Linux distro comparable to xp pro

[Blazer]

having seen the colors M$ will lead to with its future OS's it is becoming apparent i may need to ready myself for Linux use, what would be the distro/version that would provide the same features,

word documents
spreadsheets
internet
home network & sharing
music & video files
Cd & Dvd burning
home movie playback and editing
Hopefully compatable with Verizon evdo wireless internet

 

[Bateluer]

Not sure about EVDO compatibility, but nearly ever major distro can do the rest. Start with Ubuntu or Fedora.

 

[sourceninja]

yea, need more info on how that wireless verizon stuff works.

 

[degibson]

M$ -> Linux transitions seem to be successful with Ubuntu. It really is a nice install process and the working environment is windows-like.

Here are your options as far as your bullet points are concerned.
Word Documents: OpenOffice or Crossover Office. OpenOffice is free, CXOffice (which I prefer) is 40-70 dollars.
Spreadsheets: Same as word docs
Internet: No IE, but nearly everything else
Home Network: Samba file shares work just like Windows shares
Music/Video: Again, a lot here. I don't do much editing, so I just use XMMS for playback
CD&DVD Burning: Again, a lot here.
EVDO: I have no idea. If its an external box, it will probably work. If it has internal components, its tougher. Try google search: "linux evdo"

 

[Brazen]

reading this may provide some useful information: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2073143&enterthread=y

 

[Blazer]

Wow lot of info there, thanks for the link!!!!!!!

googling now for vzaccess manager for ubuntu.

 

[Nothinman]

I find it kind of ironic that only about half of the items in your list work out of the box in XP Pro anyway, the rest need 3rd party software to work at all.

 

[kylef]

Originally posted by: Nothinman
I find it kind of ironic that only about half of the items in your list work out of the box in XP Pro anyway, the rest need 3rd party software to work at all.

And yet countries around the world sue Microsoft for "bundling". I agree, that is ironic.

 

[Nothinman]

And yet countries around the world sue Microsoft for "bundling". I agree, that is ironic.

And I'd agree with most of those country's complaints too. Bundling IE, OE, WMP, etc does hurt chances that 3rd party tools to handle the same jobs will even be looked at by people and the fact that you can't even really remove them from the system is stupid as hell too.

 

[Brazen]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

And yet countries around the world sue Microsoft for "bundling". I agree, that is ironic.

And I'd agree with most of those country's complaints too. Bundling IE, OE, WMP, etc does hurt chances that 3rd party tools to handle the same jobs will even be looked at by people and the fact that you can't even really remove them from the system is stupid as hell too.

Yeah, I don't so much mind that they are included, I just wish that they would be optional. IE is really the only thing that I find usefull to be available, because otherwise how would I download Firefox unless I had another system to do it from and then copy through removable media. However, I wish IE and all the other cruft, like WMP, could be deselected during install and have the system work as expected without them.

 

[kylef]

So at first you criticize Windows because Linux distros have more stuff in their default install:

Originally posted by: Nothinman
I find it kind of ironic that only about half of the items in your list work out of the box in XP Pro anyway ...

But then you seem to contradict yourself, saying that Windows should NOT put those tools in the default install, because it "hurts chances" for 3rd party tools:

Originally posted by: Nothinman
And I'd agree with most of those country's complaints too. Bundling IE, OE, WMP, etc does hurt chances that 3rd party tools to handle the same jobs will even be looked at by people and the fact that you can't even really remove them from the system is stupid as hell too.

How can you reconcile the two?

Anyway, back on topic. I think you'll find that just about ANY modern Linux distribution provides the raw features you have listed, in overwhelming abundance, with the exception of media playback. Unless you don't mind going illegal, you will find it somewhat challenging to find Mp3 and DVD codecs. There are commercial options available, but 95% of the people I know who run Linux use unlicensed MPEG2 video and MP3 audio decoders which are illegal in the US and in Europe.

Also, display management is still primitive in most Linux distros. If you need to do anything "complicated", you'll be editing X config files by hand.

 

[Nothinman]

So at first you criticize Windows because Linux distros have more stuff in their default install:

I didn't, I just found it ironic that he wanted a Linux distro capable of performing tasks X, Y and Z that XP Pro when XP doesn't really do them.

