, 3D mesh modeling-texturing-rendering etc. Videos, documents, html and css, web stores and I am totally into special effects and digital graphics. Image manipulation, sound editing and a host of other things. One frustration I have had is that I have a microscope with a digital eye that only has windows drivers. There it sits, unused.
LakeWind
April 28th, 2012, 02:24 AM
I completely switched over a decade ago... however, lately I've been trying out Windows 7, more out of curiosity than anything. I actually installed a dual boot setup for the first time in years on my laptop just to experiement.
OpenSourceRules
April 28th, 2012, 08:31 AM
Because of my initial wipeout behaviour (then again, I wasn't happy about the Windows system), I cannot use the recovery disks for the laptop anymore.
I have tried so many distros, but I often come back to Xubuntu.
anejo
April 28th, 2012, 09:32 AM
My wife has had a laptop for four years now and she dual boots but mainly uses Ubuntu.
The eldest son only uses iMac.
The middle boy has recently changed to Ubuntu after using Linux Mint for a few years and only runs Windows in a virtualbox for college related work.
The youngest went through high-school with her laptop using Linux Mint and ran Windows in a virtualbox for school work and now that she's outta school, she only runs Ubuntu and loves it!
My laptop only runs Ubuntu!
My work PC only loads Ubuntu and I run Windows--that connects to corporate AD--via virtualbox. The business driver that I motivate--and is approved by management--for exemption to not run a corporate image is that I get to fix any corrupt MS Office files and put them back on the corporate SAN--via LibreOffice--and fix the occasional USB drive that gets itself in a format-this-drive-mode and recover 'mission-critcal' files with testdisk. The fact that my Windows machine is more secure than the corporate-joe-soap-average... also helps!
USAFDirtBoyz10
April 29th, 2012, 11:34 PM
I'm using Ubuntu 12.04 as a main OS. I still have Windows 7 for my gaming. The only thing that I don't like in 12.04 is the Unity desktop, and the fact that I'm limited to only one panel and no customization. Bring back the Gnome menu!
codingman
April 29th, 2012, 11:57 PM
I only use unity sometimes when I want to report bugs about it. There is only one reason Windows is still on my laptop: because ubuntu is not that stable and has bugs so I keep windows as a backup.
firefox_user2
April 30th, 2012, 12:12 AM
I switched to Ubuntu in 2006 and the only reason I keep Windows on a dual boot system on my laptop is to download I-tunes songs.
A second, desktop is 100% Ubuntu, currently 12.04 Precise, which by the way works like a charm. The best release ever!
cmcanulty
April 30th, 2012, 05:44 PM
If you don't like unity just use the classic option at login
peyre
April 30th, 2012, 06:18 PM
I'm using Ubuntu 12.04 as a main OS. I still have Windows 7 for my gaming. The only thing that I don't like in 12.04 is the Unity desktop, and the fact that I'm limited to only one panel and no customization. Bring back the Gnome menu!
cough-derivatives-cough
pokerbirch
May 1st, 2012, 12:39 AM
This thread should of been a poll.
I haven't read the other 868 pages.
I first used Linux about 5 years ago when a friend's Windows pc had blue screened and I couldn't boot into safe mode or use the recovery disk. Normally, I would of just said "sorry bud, it's Kaput!" and taken the format and fresh install route, but his son was in his final year of school and had ALL of work on there and no backup. It was a real "**** or bust" time.
Bit of Googling suggested I try the Knoppix Live CD. Used that, recovered all of his data to a flash drive and everyone was happy. I was already getting fed up of the whole Microsoft money machine, plus they were killing off VB6 which I used a LOT. I hated the look of .Net, so was looking for another programming language as well. Linux and Python came along at just the right time for me. It was the escape I was looking for.
Initially, I dual booted Ubuntu and Windows XP but I only ever booted XP 2 or 3 times and it was obsolete within a month. Nowadays I run Mint Debian Edition, mainly because I prefer the Gnome 2 styling and I like what the Cinnamon project is doing with Gnome 3. All I need is a solid and reliable work platform with minimal updates and works "out of the box". At the moment, Mint/Debian fits that bill perfectly.
livewire94
May 1st, 2012, 01:57 AM
I made the switch today from Windows 7. I always found Linux interesting and wanted to learn it. Now that Ubuntu is more user friendly, I will be using it and learning it slowly. I did run into some problems and solved 2 of them so far. Kind of reminds me of when Windows 95 was released. Had glitches in the beginning but got worked out.
