Why was I ever afraid of Linux?

[FelixDeCat]

So I left my MSI mobo util disk in the drive and it gave me the option to boot into their version of Linux.

Its kind of funky but not THAT bad!

Im posting from MSI FF Linux install.

 

[HAL9000]

Wait until you get into using Terminal 24/7

Then it will rock your world.

 

[Red Storm]

When modern PC games are Linux compatible, I can gladly make the switch.

 

[Gooberlx2]

MSI provides a custom linux distro on their utility disc? That's kinda nice. Linux is definitely much improved in the last few year from an ease-of-use standpoint. I'd probably stick with a standard distro like Suse or Ubuntu though.

 

[busydude]

When modern PC games are Linux compatible, I can gladly make the switch.

What?

 

[FelixDeCat]

When modern PC games are Linux compatible, I can gladly make the switch.

With the way MS is treating Windows (dumbing it down to the lowest common denominator), you may soon get your wish.

 

[natto fire]

I think I know the reason, but it isn't nice, so I'll keep it to myself.

 

[lozina]

only time i ever used linux was using the bootable KNOPPIX dtstribution for when a windows box crashed and I needed to recover data from the drive.

 

[HAL9000]

I think I know the reason, but it isn't nice, so I'll keep it to myself.

..

He that would keep a secret must keep it secret that he hath a secret to keep

 

[sandorski]

I have never been afraid of it, just extremely annoyed by it.

 

[busydude]

The only reason I use Windows is because I freaking love video games.

 

[FelixDeCat]

I have never been afraid of it, just extremely annoyed by it.

In capitalist America, Linux is annoyed by you!

 

[MichaelD]

Linux, particularly Ubuntu, has come a very long way in the past 5 years. Many years ago I downloaded some distro...I think it's "logo" was a chameleon or something. Anyway, you had to partition the drive from scratch and me not knowing you needed like 5 different paritions to get started, well it took a looong time to get to the desktop. And then the NIC didn't work b/c there was no driver. And then I couldn't get on the network b/c DHCP wasnt' enabled. Etc.

And while that distro did have a GUI, Linux doesnt' keep things like "Control Panel" in the same place Windows does. Took forever to do anything.

Fast forward to roughly 3 years ago when Ubuntu came out with their "Netbook Remix" distro (9.0 or something?). It was awesome. Load it onto a USB stick, boot it and it even gives you the option to install and dual boot w/whatever flavor of Windows you have on there.

I currently dual-boot the latest Netbook Remix and XP on my netbook and it's awesome. Ubuntu was as easy to install as Windows7, autodetected everthing including Wireless.

Still can't do everything on Linux though. I cannot check my work email on Linux...or I'm not smart enough to figure out how. Probably the latter. :hmm:

Linux, particularly Ubuntu is now a viable alternative to Windows in certain situations, IMO.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

Would use linux if I could play video games on it.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I like linux. But I don't run it as a "desktop" os. I run it on my server, and at work we run it on about 10,000 servers. We have a bunch of AIX and SunOS boxes too.

I hate the SunOS boxes since they are ancient and I have to use different syntax for things like xargs and mailx instead of mail ... ohh, and grep -r won't work, and when using head or foot -n is different syntax too ... ugh!! annoying!!!!

 

[MichaelD]

I'm no Command Line expert in Windows (and forget about Linux and Unix!) but GUI's create overhead. It's amazing what you can do with a too-weak-for-Windows old-ass server, when you load Linux on there.

I had a few Linux boxes at my last job. I had a cheat sheet I used whenver I had to do something on them b/c I couldn't remember the CL syntax and Linux is not user friendly at all...not the CL anyway. It doesn't even tell you "Error...command not found" or something like that. It just ignores you. Smarmy bastard, Linux is. LOL!

 

[zoiks]

The only reason I use Windows is because I freaking love video games.

same.

 

[MovingTarget]

I do enjoy linux as an OS, but their programs leave something to be desired. That isn't the fault of the OS though. My main desktop/HTPC runs Windows 7 even though I know I could get the same functionality in linux...but I just don't want to go through and beat it into submission. My laptop is a MBP, so OS X Lion reigns supreme. Windows on laptops is still a PITA from a support perspective, but it has improved dramatically from my days running an IT helpdesk. My next build will run linux though. I'm looking to build a low power consumption/low noise system to do things like host samba shares, run an IRC server, and maybe even Apache. Each OS has its quirks and purpose....but none of them should scare you.

 

[Red Storm]

I'm no Command Line expert in Windows (and forget about Linux and Unix!) but GUI's create overhead. It's amazing what you can do with a too-weak-for-Windows old-ass server, when you load Linux on there.

I had a few Linux boxes at my last job. I had a cheat sheet I used whenver I had to do something on them b/c I couldn't remember the CL syntax and Linux is not user friendly at all...not the CL anyway. It doesn't even tell you "Error...command not found" or something like that. It just ignores you. Smarmy bastard, Linux is. LOL!

Definitely. You wouldn't happen to still have that cheat sheet would you?

 

[Rubycon]

Linux, particularly Ubuntu, has come a very long way in the past 5 years. Many years ago I downloaded some distro...I think it's "logo" was a chameleon or something. .

SUSE?

 

[MovingTarget]

SUSE?

Thats the one.

 

[MichaelD]

Thats the one.

Yep, it was SUSE. It was frustrating to use. I know that many die-hard Linux fans dont' really consider Ubuntu to be "real Linux" b/c it has a really nice GUI. But for guys like me that grew up with Windows 3.1 and on, and used NT at work for years, we need a GUI that brings up lots of Properties windows that we can plug numbers into the little white boxes. :awe:

And no, sorry; I don't have that cheatsheet. It's probably still taped to the lid of the KVM in that rack. LOL!

 

[Away]

I love Linux. Currently running Lucid Lynx on my main desktop.

 

[FelixDeCat]

And no, sorry; I don't have that cheatsheet. It's probably still taped to the lid of the KVM in that rack. LOL!

You could probably make money selling cheat sheets or making Youtube videos about them. I monetize any crazy idea I come up on YT and have made about $60 (so far...they never stop earning). :awe:

 

[Sheep]

Linux, particularly Ubuntu, has come a very long way in the past 5 years.

This.

The last time I tried any flavor of Linux was 4 or 5 years ago. I thought it was a complete mess back then, with knowledgeable users largely unwilling to help or providing help at far too high of a level for a newbie to understand. "RTFM" is not an acceptable response if you actually want to position your OS as a viable alternative.

I tried out a bunch of distros a few weeks ago after reading a thread about which one people preferred here, and actually wound up installing Ubuntu 11.10 on my laptop. I know the hardcore audience hates Unity, but IMO it's what's needed if Linux is ever going to get any mainstream acceptance. For what most people do (email, web, pictures, music and video), 11.10 works perfectly well.