I am actually asking about the Linux OS. The reason why I was in my computer guy's store yesterday and there was a Germam guy who made Mac based programs for Windows and both the guys were telling how much better Linux is compared to Windows. So please do tell me the pros and cons of Linux as I am intrigued by the fact that it takes about seven clicks to install Linux. (I was also wondering why Linux based OS computer systems at the shop were selling for less than Windows based OS computers). Like the German guy said yesterday "The biggest virus Windows could get is itself."
I've been wondering this, too. I have no idea what Linux is. I've never seen or heard anyone that has it.
Linux IMO Linux > Windows Look on you-tube, there's a lot of great vids and also a lot that sow off desktop effects. (type compiz fusion) [YOUTUBE]YuSWJWOGH3E[/YOUTUBE] [YOUTUBE]ulmRJ5axcgk&feature=related[/YOUTUBE] Try Linux Mint...
For gaming, I've found it to not be pretty. I used Ubuntu exclusively for over 2-3 years before switching to dual-boot with Windows. Not a lot of games are ported to Linux from what I've found. Games that are run fine and there is always WINE, a program that allows you to run Windows executables, but it's far from perfect. As for why Linux computers would be less, the price for the OS is free which is quite a bit cheaper compared to Windows.
Multi-boot is honestly my favorite way to set things up because it allows you to have the best of both worlds so to speak. I prefer Ubuntu for office type stuff as well as just general web browsing and downloading due to the customization available. However i am also a big fan of computer gaming, and frankly Windows has got Ubuntu beat in accounts for that. Another advantage is that you can fix any problem with your other OS installation. Say your Windows installation gets a virus and your having issues fixing it on Windows. Just boot up your Linux and run a scan from there. It is good to note that it is better to have Windows installed before installing Linux since Linux has a nice partition manager whereas Windows' is kind-of a pain. I highly recommend at least trying Ubuntu, either GNOME or KDE desktops.
Hmmmm, I might consider dual-booting with my new computer, seeing as I need Windows to run iTunes, and from what was said, WINE doesn't work very well.
I am also a proponent of dual booting. For the security reason already listed, but also for the flexibility it grants. Ubuntu boots much faster (< 1 minute) than Windows does (> 7 mins in XP, counting all the post-login noise going on). Ubuntu isnt still loading from your drive after you log in, so the whole computer is ready to use immediately. That means I can be online or working much faster. Linux is also easier to program in, and it only needs a reboot after a major change. What windows does better is proprietary programs, as mentioned before. Not to mention the piece of mind that I always have a backup OS on my computer. The price to pay is on your hard drive, which is now hosting two operating systems that cannot share the same space. Keep in mind that Linux can perfectly read and write to Windows NTFS file systems, but Windows will not recognize a Linux Ext file system without installing another program first (which takes a few seconds after i found one on LifeHacker). Still, i keep my files saved onto my windows file systems anyway. Your biggest decision is how to divide up your hard drive (aka partitioning) between the NTFS side and the Ext side (plus a little bit for Linux swap space). Of course, saving your working and media files on an external drive is always an option too. And ditto on installing Windows first. There's also the political aspect of it. Linux's greatest hindrances come from that it's unpopular, which continues to make it unpopular. The more people start using Ubuntu, the more support it will get, the more willing companies will provide executables for it, which makes it better... which would make more people want to sign up. It's a catch 22. I've used Ubuntu for about 2-3 years now and it's improved considerably.... though with a few hiccups now and then, I wouldn't say it'd be ready for your grandpa yet, or your nearest gamer, but it's good for everyone else. For surfing the internet and writing up documents. It works just as good as Windows does. And some Linux media players claim to be able to connect to your iPod. I literally just got my iPod repaired (though it's ID'd to my Windows account). Maybe when i get home I'll try plugging it in for you and seeing what happens. I also hear you can install iTunes under WINE. I have yet to try that too. WINE has a list of programs on its site that it can run. EDIT: one more thing. Linux media players are kinda hit and miss (particularly with external drives). Sometimes I can play music. Sometimes I can't. The operating system and often times the programs get updated often enough that I feel okay waiting they'll fix issues like that.
Multi-booting with Linux (More specifically Ubuntu 10.10) was the smartest move I've made for a while. Ubuntu can do almost everything I need it to (except gaming, that's when I boot to Windows) and it is faster then Windows. And most of the open-source programs are made to run on Linux now days and you don't have to buy stupid, expensive anti-virus products like Windows requires.
I've had my Windows 7 PC ever since Windows 7 came out. If anyone should have a virus, it should be me. I download and torrent tons and tons of things and go on really obscure porn sites. Haven't had a virus mess up my computer yet. Just find a good anti-virus software and you'll be fine.
lol what do you use? no matter what he uses they still manage to get them. haha. it can be a giga firewall, it will still get owned somehow.