benefits of linux, what makes you use it?

**kris23** · Oct 6, 2008, 02:08 AM

hey guys!

well...... even though i know plenty about windows...

i R teh total NEWB @ da linux

im thinking of downloading and using one on my system just to mess with,

so what do you guys use it for and why? and what do you recommend as a good thing to start with?

H3X4D3C1M4L · Oct 7, 2008, 06:42 PM

There's really no best way to do it, there's the easy way and the frustrating way :P

You can try building Gentoo completely from source if you like.... you'll learn alot of things about how and why Linux works, but it will most likely be frustrating trying to get it all work.

You can use Ubuntu, which is a simple boot and install (even does a repartition and multiboot setup for you with two clicks), but you'll have to start poking around alot more to learn the nitty gritty.

To be honest, I'd go with option 2. You'll learn enough about how the basic things in *nix work without having to go through the pain and suffering.

As to what to use it for, in my opinion, you can use Linux for most everything except gaming (and even that is steadily improving). Windows will probably be the better platform to play 3D games on but you can do everything else under Linux with minimal effort.

rebel07 · Oct 11, 2008, 01:09 PM

why because it tolaly free OS,APPLICATION..
it more secure and virus,spyware,adware,trojan... free
and you can customized in the way you want to and its opensourced

and you can used for your daily work or entertament time without gaming

try ubuntu or opensuse they are easy and work smoothly

however i heared that big companys like IBM AND GOOGLE uses linux

khelben1979 · Oct 17, 2008, 06:22 PM

Using Linux gives me a big feeling of relief, once it's installed. Rock solid and FAST.

RIV@NVX · Oct 17, 2008, 09:19 PM

Also, to mention some more, two good things about it are flexibility, and centralized software repositories.

I actually dual boot on desktop and use only Linux on laptop.

blibbax · Oct 17, 2008, 11:34 PM

Any version of Ubuntu (from Xubuntu to Ubuntu Studio) will provide you with an easy step into Linux with less hassle even than a Windows installtion.

You can start getting braver as you become more experienced.

SaberZ · Nov 11, 2008, 11:17 PM

I actually made the full switch to Ubuntu over a month ago and have been loving it. No more Vista slow down, no having to worry about malware(for the most part) or Viruses(again for the most part). I used Wubi(installs in Windows so you remove it when you dont want linux anymore) it basically creates a partition for you, lets you access the Windows partition etc and use it like its a normal linux install. When you boot up it loads the Windows boot loader to choose which OS.

The ubuntu community is fantastic and usually has information concerning what you are looking for. I play games just fine using it as well, Wine lets me run World Of Warcraft with ZERO issues and it actually runs far better than it did under vista(go opengl!). There is also another application called CrossOver that lets you emulate some windows apps as well and is backed by support(this is a paid version) and Wine is the free version. You can do quite abit, don't mean to talk up a storm but think you should give it a shot, you will learn a lot and possibly appreciate what the open source community is all about =)

System specs below are wrong btw, but it did run fine on that laptop as well:

Using a Dell Vostro 1500 with Geforce 8600M GT, excellent support for nvidia products!

blibbax · Feb 2, 2009, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monalisaparker

Some of the benefits of Linux are:

(1) Low cost
(2) Stability
(3) Performance
(4) Network friendliness and security
(5) Flexibility
(6) Compatibility
(7) Choice
(8) Fast and easy installations
(9) Multitasking
(10) Open source

Mmmm thread resurection (drools).

Good points though, the only one I'd disagree with is mutitasking, where my PC seems to have significantly better RAM management under Vista than Xubuntu or Ubuntu.

khelben1979 · Feb 2, 2009, 04:14 PM

Debian is actually far more memory efficient than Ubuntu. So if you need an operating system which is better in this regard too, then go for Debian!

blibbax · Feb 2, 2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khelben1979

Debian is actually far more memory efficient than Ubuntu. So if you need an operating system which is better in this regard too, then go for Debian!