The thing that seems to take time to learn is the terminal commands and the know how.
johngoold
May 1st, 2012, 02:54 AM
I've been a dyed in the wool Apple fan since I built a clone of an Apple II (well, with personal modifications, so it probably didn't count as a true "clone"). I have stuck with them over the years, except for a period of time when they fell well behind Windows (it was the last few years of my working life, during which I did software consulting and also used Windows for compatibility with my clients — I needed to be able to login to their servers over the Internet and also use Windows applications).
However, a few months ago I became disenchanted — Apple appears to me to be going over to the Dark Side (or they've already gone!). I'd played around with several different Linux distributions over the past few years (since retiring), but never felt they were mature enough for me. So for about a month or so, I played with a couple of Linux distributions. Then a few months ago, I bit the bullet.
I installed Ubuntu Oneiric Ocelot on my MacBook Pro as the only OS. I figured dual-boot was for wimps :-) The day after it came out, I upgraded to Precise Pangolin (12.04). I intend never going back to OS X or any incarnation of "Windows".
For what it is worth, when I was "working", I often used Unix machines (mainly HP-UX) — so Linux is not exactly unfamiliar (the GUI blows away the Unix GUIs I used to use, although they were quite good).
nmyrick
May 1st, 2012, 04:18 AM
My experience with Windows 7 is that it is just like the rest of the windows releases. It looks and runs really good when it is first installed, but then as you install more software, it slows down and blue screens every once in a while after a few months, just like all the other releases. No matter how well you maintain it.
nmyrick
May 1st, 2012, 04:28 AM
To: firefox_user2
I wouldn't keep downloading those I-Tunes songs. You might want to think about looking for music at the Ubuntu One Music store, or some other online DRM-free music store. The I-tunes songs you download are all m4p format, which is an Apple proprietary DRM (Digital Rights Management) format. You will have difficulty playing them on any other player other than I-Tunes, unless you convert them to mp3, ogg, or flac.
peyre
May 1st, 2012, 04:29 AM
My experience with Windows 7 is that it is just like the rest of the windows releases. It looks and runs really good when it is first installed, but then as you install more software, it slows down and blue screens every once in a while after a few months, just like all the other releases. No matter how well you maintain it.
Oh no! Really? That's a shame to hear...though it does reinforce my decision to abandon Windows for Linux.
nmyrick
May 1st, 2012, 04:35 AM
Oh no! Really? That's a shame to hear...though it does reinforce my decision to abandon Windows for Linux.
I have worked places where I was required to use and fix Windows 7, that's how I know. I am 100% Ubuntu at home! I like to go home to a PC that just works, without any issues.
mamamia88
May 1st, 2012, 04:43 AM
I switched to Ubuntu in 2006 and the only reason I keep Windows on a dual boot system on my laptop is to download I-tunes songs.
A second, desktop is 100% Ubuntu, currently 12.04 Precise, which by the way works like a charm. The best release ever!screw that crappy piece of software use amazon and download directly from your browser drm free.
dbombtek
May 1st, 2012, 05:08 AM
I now use Ubuntu almost exclusely but have no issues with win7. I have a few programs that i have to run in win because of work and I play star wars old republic so win is a must for that.
Bouvet
May 1st, 2012, 05:33 AM
I haven't comply weened myself from Windows, but I do enjoy
a hearty dual-boot with Ubuntu/Win7
Juvencio
May 1st, 2012, 07:03 AM
I stared trying many deferent flavors of Linux, but finely I decided to settle on Ubuntu 6.04. Finley I drop windows like a hot potato since Ubuntu 8.10.
XP was the first and last best OS window produced.
All my devises I use have the Linux kernel build in to it.
I do plan to get an Apple PC, but I'll never drop Linux I just won't survive without it.
mamamia88
May 1st, 2012, 02:52 PM
I stared trying many deferent flavors of Linux, but finely I decided to settle on Ubuntu 6.04. Finley I drop windows like a hot potato since Ubuntu 8.10.
XP was the first and last best OS window produced.
All my devises I use have the Linux kernel build in to it.
I do plan to get an Apple PC, but I'll never drop Linux I just won't survive without it.
Really? No love for 7? I really like the new bottom taskbar and how easy it is to manage your open windows. Also makes it super easy to share a printer and files over the network if all your computers are running windows 7. As far as apple linux is probably the reason i will never buy one of their computers. The only one that looks appealing to me is the Macbook air and I don't think I could justify spending $1000 on a computer just to run google chrome. My netbook running xfce debian does absolutely all I need from a netbook almost instantly and that only cost me $300
MoonLitOwl
May 1st, 2012, 03:27 PM
My experience with Windows 7 is that it is just like the rest of the windows releases. It looks and runs really good when it is first installed, but then as you install more software, it slows down and blue screens every once in a while after a few months, just like all the other releases. No matter how well you maintain it.
