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LINUX how to? retrowagen1234
@GUEST
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Is lunux worthwhile? I just want a stable easy to use, Non allways
crashing OS, I'm using vista and 7 (depending on computer) atm. The one i want to change is on Vista...
Will i need antivirus? If so what will work on it? Will i find it harder to do lots of things? I.e reg clean up if it needs it?
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I've used it on laptops (Ubuntu mainly) and it's alright, but to be fair I've got 3 computers with windows 7 on them, and they will usually go for weeks without rebooting, and I can't remember the last time one crashed. My main PC in the office (which is used for about 10 hours a day) hasn't been rebooted since mid October.
The key to a fast, smooth running pc is to NOT run any 3rd party antivirus software/firewall stuff as it's mostly garbage, not required and causes a LOT more problems to the average user than it solves. Get rid of it all and use Microsoft Security Essentials as antivirus (which is free and completely unobtrusive). Windows own firewall is perfectly good too, but not really required.
Keep windows updated, and more importantly lately, Java, and you'll be fine. Cut down on the guff in startup, use a decent web browser (Chrome, or if you have less than 1gb of ram, Firefox) and turn stuff like windows search indexing off and it'll feel like you've added another 500mb of ram.
From my experience, Ubuntu was dead easy to install, but there is probably a 60% chance that it won't just "install" like windows does, and you'll have to find drivers for something (particularly if you're running it on a laptop) and then work out how to install said drivers. You won't really need an antivirus in linux. On 3 laptops I tried it on, one went on perfectly and worked straight away. The other found and installed drivers for the network card, but didn't recognise the switch to turn the wireless on, and the final one wouldn't acknowledge 2 of the USB ports.
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rysz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,558
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If you get the installer for Ubuntu, you can run it as a 'LIVE' distro (No installing but it will chug a bit - alternatively, they offer something called WUBI which installs it 'inside' windows allowing it fuller use of hardware resources that will show a performance boost over the live distro.
Hardware is generally pretty well supported but I agree with Cobblers, Win 7 is FTW - it just about mostly works and is much better than Vista and good system maintenance will keep it running beautifully!
Rysz.
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cant agree more with the above, win 7 set up properly is the best windows has ever been.
ubuntu is probably the best linus distro ive used, works well and is easy to use.
i went mac about 6 years ago and will never go back
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'90 Audi B3 Coupe 2.3 Auto [gone] '92 Audi S4 Avant 2.2 AAN Turbo Auto [gone] '93 Audi 80 Avant 1.9TDi [gone] '96 Audi A4 Avant 2.6 Quattro [gone] '97 VW T4 1.9td LWB [gone] '03 Skoda Octavia 1.9TDi [gone] '05 VW T5 Shuttle LWB 1.9TDi '15 VW Caddy Maxi Kombi 1.6TDi
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LINUX how to? retrowagen1234
@GUEST
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I'm using 7 as i type this. And ive found it to be bloody good. Ive got the last norton on it, But when that runs out ill just use windows essentials Then The one I'm looking at updating has windows vista on it. Id llooooooove to put 7 on it, But ive not got a windows 7 disc. I'm even contemplating xp.. As ive still got that somewhere...
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XP suxxxx
Don't do it.
I've not looked at the latest Ubuntu yet, but the last one was "getting there". However it was no quicker to run on nthe old HP desktop we had it on than W7. FOSS fans will tell you how you can optimise it far better with much better granularity than Windows but its a learning curve to go through to do it.
I also found it tyo be a PITA to get certain devices workign on Ubunto which were plug & play on W7 Vistaa and even XP.
Again this may improve with future releases.
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Dec 23, 2010 15:19:43 GMT
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Go Linux.... never look back! No crashing, no re-booting, no viruses, no trojans, no spyware, no security subscriptions, no firewall etc etc..... and best of all you get to run the applications you want to run, not the ones Bill tells you you can. It runs same speed all the time and doesn't slow down to a drag every time Bill releases his next 'best ever' version.
I've not had a windows box since windows 2000 and TBH wouldn't touch one now whatever they say. As the GF points out Linux can make you a little geeky but is a small price to pay to free yourself from 'Billware'.
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'71 Arrocuda.... '71 Sunbeam Rapier Turbo (The Grim Rapier).... '63 Hymek D7076..... Audi GT5S
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Dec 24, 2010 15:38:44 GMT
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Sorry, but that is just rubbish.
Linux systems need security just as much as Windows or Apple ones do. Any machine capable of rendering online content is capable of running malware. There are Linux botnets. There are Linux viruses.
You comments on software is a joke, right?. Run the limited range of sopftware your distro supports or the littlerally millions of titles on Windows? And Bill Gates hasn't worked for Microsoft for years. The largest OS platform for FOSS development is Windows...
Your knowledge of Windows is a decade old and you are giving advice on it? Disingenuous at best.
If folks want to run Linux, then fine, but run it securely. There are a few good security suites out there for Linux but most linux fans would rather stick their heads in the sand sadly.
