POLL: If most games had a native Linux client, would you make the switch?

[Sureshot324]

IMO gaming is the one thing that is holding Linux back from taking over the desktop. If every game had a native linux client, a lot of computer savy gamers would make the switch, and then word of mouth on the internet would do the rest. Other then gaming, Linux can do pretty much everything your average desktop user would do as well as or better then Windows.

 

[GundamSonicZeroX]

Gaming isn't the only thing that's keeping Linux back. There's no substitutions for Adobe's software (or AutoCAD), Ubuntu-based distros have buggy PulseAudio, Wireless drivers are another problem.

To answer the question, yes I would installation is easy and if there's no performance loss.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Yes, I use Linux for everything but gaming.

 

[Zenoth]

It would be very tempting, but the change wouldn't be done (for me) in just a day. It would take me months if not years to get rid of the reflexes I've developed by the Windows' interface and features. In the end I may end up using both. I'm usually not the type of person to restrict himself to just one thing when I can get two and more variety, it's the reason why I currently have a dual-boot with XP and Vista.

 

[Molondo]

No, I wouldn't be gaining anything in my case.

 

[Maximilian]

Hell no!

Its tough to get everything working the way i like in windows vista never mind doing that in linux. I still cant figure out why the WMP volume dosent work with movies or music files with an odd extension (i.e. .cxd .bag etc) navyfield will not work without crashing and wrecking sound completely requiring a restart, ive only recently solved the problem of my desktop constantly resetting itsself to 1440x900 after a shut down... i dont need more problems lol.

 

[lxskllr]

I'd consider it. I have some Windows software I really like using. Also, I think I just prefer Windows. I really dig Ubuntu, and I have that installed on my EeePC. If pushed to one or the other though, it would most likely be Vista.

 

[drebo]

Nope. Linux is only good for one thing: appliances. Set it up once and forget about it. It doesn't make a good desktop OS. There are simply too many compatibility issues and quirks. Windows may be relatively bloated and constricting, but it needs to be that way in order to maintain proper support of the myriad of different hardware vendors and components that can be used with it.

 

[TheVrolok]

In a heartbeat. (provided you include proper driver support for most hardware - another problem) I'm tempted everyday to partition/install Linux and dual boot .. but I really just don't feel like booting into Windows just to play a game. Also, I don't want to put up with Wine just to play a game.

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
Yes, I use Linux for everything but gaming.

Do you dual boot, or Wine?

 

[bearxor]

Gaming isn't the only thing holding back Linux. Providing a consistent UI with a single platform and easy program/driver installs with no user interaction required is what's holding Linux back. It will never be fixed.

Until someone 'owns' linux and pushes a consistent platform with the mindset to make money on the OS will it start to grab a foothold in the market. People don't care about what's going on in their computer, only what they see on the monitor. BSD-based OS X is a perfect example.

 

[mb]

Not only no, but hell no. There are so much more problems with Linux as a desktop OS than just the lack of games.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: drebo
Nope. Linux is only good for one thing: appliances. Set it up once and forget about it. It doesn't make a good desktop OS. There are simply too many compatibility issues and quirks. Windows may be relatively bloated and constricting, but it needs to be that way in order to maintain proper support of the myriad of different hardware vendors and components that can be used with it.

yup

microsoft will tame linux... let me rephrase that.. microsoft has alot of smart people studying linux and reporting in a much more professional fashion that atot. ms will adapt to linux faster than we adopt linux. all it takes is a few reasons and we end up staying with ms for the next release.

 

[novasatori]

I wouldn't mind using it, but I don't see it happening, not anytime soon anyways.

While linux distros have improved a ton in terms of usability out of the box for joe average and what not, I still found myself using terminal to install/configure stuff, I really can't see many average users/gamers wanting to really delve into the OS that much.

 

[Qbah]

No. And why should I? Vista has everything I need and I know how everything works in it, how to find solutions to problems that show up. It has a good interface, a huge library of software, excellent driver support: I just like it.

