What's the advantage of Linux?

Hi guys. Currently am running an HP DM3 with the specs in the sig. I am pretty satisfied with Windows 7, but there are some things that kind of get on my nerves, particularly the slow video playback on Hulu fullscreen, but not totally sure if that is a Hardware issue or software issue.

I, however, have always been curious about Linux, specifically Ubuntu. I ran Ubuntu 6.10 a couple years back and liked it, but I didn't know the commands so I struggled with it.

I just want to know what the advantages of dualbooting both Ubuntu (or another mainstream equivalent?) and Windows 7 would be? Faster boot times? More battery life? Better video playback?

 

Basically, freedom to do what you want. Software is free and its obtainable in the most simplistic and elegant fashion. I quite like Windows 7 and havent duel booted my 7 comp with Ubuntu, but I can tell you that the speed difference between Ubuntu and Vista was remarkable (in Ubuntus favour of course).

Some things will suffer. You mentioned video playback. Running HD video on Ubuntu with VLC was never an issue for me, but Flash is not well optimised for Linux so Youtube would hiccup badly. I imagine Hulu would be worse then (although it should be fine on Windows 7 unless you have a very outdated comp. I would update your video drivers). Speaking of drivers, another problem with Linux is that you may not have good drivers for all your hardware. The Ubuntu forums are excellent though, ask your questions and do your reasearch. You could always try the live cd of course, so give it a test run without installing it.

Finally, the commands these days arent very necessary, but it's good to know the basics. Do a google search, they're not hard to learn. Are you too young to ever have used command line DOS? (I might be ageing myself here. )

 

With regards to your slow video on Hulu, I recommend getting the newest mobile drivers from ATIs website when they are released sometime later this month (I think they will be referred to as the 10.3 drivers). Then go grab the Flash 10.1 Beta 3. Odds are this should significantly improve your experience in Hulu at full screen.

Ubuntu 9.10, which is the current version, is pretty neat. You no longer really need to understand command line to work with Linux, though it can be very useful nonetheless. It's just another OS, I like messing around in Ubuntu for fun, but for me it's mostly when I want to run an OS off a USB thumb drive. Which is fairly easy to do using Ubuntu.

The flash 10.1 beta is here

 

i'm running ubuntu 9.10 right now..with dual boot vista (mostly for gaming purposes,as some games won't work in linux)video playback has worked well for me..refer to this: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats
as far as battery life..there shouldn't really be a difference. as far as your flash..u use swfdec..and flashplugin-nonfree from the synaptic package manager..works very well.. and then there is also the adobe DL as stormEffect mentionedabove

some advantages include freedom of choice as mentioned above. there are plenty of distros whether you are a new user..using linux for work..servers..you're free to choose! lots of free software as well!
security purposes..while you can get antivirus put on linux (avg, antivir, avast..etc..) u really don't need it persay. you'll also hear its faster
the ability to build your own from scratch and make it your own..if you are an advanced user...
stability..anyways..you get the idea..
good luck if you decide to try it! you'll find its a great OS once you get to know it!

 

I'm new to Linux, and so far I love it, it just seems so less clogged up compared to Windows, everything is snappier too. I find it uses a lot less of the resources available, as apposed to Windows using too many. I do have a small Ubuntu review here, take a look around, and I'm sure if you need any help with Linux, theZoid is, so I've heard, nut's about Linux Distro's, so even chat to him.

 

I don't use Linux as my main os since I enjoy gaming, but it is great for some things. I use knoppix on a flash drive for all my backup/file organization/transferring needs.

Also the nvidia driver support in Ubuntu wasn't bad at all when I tried it out. Wireless card drivers are usually what I end up having trouble with.

 

I don't use Linux on my own desktop (games) or my laptop (battery life/school), but I do put Linux on desktops that my family uses. These computers are too old and slow for Windows 7 and 10 years after XP's release, Linux is much faster and compatible.

Ie. Installing a fresh copy of XP on any given desktop/laptop means installing XP, hunting down 3-5 drivers (most annoyingly, wireless and ethernet), and then downloading usable applications and optimizing . Instead of all of that, install Ubuntu w/LXDE and I'm finished.

Edit: forgot to mention one of the biggest advantages...hardly any maintenance. Don't need to put in a virus scan (which the desktop can barely handle), or spyware scanner.

 

lxde is my favorite as well.

