What keeps you from being 100% Linux (or other non-Windows)

[kamper]

Originally posted by: Smilin

Originally posted by: kamper
I don't want to nitpick your entire post, I just made a flippant, off-hand remark about two sentences. But given your position and the fact that this is a thread specifically about replacing microsoft software with open source stuff, did you really expect not to generate much traffic?

First, sorry I jumped your sh1t.

Second, yea it's one of those threads that starts out facing down hill regarless of where it ends up. This is an almost religious debate so any two people could go back and forth point by point *forever*.

What I would *like* to see (unlikely to happen) are standalone opinions on the topic. It's probably the only way the sharing of ideas on this topic will remain constructive. Any point and counter point will degenerate into a war of attrition and the winner will be the one left standing after all the sensible people have given up.

Anyone want to place bets on the maximum depth that the nested quotes reach in this thread? We're up to like 3 or 4 now. hehe.

Damn, I was actually interested in this debate. And the ones where people start off by flaming but then actually start making points are usually the best; we were just getting there... But yeah, we're way off Robor's original topic (sorry ).

Edit: btw, your line about "winner will be the one left standing after all the sensible people have given up." is absolutely hilarious. I'm considering sigging it :laugh:

 

[Smilin]

Oh don't get me wrong. I love *intelligent* debate especially with Windows & Linux guys who are wise enough to know both sides have merit. With this thread we just gotta keep in mind that it's one of those things were you won't truly change the mind of the guy on the other side. We also gotta keep in mind that the topic is so broad that it's easy for one side or the other to start "winning" by merely bringing up one tiny point out of the broad spectrum where they are correct.

For instance:
Windows guy pulls ahead with: "(pick some app he likes) just doesn't run right in WINE".
Linux guy says: terminal server licensing sucks. Dang!!

See, just so broad that it makes everybody right & wrong about *something*. Kinda like liberals and conservatives over on P&N.

I just forsee such circumstances resulting into point by point fencing where the click clack of epees and quotes gets so deep that it turns into *work*
I'm a lazy bastard so I'll lose. That big spew I did earlier was about all I was willing to do

 

[nweaver]

I would say I'm fair to middlin on both Linux and Windows....

I can whip up a linux box with multiple services in no time flat

I can (breaking best practices) install 2k3 and get it into domain mode with exchange and full network services in no time flat too


I can also fix both when the break....


to quote Adam from MythBusters "I reject your reality and substitute my own"

 

[jonessoda]

Currently, sound is the only thing keeping me from running only a Linux PC. My laptop, running Ubuntu, doesn't have operational sound due to a driver issue, which is reportedly fixed in Edgy (I was told this by a dev-team member; it's apparently a known issue with my particular model, Acer Aspire 5670, and he says he coded in the fix). My Windows PC, however, works very well for sound.

I've finally figured out how to use Wifi on my Ubuntu laptop; bluetooth is unnecessary and anyway, that apparently works. I've used Opera and OpenOffice for years. I learned 3D on Blender (although I don't use that much). Pretty much, the only thing I really will be paying for in the future is hardware; I've embraced open-source and other free software as much as I can.

Edit: don't get me wrong, Windows has its place, and if I built a media center PC, I'd probably run it with Windows to avoid any driver conflicts. Also, when I get back into gaming (i. e. when Spore and the new HL expansions come out), I'll be glad to have a Windows box.

 

[Eos]

I could easily run a Mac for BT, web, e-mail, etc right now. I'd keep my Windows machine off the web for my favorite applications like Goldwave, Total Recorder, Bulk File Rename, Folder Print.

I'm lazy, though. This may or may not ever happen.

 

[Maximilian]

1. Games

2. Things working easily without my intervention

3. Hardware support... suppose thats kinda the same as number 2.

4. So used to the windows interface i couldnt be bothered learning a new one. Start menu forever!

 

[Pabster]

1. Lack of drivers for a lot of modern hardware (please, no "it isn't the OSS community's fault" responses, that isn't the point here.)
2. Software. Most of the OSS software just plain sucks (IMHO) and having to literally download the software in 3 or 4 different package formats for various distros is a PITA.
3. Gaming. No serious gamer would even consider Linux...unless you like citing a 10-year old game as proof of being able to game!

I'm no Microsoft fan, but until something better comes along...

 

[judasmachine]

all my games/software. i know it's pathetic, but i've invested quite a bit of money into the mountain of CDs I have, and 90% of them are Win only. I did rid myself of Office, and started using OO.

 

[drag]

Well part of the solution for most of what you guys want with Linux is that you just have to purchase a Linux machine from the outset instead of getting random stuff and trying to get it to work.

Of course I've never ran into anything I couldn't get working, but sometimes it's a huge pain and I know that if I started using Linux I couldn't get a lot of stuff to work either.

There are a few Linux hardware vendors, but I've noticed this one standing out:
http://www.system76.com/

Get a system from them and you will get everything working 100% out of the box. Very similar to the Mac were you plug it in and go. Not so much big gaming machines, but they have a couple small form factor things that look nice. Even wireless and all your multimedia buttons would would out of the box.

Of course that stuff will work with Windows, but they don't offer windows at all. But installing windows won't void the warrentee or anything like that.


For games it's much more difficult. Win32 + DirectX compatability layers for Linux are only so-so. You have Cedega and Wine and such.

For Cedega if you want to use it don't muck around with the various tarballs and such, just buy the software subscription and you get the nice GUI to install and manage your Windows games.

There are a small amount of propriatory commercial games for Linux. A few open source games that are interesting.
There are gaming websites.. My favorites are:
http://happypenguin.org/
http://www.linux-gamers.net/
http://www.linuxgames.com/

Of course I suggest checking out free software games..

Some lists of games:
http://debianlinux.net/games.html
http://icculus.org/lgfaq/gamelist.php
A lot of them are dead, a lot of them are in early development. Probably half are done enough you can play them and enjoy it.

Most are small little 2d project games. Some are pretty impressive 3d games.

Some of the little 2d games are quite good. For instance 'BlobWars: Metal Blob Solid' is a 2d scroller shoot-em-up. Very simple graphics (your just a solid round yellow ball with a headband and a gun), but very addictive and solid.

If you ever wanted to make a game this sort of thing kicks ass. Get to contribute code and models and ideas and such. Of course if you want to play all your new Windows games this is not so kick-ass. Probably one option for people is simply go out and play console titles. Xbox360 or Wii or PS3. Hell get a PS3 and install Linux on it, there is already one distro that is going to support it.

Not trying to convert anybody. Just letting you know what is out there.

Also the vast majority of these games run on Windows just fine so it's not like you can't try them out right now and maybe you'll find something you'll like. Also if you have a second machine that is slower or something most of these are designed to run well on modest hardware.