That's odd, I've had W7 for almost two years and not once did I ever get the blue screen of death and it never slowed down on me. Also had no issues keeping it virus free. I maintained it well; and was a fairly heavy gamer and bogged it down right with plenty of software.
W7 > XP.
But I use nothing but Ubuntu now. =P
Xourii
May 1st, 2012, 07:36 PM
Right now, I'm 100% Ubuntu. Once I get some more RAM, that'll change because I'll be Virtualboxing Windows XP for World of Warcraft and other games.
mamamia88
May 1st, 2012, 08:19 PM
Right now, I'm 100% Ubuntu. Once I get some more RAM, that'll change because I'll be Virtualboxing Windows XP for World of Warcraft and other games.
what are the rest of your specs? virtual machines seem like it would require way more power than wine and probably not run the games any better if not worse than wine. Wine isn't a perfect solution either. Your best bet for games would be a dualboot but that is annoying just to reboot for games.
M_Mynaardt
May 2nd, 2012, 02:16 AM
I use Xubuntu for my desktop and Lubuntu for my laptop. When I first gave Ubuntu a go over two years ago, it took me one whole week to decide to nuke windows from my computers. It took me that long mostly to get my data archived and backed up.
Being stuck with Windows 7 at work does not endear me to Windows one little bit. Brand new computers with 4GB and they have to be rebooted at least once per shift because of app crashes or being so sluggish as to be useless.
The only thing I can see that Windows excels in is GUI eye candy. But with all the ongoing problems with W7 at work, that eye candy seems to me like an analogy of a brightly and neatly gift wrapped box of rubbish. :P
I have to laugh when someone tells me they won't use Linux because it's "... too limiting ..." whatever that means. I told one fellow that Linux does drastically limit my access to anti virus and defragmenting software. He didn't get it. But ... oh well.
raulc
May 2nd, 2012, 10:22 AM
Hi everyone!
Sooner or later windows and unix/linux will be similar. Already windows updates and installs are fetched into the system without having to restart it every single time.
Also, some linux systems are developing issues which are easier to solve by restarting the machine than by debugging.
And with the cloud computing you will not see the difference anymore...
So, to answer to the thread: as a home user I haven't switched completely to linux since now I write on my wifes' laptop - Vista Home Edition. However, at work I use only unix/linux based machines:)
To anyone using one of them and thinking of switching to the other: please keep them both available unless you know exactly what you're doing!!!
Good luck!
Yahoé
May 2nd, 2012, 12:29 PM
7.04 that would 2008, now on a home built HTPC and 12.04 rocks and feels all my computing needs.
ronaldbrijo
May 2nd, 2012, 12:37 PM
I am finally at the stage where i have made a full switch, although I still need my windows for the boxes of games for windows.... Most of which dont run properly on Linux.
So I dualboot... with linux as my primary OS and windows when I know it is gaming!!
I am dabbling in virtualbox, but due to video graphics constraints, i cannot run some games.. Older ones (that require hardly any graphic acceleration) works fine.
When will the rest of the windows world wake up and realise we have more than one OS out there!!
bodhi.zazen
May 2nd, 2012, 06:00 PM
When will the rest of the windows world wake up and realise we have more than one OS out there!!
When gamers stop buying windows only games.
MrsUser
May 2nd, 2012, 06:19 PM
I switched last week :) The only game I need is SupertuxKart *lol*... seriously, for gaming I'd simply buy a game console. For anything else I feel much safer when not in Windows (online banking etc).
RememberWhenItRained
May 2nd, 2012, 06:56 PM
Sadly, no. It's my native/default boot option, but I still have Win7 for several reasons
1) I already paid for it.
2) Good backup/fallback
3) Have some programs and exes i use. Wine just doesn't cut it.
4) I'm an Information Systems/IT major, and much of the coursework involves/requires Microsoft based products.
I like linux a lot better because:
1) It's free!
2) Free apps/software! - has almost anything i'd use in Mac or Windows and more - LibreOffice, LMMS, audacity, jedit, etc.
3) Customizable/tweakable. I feel like i'm under the hood much more than win7
4) Fantastic (and free) support
5) I love me some terminal (i can't remember crap about Windows cmd now)
6) It's free. I like the open source philosophy.
7) Multiple desktop environment choices.
8) Who doesn't love penguins?
9) Very handy in diagnosing & fixing comps.