But then you seem to contradict yourself, saying that Windows should NOT put those tools in the default install, because it "hurts chances" for 3rd party tools:

Yes, MS should not provide them by default. They should be optional and the OEM should decide what to bundle since it's their job to make their product better than the competition.

How can you reconcile the two?

Easily, MS could provide them for free from their website and/or have Add/Remove Programs download and install them with very little work.

Unless you don't mind going illegal, you will find it somewhat challenging to find Mp3 and DVD codecs. There are commercial options available, but 95% of the people I know who run Linux use unlicensed MPEG2 video and MP3 audio decoders which are illegal in the US and in Europe.

That's the sad truth. The people that own those make it way too difficult for individuals to get the proper licenses without buying a full product like WinDVD.

Also, display management is still primitive in most Linux distros. If you need to do anything "complicated", you'll be editing X config files by hand.

Frankly I prefer the ability to fix X by editing xorg.conf from a VGA console in an editor because if you're dependent on a GUI tool you've got yourself a nice chicken-egg problem.

 

[Blazer]

will i need a mail prog? currently using outlook express
will i need to add an application for internet useage?

i think i have found an application to handle verizon evdo.

from what i understand open office can read M$ office 2003.

can my favorites be imported into linux/ubuntu's internet manager?

i would like to have all needed applications downloaded for installation before i attempt to use a linux distro to assure a sucessfull deployment, as i donot intend to spend hours and days to have a fully useable system, else its to the trash bin, and continue xp pro only.

 

[Brazen]

Originally posted by: blazer
will i need a mail prog? currently using outlook express
will i need to add an application for internet useage?

i think i have found an application to handle verizon evdo.

from what i understand open office can read M$ office 2003.

can my favorites be imported into linux/ubuntu's internet manager?

i would like to have all needed applications downloaded for installation before i attempt to use a linux distro to assure a sucessfull deployment, as i donot intend to spend hours and days to have a fully useable system, else its to the trash bin, and continue xp pro only.

Evolution, which is similar to full-blown Outlook, and Firefox are provided by default in Ubuntu and most other distros. Most programs you probably will not want to "download beforehand". Ubuntu has incredible package management and you can install programs with just a few clicks in Synaptic. Using the distros package manager is going to be much easier and more reliable.

 

[sourceninja]

I suggest installing ubuntu in may after the new 8.04 is fully released. It is a very nice OS.

I'd also suggest installing thunderbird (use their add/remove programs tool and search for thunderbird) because it will be closer to what you are used to in terms of mail client (and has good spam filtering). I think evolution is 'too complex' for most users. You will have firefox 2 and 3 (your choice, I think 3 is installed by default). Open office will handle most MS office documents. I'd suggest saving new documents (but not existing documents) in the open office format and exporting to PDF (built in) when you need to send the file to someone who does not have open office.

So to revamp,

I'd install ubuntu 8.04 when it comes out this month.

The first thing I would do is use the restricted driver manager (which will show up in the taskbar) to install 3rd party drivers for your video card (this will give you 3d support).
Then, I would go into the applications menu to add/remove applications and install thunderbird, I think it is better then evolution for simple email.
Next, I would use the same tool to install vlc, this will allow you to playback almost any file except encrypted dvd's. That requires you to install another library (libdvdcss). There will be tutorials on that in the ubuntu wiki when hardy is released.


At this point you have:
web: firefox (also on windows)
email: evolution or thunderbird (also on windows)
video: vlc (also on windows)
audio player: Rhythmbox (kinda itunesish, I prefer amorak, you can install that again via add/remove programs)
office: open office (also on windows)
chat: pidgin (also on windows, supports all major chat platforms)
bittorrent: transmission (also on mac, very nice program imho)

and that just scratches the surface. You will probably be able to install 99% of what you need via either add/remove applications or synaptic (a more advanced program for install applications). I usually use gimp, bluefish, and a few others on my default installs.

if you have an application, and want to know a good linux replacement, ask and I'll see what is out there.

 

[Blazer]

Originally posted by: sourceninja
I suggest installing ubuntu in may after the new 8.04 is fully released. It is a very nice OS.

