How You Know When It’s Time to Switch to Linux

Being · 12-29-2010, 10:55 AM

How You Know When It?s Time to Switch to Linux - PCWorld Business Center

Quote:

It's easy to be content with your computer installation as long as it keeps doing what you want it to without too much trouble. When frequent problems arise, however, it's hard to remain faithful for long.
The majority of the computing world "grows up" on Windows, of course, since Microsoft's operating system still holds by far the largest share of the market. Not everyone stays there, however.

Growing numbers, in fact, are switching to Linux every day, and for good reasons. How do you know when it's time to switch to Linux? Here are just a few (mostly) serious signs.
1. You're Tired of Paying for Software

You wake up one day and realize you're tired of paying for an operating system that's more bogged down with bugs than most alpha builds are. What, exactly, are you paying for here? Then, of course, there's also all the antivirus software you have to buy to keep it running. With Linux, on the other hand, countless developers around the world are working around the clock to keep the 100 percent free operating system at the head of its class.
2. You're Tired of Upgrading Hardware
If you find yourself upgrading perfectly good hardware just because resource-hungry Windows demands it, you might be using the wrong operating system.
3. You're Tired of Malware

Your older hardware probably still is fundamentally pretty good; too bad there's all that malware dragging it down. Thanks for sharing that love, Windows! Note to Microsoft: a stronger permissions system would have been a lot better, just FYI.
4. You've Seen One Too Many Patch Tuesdays

You've experienced your share of Patch Tuesday repair efforts, and they aren't getting any more fun. In fact, they're getting worse. It wouldn't be so bad if you didn't know how long the bugs had been there, flapping in the breeze, before they finally got fixed.
5. You Don't Have the Time

Who among us doesn't enjoy spending hours at a time scanning for viruses and spyware and defragmenting? Well, probably all of us don't enjoy that, actually. Then, too, there's all that unplanned downtime. Don't we have other things to do?
6. You Like Speed

If Windows' boot speed were faster, when would you make your coffee? Right. Sadly, that argument doesn't quite cut it anymore.
7. You Like Sharing

Your business associate in Berlin tried to send you an .ODP file--based on the international standard file format--but PowerPoint wouldn't read it properly. So much for interoperability.

8. You Don't Actually Love Internet Explorer

It's no accident Internet Explorer's market share is slipping, and vulnerabilities are a big part of it. Then, too, there's the monoculture effect making it all worse.
9. You Want to Be in Control

It's no longer fun waiting to see when Microsoft will fix bugs, or what new features it will come out with. You're ready to start driving changes like that yourself.
10. You're One of a Kind

Though it can be altered in very small, superficial ways, Windows can't hold a candle to Linux when it comes to customizability. Are you just another face in the crowd? Of course not, and Linux recognizes that.
Is Linux perfect? Certainly not. But it is a lot better than Windows in so many ways. Isn't it time for you to finally make the switch?

Flamingnun · 12-29-2010, 11:02 AM

Fuck linux.

Being · 12-29-2010, 11:18 AM

lulz, i knew the fanboys would be out in style

Flamingnun · 12-29-2010, 11:20 AM

Bit ironic to say that considering the nature of the OP, no?

my_scatterheart · 12-29-2010, 11:26 AM

Do ppl actually use IE?

Being · 12-29-2010, 11:32 AM

judging by that pic, you've never used linux.

this is literally three years old and still kills most other OS's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC5uEe5OzNQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qR591lh5Ow

Mikey · 12-29-2010, 11:41 AM

^ if you ffwd towards the end linux looks pretty cool

and and yeah isnt everyone using firefox?

i just feel like itd be way too hard to install it

Being · 12-29-2010, 11:45 AM

you can always try it out. with Linux you can download the OS, burn it to a CD/DVD and run it from the cd before you actually install it.

Flamingnun · 12-29-2010, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Being

judging by that pic, you've never used linux.

Uh...

Linux is cool if you like things over complicated. And flashy desktops.

Mikey · 12-29-2010, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Being

you can always try it out. with Linux you can download the OS, burn it to a CD/DVD and run it from the cd before you actually install it.

really? where

Being · 12-29-2010, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Being

judging by that pic, you've never used linux.

again.

Ubuntu homepage | Ubuntu

Just follow the directions, pretty easy actually

adventure · 12-29-2010, 12:23 PM

I will switch when i find time to figure it all out, my buddy swears by Ubuntu. I like playing with it but, i prefer to keep my head in the sand for now.

farmergiles · 12-29-2010, 12:37 PM

I can see some attractions to linux but

1. I havn't paid for any software for years, shareware and piracy does me fine thankyou.
2. All my hardware comes from computers friends threw away, runs xp pro fine- I would have had to buy bigger hard drives anyway even if used linux
3. I never get malware, the free virus and malware protection I installed works just fine, never had any problems whatsoever (touch wood).
5 .I just do virus scans and updates while I'm not there, beauty of computers really.
7. Most windows stuff can be compatible with a little ingenuity, there are a lot of different linux versions with varying degrees of compatibilty
8. Who on earth uses Explorer?