TY for the tip, I've been meaning to go through all the popular distros for some time, but I haven't got round to it. Debian seems to be one of the most highly regarded though.

Mac Daddy · Feb 3, 2009, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blibbax

Mmmm thread resurection (drools).

Good points though, the only one I'd disagree with is mutitasking, where my PC seems to have significantly better RAM management under Vista than Xubuntu or Ubuntu.

I disagree on stability regarding Ubuntu but it depends what you are doing with it. Overclocking I found using 2 systems here with XP (32 bit), Vista (64 bit and 32 bit) and Ubuntu 8.04 (64 and 32 bit) that Ubuntu became unstable much sooner than the others (64 and 32 bit).

But this is just regarding overclocking and could be due too my setups here ...

Al_Vampyre · Feb 3, 2009, 10:53 AM

I use it on my HTPC for two reasons;

1 - It's free
2 - MythTV

charm_quark · Feb 12, 2009, 10:18 AM

its functions (in shell) are better(not necessarily easy),, better security features that windows,,, but i'm a noob so i use it in a virtual machine..

khelben1979 · Feb 12, 2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac Daddy

I disagree on stability regarding Ubuntu but it depends what you are doing with it. Overclocking I found using 2 systems here with XP (32 bit), Vista (64 bit and 32 bit) and Ubuntu 8.04 (64 and 32 bit) that Ubuntu became unstable much sooner than the others (64 and 32 bit).

But this is just regarding overclocking and could be due too my setups here ...

I have tested Ubuntu Hardy and Intrepid and from my short experience by using these two versions I experienced them to be unstable. Since Ubuntu is based on Debian unstable this could explain why, also.

I've never liked Ubuntu myself, but their forum is excellent and I'm a member there myself and try to help out as much as I can. After all Ubuntu is still Linux and since I favour Linux over Windows, even Ubuntu feels more interesting to me.

Mac Daddy · Feb 12, 2009, 01:28 PM

I still use 32 bit and 64 bit Ubuntu it's nice and light and fairly quick as long as your not O/Cing as I mentioned. On the Cele rig here is how the 3 OS's measured up on max O/C stable. (from 2.6G)

1) Windows XP SP3 (32 bit) - 3.6G
2) Vista Ultimate SP1 (32 bit) - 3.3G
3) Ubuntu Linux 8.10 (32 bit) - 3.1G

Cow_160483 · Feb 12, 2009, 03:12 PM

Just installed it(linux) and so far so good !

Mac Daddy · Feb 13, 2009, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cow_160483

Just installed it(linux) and so far so good !

Cool feedback and let us know how it works for ya

charm_quark · Feb 13, 2009, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cow_160483

Just installed it(linux) and so far so good !

yah rite he like's it,,, havin us do all the hard work....... while he's sitting and gamin on the other hand.......

Mac Daddy · Feb 14, 2009, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charm_quark

yah rite he like's it,,, havin us do all the hard work....... while he's sitting and gamin on the other hand.......

????

charm_quark · Feb 16, 2009, 10:02 AM

cow like it when it's working

... and when it doesn't he call's us in (me and dawgxdenta)...... rite now i'm not really sure if he sticks to his original opinion ;-)

Mac Daddy · Feb 16, 2009, 01:14 PM

Ahh gotcha lol

Partizan · Feb 16, 2009, 04:04 PM

That's what friends are for

charm_quark · Feb 17, 2009, 11:02 AM

Cow_160483 · Feb 17, 2009, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charm_quark

cow like it when it's working

... and when it doesn't he call's us in (me and dawgxdenta)...... rite now i'm not really sure if he sticks to his original opinion ;-)

lol thats why i like you guys i can just sit back and get things done

Any way the real problem i have with linux is that its really hard to get some of the hardware to work well, for example my sound card was giving me a hard time and after a really long time and hours on the net sorted that out, and now its the graphics card

Mac Daddy · Feb 17, 2009, 01:28 PM

I have had a few driver issues here and there with Ubuntu but that has always been the issue with Linux and it's not really the fault of Linux.