Its the same story with implementation of proprietary standards in FOSS environments. This stuff needs to consumerise better for the home user (non-geek)
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Last Edit: Dec 24, 2010 17:25:42 GMT by akku
1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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L33 RWW
Part of things
Kettle on?
Posts: 135
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Dec 25, 2010 21:41:58 GMT
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I've run ubuntu for about 6 years now and absolutely love the reliability and the idea of open source software. Everything I've installed it on has worked from the word go.
However...
There is not the kind of software available for linux that I require for my Uni course/chosen career, things like matlab, simulink, multisim (yes I tried eagle but didn't find it as intuitive as multisim) National instruments software. Basically I just don't have the time or inclination to nob about trying to get everything running perfectly through WINE on top of the workload I already have, my industry is based on windows so I'll have to deal with it. If you're just looking for internet/downloads and basic office type stuff then you can't go wrong with Ubuntu
Windows 7 shocked me, after having to move back to windows I had a slight experience with Vista (dog rough) and distant memories of XP (Just about stable before being replaced by Vista) but 7 has made using M$ nearly a pleasure, fast, reliable etc.
I would like someone to explain the unmissbale magic that is Mac though, everyone I've used seems like overpriced, overhyped curse word!
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Raoul Duke
Part of things
Posts: 990
Club RR Member Number: 117
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LINUX how to? Raoul Duke
@raoulduke
Club Retro Rides Member 117
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Sorry, but that is just rubbish. Linux systems need security just as much as Windows or Apple ones do. Any machine capable of rendering online content is capable of running malware. There are Linux botnets. There are Linux viruses. You comments on software is a joke, right?. Run the limited range of sopftware your distro supports or the littlerally millions of titles on Windows? And Bill Gates hasn't worked for Microsoft for years. The largest OS platform for FOSS development is Windows... Your knowledge of Windows is a decade old and you are giving advice on it? Disingenuous at best. If folks want to run Linux, then fine, but run it securely. There are a few good security suites out there for Linux but most linux fans would rather stick their heads in the sand sadly. Its the same story with implementation of proprietary standards in FOSS environments. This stuff needs to consumerise better for the home user (non-geek) You're kinda missing the point though. Yes, Windows is far easier to use for the average luddite and has far more user-friendly software floating about. In the same way that a brand new car is the ideal choice for someone who doesn't want to think about maintenance, and just wants a long warranty with some free insurance & fuel thrown in. Linux has always been aimed at users who already have a basic understanding of IT, and who aren't scared to get their hands dirty, so to speak. It's completely transparent, and has a massive support base of highly experienced developers, regardless of which distro you're running. None of the distro's "needs to consumerise better" because none of them are trying to win a piece of any market. The majority are produced by enthusiasts and distributed for free; the few that are headed up by actual corporations are making their money through commercial support contracts. Personally, I have a very old laptop which I use solely for web-surfing and image handling, running an old version of Ubuntu. So far, I've had no security issues whatsoever, and have found more than enough plug-ins and mods to adapt it to my own preference. I wouldn't expect an 'average' PC user to get on with it though. It just depends what you're used to, and what your needs are.
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...a redder shade of neck on a whiter shade of trash...
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Dec 28, 2010 15:26:32 GMT
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I completely agree and thats OK, if Linux is happy with 2% of the desktop market it can keep making geek-only products for niche markets... Canonical seem set on making a hot consumer product in Ubuntu and I wish them well with it. Fedora is also getting more polish with subsequent releases. The way I hear the fanbois barking on they'll tell you Linux is about to take over the world, which is isn't unless it becomes a consumer savvy product. Again, lets check Ubuntu at its next LTS (and I do every time now) I've 22 years in IT and I like W7 because it just works. Any IT department which is spending time making an OS work is wasting the company's money... And probably running XP... A computer is about what it can do for you not the flavour of OS or the label on the box. So the question: are you looking for a tool which allows you to do things, or are you looking for another project to tinker with? TBH I see more than enough computery curse word at work to bother with anything other than super-simple at home. I'm all for competition for MS. Thats why a strong mass market distro is a desirable thing. Monopolies suck. The OP asked for a stable, quick, easy OS recommendation. IMO thats Window 7. If the OP wants to get under the hood and play, I reckon Ubuntu is his first call (althouh my Linux experiance is limited). But that's not the question which he asked... The joy of FOSS is that with a decent broadband connection it should only take him 15 minutes to download and burn the ISO he needs to get started. Here's even the link to save a google LOL www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download
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Last Edit: Dec 28, 2010 15:27:40 GMT by akku
1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Dec 28, 2010 17:00:21 GMT
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Just upgraded my 5yr old laptop from Windows XP pro to Windows 7. What a change! Admittedly its a clean install so some advantages there, but everything runs perfectly, all the drivers installed correctly. Its now gone from useable to fast. Yay to software4students!
