Linux Choices Thinking Of Changing /sigh Vista

[Vapo]

K well basically i really am a complete noob to this i have been using Windows since 3.1 and well really liked most of them tbh but i have felt that with each one that comes out they just get slower and slower and more bloated and nasty GUI crap i.e Aero Effects.

Well i got Vista for the Laptop i am using to post this and well its crap for a number of reasons i will not go into but its the normal stuff.

Anyway onto the point i have 3 laptops and 5 Pc's all of which run XP home or Pro and one running Server 2003. Now some of the Pc's are used for gaming some for work as i am a Websites designer i work from home and some of the Pc's are used for gaming.

Now for the moment i am using XP for gaming but well i really wanna try something different than going the Vista route so i was thinking of trying Linux now i have been close to trying it a few times but never done it.

Well thats about as far as my knowledge goes i am afraid. Basically i am gonna install it maybe on one of the Pc's i don't use so much as a test run and theres a few points i would love to know which are.

Driver Support
Game Support
Web Browser
GUI
Installing
Speed
Which Linux to get

If theres anything else that would be helpful me putting here let me know and thanks for reading again i am sorry for any really stupid question like the web browser one but i really am abit clueless anyway thanks a load in advance.

Yeah forgot to add this i will be using it for Gaming and a few other bits and bobs if that helps with the choice of linux to pick from

[Agent-X]

Driver Support <- Depends on modules and kernel
Game Support <- Sometimes you can play them; depends on the game.
Web Browser <- That is already covered; no worries.
GUI <- You can customize it more than Windows.
Installing <- Not a big problem too often
Speed <- Can be fast like Win 3.1 on one of today's comptuers
Which Linux to get <- Depends on computer specs, interests, etc.

Often Debian/Ubuntu is the answer

Most people still say Windows is your best bet for gaming. I won't deny that, because Linux most likely can do what you want, but you better have a lot of time on your hands. I mean a lot of time.

[budman7]

Well, for the driver support, that really depends on what hardware you have.
Gaming support, from what I read others saying it is not super good in linux, but there are many games that run natively in linux. I am not a gamer, unless you count mahjongg and sudoku.
So, I am not real sure how many games there are.
Web browser, take your pick, IMO Firefox is the best, but there are others.
GUI, again, take your pick, the biggest 2 are kde and gnome.
But there is also xfce and enlightenment. Check xwinman.org for all the choices offered.
Installing, this depends on which distro you choose.
If you have installed Windows you shouldn't have to much of a problem installing linux.
If you pick any one of the top ten from DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD. with the exception of Debian as the installer is not very intuitive. Some may disagree with me, but that is MY opinion.
Speed, I have found linux to be as fast if not faster than Windows.

I believe you definitely have the right idea by testing on a separate machine.
ou should try more than one distro though, if the first one isn't to your liking.
Happy linuxing.

[Vapo]

K thought i would put the specs down of the Pc i will use.

AMD Athlon 64 3700+
1GB Corsair RAM
Geforce 7800GTX 256MB
Onboard Sound
2x 74GB Raptor Drives Raid-0
DFI Motherboard can get the model name if need be would have to fish out the box
Onboard Network as well

I think i will try most things out on it like EvE Online and WoW and some of my other games see how it goes also just general using it for everyday stuff.

[tomeriker]

Ok, I honestly believe Ubuntu should be your first delve into linux. Here's why: once you install the OS, which is as easy as MS, ubuntu is the only linux dist. that I know of that has an automated installer for all those extras you will NEED to have a complete and meaningful relationship with linux.

Many times people get frustrated because they can't play dvd's or install software, etc...

once your install is finised you will want to get your updates. Then google Automatix2 and find the download link and click it. It will auto install, just accept the default. now open the program from your menu in "applications", "system tools". Just check what you want installed....ie...everything..

You will definitely want "wine" which will allow you to run the games you just mentioned. when you want to install a game in wine just open the game cd and right click the setup.exe. then "open with wine". If its not an option just type in wine. you will see where, at the bottom.

You can go to Wine HQ and check out the apps that will work in wine..

Sit back and enjoy the best OS on the planet. imho.

Oh yeah, one more thing if you get ubuntu 7.10 you might want to activate comizfusion. Just do a youtube serch for compiz or beryl. Something MS can't come close to at the moment.

Well I have ranted too long. Good luck.

[jmadero]

I agree that Ubuntu should be your first install for several reasons but mostly I guess just because it's a fairly easy to install, easy to use OS. You should have full (or close to full) driver support for your system if you install the new Gutsy, plus you'll get all the nifty stuff that comes preinstalled with Compiz (a GUI software that does some pretty sweet things). For games, I highly recommend dual booting with XP Pro if you intend on gaming. I have tried some games, some of which work, most of which don't. I dual boot XP and only use it for gaming (dual boot process is extremely easy). If could also try some live cd's and see if you like any of them that way (Fedora, Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Knoppix, Red Hat, etc...).

[Vapo]

Ok i decided to get Unbuntu after the help here i had some problems getting 7.10 to work as after install i just kept getting throw to busybox but i tryed Unbuntu 6.06 and it worked after a few Hardisk issues thanks to a faulty SATA cable

Well i gotta say i love it i am just getting updates atm and sorting everything out it just seems alot cleaner than Vista and very well laid out.

One question i was wondering though how easy is it to move up to 7.10 or say any other Distro without doing a reformat.

Thanks alot for the help so far no doupt there will be more questions as i get settled in

[jmadero]

I'm not sure why you installed that version. If Gutsy had some problems (7.10) your best bet is to try with Feisty (7.04) and then upgrade. I know that the install of Gutsy has had some problems with certain computer setups but Feisty is pretty stable so maybe try that and the upgrade is really easy from there. I definitely recommend getting Gutsy though, it's pretty amazing. Good luck


jmadero

[Vapo]

had a think jmadero about what you said and decided to give 7.10 another go anyways i got it to work so thanks for the input did not take me to long to reformat and put it back on so i am using that now