On my next system, I think I'll run some sort of Linux.

[Fve Crathva]

I prefer the term, "universally challenged."

SP

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Asher
I don't care if Linux has cheap alternatives. OpenOffice can't compete with Office, period. The GiMP can't compete with Photoshop, period. KDE/Gnome can't compete with Windows XP's UI, period. gftp can't compete with CuteFTP, period. "ssh" can't compete with Putty, period.

I can go on and on.

Please, do go on

I did not expect any objective comparision from you. I gleaned my experiences from real life situations, by letting a bunch of Windows users trying both out. I mean real users, not some MS apologist.

Originally posted by Asher
Linux has "alternatives" to many of the popular Windows programs but they all feel like high school programming projects.

Tell me how secure Outlook and IIS is.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
Please, do go on

I did not expect any objective comparision from you. I gleaned my experiences from real life situations, by letting a bunch of Windows users trying both out. I mean real users, not some MS apologist.

Yes, yes, I am not a real user.

I do not use these, I don't have ample experience with both platforms, I'm simply talking out of my ass.

This, of course, comes from the man who thought the purpose of DirectX was to individually write code to specific hardware.

Tell me how secure Outlook and IIS is.

Outlook? Outlook 2003, what I use, is very secure. Script/HTML parsing is disabled by default, etc.

As for IIS, I wouldn't know -- I use Apache, MySQL, and PHP (what an MS Apologist -- ohhhhhhh!!!!!!)

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Ari Rahikkala
Somebody still uses gftp ?

Doesn't bother me.

Have command line, will travel.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Asher
I do not use these, I don't have ample experience with both platforms, I'm simply talking out of my ass.

I am glad you admit to that.

Originally posted by Asher
This, of course, comes from the man who thought the purpose of DirectX was to individually write code to specific hardware.

Ah, resorting to the usual dirty underhanded tricks, aren't we?

Originally posted by Asher
Outlook? Outlook 2003, what I use, is very secure. Script/HTML parsing is disabled by default, etc.

Anything that uses IE for viewing cannot be secure.

Originally posted by Asher
As for IIS, I wouldn't know -- I use Apache, MySQL, and PHP (what an MS Apologist -- ohhhhhhh!!!!!!)

Surely you do not use cheap HS programming projects?

[Asher]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
Ah, resorting to the usual dirty underhanded tricks, aren't we?

Dirty underhanded tricks? It shows how fundamentally ignorant you are about Windows and Windows applications -- saying that about DirectX is like saying Linux is all about proprietary software!

Anything that uses IE for viewing cannot be secure.

Perhaps you should don your reading glasses mate -- I believe I said that HTML parsing is disabled. Ergo IE is not used for rendering. Comprende?

Surely you do not use cheap HS programming projects?

No, I do not.
Incase you haven't noticed, Apache, MySQL, and PHP are all cross-platform.

There is some quality software out on Linux -- unfortunately it is also available on Windows.

FYI, I'm using Firebird 0.7 these days too.

I'm no MS apologist, as a Linux zealot you eagerly dismiss someone who counters your bull**** as an MS apologist. Perhaps I'm just someone who uses what I like? Did that ever cross your mind?

[Ted Striker]

Re: On my next system, I think I'll run some sort of Linux.

Originally posted by Azazel
all my knowledge in the area is hype

Hey you are about the same as the average Linux user then!

[Q Classic]

Unidentified video card, used VGA

if you have an nvidia or ati chipset, you can use those drivers. intel graphics chipset? you can use those too.

Unidentified mouse, use standard 2-button mouse

it's a mouse.

Error writing to disc (doesn't support VIA's RAID controller)

prolly have to search for this too.

Unidentified soundcard (had to manually force it to use EMU10K1 drivers, they didn't even list EMU10K2)

search for ALSA.

======

Hey you are about the same as the average Linux user then!

*nix, including linux, is still better for programming than windows is, although visual studio .net 2003 is quite nice.

======

http://www.xpde.com/

[Az]

Azazel: There are some things you need to consider even before installing Linux. First, since you're going to buy a new system, you can choose hardware that is known to be Linux-compatible. Use http://hardware.redhat.com/hcl/ or check your possibilities with a geek forum.

Also, it really bodes well for the future if you find some local guru who can install any distro for you. Choose something easily maintainable - Debian is likely to be the best choice, although if you and the guru are daring, Gentoo might work better on a modern desktop (*). Selecting a distro with a good package management system (such as the mentioned Debian and Gentoo) should defeat most of those dependency problems. Not to mention that although they can't do anything about the limited selection of software, both Debian and Gentoo at least give you easy access to installing new software with a single command.

(*) Just one hint if you intend to use Gentoo: CFLAGS="-march= -O2 -pipe" is enough and doesn't cause any trouble.

After reading this, I think I should consider paying up, and running WinXP Pro.

[Q Classic]

xp pro is better if you don't want to deal with the hassle of learning a whole new os.

compared to linux, windows "just works", to borrow a phrase from apple.

make sure you get pro. never ever ever get home. and if you do get home, make sure you upgrade.

actually, now that i think about it, just buy the upgrade version, install a copy of win98 or 2k and then upgrade from that on your new com.

[Harovan]

Originally posted by Azazel
After reading this, I think I should consider paying up, and running WinXP Pro.

You definitely should. Linux can be very powerful in the hand of somebody who knows what he does, but it isn't exactly friendly to a newbie. And is definitely a bad choice if it's sole purpose is to be a user friendly desktop system.

[Az]

! I forgot about the upgrade option!

[Yog-Sothoth]

IMO:

Pro Windows:
* Familiarity (for most users)
* Much larger software base
* Consistency
* Integration
* Good hardware support

Pro Linux:
* Customizability
* Flexibility
* Can be downloaded for free, freedom of choice etc.
* Vastly less viruses, worms, trojans, adware, spyware, whatever than windows
* Supports a lot of computer architectures

I'm a linux-user and I find it great to use, but my guess is your better of with Windows.

I would put "better stability and security" under linux, but lets not get into that flamefest

[Az]

Thanks, folks! You've saved me from the abyss.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Q Cubed
compared to linux, windows "just works", to borrow a phrase from apple.

That needs to be qunatified heavily.