Ubuntu and Xubuntu

[xekushnr]

I am clueless. Never heard about these OS's until just recently on here. Yes, I have been out of the loop for a while.

Fill me in! What makes it better than Windows? Does it run faster? Do my applications have to be made for the OS, or can I run Windows programs? Why should I switch?

[theharlequin]

Ubuntu and Xubuntu are distributions of linux. Linux is a lot like UNIX. UNIX/Linux is more stable just by the way its made. Your applications will need to be compatible with the operating system for the most part, BUT there is WINE, a program for linux, which will simulate Windows for different Windows programs. So you can run ubuntu and still run MS Office and Windows games. There is a lot to learn. There are Linux boards around that have beginners sections as well as just google-ing "beginners linux guide"

The big difference is that ubuntu is a more interface oriented, so it looks like XP, where as hardcore UNIX is mostly text based (think dos).

Plus wikipedia is your friend.

[anti_flag_army]

haha i was just coming here to make a thread about how much better it is (i finally got off my lazy *** and installed it, and have been trying to get the hang of it) The look is more streamlined, had some way cool features and i am just all around liking it more.

[Jager]

there is one very big issue with linux/unix that needs to be mentioned. and while ubuntu does a very good job of making it easy, linux is not for the computer illiterate. linux distros with root access can bomb everything. so be careful where you tread and mess with.

also linux is at about diretx 8 or so for games, so most games that are hot releases do NOT run if they are windows only. some games are cross compatible from the companies though quake being an example.

i know many people that dual boot a two partition or two harddrive OS setup with linux for day to day and internet (much less virus issues windows exploits dont work at all in linx ) and game in windows for the titles that arent able to be used in linux.

enjoy the speed boost it is nice :P

[xekushnr]

there is one very big issue with linux/unix that needs to be mentioned. and while ubuntu does a very good job of making it easy, linux is not for the computer illiterate. linux distros with root access can bomb everything. so be careful where you tread and mess with.

also linux is at about diretx 8 or so for games, so most games that are hot releases do NOT run if they are windows only. some games are cross compatible from the companies though quake being an example.

i know many people that dual boot a two partition or two harddrive OS setup with linux for day to day and internet (much less virus issues windows exploits dont work at all in linx ) and game in windows for the titles that arent able to be used in linux.

enjoy the speed boost it is nice :P

Thanks for the advice. I have been using computers since I was about 5, and have been fooling around with them ever since. I have learned most of what I know by screwing with things I shouldnt have, and fixed them out of necessity. I'm sure there is a bit of a learning curve to get used to it (especially since I have only used Windows on my computers) but I'm not too worried about corrupting anything.

I think I probably will dual boot it. I dont think I could completely switch off XP yet, and being able to switch between the two like you said would be great. My buddy ran 95 and Linux way back in the day, and loved being able to use both. Eventually I think he only used Windows to game.

I have also heard of the speed boost, which is GREAT because I am seriously behind the times now with only 512mb of DDR ram. Dont worry though, thats in this years Christmas present to myself

[BoostFab]

I am clueless. Never heard about these OS's until just recently on here. Yes, I have been out of the loop for a while.

Fill me in! What makes it better than Windows? Does it run faster? Do my applications have to be made for the OS, or can I run Windows programs? Why should I switch?

i'm in linux as i'm typing this.

linux is better than windows, very long list, i rather not waste time to list them here. go to distrowatch.com and see a long list of distribution (versions) of linux. with linux you will never have to deal with virus, spyware, etc. the only reason i use windows is there's no other option at work. i use linux at home for many years. downlaod a LiveCD and it let you boot into the cd and a full blown linux OS, not even have to install it.

you don't have to run dual boot, a program in linux call VirtualBox allows you to run windows virtually on top of linux. OR you an use a program call Wine in linux to install Windows apps and games. I have been running Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash, etc in Linux.

even though linux is not as popular on Home use or Desktops like windows, but linux have been long long in the behind the scene doing massive mission critical processing. like 3d render in hollywood (harry potter, lord of the rings, shreck, and may of other ). last but not least, the fastest supercomputer in the world "IBM BLuegene" runs linux.

vista vs ubuntu: (see how primitive/static vista is)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC5uEe5OzNQ

btw. this what linux can do to your desktop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4sFPhqz ... cD82mhkyou know that new Apple Panther OS Cover effects ripped from this Shift plugin
Modified by BoostsFed at 11:43 PM 11/17/2007