10) Did i mention it's free?
if anyone has suggestions to help resolve 3 & 4 on my first list, i'm all ears.
oboedad55
May 2nd, 2012, 07:01 PM
I run Linux on three hard drives, openSUSE 12.1, Ubuntu 12.04, Fedora 16, Sabayon 8. and Arch with KDE and Gnome shell. I run a copy of Windows XP in VM so I can update my Garmin gps. Otherwise I'd have no need for it.
mkstallings1
May 2nd, 2012, 07:11 PM
I have a desktop with Ubuntu 12.04 as the sole OS. I have a laptop with XP on one hdd and 12.04 on the the second hdd. Although, I use XP very rarely for work related stuff.
georgelappies
May 2nd, 2012, 07:20 PM
Yeah, sadly I need to dual boot as well. Although 90% of the time I am in Linux. The only reason I need to boot into windows is to update the ipad or play a game. Although lately I have been having more fun tinkering with c++ on linux as compared to playing games :)
P.S. Diablo 3 might change that though.
peyre
May 2nd, 2012, 08:00 PM
Yeah, sadly I need to dual boot as well. Although 90% of the time I am in Linux. The only reason I need to boot into windows is to update the ipad or play a game. Although lately I have been having more fun tinkering with c++ on linux as compared to playing games :)
P.S. Diablo 3 might change that though.
Hey, want to help improve an open-source semi-educational game about the Space Race? It's written in C. http://sourceforge.net/projects/raceintospace/
CK000
May 2nd, 2012, 09:22 PM
I have completely switched to Ubuntu Linux too.
peterthinking
May 2nd, 2012, 11:29 PM
100% Linux since 2003? I started with Open SUSE
amosek
May 2nd, 2012, 11:32 PM
Linux on all machines for about 8 years now.
cgaie
May 11th, 2012, 09:01 AM
Moved completed to ubuntu. Good bye to windows
dtbond54
May 12th, 2012, 12:23 PM
Working on it, but still need M$ for some things
kodanda
May 12th, 2012, 03:19 PM
There are a couple of things that still refrain me from leaving windows. I am a researcher and for my work I mostly use linux, since 2002. the things that need windows for me are
1. Powerpoint; yes I know, the libreoffice is there but it is not yet there to compete with M$. Since exchanging presentations is also a necessary thing in a collaborative research, compatibility is a big problem.
2. revision tracking for word documents. Although, LaTeX is my favourite documentation system, it lacks this very useful functionality. In certain situations, I tend to prefer word for this reason.
hope we will have native linux solutions that do not need a hell a lot of tweaking to get the above working leaving enough room for mainstream work.
kodanda
christon74
May 12th, 2012, 03:51 PM
Hello Quake. I have half migrated to Ubuntu. I still have a wee hp notebook which runs XP ( hp nc 4200) and a bigger computer which runs Ubuntu both Maverick Meerkat (10.10) and Precise Pangolin (12.04 LTS) The good thing is that when you run the 12.04 intal you will be asked some questions on screen and it can create a partition which then lets you run either of your operating system. I am not sure this will work well with windows but I can choose to run Meerkat or Pangolin when the system is loading.
Happy Ubuntu_ing! :)
kurzz
May 12th, 2012, 11:03 PM
I strive to be Windows free whenever I can. I make it a goal to rely only on Linux and Mac (Go POSIX!)
I have a mac, and a PC laptop that I dual boot with Ubuntu and Windows 7. I use the Windows partition only for MMOs like Guild Wars and Diablo 3. All other games are played on my PS3.
traditionalist
May 13th, 2012, 01:32 AM
Tried to, but I can't get Ubuntu to run stable on my main machine. I am regretfully going to reinstall Windows 7 and use it until I find a graphic card that works with Ubuntu.
Mister Fowler
May 13th, 2012, 09:36 PM
I have been trying to learn and go linux for years now, and I finally took the plunge and expunged Windows from my desktop and netbook. I am happy to say its been months now and I am going strong, thanks to the Ubuntu distro. I tried others, but the hoops you have to jump through to get some things installed aren't worth the hassle.
With Windows 8 (cringe) coming out, I am going full open source all the way, complete with my new Samsung android phone.
Goodbye to MS and hope to NEVER give Ap-hole any money.
animaguy
May 14th, 2012, 12:27 AM
I have three computers.
A Ubuntu Studio Desktop
A Ubuntu LTS Laptop
And a Linux Mint Laptop
I may consider Windows 8 but I will wait for the reviews to come out first.
MarkM1
May 15th, 2012, 05:53 AM
Have been using 100% Linux since two or three years after using Windows ME when it came was current.