Also-
11. I want to use Reason and which is not compatible with linux.

myxomatosis · 12-29-2010, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my_scatterheart

Do ppl actually use IE?

Old people.

Being · 12-29-2010, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmergiles

Also-
11. I want to use Reason and which is not compatible with linux.

WineHQ - Run Windows applications on Linux, BSD, Solaris and Mac OS X

You are one of the lucky ones I guess. I've had to fix three peoples Windows computers in the past two weeks (one was only a week old) due to viruses and trojans. both had antivirus paid for and installed and updated (one was norton, one was mcaffe, one was another company)

But, if its not broke, don't fix it, so by all means, stick with windows.

farmergiles · 12-29-2010, 01:03 PM

If you're running a music synth or sequencer, emulation can be a bad idea- it's basically another layer of stuff which can often result in glitches.
I've thought about it quite a lot- some of my friends are linux freaks and after discussion with them I decided not to.

If it weren't for incompatibility issues I probably would switch.

Sir-Ex · 12-29-2010, 01:11 PM

I use internet explorer.

Because, say it with me now, I don't give a fuck.

Yahooka looks green and porno looks naked either way.

Sir-Ex · 12-29-2010, 01:12 PM

also i've never paid for windows and i dont know anyone who has.

HTAM · 12-29-2010, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flamingnun

Bit ironic to say that considering the nature of the OP, no?

lulz

Hawking is in a wheelchair.

Linux must be the 'Hawking' of OS.

Roach · 12-29-2010, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Do ppl actually use IE?

a modified version running thru tor, tho firefox works...the many plugins I use with it cause it to crash constantly, mostly the adobe plugins are the problem.

12-29-2010, 11:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
Flamingnun Shpadoinkle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: roflmao Posts: 17,491 Thanks: 1,046 Thanked 2,633 Times in 1,185 Posts	Fuck linux. __________________

12-29-2010, 11:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
Flamingnun Shpadoinkle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: roflmao Posts: 17,491 Thanks: 1,046 Thanked 2,633 Times in 1,185 Posts	Bit ironic to say that considering the nature of the OP, no? __________________

12-29-2010, 11:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
my_scatterheart Today, I am alive. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 3,553 Thanks: 1,487 Thanked 3,328 Times in 1,870 Posts	Do ppl actually use IE? __________________ Be mindful even if your mind is full. -J. De La Vega

12-29-2010, 11:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
Mikey Seasoned YaHookan Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: gulf islands bc Posts: 7,443 Thanks: 1,144 Thanked 2,246 Times in 1,475 Posts	^ if you ffwd towards the end linux looks pretty cool and and yeah isnt everyone using firefox? i just feel like itd be way too hard to install it __________________ RIP Gov

12-29-2010, 12:23 PM	#12 (permalink)
adventure Adventure its good Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 4,742 Thanks: 1,852 Thanked 1,467 Times in 1,093 Posts	I will switch when i find time to figure it all out, my buddy swears by Ubuntu. I like playing with it but, i prefer to keep my head in the sand for now. __________________ Coming Full Range

12-29-2010, 12:37 PM	#13 (permalink)
farmergiles Yahookan Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sick of the hatred and the lies Posts: 7,807 Thanks: 2,285 Thanked 3,750 Times in 2,554 Posts	I can see some attractions to linux but 1. I havn't paid for any software for years, shareware and piracy does me fine thankyou. 2. All my hardware comes from computers friends threw away, runs xp pro fine- I would have had to buy bigger hard drives anyway even if used linux 3. I never get malware, the free virus and malware protection I installed works just fine, never had any problems whatsoever (touch wood). 5 .I just do virus scans and updates while I'm not there, beauty of computers really. 7. Most windows stuff can be compatible with a little ingenuity, there are a lot of different linux versions with varying degrees of compatibilty 8. Who on earth uses Explorer? Also- 11. I want to use Reason and which is not compatible with linux. __________________ Cultivate a stoic calmness *Fuck the Monkeys* Every Kind of Vice

12-29-2010, 01:03 PM	#16 (permalink)
farmergiles Yahookan Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sick of the hatred and the lies Posts: 7,807 Thanks: 2,285 Thanked 3,750 Times in 2,554 Posts	If you're running a music synth or sequencer, emulation can be a bad idea- it's basically another layer of stuff which can often result in glitches. I've thought about it quite a lot- some of my friends are linux freaks and after discussion with them I decided not to. If it weren't for incompatibility issues I probably would switch. __________________ Cultivate a stoic calmness *Fuck the Monkeys* Every Kind of Vice

12-29-2010, 01:11 PM	#17 (permalink)
Sir-Ex Learner Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 11,416 Thanks: 1,726 Thanked 3,821 Times in 2,258 Posts	I use internet explorer. Because, say it with me now, I don't give a fuck. Yahooka looks green and porno looks naked either way. __________________ Smile Ditch the cigs!!!!!!

12-29-2010, 01:12 PM	#18 (permalink)
Sir-Ex Learner Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 11,416 Thanks: 1,726 Thanked 3,821 Times in 2,258 Posts	also i've never paid for windows and i dont know anyone who has. __________________ Smile Ditch the cigs!!!!!!

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