Linux speed versus Vista

As I posted in the Windows OS forum (and I hope this isn't considered double posting), I am seeking info about jumping from Vista to Linux, probably PCLinuxOS 2007, to which a kind poster pointed me. Specifically, should PCLinuxOS run my apps noticeably faster than Vista due to Vista's graphics demands? Would there be any cons with PCLinuxOS?

One con already seems to be that IRISPen scanner doesn't provide Linux drivers.

(BTY, I'm a geezer who isn't looking for another hobby by having to work an OS. I just want an OS that works the best so I can work my apps. That's the reason why I was pointed to PCLinuxOS 2007.)

Thanks for any help.

Bill

 

Hi again. PCLinuxOS wont run your apps. You'll have to run Linux versions of your programs. For instance instead of Microsoft Office you'll have to use Open Office. For everything you said you use the computer for, there should be a usable linux version of the program. If you can give us a more complete list of the programs you use we can tell you which programs would replace them.

For general purpose use of those applications there wont be too much of a speed difference with linux. You may however notice shorter startup times or just a more general "peppyness" in linux.

I've run a quick google search looking for info on using your IRISPen scanner in linux, and havent turned up anything. Its possible nobody has made a driver for the item yet. But there may be something out there. Who knows, it may just work

 

Well . . . thanks again!

My most-used apps include Nota Bene (academic word processing extraordinaire! http://www.notabene.com), BibleWorks 7, Office 2003 apps (for which I'm aware of the Open Office offerings), e-Sword ( http://www.e-sword.net, iTunes, and Firefox. There are others, but these are most used.

I read of Linux users of Nota Bene and BibleWorks, but I don't know which distributor and how much that matters. Is PCLinuxOS simply a more basic OS made to run out-of-the-box with open apps?

Bill

 

PClinuxOS will run any linux program, and if you put Wine on it, it'll run most windows native programs. That sometimes requires some work to get it running though. I'm not sure if you'd want to do that.

I believe there is a Norta Bene equivalent for linux, but I dont know what it is. Although I guarantee I will find it. (being a college student, that program is just too tempting to pass up now ). There are linux bible programs out there, but I dont know where to find them (Me not christian ). ITunes can be replaced with Amarok. In my opinion its much better than ITunes. Firefox has a linux version. You should be fine.

If you dont feel like completely switching to linux, you can always dual boot to get a feel for it while still having Windows there as backup. Or run run Linux off a LiveCD. PCLinux and Ubuntu support the LiveCD function.

Good luck!

 

As a side note, if you have to do much academic writing, Nota Bene is great, especially with documenting sources as well as formatting and its Orbis text retrieval component. There is a really helpful support group which corresponds via email. NB is expensive, though there are discounts for students. Like I said, I've read of NB users running Linux. It was indispensable when I wrote my PhD dissertation.

If you find a Linux alternative to NB, I'd love to know about it. I'm not aware of such, but there's a lot I don't know.

Regards,
Bill

 

I think Bibus or Bibutils work as an alternative to Nota Bene. I'll have to try one of them out and see.

 

wow i love bibleworks but i only have version 6!!!! Are you a seminary student???? just wondering... very few people used it unless they are biblical scholars....

 

No longer a seminary student, but a geezer pastor [ http://www.cornerstonebaptistclinton.org]. I earned a PhD in church history, but I'm no scholar (I wish I were!).

BW7 is great, though, as was BW6.

Bill

 

I'm not sure if this will help, but I ran across this: http://spyderous.livejournal.com/83593.html

Bill

 

Wow great!!! i'm still taking up my phd (Biblical Studies NT). I'm glad to hear that i have at least someone here who is in the same circle of interest as mine..

Glenn

 

Hi Glenn,

If you will, PM me and let me know where you are and what your focus is. Glad to know you're around.

Bill

 

I'd recommend Ubuntu just because the guides are quite detailed, and the support community is great. Once you get comfortable tinkering with linux, then maybe u can move to PClinux ?

 

There's also an Ubuntu Christian Edition if you're looking for something with that sorta software preloaded. Visit distrowatch.com to get a look at what's available. If you want out of the box functionality you might also want to give Linux Mint a try...it's based off of Ubuntu and includes all the multimedia codecs out of the box as well as some other nice features. I've tried out PCLinuxOS too and that's great for beginners. Their 2007 release is currently in the test3 phase, and the next one should be a final release.

 

Interesting. Thanks for the link.

Bill