Using Linux
Since two days I have been using Linux instead of Windows (Vista). Although I miss some of the software I am used to using, I have to say that Linux strikes me as much, much, much better than Windows. It is more stable, easy in use, and - above all - fast.
Somehow, Vista always gave me trouble. Every 15 minutes or so I was kicked off the Internet, for some unknown reason. Furthermore, my computer took approximately 7 minutes to start, which is a terrible long time.
Linux, however, works much faster. No waiting, just typing and checking my e-mails.
And that for free!
Congratulations. I use half linux and half xp, and if you can live without those particular programs I certainly agree. The biggest roadblock to most new users seems to be the command line. Typing "ps -A | grep firefox" can intemidate people, but if you can get through that with the very good help system on the web, it’ll be smooth sailing.
Oh, btw, which distrabution are you using?
As a Computer Service Tech I tell anyone who wants to use Linux to try Kubuntu or PCLinuxOS. Both are very user friendly and reliable distro’s. I use Kubuntu on my Acer Aspire Laptop. Linux is definetly better than Windows.
As soon as Microsux pulls the plug on XP fully i’m switching both my desktops over to Linux, where so far i’ve had good experiences with Linux on my laptop.
Vista? There’s your problem….
Lack of software I like (especially certain games) always stopped me from switching to Linux when I was on a PC. As far as I know, that remains a very serious barrier to most users.
Fortunately, those of us that made the jump to Mac don’t have to worry about those problems anymore. Mac is unix underneath (you can use unix commands if you are so inclined) and most major software packages have mac versions available on about a 1 year lag.
I’ve been 100% Ubuntu for 6 months now.
and not one frozen PC….
There are several options to play a majority of Windows software on PC. And being in the security aspect - I can tell you Mac needs to do some work. But such is the way when you have a large userbase.
The reason you are "kicked off the Internet every 15 minutes" turns out to be a simple (and stupid) problem.
One of the major changes in WinVista vis-a-vis WinXP is in the networking stack. While some of these changes were much-needed, some just seem arbitrary and counter-productive. One of these changes is the source of your problem.
As far as I can figure, WinVista sends a new-fangled packet/message to the router or modem, the device says, "Huh?" and WinVista chokes. After hours of research — and booting from a Knoppix DVD so I could access the Internet to do it — I had the cable provider (WOW) remotely update the firmware in the cable modem and all was well.
~~ ScienceMikey
All the folks that got sucked into buying Vista had to dump their perfectly good XP computers and upgrade to run Vist. I found these second hand computers to be an excellent buy, and after installing "Ubuntu", the free and legal system from the web, they performed miraculously well! I can’t afford to purchase any Microsoft products since the $700 billin corporate/government rip-off so I have learned to use Ubuntu and OpenOffice and now I prefer them because I never get foolish little grey boxes telling me useless stuff and I never get the ‘Blue screen of Death’ either. So far my hard drive has not slowed down, and I found a cheap compatable ink jet printer at WalMarts! I now have a good, fast, cheap and smooth running system. P.S. I enjoy ‘Gimp’ too - took some learning but works great!