Potential Linux Problems...

[RobDude]

Alright guys - be straight with me....I've installed different Linux distro's over the last few years. Each time, there were Linux 'promoters' who SWORE it would do everything Windows does. Then I'd get it, things didn't work, and I'd hear 'Oh well, yeah...but....umm....it's still cool'.

I'm thinking of switching again. I have a copy of Vista Ultimate coming - thanks to the Windows Live Search Club, but I've been running Vista business for a while now. The TOS are insane, and I think I'd rather not be running Windows anymore...

I'll go with Ubuntu, since that's seems to be the newbie distro these days. Can you guys give me a heads-up on what problems I'd run into? OpenOffice still can't open my .xls files that use VBA - right? Things like that. Everyone says OpenOffice can open .xls files - but not if they have VBA. I have a lot of media files - are there formats that Ubuntu won't play out of the box/won't play at all?

Is the hardware support pretty much on-par with what I'd expect from XP, or is it still iffy for non-standard devices?

Thanks in advance, I'll probably take the plunge regardless of the answers; but it'll give me a better idea of what to expect.

[MikeTbob]

I'll go with Ubuntu, since that's seems to be the newbie distro these days. Can you guys give me a heads-up on what problems I'd run into? I have a lot of media files - are there formats that Ubuntu won't play out of the box/won't play at all?

Is the hardware support pretty much on-par with what I'd expect from XP, or is it still iffy for non-standard devices?

Thanks in advance, I'll probably take the plunge regardless of the answers; but it'll give me a better idea of what to expect.

Hi and welcome to the forums RobDude,

I think Ubuntu is a good choice for starting off, because it has a lot of the things you are looking for. IF you have media that isn't supported "out of the box" then there are places to download what you need.
You might or might not have trouble with HD support in some cases and of course if you use Wireless, that's almost always a pain in the butt, depending on which card you have. if you run into trouble come back here and someone will help you.

I don't use openoffice, so I can't help you there.
Linux will probably never do some things that Windows can do, but there is also some things Linux can do that Windows can't.
Good luck!

[Cabhan]

Well, welcome on back. I am pleased to inform you that Ubuntu comes as a LiveCD, so you can actually test all of your issues out before you install anything.

As far as OpenOffice, I've never used VBA, but I assume not. I know that OpenOffice has its own macro language, and so you can maybe rewrite stuff for it.

As for media files, you can't play DRM'd WMV and WMA. Or DRM's AAC. But besides those, I've never really found media files that are unplayable. There are sometimes issues with streaming media, but not always.

As far as hardware, Linux has pretty good support these days. There are still occasional issues with wireless cards (though you can use ndiswrapper for most non-native ones), and some specialty hardware may not work, but the only way to tell is to try and research. If you google for your hardware + Linux, you can probably find some info.

I hope that helps. If you have any specific questions, please do let us know.

[north zulch computer guy]

dude, if you need media support, go with VLC. using ubuntu, in the terminal type:

sudo apt-get install vlc-player

it will play almost anything.
also, if you use the latest ubuntu (7.04), you need a USB mouse. it doesn't like PS/2 mice.
I would HIGHLY recommend going with Ubuntu 6.04 Dapper Drake. Trust me, it is the best ubuntu ever.

Also, good thinking going away from windows. I personally hate it for anything other than gaming.

As for OpenOffice, it should have complete functionality with MS Office formats. I have never heard of it not supporting VBA.

Best of luck in your switch!!!

[devils casper]

sudo apt-get install vlc-player

its vlc only in Ubuntu.

sudo apt-get install vlc