Thread: Linux-What do you need to know before getting it?

  1. #31
    Cat without Hat CornedBee's Avatar
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    Games are a problem. Most games don't run on Linux. Sure, there are some cool games, like TuxRacer, but the real stuff usually doesn't work. Quake3 has a Linux version, and I think Doom3 has, too, but Id Software is pretty much the only company that has Linux versions of their games.

    Other games sometimes work, curtesy of the WineX WinAPI + DirectX implementation, but that's often a question of luck, and WineX costs money if I remember correctly.


    What's useful to install is the correct OpenGL implementation for your graphics card, otherwise you won't get any proper games. And the ALSA setup is very important; that's what's making your sound work (or not).


    Finally, "poly" means many in Greek, not Latin.
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  2. #32
    Attack hamster fuh's Avatar
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    I'm just looking for "okay" games, like solitare and whatnot. The only advice I need now is on extras. Also, I should have mentioned this before, but I'm sharing a computer and need to convince the other users to let me install Linux. What would be some good effects of Linux? I'm probably going to get my way since I know the most about computers and my desisions are coming from a computer god from their point of view, but I need to back up my claims.
    Stupid things pop singers say

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  3. #33
    Cat without Hat CornedBee's Avatar
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    You're absolutely secure against 100% of the common virii and worms out there. They all are designed to infect Windows computers, so they won't work on Linux.

    More games Gnome and KDE both feature a very wide variety of these small games, like Solitaire. You may want to install Frozen Bubble, for example. Highly addictive.

    Linux is also more directed towards the multi-user environment. In other words, it's just about impossible for any of you to screw up the others' accounts.

    Finally, it prevents your friends from screwing up the computer so that it won't work at all, because they simply won't have the permission to do so. Admittedly, this can be done with Win2k upwards, too, but it's the default in Linux.
    All the buzzt!
    CornedBee

    "There is not now, nor has there ever been, nor will there ever be, any programming language in which it is the least bit difficult to write bad code."
    - Flon's Law

  4. #34
    UT2004 Addict Kleid-0's Avatar
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    All UT2004 retail versions come with Linux binaries, and UT2004 is kick arse. But I can't get my nVidia drivers to install! No matter what happens, it always gives me some error. I'm using kernel 2.4.22, I mean c'mon!

    Though when you're on Linux, it's best to be optimistic as possible, so I believe that it's good that I can't get nVidia drivers to work, because then I won't be playing UT2004 all day!

  5. #35
    I like code Rouss's Avatar
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    http://os.newsforge.com/article.pl?s...30222&from=rss
    Here's an article about Windows virii in Linux. It's entertaining as well as informative.

  6. #36
    Cat without Hat CornedBee's Avatar
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    Muahahahah!
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    CornedBee

    "There is not now, nor has there ever been, nor will there ever be, any programming language in which it is the least bit difficult to write bad code."
    - Flon's Law

  7. #37
    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
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    dont completely remove windows like klied or whatever hsi anem is said. Then if you have problems, how are you going to get online and figure them out?

    as far as speed, my old k6 500 w/ 764mb ram runs is 24/7 without a hitch, and installed slackware in about 20 minutes.

  8. #38
    UT2004 Addict Kleid-0's Avatar
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    I say completely remove Windows, but you have to have a really good walkthrough in your hands that you trust. If you screw up, you can go to the library and use their computer to research your problem. Make sure you have a lot of free time too, because you may screw up a lot, and the more you screw up, the more you learn about troubleshooting.

  9. #39
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    There is no reason for a beginner to remove Windows altogether. Dual boot.

  10. #40
    Registered User Scribbler's Avatar
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    Something that will help tremendously is to actually learn linux as well. Just pokin around as you go (as some would like to believe) simply will not cut it. At best you learn how to navigate your particular distro, and perhaps a trick or two. But to be really effective, you should know how linux works.

    If you wish to be self taught, don't look for a book/tutorial based on your particular distro or desktop environment. Start from the basics of linux/unix. I recommend Unix Made Easy. Straight forward, simple lesson plans, and written in a manner you're not scratching your head in confusion all the time. And it doesn't take a year and a day to get through the book. Despite it's thick size, you go through it pretty quickly. (and don't gloss over the section teaching the VI editor).

  11. #41
    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
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    I say completely remove Windows
    and most of what you say is either blatently wrong, ignorant, half arsed, or difficult. For a linux newb that makes NO sense at ALL. If it was up to you we would all be running linux like chickens with no heads using goto's and watching carebears.

  12. #42
    UT2004 Addict Kleid-0's Avatar
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    Completely remove Windows, I was a Linux noob about 2 months ago. I didn't know anything about Linux, installed Linux, worked with it, now I'm using goto and watching the carebears, I'm successful! lol

  13. #43
    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
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    Yes at being an idiot.

  14. #44
    UT2004 Addict Kleid-0's Avatar
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    That's not what your mom said last night

  15. #45
    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
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    After you go buy a new book of jokes ill let you in on the fact that my mom is an overweight crackI am sillyI am sillyI am sillyI am sillyI am silly with bladder problems.

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