I first tried Redmond-Linux, then Fedora, finally settled on Ubuntu. Have been happier with Ubuntu. UNTIL !!!, the install of Ubuntu 12.04 LTS crashed (Ubiquity bug?) on me today.
I can't get it installed. Now, I'm worried.
aman.sharma0091
May 15th, 2012, 06:46 AM
I don't think that anyone can completely switch to one OS completely. Though my primary OS is xubuntu because XFCE is simpler than any other desktops out there. I first started using puppy linux as there was no headache of going through the installation phase then I discovered Ubuntu which was easy for a newbie. I must admit that puppy-linux made me learn about the structure of linux too by forcing me to edit configuration files and it taught me how to build a program from source. If I was on windows I would have never learnt such things.
Linux encourages us to learn more and more.
Linux rocks!!! \\:D/
darkwolf777
May 15th, 2012, 12:54 PM
Making another go of it. I've been playing with various Linux distros peripherally (first one was Red Hat Linux 3 (note that's not RHEL or Fedora Core. This predates both by a considerable margin :) )) since 1996/7.
Gave switching my first serious go in 2006 when I had Ubuntu 5.04 as my primary OS for about 6 months, even had a hacked together Windows XP booting off a USB drive so the primary drive in my laptop wouldn't have to share space with it.
I was > < this close to making a full switch when two things happened to derail my plans: 1) Apple switched to Intel CPUs, which sparked an interest in learning about OS X (previously hated all Mac OSes). 2) May primary computer at the time, Dell Inspiron 9300, the screen basically died. Not fully, just half of it went completely blank, and random lines through the other half. So I used that as an opportunity to try out a Mac in 2007 (and later found out the screen was part of a recall, so I got it replaced for free, too. Yay!)
One thing that's constantly been a thorn in my side and generally preventing me from every truly leaving Windows (or OS X) behind completely: Photoshop. I really want GIMP to be enough, but it's just not there yet. I always keep up with it though, and the moment I don't need Photoshop anymore, I'm dropping it like a bad habit (thus full GEGL, 32bit color depth, CMYK, etc. cannot get to GIMP soon enough). So switching to Mac was easy... gave me some *nix-y goodness, and native access to Photoshop. Win + win = win.
I've basically been using Macs since then, but now I'm not happy with the direction Apple is going with 10.8, so I've been looking at Linux once again.
I just built a new box for... work *ahem*. Yes. I'm dual booting Ubuntu 12.04 and Windows 7 Pro (Photoshop still says hello). Of course in the last ~5 years or so I've also added a few other programs that may necessitate Windows sticking around, but I think they already have some good enough Linux replacements like Lightroom -> Darktable, RawTherapee, digiKam, etc. So it's still pretty much hinging on GIMP. I Don't need it to do everything Photoshop can do, just need it to do everything I need it to do :) I think it's 90% there (haven't had a chance to check out what's new in 2.8, but layer groups alone was a huge one).
Naturally Windows is also around for the odd game session, but most of what I play either has native clients, or works at least good enough via WINE. I'm not sure I have any game(s) that flat out won't work in WINE, actually.
Scooterrat
May 15th, 2012, 02:28 PM
Windows and anything related are gone. Haven't looked back.
loklaan
May 15th, 2012, 07:25 PM
Alas, web developers should always (in almost every scenario) test for browsers on Windows. >.<
VE6EFR
May 15th, 2012, 07:35 PM
I am a relatively new Ubuntu user. Currently this machine is dual boot Ubuntu 12.04 LTS & Windows 7, but almost everything that I want to do I can do with Ubuntu.
I will keep windows 7 on the drive for now. But if everything continues to go well and if I ever need the space on the hard drive I may eventually blow away windows.
DemogorgonZ
May 17th, 2012, 02:55 AM
I am a relatively new Ubuntu user. Currently this machine is dual boot Ubuntu 12.04 LTS & Windows 7, but almost everything that I want to do I can do with Ubuntu.
I will keep windows 7 on the drive for now. But if everything continues to go well and if I ever need the space on the hard drive I may eventually blow away windows.