Everyone rushes to make drivers for the shiny new MS operating systems whether they are any good or not and Linux takes a back seat *shrugs*

Cow_160483 · Feb 23, 2009, 08:51 AM

that's so true but sad coz linus is so good much faster than windows

dawgXdenta · Feb 23, 2009, 09:09 AM

It will change boys, it will change

Liqourice · Mar 1, 2009, 09:09 PM

I've played around with Linux since 1997. Started out with RedHat5.1 on my Amiga 4000, moved on to 5.2 and then came to a dead stop, until I discovered Debian, the only dist that was still developed for m68k.

Ever since then I've been using Debian, both on the Amiga and on my PC's. It isn't as easy as using Ubuntu, which is based on Debian, but it isn't as hard as going at it with gentoo. It's a good dist to learn things from, how it's built, how it works and how to make things happen the way you want. That's what I prefer with using Debian over Ubuntu as well, I can set it up in so many different ways and I can control it in a different fashion... and it makes me feel more "at home" with my Amiga background.

So, for someone who wants to learn a little bit more about linux than just having a working OS I recommend Debian. For someone who just wants something that works and doesn't need a lot of manual configuration I suggest either Ubuntu or OpenSUSE.

Zardon · Mar 1, 2009, 10:10 PM

Yeah ive played around with almost every distro available on a "test rig" i have as I love operating systems and all that goes with them. There are so many distros with strengths and weaknesses that it become a real challenge to recommend the right one for everyone. Ubuntu would be my first recommendation and even though its limited to the hard core users its a good first OS if you want to try your hand at a linux build.

personally I prefer unix, but I spent a lot of my adult life using it and when Apple moved to a version of it with OSX, I was very happy.

Mac Daddy · Mar 1, 2009, 10:28 PM

Funny you mentioned that Z Unix is what I learned in the 80's in college. Getting used to Linux for me is new yet a refresher of Unix in some cases as well. I learned to program in Pascal and C on Unix based systems.

Oct 6, 2008, 02:08 AM	#1
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5,990 Rep Power: 121 System Specs	benefits of linux, what makes you use it? hey guys! well...... even though i know plenty about windows... i R teh total NEWB @ da linux im thinking of downloading and using one on my system just to mess with, so what do you guys use it for and why? and what do you recommend as a good thing to start with? __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Oct 7, 2008, 06:42 PM	#2
H3X4D3C1M4L DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 6,794 Rep Power: 0	Re: benefits of linux, what makes you use it? There's really no best way to do it, there's the easy way and the frustrating way :P You can try building Gentoo completely from source if you like.... you'll learn alot of things about how and why Linux works, but it will most likely be frustrating trying to get it all work. You can use Ubuntu, which is a simple boot and install (even does a repartition and multiboot setup for you with two clicks), but you'll have to start poking around alot more to learn the nitty gritty. To be honest, I'd go with option 2. You'll learn enough about how the basic things in *nix work without having to go through the pain and suffering. As to what to use it for, in my opinion, you can use Linux for most everything except gaming (and even that is steadily improving). Windows will probably be the better platform to play 3D games on but you can do everything else under Linux with minimal effort.

Oct 11, 2008, 01:09 PM	#3
rebel07 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	Re: benefits of linux, what makes you use it? why because it tolaly free OS,APPLICATION.. it more secure and virus,spyware,adware,trojan... free and you can customized in the way you want to and its opensourced and you can used for your daily work or entertament time without gaming try ubuntu or opensuse they are easy and work smoothly however i heared that big companys like IBM AND GOOGLE uses linux

Oct 17, 2008, 06:22 PM	#4
khelben1979 DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sweden Posts: 72 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: benefits of linux, what makes you use it? Using Linux gives me a big feeling of relief, once it's installed. Rock solid and FAST.