I'd also suggest installing thunderbird (use their add/remove programs tool and search for thunderbird) because it will be closer to what you are used to in terms of mail client (and has good spam filtering). I think evolution is 'too complex' for most users. You will have firefox 2 and 3 (your choice, I think 3 is installed by default). Open office will handle most MS office documents. I'd suggest saving new documents (but not existing documents) in the open office format and exporting to PDF (built in) when you need to send the file to someone who does not have open office.

So to revamp,

I'd install ubuntu 8.04 when it comes out this month.

The first thing I would do is use the restricted driver manager (which will show up in the taskbar) to install 3rd party drivers for your video card (this will give you 3d support).
Then, I would go into the applications menu to add/remove applications and install thunderbird, I think it is better then evolution for simple email.
Next, I would use the same tool to install vlc, this will allow you to playback almost any file except encrypted dvd's. That requires you to install another library (libdvdcss). There will be tutorials on that in the ubuntu wiki when hardy is released.


At this point you have:
web: firefox (also on windows)
email: evolution or thunderbird (also on windows)
video: vlc (also on windows)
audio player: Rhythmbox (kinda itunesish, I prefer amorak, you can install that again via add/remove programs)
office: open office (also on windows)
chat: pidgin (also on windows, supports all major chat platforms)
bittorrent: transmission (also on mac, very nice program imho)

and that just scratches the surface. You will probably be able to install 99% of what you need via either add/remove applications or synaptic (a more advanced program for install applications). I usually use gimp, bluefish, and a few others on my default installs.

if you have an application, and want to know a good linux replacement, ask and I'll see what is out there.

ill wait untill the release for the installation then, great post btw = thanks, sounds like all the applications ill need are on the OS disk ! if so it will make alot easier.

will i be prompted to download a license if i load music my CDs to the hard drive and play them from my computer?

 

[Blazer]

Originally posted by: sourceninja
yea, need more info on how that wireless verizon stuff works.

i purchased a usb 720 [Novatel Wireless Expedite EV-DO Modem] modem and High speed internet access plan from verizon, it is connected to a outside antenna 28ft high and allows me to receive a signal @ 91 dBm with speeds @ 800-1400kb/s down and 250-500 kb/s up and a ping of 100ms from the dallas server about 90 % of the time, i need the VZaccess manager application to monitor my useage because i am limited to 5gb or pay an additional
fee for overage [i know] BUT it does get high speed internet to my location.

 

[sourceninja]

Originally posted by: blazer


ill wait untill the release for the installation then, great post btw = thanks, sounds like all the applications ill need are on the OS disk ! if so it will make alot easier.

will i be prompted to download a license if i load music my CDs to the hard drive and play them from my computer?

No if they are mp3's, un protected aacs, etc they should just play. Ubuntu should automatically ask you to download the correct codec if you do not have it installed. But otherwise you should be fine. If you bought songs on iTunes however, they will not play without their protection removed. There are ways to do that in windows.

 

[sourceninja]

Originally posted by: blazer

Originally posted by: sourceninja
yea, need more info on how that wireless verizon stuff works.

i purchased a usb 720 [Novatel Wireless Expedite EV-DO Modem] modem and High speed internet access plan from verizon, it is connected to a outside antenna 28ft high and allows me to receive a signal @ 91 dBm with speeds @ 800-1400kb/s down and 250-500 kb/s up and a ping of 100ms from the dallas server about 90 % of the time, i need the VZaccess manager application to monitor my useage because i am limited to 5gb or pay an additional
fee for overage [i know] BUT it does get high speed internet to my location.

looks like it will work (just from a quick search of the ubuntu forums). Not sure on the best way to monitor your bandwith though.

 

[Brazen]

With some quick google searching, it looks like there is actually a version of vzaccess for running on Linux. You'll probably have to consult Verizon to find out what distros are supported (probably limited to Ubuntu and Redhat for "official" support). if you use a supported distro, you should be able to use Verizon tech support for getting vzaccess working.

 

[Blazer]

quote: I suggest installing ubuntu in may after the new 8.04 is fully released. It is a very nice OS.

where can i watch for the release?, havnt found it in the linux forums.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Open SuSE 10.3 is what I'd go for.

Helix Banshee is a pretty good audio player, but you have to install the proper codecs to get wmas to play.
Make sure you get Compiz and check support for your video card. nVidia provides decent 3D graphics drivers for linux that will enable the cube.