Same situation here, i ve wanted to give a go for ubuntu 12.04 few days ago.. In very distant past i was only watching over dad's shoulder how he "type something" and wondered where are the games lol.. So far i love it,can give you a headache but forcing you to keep learning and discovering.. Open source is wonderful,and people here are very friendly. You have got a ubuntu user and forum member for life ):P Cant wait for next update to start solving problems :lolflag:
Sava
May 17th, 2012, 03:42 AM
Re: How many of you completely switched to Linux?
me me me me meeeeeeee
GuiGuy
May 17th, 2012, 03:49 AM
I am a relatively new Ubuntu user. Currently this machine is dual boot Ubuntu 12.04 LTS & Windows 7,
Probably a wise move hanging on to Win7. there are some things that are just so much easier in Windows. Like yesterday, needed to burn a 2.5G mpeg to a video DVD. Everyone tells me "Brasero" will do that. Fire up brasero. Go through the motions, pop in a blank disk, click burn. Out pops the blank DVD. Up pops the dialogue "ERROR WHILE BURNING", "Impossible to link plugin pad". :(
Rummage around web, see this is a known bug going back twelve months or more with no fix in sight.
Look for other burning options. All, other than K3B, seem mediocre at best.
Go to Win7 PC, 6 minutes later I have my DVD.
Gacelita
May 17th, 2012, 06:58 AM
Probably a wise move hanging on to Win7. there are some things that are just so much easier in Windows. Like yesterday, needed to burn a 2.5G mpeg to a video DVD. Everyone tells me "Brasero" will do that. Fire up brasero. Go through the motions, pop in a blank disk, click burn. Out pops the blank DVD. Up pops the dialogue "ERROR WHILE BURNING", "Impossible to link plugin pad". :(
Rummage around web, see this is a known bug going back twelve months or more with no fix in sight.
Look for other burning options. All, other than K3B, seem mediocre at best.
Go to Win7 PC, 6 minutes later I have my DVD.
Agree. Windows should not be the enemy. I got this problem after installing Compiz where my wireless network got disabled and the only thing that worked for enabling it again was opening windows and installig the proper drivers (I was too lazy to do this before as Ubuntu is my main system and it automatically detected my wireless network after install).
Being a graphic designer requires sometimes sending files over in specific formats, like indd for indesign which scribus has no compatibility with. Also I haven't found any After Effects replacement so far. Gaming may not be my first priority, but I still like playing Skyrim or Mass Effect every once in a while (luckily I can play Minecraft in Linux).
I work with Xubuntu in my laptop (it shares disk with Win 7, but I only use it when having trouble with Xubuntu) and XP in my desk (it doesn't need to look pretty anyway, just do the job). Even though I use Ubuntu 90% of the time I don't think I'll do a complete switch anytime soon.
prshah
May 17th, 2012, 07:17 AM
Gaming may not be my first priority, but I still like playing Skyrim or Mass Effect every once in a while (luckily I can play Minecraft in Linux).
Just FYI, Mass Effect 1 works very well out of the box with wine. Mass Effect 2 works fine as well, but the DRM for retail DVD is broken, so you need the secure download from EA (and key from retail DVD).
nerderello
May 17th, 2012, 01:51 PM
been using Linux at home since buying (yes, from a shop, with money :) ) Redhat 7.3 (used the diskettes to load it onto my PC). Been totally ******* free for 4 or 5 years (previous to that had a partition with Win 98 SE on it).
Am now also Wine free as well.
I use Linux 'cos it works.
BLewis
May 17th, 2012, 02:24 PM
I want to erase Windows but unfortunately, I'm still a gamer at heart.
I've been using linux-only from the start on my desktop, but I dont really game so sorry...
mutap
May 17th, 2012, 03:14 PM
I'm using Linux about 5 or 6 years now.
I've tried several distributions for that time(SuSE, Fedora, Debian and Ubuntu), and I've been stuck with Ubuntu since 8.04. :)
However, I'm not completely switched to Linux.
On my home PC, reasons are games of course, and sometimes if i need something to be done quickly and won't work in Linux for some strange reason ( and it worked last time i tried ), I switch, do the job and then search what's wrong ( printing can be painful sometimes ). :)
Kodeine
May 17th, 2012, 09:27 PM
On my old Packard bell (which I started using Linux on) I used Ubuntu exclusively. However when I got a new desktop (Lenovo) I actually kept Windows seven so I didn't need a XP virtual machine. On both computers I'm sorry to say I felt the need to have Windows on a VM just in case push comes to shove and I have to do something in Windows (which is very rare).
That time came when I had to convert a powerpoint presentation to a non macro enabled format (Gdocs doesn't like macro enabled presentations). Installing the trial on seven just didn't fly. So I installed TinyXP on a VM again and of course the trial installed off the bat. So after awhile I decided to remove seven so I'm back to having one fully ext4 partitioned drive. I see gaming is one major reason why some keep Windows. I've never been into hardware that much to start building a really powerful PC needed to play games. I've always stuck to a console so that's not really an issue for me.
