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Linux vs Windows

post #1 of 57
1/3/06 at 5:10pm
Thread Starter 
Hi,

I am thinking about getting a laptop and using Linux on it instead of Windows.
What software shall I use? Open Office?
I normally use the Office softwares (words, ppt, xl) and some others (Nero, mediaplayer, etc)?
No games, no extra.
I use laptop for working at home, presentation at clients.
I also have a Dell desktop for home use.

Also - how easy it is to transport files from Office to Open office (.ppt, etc)?
If I work on my presentation at home in open office, can I do the presentation at other peoples PC next morning?

Thanks,

Andras
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post #2 of 57
1/3/06 at 6:41pm
for productivity windows and linux are equal (open office vs office 2003)

media usage windows has a few more options but linux can play everything, VLC player vs, VLC + Winamp + WMP10 + etc

i dont think you need a filter or any kind of importer tool, open office can read anything (can even export direct to pdf too!)

but from what ive learned about using these 2 os's on laptops is windows sucks at hacking wireless networks, linux sucks at playing games other than that they are diffrent but can do the same job equally as well, you just need to know *how* to use the 2, installing programs on linux can be a REAL pain in the ass
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post #3 of 57
1/3/06 at 9:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pr50wner
nstalling programs on linux can be a REAL pain in the ass
not true

apt-get for deb
urpmi
apt-get for rpm
slapt-get
portage
olm
conary

make it all so very easy, even easier than in windows sometimes
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post #4 of 57
1/3/06 at 10:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by abf
not true

apt-get for deb
urpmi
apt-get for rpm
slapt-get
portage
olm
conary

make it all so very easy, even easier than in windows sometimes
Tried apt-get and all the variants for ubuntu and it always said it couldnt find the required packages. Linux is still hard to use if you don't know what you are doing...
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post #5 of 57
1/3/06 at 11:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FearlessFozz
Tried apt-get and all the variants for ubuntu and it always said it couldnt find the required packages. Linux is still hard to use if you don't know what you are doing...
did you have all the depositories enabled for ubuntu? you know, for default you only get like 2 reps that has nothing just about...you gotta have more stuff, and to do that you also need to do is add depositories


and btw....you couldn't have tried "all the variants" because Ubuntu is apt-get for deb only and they use their own depositories, because their packages are not debian-compatible.

that said, for mandrake you gotta run easy urpmi before you urpmi anything

and for portage you just gotta be careful, but the software tree is HUGE!
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post #6 of 57
1/4/06 at 1:28am
yeah i use yum for fedora core (it was the only distro i had a recent copy of)

it works well but when you have to install everything using the make command and then you get a bunch of dependcie errors and crap it gets anoying,
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post #7 of 57
1/4/06 at 1:33am
linux is great and generally easy to use.

the only problem is that openoffice presenter isnt as good as powerpoint. openoffice has great word/excel equivelants though. I recommend downloading openoffice.org and using it in windows before jumping into linux and finding out that it doesnt do what you need it to.

Also, if you have office 2000, you can run it under linux with wine and solve all compatibility problems.

Edit: pr50, yum in fedora is pretty bad compared to suse/debain package managers. with other distros, the only time you have to make something yourself is when you are using some obscure app. hte majority of people can use linux just fine without ever compiling a thing.
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post #8 of 57
1/4/06 at 1:40am
yeah i know fedora blows, but it was sitting right infront of me when i felt like learning how to crack wep wifi networks

i learned troppix live is better
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post #9 of 57
1/4/06 at 2:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by abf
did you have all the depositories enabled for ubuntu? you know, for default you only get like 2 reps that has nothing just about...you gotta have more stuff, and to do that you also need to do is add depositories


and btw....you couldn't have tried "all the variants" because Ubuntu is apt-get for deb only and they use their own depositories, because their packages are not debian-compatible.

that said, for mandrake you gotta run easy urpmi before you urpmi anything

and for portage you just gotta be careful, but the software tree is HUGE!
All I know is I found an "Unofficial" guide to ubuntu that was linked to the official site and none of the commands they suggested worked. I gets frustrating though because I have read soooo many guides and some stuff I still can't get to work. And lets face it, most of those guides were not made for beginners so some are hard to follow. That said I do preserve a linux box to tinker with and it tests all those websites that Windows has hard times with
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post #10 of 57
1/4/06 at 2:41am
just dual boot like i mentioned in ur other thread.