 

for me: (my main OS)
Speed-Stability-Security-Cost

I too dual boot with Windows 7 for gaming purposes. I run my business out of Linux.

 

to me im dual booting windows 7 / ubuntu

i use ubuntu just for exploring and knowing about other alternatives to windows but my main use is 7 and when i have free time i boot to ubuntu just for fun

everything on it is Light and simple more than what you need and pretty basic

 

My dv2 came with Vista, so Linux was my main choice by necessity almost. I still need to boot in to Vista for BIOS updates though.

 

I hate how hard Vista makes it to delete things.

 

I like the 3 second boot time! Ubuntu + intel 80GB SSD = WIN

 

What I like about linux:
1. free
2. linux is just kernel, but mostly, if someone says 'linux' means also whole bunch of SW and applications, that comes with it, so you don't get just plain OS, but whole SW bundle, with tools for e.g. office work, mailing, remote administration, custom firewalling, internet access - proxies, collaboration tools .... etc etc
3. if you choose right distribution, it's rock stable
4. huge possibility of choice and customization (at least this is advantage for me as it could be disadvantage for some)

 

I have a looooooooong boot time. I'm running ubuntu from a SDHC card, though. It's the reason I'm running Ubuntu, can't get win7 to run from SDHC card.

 

nice... the machine I use is a desktop with Intel Core i7 920 OC 4.0Ghz, 6GB intel SSD 2x1TB hard drives with a 8800GT video card!

 

Windows is my main OS, mainly because people that use my computer complain how hard and ugly Linux can be. Proprietary software support for Linux is poor, flash isn't that good, adobe reader takes forever to load, etc. What keeps me using windows is just Microsoft office. Some things I like about Linux is the absolute control you have over a computer, and its fun to learn some new things sometimes. Yesterday I sat installing Gentoo took me over 5 hours had a sweet time doing too. If you ever want to know the potential of a computer Linux is for you. Maybe it's my OCD, but everytime I'm on windows I'm thinking what can I do to make this thing faster, Linux was the answer.

 

Some small things that keep me using LINUX:

-I can make my computer look like I want it to look. I can set-up menus and icons for a dual screen set-up, or I can make an arrangement to use on a tiny netbook. It is so customizable it will blow your mind. OSX is pretty, but you can't change much and you are stuck using so many things you can't change.

-I like being able to delete things completely as if they were never there. I always hated finding pieces of programs left over when I used Windows.

-I love being able to install programs for free and find out which one works best for me. It's also nice to be able to change the icons in a program to match you business if you use Linux at a company like I do.

-It's nice using programs that have developers listening to you. I love donating to projects that really give you what you want. Many programs have ongoing development and will add features that are heavily requested. (Don't forget to donate to programs you really like, I usually donate anywhere from 10% to 50% of the cost of a Windows equivalent, sometimes more if it's a new project that needs help.)

-It's just nice being free from antivirus, missing updates, disconnected this or that, etc)

-I love being able to run Linux from a USB, I can carry around a secure operating system in my pocket and use anywhere there's a computer. I use my Live USB at the school library, friends houses, etc. It's also fun to install Ubuntu on BestBuy computers.

There's many more reasons I love Linux and I may add more later, I'm tired though. Try Linux, don't give up on it either, it's a constantly evolving animal that will eventually take out Microsoft, be it 5, 10 or 20 years, Linux will prevail.

 

lol. 10char +rep.

 

Lol that made my day.

 

I use Arch on a day to day basis. I feel the main benefits are:
the rolling release update model (depends on distro),
the freedom from EULAs and propriety bondage,
capability to have something that works for you rather than working for the OS (Mac OSX I'm looking at you),
as little viruses as makes no difference,
and a plethora of free software to meet almost all of my needs.

That said, I don't reject windows. Windows 7 is a great OS and designed with great 'soul'. (The last one being 98 SE.) And there are some programs that just don't exist or exist in a poor state in Linux. Office 2007 is a superb tool, much better than go-OOo. As far as I know, ANSYS doesn't exist in Linux.

But predominantly, I use linux only switching to 7 for games, office, or ANSYS (and related CAD)

 

Linux the operating system is free, and more secure than Windows. Thousands of applications come with it free to download. Linux is cheaper, usually a free download off the Internet and also more customisable than Windows.

 

That could probably eat my netbook.

 

I defer you to Hey you! Know about Linux?.