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Thread: Why should I use Linux?

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    Why should I use Linux?

    I'm considering downloading ubuntu as people at work rave about it, but they always talk so fanboyish about it and I'm not getting a balanced view.

    Can anyone articulate the pros and cons of using it? I mainly use my computer in equal split of web browsing, gaming and 3D Modelling.

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    DILLIGAF GoNz0's Avatar
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    Re: Why should I use Linux?

    not many mainstream games work on linux so why bother.

    Capitalization is the difference between helping your Uncle Jack
    off a horse and helping your uncle jack off a horse.

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    mush-mushroom b0redom's Avatar
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    Re: Why should I use Linux?

    Web browsing - no problem
    3D modelling - depends on the package you use
    Gaming - forget it

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    Re: Why should I use Linux?

    As far as 3D modelling goes, I use 3D Studio Max and occasionally do a bit of level design using the Unreal Development Kit. Perhaps I could multi-boot and have the use of both so that I could still use windows for gaming/if I actually hate linux. Although I must ask, what's so "cool and fun" about it? (as a lot of people have been claiming)

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    Re: Why should I use Linux?

    Why don't you download a VM of Ubuntu and try it out without the hassle of having to do a system reinstall. Then you could see for yourself how inadequate for gaming it is but see its other qualities.

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    Re: Why should I use Linux?

    Generally, if you have to ask that question, you shouldn't. If, however, you're curious about how other computer operating systems work then it's worth a crack.

    One thing, Ubuntu will not replace Windows as a gaming machine. Not any time soon anyway. But you can do web browsing with every well known browser and more, and there's no shortage of powerful Linux 3D modelling workstations being sold these days.

    Cons: WINE doesn't offer a complete win32 implimentation, meaning some Windows software will not work at all, much will work but buggy, and some will work flawlessly (generally older windows software works better). Hardware support wont always be perfectly supported, especially for newer hardware, and fringe devices. Some things will need fiddling to make it work.

    Pros: Will always be free (as in beer). The source code for all the software will always be open to public review, enhancements, and bug fixes. Community review means the chance of spyware being embedded will always be virtually nil. Features a fully featured package manager with a vast array of software, all software updates are handled by the package manager. Prompt security fixes, proper reviewed package management, and clear separation between users and system means virus infections are practically unheard of. Virtualisation is catching up all the time, even 3d gaming in a VM is slowly emerging as a reality. Massively powerful shells and commandline software allows unrivalled batch processing power and speed.
    Quote Originally Posted by Agent View Post
    ...every time Creative bring out a new card range their advertising makes it sound like they have discovered a way to insert a thousand Chuck Norris super dwarfs in your ears...

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    Re: Why should I use Linux?

    A VM sounds a good shout...do you know of a good, free-to-use software to use? we use vSphere at work but I'm pretty sure you have to pay for that. That said, I'm building a new computer quite soon so I guess there wouldn't be too much hassle in installing it separately. Plus I've found the connection speed of VMs to be quite slow (my typical experience of using VMs is connecting to a customer's server to investigate a problem)

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    Re: Why should I use Linux?

    I use this one to test stuff:

    VMware player

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    Re: Why should I use Linux?

    Sorry, somehow missed your excellent answer between refreshes aidanjt.

    I've got to say, I am quite curious about how another operating system would work as I've always pondered Mac os but have never had the funds to pursue it.

    I do like the sound of everything being free and community-supported, plus minimal spyware viruses. I may well take the plunge and give it a go and see how far I go before I start hitting my head against a wall (I heard it can be a little frustrating to start with!)

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    Re: Why should I use Linux?

    By the way, I didn't mention in my uses that I do some web development and I currently use a Windows server with ASP.net, but I hear of linux servers for web development too with PHP. Would there be any distinct advantages of using Linux/PHP?

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    Re: Why should I use Linux?

