Windows & Linux

This decision depends largely on the needs of the individual user.

Linux performs better on older hardware as there is less bloat than Doze.

Linux works well on new hardware as well; however, many systems come preloaded with Doze. Thus, there is no need for a second OS straightaway. Over time, the Doze box will slow to a crawl. At this point alternative more nimble OS's make sense.

Some apps (i.e. Autocadd) won't run on Linux.

You query is so vague though that a serious recommendation is not possible.

Thanks sir for your post,my question now, is it easy to deal with Linux or it takes long time,also where i can find a free trial copy of Linux to download.

Ragab

ubuntu is one Debian based distro that is popular for Linux beginners although there are many others.

Start there. After downloading, burn an ISO image and you are off and running. Should support most HW.

Sorry to bust the guest fest but.........

why not run both?

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsDualBoot

Yes, certainly the dual boot scenario has been discussed so often here that I did not feel the need to mention it again (other than comment that post was "vague") as OP seems not to be looking for that (the dual boot scenario).

Typically what happens is that someone gets a box with Doze preinstalled, figures out it sucks, asks for alternatives, Linux is suggested, and then ............. (what he said).

Typically what happens is that someone gets a box with Doze preinstalled...

I will never, ever buy a "Brand Name" computer. Now, I have had innumerable problems with Win XP and previous versions. I was very disillusioned with MS, including the incredibly difficult process of getting any kind of pertinent OS help and the incredibly stupid and ineffectual MS Office "help".

Today, I have Win 7 on my self-built 64-bit system and it is working awesomely, along with the free MS Security Essentials. However, this thread prompted me to try out the newest Ubuntu 64-bit OS.

I have downloaded the .iso and burned it to a disk. I am planning on starting by installing it on a 20 GB hard drive I have lying around. I am thinking of making a blog here of the process. Do you think the blog would be useful?

Using a separate hard drive is a good method to do a dual boot machine, you'll be able to access most of the files you have on your win7 HDD.

Blog entries about finding software in the Ubuntu Software Center to replace windows apps you may have thought were irreplacable....

Hi stevem,

Aren't you with GlobalSpec? If so, wouldn't it be a courtesy to actually link the link? Whenever I post a link, it seems so easy to do.

Mike

It is still depends on the individual. It is true that most of the softwares are already available in linux, but still, there are also specific softwares that it will run only in windows. And consider your hardware drivers, though most of it are already supported.

Maybe, it was 6 months ago when I completely remove windows in my laptop and changed it to ubuntu. There were some little challenges like in my wireless drivers and nvidia video card but all were sorted out. And then after a month or two of using the ubuntu, I changed it back to windows because of specific softwares that is only for windows like visual studio, sql server, etc.

What is the difference between "ubuntu" and "Linux" ?

My friends, no one answered my question:

What is the difference between "ubuntu" and "Linux" ?

Thanks for your help.

Ragab

There are many, many different distributions (versions) of Linux. Compared to Windows all will seem similar, but compared to each other all are different. Some focus on one style of display manager instead of the other (KDE vs. Gnome). Some focus on "powerful desktop" vs. "small embedded system". Some focus on supporting video and TV (Myth version of Ubuntu).

The answer to your question is that Ubuntu is one of the many versions of Linux.

Since you are asking these questions you probably are not currently experienced enough to pick the best version of Linux for you. Many people, including myself and other people in this thread suggest Ubuntu. It is a good, general purpose desktop version of Linux. You might say it specializes in addressing the same type of needs as what you might call your average Windows user.

Get it by doing a Google on "Ubuntu download".

WARNING: If you want to run your Windows programs and do everything exactly the same way as you did in Windows then you probably want Windows. Linux is great and I have used it every day for many years. But, I always have a Windows box available. Consider "dual boot" or multiple machines. If you don't know the difference between Ubuntu and Linux then you are not ready for running Linux only.

Thanks sir , so i will believe you that Ubuntu is the best version of Linux.

Ragab

It would also appear to be the version of Linux that works best with certain "Real Time" applications like EMC2 for example:-

EMC performs real-time control of equipment such as CNC machine tools, robots, and coordinate measuring machines. It runs in realtime under Linux with the RTlinux or RTAI patch. It provides a software PLC, and uses the HAL for flexibility.

It can be downloaded from here:-

http://sourceforge.net/projects/emc/

It is even used by some professional workshops with enough money for expensive software....

Also goto Sourceforge home page and look at the 1000s of free software that are available:-

http://sourceforge.net/directory/

Ubuntu is one of the best version of linux. Other distros like OpenSuse, Linux Mint, Mandriva, and Fedora are good as well. But I can say Ubuntu is the most user-friendly (maybe my personal preference), great support for hardware drivers, and great user support from different forums.

Linux is so lean it can be trialled from a 'live CD' - start just like installing a new OS, but run the OS straight off the CD drive. Further options are to use one of the Virtual machines, eg Virtual Box - installing the second OS as a virtual machine. I have a Mac which has XP running in a window, so all my old PC programs are only a click away. And no need to re-boot.