Oct 17, 2008, 09:19 PM	#5
RIV@NVX Freedom is a feature. Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Croatia, Rijeka Posts: 4,476 Rep Power: 67 System Specs	Re: benefits of linux, what makes you use it? Also, to mention some more, two good things about it are flexibility, and centralized software repositories. I actually dual boot on desktop and use only Linux on laptop. __________________ -- Vedran

Oct 17, 2008, 11:34 PM	#6
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 3,679 Rep Power: 169 System Specs	Re: benefits of linux, what makes you use it? Any version of Ubuntu (from Xubuntu to Ubuntu Studio) will provide you with an easy step into Linux with less hassle even than a Windows installtion. You can start getting braver as you become more experienced.

Nov 11, 2008, 11:17 PM	#7
SaberZ -Android Fanatic- Join Date: May 2003 Location: North Jersey Posts: 453 Rep Power: 56 System Specs	Re: benefits of linux, what makes you use it? I actually made the full switch to Ubuntu over a month ago and have been loving it. No more Vista slow down, no having to worry about malware(for the most part) or Viruses(again for the most part). I used Wubi(installs in Windows so you remove it when you dont want linux anymore) it basically creates a partition for you, lets you access the Windows partition etc and use it like its a normal linux install. When you boot up it loads the Windows boot loader to choose which OS. The ubuntu community is fantastic and usually has information concerning what you are looking for. I play games just fine using it as well, Wine lets me run World Of Warcraft with ZERO issues and it actually runs far better than it did under vista(go opengl!). There is also another application called CrossOver that lets you emulate some windows apps as well and is backed by support(this is a paid version) and Wine is the free version. You can do quite abit, don't mean to talk up a storm but think you should give it a shot, you will learn a lot and possibly appreciate what the open source community is all about =) System specs below are wrong btw, but it did run fine on that laptop as well: Using a Dell Vostro 1500 with Geforce 8600M GT, excellent support for nvidia products! __________________ SaberZ- -Vostro 1500 w/Windows 7 x64 -Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4ghz (Penryn) -320GB WD Scorpio 7200 RPM HDD -4GB Patriot DDR2 800 (2x2GB) -Nvidia 8600M GT 256 Last edited by SaberZ; Nov 11, 2008 at 11:24 PM.

Feb 2, 2009, 04:14 PM	#9
khelben1979 DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sweden Posts: 72 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: benefits of linux, what makes you use it? Debian is actually far more memory efficient than Ubuntu. So if you need an operating system which is better in this regard too, then go for Debian!

Feb 3, 2009, 10:53 AM	#12
Al_Vampyre HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,532 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	Re: benefits of linux, what makes you use it? I use it on my HTPC for two reasons; 1 - It's free 2 - MythTV

Feb 12, 2009, 10:18 AM	#13
charm_quark incognito Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: BoTsWaNa Posts: 2,415 Rep Power: 130	Re: benefits of linux, what makes you use it? its functions (in shell) are better(not necessarily easy),, better security features that windows,,, but i'm a noob so i use it in a virtual machine..

Feb 12, 2009, 01:28 PM	#15
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 78 System Specs	Re: benefits of linux, what makes you use it? I still use 32 bit and 64 bit Ubuntu it's nice and light and fairly quick as long as your not O/Cing as I mentioned. On the Cele rig here is how the 3 OS's measured up on max O/C stable. (from 2.6G) 1) Windows XP SP3 (32 bit) - 3.6G 2) Vista Ultimate SP1 (32 bit) - 3.3G 3) Ubuntu Linux 8.10 (32 bit) - 3.1G __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

Feb 12, 2009, 03:12 PM	#16
Cow_160483 HH's only cow moooooo... Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: BOTSWANA Posts: 6,687 Rep Power: 280 System Specs	Re: benefits of linux, what makes you use it? Just installed it(linux) and so far so good ! __________________ Decode! Muhahahahah!