    Quote Originally Posted by Pilgrim_uk View Post
    I use this one to test stuff:

    VMware player
    Thanks a lot for that; it's downloading as I type! Going to give ubuntu a go. It says that the 32-bit version is recommended over the 64-bit version...I assume that there's a lot more support for the 32 bit version?

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    Re: Why should I use Linux?

    Quote Originally Posted by lemony_fresh View Post
    By the way, I didn't mention in my uses that I do some web development and I currently use a Windows server with ASP.net, but I hear of linux servers for web development too with PHP. Would there be any distinct advantages of using Linux/PHP?
    Better performance. Configuration files are copyable, meaning stable and consistent behaviour across deployments. PEAR (PHP Extension and Application Repository) offers a great library of prewritten code for various problems. And there's already thousands of community opensource PHP programmes and frameworks for most problems you'd care to imagine, for you to use or base your own work on. The software is well (and freely) documented and there's a gazillion tutorials on setup and programming only a google away. And compared to Visual Basic, PHP is textual porn (more like C#, only without the giant .Net inheritance scopes).
    Quote Originally Posted by Agent View Post
    ...every time Creative bring out a new card range their advertising makes it sound like they have discovered a way to insert a thousand Chuck Norris super dwarfs in your ears...

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    Re: Why should I use Linux?

    Quote Originally Posted by lemony_fresh View Post
    Thanks a lot for that; it's downloading as I type! Going to give ubuntu a go. It says that the 32-bit version is recommended over the 64-bit version...I assume that there's a lot more support for the 32 bit version?
    It's more to keep things simple for themselves, explaining the difference between an x86 and x86_64 CPU to the layman isn't easy. The rule of thumb is <=4GB of memory use 32bit, >4GB use 64bit. 32bit software will run on a 64bit Linux kernel just fine though.
    Quote Originally Posted by Agent View Post
    ...every time Creative bring out a new card range their advertising makes it sound like they have discovered a way to insert a thousand Chuck Norris super dwarfs in your ears...

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    Re: Why should I use Linux?

    Quote Originally Posted by aidanjt View Post
    Better performance. Configuration files are copyable, meaning stable and consistent behaviour across deployments. PEAR (PHP Extension and Application Repository) offers a great library of prewritten code for various problems. And there's already thousands of community opensource PHP programmes and frameworks for most problems you'd care to imagine, for you to use or base your own work on. The software is well (and freely) documented and there's a gazillion tutorials on setup and programming only a google away. And compared to Visual Basic, PHP is textual porn (more like C#, only without the giant .Net inheritance scopes).
    Looks like I may have to consider a migration in the future!! Well, I'll probably give PHP a try; I'm particularly excited by the prospect of PEAR and checking that out. Microsoft has pretty much been all I've known - it was only a few years ago that I stopped using IE in favour of chrome (too many things seemed to be incompatible with Chrome/firefox before that) so it's going to be pretty exciting checking out other operating systems/web dev tools, etc (I'm still big on C# mind). Anyway if PHP becomes my thing then I'll have a bit of a decision to make in June when my web hosting package is up for renewal!

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    Re: Why should I use Linux?

    Quote Originally Posted by aidanjt View Post
    It's more to keep things simple for themselves, explaining the difference between an x86 and x86_64 CPU to the layman isn't easy. The rule of thumb is <=4GB of memory use 32bit, >4GB use 64bit. 32bit software will run on a 64bit Linux kernel just fine though.
    Thanks...if it's nothing to do with the 64-bit version being less supported then I'll go 64-bit :-)

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    Re: Why should I use Linux?

    Quote Originally Posted by lemony_fresh View Post
    Anyway if PHP becomes my thing then I'll have a bit of a decision to make in June when my web hosting package is up for renewal!
    Oh yeah I forgot this one, most LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, & PHP) hosting is cheaper, too.
    Quote Originally Posted by Agent View Post
    ...every time Creative bring out a new card range their advertising makes it sound like they have discovered a way to insert a thousand Chuck Norris super dwarfs in your ears...

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