Linux v Windows

[Rawze]

(02-20-2016 )Pinetown Wrote:  Hi Guys,

I get the impression that the knowledgeable people here use Linux(Ubuntu) or similar to work their "Black Magic"
Can someone tell me what are the advantages of this?
I have a couple of computers that I do diagnostics with and I know from experience that certain programs
will only run on XP while others can run on WIN 7 and very few on WIN10 and then there is the 64 v 32 bit challenge.......all in all its an added pain in the ass to someone whose head is already pounding from trying to understand all this stuff.
Does Linux take away these headaches.???
Mike.

Not using Linux....

* Try buying a new computer with the latest hardware, then install old Windows 3 on it. -- its not going to happen.

* Try buying a new computer with the latest hardware, then install Win-XP on it. -- its not going to happen.

* Try to stop the backdoors and microsft and verisign spyware built into any OS newer than XP. -- its not going to happen.

* Try browsing the www on the same computer your doing engines with on any version of windows without high risk of getting virus. -- its not going to happen.

* try running multiple instances of the same operating system, or multiple operating systems at the same time, being able to switch between them while they are running simultaneously, all within the same computer. -- its not going to happen, or if you get it to, it will be slow as hell.

== there are some drawbacks to using linux...

* Linux is very similar to windows and most programs are point and click, but -- Linux also has a terminal window (Micorsft does to, but no one uses it).

* You will have to learn to use your keyboard/terminal window to install most software, like in the older days of computing. there really is not much need for it unless your installing new stuff though. Having to type in commands to install stuff is why people do not like it. Installing something and getting it set up can be frustrating for new users, and it is hardly ever point and click. After the install process is finished though, everything else you do in linux becomes just as easy as windows was. Most users never use the terminal unless they are installing something. That is another reason why linux is so much more secure and less prone to virus, etc. too. High level commands are required to allow linux to install things to the OS. With windows, you click on a webpage, downloading a file, then it installs without any type of security. With linux, there is really no "downloading" of programs off the web. That is rare. Instead, you find what software you would like to use, open a terminal window, and type the command or commands to install it. The install command will download it for you from a repository that has already been set up and tested throughout the community.

* Overall it is different form windows, and you will have to learn something new, but it is certainly not more complex. - Just different. Most people actually think its easier than windows after they get used to it.

* You still need a virtual (emulated) windows environment to run engine software. Since linux excels in virtualization, this is not a problem.

* You don't have to worry about a virus on every webpage click, so you won't be able to buy your wife a new copy of anti-virus software for Christmas. What a bummer!

* You will not have to worry about letting your friend browse the web and getting you a virus by accident. Well, that is unless you have installed skype to linux. That is its only real weakness, because microsft wrote most of skype and they want to spy on linux users too. NEVER ever ever install skype for linux. use a virtual environment and isolate it if you have to use skype. - Linux excels at emulation and virtualization.

* You won't have to have crack programs and have keygens for linux software. 99% of Every software you will run is already free and works great.

* Your computer will run much much faster without all the bloatware windows has in it. This might be a problem if you are slow and like to drink coffe and chat with others while waiting on tasks to finish.

* You will not have to reset your computer all the time like you do with windows after something crashes. Now you will not have an excuse to run off to the restroom while waiting for a re-boot.

* people will accuse you of being some kind of computer geek because you have linux and not windows. - Shhhh, don't tell them its easier to run. Let them think your a geek!.

* many many devices such as DVD and Multimedia players run on linux. Are they difficult to operate?
* Apple computers OS is base on linux (their own version of it). Are they hard to run?
* Android phones run on linux. Are they hard to operate?

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I am not trying to convince anyone to switch to linux. there are a lot of good windows-7 machines that will work just fine for engine software, etc. and if that is all it is going to be used for (recomended), then leave windows on it by all means. For all else though, and all other computers, I will always recommend linux 10 to 1 over windows. it is simply better overall, and less prone to getting virus or problems.

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