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1997 TVR Chimaera 2009 Westfield Megabusa
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Dec 29, 2010 16:13:06 GMT
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Sorry, but that is just rubbish. Linux systems need security just as much as Windows or Apple ones do. Any machine capable of rendering online content is capable of running malware. There are Linux botnets. There are Linux viruses. You comments on software is a joke, right?. Run the limited range of sopftware your distro supports or the littlerally millions of titles on Windows? And Bill Gates hasn't worked for Microsoft for years. The largest OS platform for FOSS development is Windows... Your knowledge of Windows is a decade old and you are giving advice on it? Disingenuous at best. If folks want to run Linux, then fine, but run it securely. There are a few good security suites out there for Linux but most linux fans would rather stick their heads in the sand sadly. Its the same story with implementation of proprietary standards in FOSS environments. This stuff needs to consumerise better for the home user (non-geek) We've had this discussion before Alistair and sure.... if you like windows I don't have a problem with that, but I agree with Raoul in that you miss the point. Sure linux is 'hands on' but that's the beauty of it. As for Linux's 2% user share.... I don't believe Linux users give a damn I certainly don't! Raoul hit the nail on the head when he said that most folks don't want to get their hands dirty and we know this to be true from their choice of cars. Personally.... I do use WINE to run the few windows programs I have to run and TBH sometimes it can be a bit of a pain to get some applications to work.... but that's the challenge of it. As for security AK is right in that you can buy Linux security products but you need to check out the situation first as TBH they are not really required. The structured architecture of Linux, unlike Windows, makes it very difficult for an attacker to gain access to the OS. Most Linux viruses work by misleading the user into allowing it into his/her system. I don't use security software as I have several PC's and have one that I use only for internet connection. This is the ultimate firewall whatever OS you choose to use. Having said that I have been using Linux for 10 years on the net with no firewalls or any other security device/programs and haven't had any attack whatsoever, which is something that speaks for itself. Here's the low down on Linux security...... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_malwareAs far as my knowledge on Windows goes it is true..... it is out of date, but you are happy to give advice on Linux and you don't even use it!! So to suggest I'm the one being "disingenuous at best" I find to be...... 'disingenuous' to say the least. Happy Linux users always wind windows users up and obviously Alastair is no exception, my advice to Ret' (OP) is to go for a 'dual boot' version.... Ubuntu 10.04 is a good one for first time users as you suggested.... run it alongside windows and make his own mind up.
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Last Edit: Dec 29, 2010 17:24:23 GMT by arrocuda
'71 Arrocuda.... '71 Sunbeam Rapier Turbo (The Grim Rapier).... '63 Hymek D7076..... Audi GT5S
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Dec 29, 2010 19:49:22 GMT
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I have no problem with happy people, Linux uses or Mac fanbois, OS2 Warp fans or whoever. OS is largely irrelevant to me since its what the box does that matters not who's OS it uses to do it. I use @ home what I use @ work because I CBA to learn two systems and both flavours of Linux I have played with are significantly different to my comfort zone OS to require me to think. I don't want to think about OS I want it to work for me. Simples.
Improved profile of Linux boxes is making them more viable targets. The majority of the Democratic election campaign was run on FOSS platforms and applications, you think they ran that without any additional security? High profile user, proves you can make it take a bullet though. There is also platform nonspecific stuff which works in the virtual machine layer (Java, Flash, etc.) I wouldn't recommend running any system completely devoid of an active security solution. The guys in the Apple store do the same thing "no security is needed". Meh, there's even proof of concept self propagating code for Android and Blackberry now... No platform is "safe", just a reduced likelyhood.
Its kinda like saying you don't need security on a Morris Ital because thieves are all on the lookout for Ford Focus or whatever. I knew a guy had a Morris Ital stolen a while back.
I do IT & data security for a living. I think "Linux and no additional security" is a sloppy answer and its one I hear all the time from people advocating free and open, in more than one respect!
My advice on Linux is as above: try it and see, its free. I would ensure you know all you need to on the security of it is the only difference.
My advice is based on using, evaluating and rejecting it myself. As I say, I look at the Ubuntu LTS when they release, I have no specific objection to it, it just doesn't do for me for my current needs with its current offering. YMMV and I change my opinions on all things to suit the current facts and situation...
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Dec 30, 2010 16:43:57 GMT
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There are many things I like about linux.... most of which I've probably already mentioned but there are many distro's (all available free for download) that you can play with to find the one that suits your requirements best. There's even a 'high security' version of Ubuntu. This one is favoured by hackers.... both black and white hatters. You can use it to test your own systems or hack/crack someone else's. Try buying that in windows format down at yer local PC World! ;D Might be of interest to you AK just from a curiosity point of view if nothing else. Not recommended for beginners by the way..... but I've downloaded a copy for loading on to my dedicated surfing PC..... just not gotten around to loading it yet. Here's the link..... www.backtrack-linux.org/
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Last Edit: Dec 30, 2010 16:54:44 GMT by arrocuda
'71 Arrocuda.... '71 Sunbeam Rapier Turbo (The Grim Rapier).... '63 Hymek D7076..... Audi GT5S
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