 

[GarfieldtheCat]

Yes....games are the only thing keeping me from running Linux. It's too much of a pain to dual boot back and forth between Windows and Linux to game, so I just keep Windows.

If I really needed Windows for something other then gaming, I'd just use VMWare or similar to emulate XP.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Only if there was no performance loss vs. windows. I'm not opposed to linux at all, but easy, no-fuss gaming is a must.

 

[Bateluer]

Definitely, but there would definitely need to be some things that need refinement before more would follow. Driver installation would be a big one. Gamers update their hardware's drivers almost whenever a new version is released. Currently, this is an indepth process in Linux compared to Windows.

 

[spittledip]

I would drop Windows is a second for Linux if I could game on it with the same ease with which i game on Windows. A hearty YES!

 

[BlueAcolyte]

I already use linux and windows... Now what?

 

[Modelworks]

No.
The reason is I have too much other software that doesn't have a linux equivalent.
Netflix streaming is hard to get working in linux.
Zbrush, 3dsmax etc.

 

[CKent]

I prefer actually using my computer, not spending 95% of my time on it getting it to work and then acting like I'm better than everyone else. God, that describes Mac users too, doesn't it... except for the getting it to work part, I suppose... Anyway, Microsoft and their monopoly aren't the ideal situation, but Windows >>>> Linux by far.

 

[CP5670]

I would stay with Windows. I am used to its UI and programs by now and I haven't been impressed at all by the Linux setups on various university and work machines that I've used.

 

[cheesehead]

Originally posted by: drebo
Nope. Linux is only good for one thing: appliances. Set it up once and forget about it. It doesn't make a good desktop OS. There are simply too many compatibility issues and quirks. Windows may be relatively bloated and constricting, but it needs to be that way in order to maintain proper support of the myriad of different hardware vendors and components that can be used with it.

I've been using Linux exclusively for years on my laptops. And I'm honestly not all that brilliant at using it.

Originally posted by: bearxor

Until someone 'owns' linux and pushes a consistent platform with the mindset to make money on the OS will it start to grab a foothold in the market. People don't care about what's going on in their computer, only what they see on the monitor. BSD-based OS X is a perfect example.

Have you tried the latest version of Ubuntu? It's not there yet, but it's getting very, very close - and unless you have something really weird, drivers are no problem at all.

Originally posted by: Modelworks
No.
The reason is I have too much other software that doesn't have a linux equivalent.
Netflix streaming is hard to get working in linux.
Zbrush, 3dsmax etc.

I find it funny that you mention 3DSMax - Autodesk's Maya is linux native. I would point out that when you get to the professional level, Linux is far and away the most popular choice for 3D animation (although this applies mostly to massive rendering clusters.)

Originally posted by: CKent
I prefer actually using my computer, not spending 95% of my time on it getting it to work and then acting like I'm better than everyone else. God, that describes Mac users too, doesn't it... except for the getting it to work part, I suppose... Anyway, Microsoft and their monopoly aren't the ideal situation, but Windows >>>> Linux by far.

If only because hardware manufacturers don't provide drivers, Linux is still a bit more tricky to install.

However, once installed, Linux is pretty much trouble-free. No weird registry hiccups, no adware, no viruses, no copy protection madness, no nothing. I stuck with XP until Ubuntu had an adequate driver base, but since switching I've never looked back.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: TheVrolok

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
Yes, I use Linux for everything but gaming.

Do you dual boot, or Wine?

Ubuntu x32 (switching back to OpenSUSE once 11.1 comes out, I prefer OpenSUSE, but 11.0 does not work with my hardware properly) and Vista Business x64 dual boot, I have not had good luck with WINE and my games (save Fallout 1).

 

[SunnyD]

I'd play under Linux if X didn't suck so bad and there was a GUI worth mentioning. But playing under OSX, nope. I won't support apple from a PC perspective simply because their platform is closed (even if it is the PC platform!).