PhoenixM
May 19th, 2012, 06:33 AM
Haven't been able to completely switch to Ubuntu unfortunately. Career objective demands proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign. I've got that running in a Windows 7 64-bit partition thats about 125 GB in size (remaining 365 belongs to Ubuntu) :guitar:.
Oldnews2
May 19th, 2012, 06:43 AM
absolutely no windows in the house :lolflag:
except for glass ones!
oh there is however, one virtual box with win7 for itunes ... cuz apple seems too anal to allow rhythmbox to work! (encryption keys on iphones & ipod touch)
DobsonM
May 19th, 2012, 06:50 AM
Personally I am Ubuntu only and have been for about 4 years now, my eldest son uses his Mac and my wife uses Windows 7.
Face-Ache
May 19th, 2012, 07:55 AM
I've a dual-boot machine with Ubuntu 11.10 and Windows XP Pro. I've always found XP to be quite stable, and for the moment, i just can't let it go completely. Maybe it's my safety-blanky?
XP on the workhorse PC, and wifes laptop has Win7.
Got a mate who's got an older laptop that he's giving to me, so i'll probably put Ubuntu on that.
woxuxow
May 19th, 2012, 08:33 AM
I just use ubuntu
but i have a win7 on my system that is used by my brother and sometimes i use it to nightly download (internet is free at night in my location)
black veils
May 20th, 2012, 08:30 AM
i read, i thought, i researched which distribution i would want, then i jumped into the Linux world, without even trying first! very unlike me, but i knew i didnt require any Windows-only software.
i was suddenly in an unknown environment, and had to learn. i was enthusiastic though, and enjoyed the process.
no regrets, i would choose Linux over Windows.
Chiel92
May 20th, 2012, 10:10 PM
I cannot switch because I need to code C# using the Microsoft XNA framework.
The big bosses at the university decided that C# is going to be the new language being used at the Computer Science education... :(:confused::confused:
cmcanulty
May 20th, 2012, 11:06 PM
You might like reading this about C# in Linux
http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/63238/How-we-can-write-on-C-in-Linux-Implementing-PanelA
Chiel92
May 21st, 2012, 08:46 AM
You might like reading this about C# in Linux
http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/63238/How-we-can-write-on-C-in-Linux-Implementing-PanelA
Thanks for your reply!
I know mono, and I use it a lot whenever possible. It is great (see my signature). But XNA is not supported by Mono and doing directX graphics stuff is neither supported.
I don't think these things will ever be supported, because there are great alternatives, but I have to use them for school thingies.
firefox_user2
May 22nd, 2012, 07:40 PM
Thanks for the heads up "nmyrick"..
Yes I found out that by converting the i-tunes to mp3 that I could burn a cd which worked in the car or home player.
goaliedude3919
May 22nd, 2012, 08:41 PM
I've pretty much completely switched over. I still have a windows partition on my computer but it rarely ever gets used. I pretty much just have it for a handful or programs that don't work on Linux and that don't have a replacement that I like, most notably my video and image editing software.
telakenesys
May 23rd, 2012, 02:47 AM
My 3 computers at home are all running Precise Pangolin. I have converted my boss to Ubuntu, and he has it on his desktop at home, still has Vista on his notebook.
I have also been able to almost completely convert all the computers at work to Linux. We have an old Fedora box hosting an internal ftp server. ClearOS gateway server, (also running PXE service) all users computers are running Ubuntu. The only computer that is still running Windows is the front desk computer. It has MYOB RetailManager (POS) installed and still has Windows 98. (The boss doesn't want to change that and risk losing 20 years or customer records).
fillmont
May 23rd, 2012, 03:42 AM
Using Ubuntu 12.04 on my personal laptop, and Xubuntu 12.04 on my work computer. Couldn't be happier.
12.04 with Unity is quite possibly the best OS I've come across, in terms of stability and ease of use. I'm pretty amazed. I used 11.10 on the same laptop and found it lacking, but all smiles now.
Xubuntu is also quite nice!
aneez004
May 23rd, 2012, 04:24 PM
I am using Zorin OS -gateway to linux for windows users and also Windows 7.
I can only play fifa and nfs in windows and also doc or docx is still the official format
Anyway I love linux
jonzen
May 23rd, 2012, 11:40 PM
Completely, but might go to windows if the genius' don't stop changing too many things (gnome). I mean, why have this new desktop, when you can't make it do what you want. Sounds like microsoft to me, and fishing through all the menus and icons, WHY?
jsland
May 24th, 2012, 12:08 AM
Moved from 10.4 to 12.04 a couple weeks ago and have been using Ubuntu as primary office computer for about 5 years. Still require a Winbox for business appications but samba allows ubuntu to be the hub of the wheel.
