Question on linux

[braddo]

Just wondering if anyone out there is using linux operating systems was thinking about buying windows xp but come across linux by accident it sounds to goo to be true any info would be appreciated. My main question is will it run programs designed for windows xp eg games, business programmes etc.

[caryb]

braddo, I use Linux for all my applications! the only thing is a lot of Windows(tm) programs wont run on Linux, but there are "free" Linix alternatives. The only programs that are a problem are Quickbooks & MYOB etc. I use a Linux version called Kubuntu, it has a program callec automatix that installs things like java, adobe reader & codex for reading windows movie files etc.


Cary

[mjscookie]

I have used linux since 1996. Only this year it has become my full-time Operating System.

As cary pointed out, Windows applications do not run "out of the box" on a linux system, however there are plenty of alternate programs which do the job better or worse.

For me, I need Windows applications. Previously I used wine (a sort of emulation system to provide API for programs), however these days I use VMPlayer which allows virtualisation - basically, you can boot windows within linux and run multiple OS's at once.

I use Ubuntu at the moment (www.ubuntulinux.com) previously using Fedora Core 4. For a list of distro's see www.distrowatch.org

Additionally freshmeat.net is a good source of applications.

Just an aside, linux STILL has a steep learning curve, but is not difficult as it used to be. If you are interested in getting/learning more about your computer and having greater freedom I suggest downloading an iso and having a fiddle.

Also, I forgot to mention, vmplayer (www.vmware.com) can be installed on Windows and you can boot linux within it so you can have a fiddle.

Cheers Mitch

[fishfingers]

MJS,

Im glad you mentioned the vmplayer approach. I mentioned that to braddo in a PM.

Linux is getting there. But its still not really the choice for the general consumer in my opinion.  

There are a few other cool free systems like FreeBSD but alas, thats not the easiest of things to get working (in initial attempts).

Regards,
Norm.

[braddo]

Thanks for the replies guys will do more research and make my mund up from there.