i learned linux 4 the first time in a few days. from knowing nothing to getting apps and dual booting, it's not hard. just google what u need or post it in a forum. don't be scared and listen to the people that say it's hard, go for it. i'll post my thread from [H] i made showing going from a windows lifer to linux isn't hard.
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=998268
thread prove
all
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post #11 of 57
1/4/06 at 4:54am
yep thats what im doing now on my asus M6bne, dualbooth xp pro and fedora 4

windows = games
fedora = hax0ring wifi
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post #12 of 57
1/4/06 at 10:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by FearlessFozz
All I know is I found an "Unofficial" guide to ubuntu that was linked to the official site and none of the commands they suggested worked. I gets frustrating though because I have read soooo many guides and some stuff I still can't get to work. And lets face it, most of those guides were not made for beginners so some are hard to follow. That said I do preserve a linux box to tinker with and it tests all those websites that Windows has hard times with

few errors on your part could have made it so their commands don't work, for instance not sudo yourself into root! that said, ubuntuguide IS written for total and complete n00bs, all you do is copy/paste in gnome-terminal (or konsole if you're using kubuntu).

i am not saying linux is easy, its just not difficult, especially simpler distros like Mandrake and Ubuntu.

And the whole idea is, first you start out with guides, then you put together what you leared in your head and try to pull something good out of it.

And btw, just on a personal note, if you wanna learn a ton about the guts of linux, when you have a day (full day) absolutely free, install gentoo, and then try to set it up best you can over the next few weeks (years?). it will give you a good insight on things, plus give you a l33t system
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post #13 of 57
1/4/06 at 4:39pm
I would love to use Linux on my laptop. The thing is my game, OOTP, will not play in Linux. I know about the emulator but the game requires a licensing program to run on top of the game and WINE will not support this. Which sucks.
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post #14 of 57
1/4/06 at 4:56pm
I started using computers as a layman. I didnt even know the abc of computers. I learnt step by step with crashes and problems being the path to learn.

Do you suppose I can learn Linux the same way?

how is the 64-bit linux for usage? are all the drivers available

I am using the compaq R4000
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post #15 of 57
1/4/06 at 5:52pm
try the Live cd's, then, you can see if it works to your expectations, if not, try something else. Ubuntu 5.10 has GREAT device support btw.
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post #16 of 57
1/4/06 at 8:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hotwheelz
I would love to use Linux on my laptop. The thing is my game, OOTP, will not play in Linux. I know about the emulator but the game requires a licensing program to run on top of the game and WINE will not support this. Which sucks.
many linux users, including me, keep windows on the hdd just for games. its not a perfect solution, but it works, and we get the best of both worlds(although it is arguable that games would run better on linux than they do on windows if developers made them run natively and optimized them further).

Also, ubuntuguide.org is outdated, which is why it probably doesnt work for you. you will have to find an alternate method for finding info. ubuntuforums.org is good.
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post #17 of 57
1/4/06 at 8:54pm
3 reasons why i keep windows:
1 - gaming (GTA, CS:S, etc)
2 - sync pda (Dell Axim X50v)
3- sync phone (SE V802)

everything else gets linuxed on my compy!
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post #18 of 57
1/4/06 at 9:02pm
It really shouldnt be a windows vs linux kind of question. The best thing PCs have over macs is that with the PC you get to have both Operating systems on the same computer.

Enjoy both, theres no reason to stick to just one. Thats what makes it so great!
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post #19 of 57
1/5/06 at 3:30am
If you...

- Are feeling geeky
- Are just using generic applications (Office programs, browsers, email, etc.)
- Have the time and will
- Can find compatible drivers for your machine to your liking

...then save a few bucks and go with Linux.
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post #20 of 57
1/5/06 at 5:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by RabenWolf
It really shouldnt be a windows vs linux kind of question. The best thing PCs have over macs is that with the PC you get to have both Operating systems on the same computer.

Enjoy both, theres no reason to stick to just one. Thats what makes it so great!
so true, at one point i was booting between 6 diffrent OS's on the same computer, best way to learn.
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