Responding to the post above about Precise Pangolin hiding some of the controls, I found the latest move does take some effort to get re-oriented. Hang in there. There is method to the madness.
Current design trend seems to be shooting for a less cluttered home page. No more desktop with 25 to 100 icons, sometimes shifting around. Everything is still there its just below the surface so you do have to memorize which symbols are the gateways. Adding icons you like, such as synaptic or terminal, is easy and can help if you choose to use the mouse over the ctrl key.
junix88
May 24th, 2012, 05:47 PM
A lot :-) Thanks to Linus T:)
SeanIM
May 24th, 2012, 05:56 PM
I would in a heartbeat if i could ever get Camtasia or some other screen casting setup to work on this OS.
I love it for everything else and have a second HD with it installed.
LillyDragon
May 24th, 2012, 06:14 PM
Shockingly, every game I have besides HALO CE and a few not-so-quake3-based titles works through WINE on this laptop, (Although if I had an Nvidea chipset, that would be a different story!) so I don't have too many reasons to keep Windows, and now that I got the brightness controls working on Ubuntu, it's all the more tempting to use erase Windows. Unfortunately the future might force me to use it for one reason or another, so I'll hang onto to it for now, just encase.
tl;dr, I would go all Linux, (And have already done so on my desktop machine, at least!) but I'll never know when I might need Windows for something important in the future. ;_;
traditionalist
May 24th, 2012, 07:47 PM
Have now switched over completely. Started with Ubuntu 12.04 three weeks ago. Very pleased indeed with it, ( once I got rid of unity!). Still have Windows 7 X64 Ultimate running in a virtual box though. Two essential applications I use wont run on Ubuntu.
HansKisaragi
May 24th, 2012, 08:39 PM
I recently switched fully..
I'm a gamer but I have all next gen consoles and some last gen so I get my gaming fix that way.
Sgt-Slyde
May 25th, 2012, 06:37 AM
My wife & daughter (neither very computer savvy) and I are all now running Linux on our computers but we all also still have a Micro$oft partition for things that specifically block Linux (NetFlix streaming video, certain Air Force programs tailored to only work with MS *******, etc.). But I've gotten us all otherwise weaned from M$.
epikvision
May 25th, 2012, 06:47 AM
I've grown out of games so I could find more purpose for the community. For that reason, I abandoned Windows for Linux. I've been faithful to it for 3 weeks now; I only hope that this bond with Linux matures.
chugtairizwan
May 25th, 2012, 07:38 AM
I completely switched to Linux, it's just cool:guitar:
PcMojo
May 25th, 2012, 09:42 AM
My dual boot (win xp - *buntu) pc crashed & burned (literally - power supply issue) and I installed 10.10 on an old laptop just to stay connected a few months ago. I still haven't needed to reinstall or virtualize *******. ( I do miss One Note - the only app that there really is no remotely close equivalent). Just switched to 12.04 and having several glitches; like cd/dvd burners that worked on 10.10 won't burn cd's/dvd's. I opened up a thread (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1986381) and am trying to fix it to keep Win off my laptop, but no joy. I might have to dual boot just to get basic hardware working again.
3dmatrix
May 26th, 2012, 12:37 AM
Had been trying out Linux since abt 2002 - 2003 but since last 5 yrs or so completely switched over to Linux. Though i have tried many other distros but now mostly use Ubuntu and its derivatives. But still have to keep Xp in one partition just to take backup of my mobile contents etc and to use some features of my Camera.
esantidp
May 26th, 2012, 03:03 AM
I considered long ago that completely switching to linux does not necessarily mean ditching other OSes, it's actually the other way around.
As far as Windows goes, it is quite handy to use for specific applications. Unless Ubuntu or any other distro gets a huge market chunk, most service providers, vendors and custumer service will stick to their favorite OS, so Linux is a bit back there. If using a virtual windows to get an application to work under Linux means a complete chane I've tried that, and even then are programs which are just unusable.
Fortunately x86's are here to stay and windows keeps getting bigger, more hardware restrictive by the day. A live CD is my choice when recovering data from damaged XPs, Vistas and 7's. Linux is the best when doing servicing and when you're into DIY.
I know FreeBSD is another story but, actually learning some linux has led me to make a router out of an old PC box. This is the best thing about open source, one distro leads to another and there is even choice if you want to dedicate old hardware to specific jobs.
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