Why do you choose Ubuntu over Windows

[Slicedbread]

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

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

[im_ka]

there are a lot... really

a few practical ones:
no viruses, adware, spyware... whatever all that is called
you don't need to reinstall, just keep upgrading. at least debian based distros such as ubuntu
stability. it just _is_ more stable.

and once you know more about linux, you'll realise that you can tweak it as you want it, customize it to your needs.

plus you don't support an unethical monopolistic company.

my suggestions if you play games: dual boot with windows (games) and ubuntu (everything else)
go here: ubuntuguide.org

[TestDummy!]

Well, I've had my copy of XP for years, quite a bit before I jumped into Linux. I'm trying to get my $120 worth before I decide to ditch it.

And the other reason I dual-boot is I can learn a bit more each day gradually rather than just jumping in. I do know enough now to ditch XP for good, but I'm just not ready yet.

Besides, quite a few people here would freak out if Windows went missing..

Edit: For the record, I don't keep XP around for games. My machine is fairly nice but isn't gaming material (What over half a year old isn't anymore ). No worries, gaming is what my PS2 and Gameboy are for

[Curlydave]

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

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

[Dolphin]

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

I'm using Ubuntu for gaming with ATI. Honestly, there's not alot I can't play on it. Some things require some tinkering to get them to work the way you want, but all-in-all, the only game I haven't been able to play so far (that I wanted to) is BF2....and I know support is coming.

As for ATI drivers, they've gotten ALOT better. Have you tried the 8.14.13's yet? Quite nice. They're not caught up to nvidia's linux drivers yet, but they're not too far off.

[Curlydave]

As for ATI drivers, they've gotten ALOT better. Have you tried the 8.14.13's yet? Quite nice. They're not caught up to nvidia's linux drivers yet, but they're not too far off.

Yes, I have them. Imo, there's nothing "quite nice" about not being able to even turn on basic settings such as AF and vsync. (I can live without the other stuff, but those two are important) I get about half the fps I would in windows as well. (see my other post in this thread for more info.)

[cosmarium]

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

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

I installed Ubuntu today. I have been using Windows for a lot of time and now XP, and yes there are advantages that have been mentioned but one more learning, just for exploring!! curiosity and self improvement makes me think about entering linux world.
I feel that when one is starting is easy to feel frustated, but that can be overcome with the help and support that linux world offer!.
By the way, I can browse the web from ubuntu, I dont know how to configurated. At home I use wireless, at work wired... any help?
Thx!

[Brunellus]

I installed Ubuntu today. I have been using Windows for a lot of time and now XP, and yes there are advantages that have been mentioned but one more learning, just for exploring!! curiosity and self improvement makes me think about entering linux world.
I feel that when one is starting is easy to feel frustated, but that can be overcome with the help and support that linux world offer!.
By the way, I can browse the web from ubuntu, I dont know how to configurated. At home I use wireless, at work wired... any help?
Thx!

it's generally considered bad form to hijack a thread in progress....

but let me direct you to my favorite Ubuntu wikipages:

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/WiFiHowto

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupp...%28wireless%29

[Ocxic]

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

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

try to find a " low level format " utility for your hard drive that will ussually fix most things not hardware related, I had to do it to mine just last night.

WARNING: LOW LEVEL FORMATTING YOUR DRIVE VOIDS ALL WARRENTIES

[Clansman]

try to find a " low level format " utility for your hard drive that will ussually fix most things not hardware related, I had to do it to mine just last night.

that seems like a windows solution to me: if it's broken, just reinstall. if it throws errors, just format it... honestly, I don't see the point in doing this.

WARNING: LOW LEVEL FORMATTING YOUR DRIVE VOIDS ALL WARRENTIES

no it doesn't. sorry to dissapoint you, but low level format is no big deal and it can be very hard to determine if some hard drive has or has not passed through a low level format. so unless support people are braindead (which sometimes are) nobody will care what you've done to your computer at sofware level (inc low level formats which are essencially very simple).

best regards,