Feb 16, 2009, 10:02 AM	#20
charm_quark incognito Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: BoTsWaNa Posts: 2,415 Rep Power: 130	Re: benefits of linux, what makes you use it? cow like it when it's working... and when it doesn't he call's us in (me and dawgxdenta)...... rite now i'm not really sure if he sticks to his original opinion ;-)

Feb 16, 2009, 01:14 PM	#21
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 78 System Specs	Re: benefits of linux, what makes you use it? Ahh gotcha lol __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

Feb 16, 2009, 04:04 PM	#22
Partizan Fun loving criminal Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Slovenia Posts: 1,182 Rep Power: 60 System Specs	Re: benefits of linux, what makes you use it? That's what friends are for __________________ Live and let live!

Feb 17, 2009, 11:02 AM	#23
charm_quark incognito Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: BoTsWaNa Posts: 2,415 Rep Power: 130	Re: benefits of linux, what makes you use it?

Feb 17, 2009, 01:28 PM	#25
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 78 System Specs	Re: benefits of linux, what makes you use it? I have had a few driver issues here and there with Ubuntu but that has always been the issue with Linux and it's not really the fault of Linux. Everyone rushes to make drivers for the shiny new MS operating systems whether they are any good or not and Linux takes a back seat shrugs __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

Feb 23, 2009, 08:51 AM	#26
Cow_160483 HH's only cow moooooo... Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: BOTSWANA Posts: 6,687 Rep Power: 280 System Specs	Re: benefits of linux, what makes you use it? that's so true but sad coz linus is so good much faster than windows __________________ Decode! Muhahahahah!

Feb 23, 2009, 09:09 AM	#27
dawgXdenta HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Gabz Posts: 1,988 Rep Power: 133 System Specs	Re: benefits of linux, what makes you use it? It will change boys, it will change __________________ Today's world is of public opinion and the fates of nations are determined through its pressure. Once the tools for building public opinion are obtained, everything that you asked for can be done. --- Osama bin Laden when relating how global media has the minds of the masses. ______________________________________ http://dawgxdenta.deviantart.com/gallery/

Mar 1, 2009, 09:09 PM	#28
Liqourice HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Stockholm Posts: 1,549 Rep Power: 84 System Specs	Re: benefits of linux, what makes you use it? I've played around with Linux since 1997. Started out with RedHat5.1 on my Amiga 4000, moved on to 5.2 and then came to a dead stop, until I discovered Debian, the only dist that was still developed for m68k. Ever since then I've been using Debian, both on the Amiga and on my PC's. It isn't as easy as using Ubuntu, which is based on Debian, but it isn't as hard as going at it with gentoo. It's a good dist to learn things from, how it's built, how it works and how to make things happen the way you want. That's what I prefer with using Debian over Ubuntu as well, I can set it up in so many different ways and I can control it in a different fashion... and it makes me feel more "at home" with my Amiga background. So, for someone who wants to learn a little bit more about linux than just having a working OS I recommend Debian. For someone who just wants something that works and doesn't need a lot of manual configuration I suggest either Ubuntu or OpenSUSE.

Mar 1, 2009, 10:10 PM	#29
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 177	Re: benefits of linux, what makes you use it? Yeah ive played around with almost every distro available on a "test rig" i have as I love operating systems and all that goes with them. There are so many distros with strengths and weaknesses that it become a real challenge to recommend the right one for everyone. Ubuntu would be my first recommendation and even though its limited to the hard core users its a good first OS if you want to try your hand at a linux build. personally I prefer unix, but I spent a lot of my adult life using it and when Apple moved to a version of it with OSX, I was very happy.

Mar 1, 2009, 10:28 PM	#30
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 78 System Specs	Re: benefits of linux, what makes you use it? Funny you mentioned that Z Unix is what I learned in the 80's in college. Getting used to Linux for me is new yet a refresher of Unix in some cases as well. I learned to program in Pascal and C on Unix based systems. __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen