Linux Linux why Linux??

afreedboy · 12-09-2003, 09:32 AM

I heard you guys talking about Linux and I see a lot of you use Linux. Why do you use Linux besides Windows? I heard Linux don't support hardware drivers and it harder to use than windows. Please tell me the reasons why you guys use Linux. So I can decide whether I should try Linux or not..

FillYourBrain · 12-09-2003, 09:38 AM

One reason I use it is that I can't justify the expense of some of the software I need. Linux allows me to do most of the same things for free. Yes, I know you can get illegal copies of things but I've developed a conscience over time.

Another reason is that linux closely mimics Unix which is the environment I'll be working in for my new job.

As far as the difficulty goes. That's true until you spend some real time on it. My wife for instance, won't touch it because she doesn't want to learn how to use it. I think it is more suitable for programmers.

ober · 12-09-2003, 10:17 AM

There is a definite learning curve but, I think FYB will attest to this, once you get a handle on it, you can actually do lots of things a lot faster than you can with Windows.

However, it's true, that Linux has it's drawbacks. Setup of some hardware can be a pain, but that is becoming less and less of a problem as newer versions emerge.

Gaming is also an issue since most game developers do not create Linux versions of their games.

**Thantos** · 12-09-2003, 10:38 AM

I have two computers, one with XP, one with Debian. One really nice thing about Linux is that it doesn't require a super fast computer to run really well. I have it on a PII 667mhz computer and it more then keeps up.

major_small · 12-09-2003, 10:51 AM

I like it because I like the whole open-source thing, and I like being able to see and work with underlying code... that's why I'm a programmer...

Windows definately has it beat on compatibility though...

glUser3f · 12-09-2003, 11:48 AM

hardware compatibility isn't Linux fault, manuafcturers should write Linux drivers and not only Windows ones.

EDIT:
forgot to mention that hardware compatibility is much better right now than how it used to be several years back.
posting from a Linux machine, with modern hardware, and everything works just fine.

Fountain · 12-09-2003, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by glUser3f
hardware compatibility isn't Linux fault, manuafcturers should write Linux drivers and not only Windows ones.

EDIT:
forgot to mention that hardware compatibility is much better right now than how it used to be several years back.
posting from a Linux machine, with modern hardware, and everything works just fine.

Indeed, but why waste money/time doing that when the majority use Windows? If there aint no cash in it, they will only write for Windows.

glUser3f · 12-09-2003, 01:21 PM

why are you saying that there is no cash in writing Linux drivers? I'm a gamer, I buy a new graphics card every year (or so), I always get nVidia's cards, because of the great Linux support, unlike ATI.
There is cash in it, it's just not as much as Windows.

ober · 12-09-2003, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by glUser3f
There is cash in it, it's just not as much as Windows.

DING DING DING!!!! We have a winner! Welcome to economics 101, my friend.

Waldo2k2 · 12-09-2003, 01:44 PM

leik cause L337 h4X0rs use Leenux!!
Go penguins!

::edit::
I use it because I like being able to create a program and tailor the OS to it, not vice versa

mix0matt · 12-09-2003, 02:49 PM

Quote:

I use it because I like being able to create a program and tailor the OS to it, not vice versa

Really, that's interesting. How about sharing an example with us?

FillYourBrain · 12-09-2003, 03:15 PM

this conversation always degrades into idealistic rants about the evils of microsoft and the superiority of linux.

Rule of thumb: ignore people who emotionally display disdain for Windows. The issue is politics to them. The operating systems serve different purposes in many ways. Unix/Linux is a more appropriate development/business machine. Where Windows is a more appropriate desktop for grandma and the kids. Neither is "better".

glUser3f · 12-09-2003, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ober5861
DING DING DING!!!! We have a winner! Welcome to economics 101, my friend.

Hmm, isn't creating something that supports Linux, and sellingit to most Linux users profitable? I don't get it...
Another example is games, I'm pretty sure that games like UT2k3 and NWN (which were ported to Linux) sell more because of this.

frenchfry164 · 12-09-2003, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Hmm, isn't creating something that supports Linux, and sellingit to most Linux users profitable? I don't get it...
Another example is games, I'm pretty sure that games like UT2k3 and NWN (which were ported to Linux) sell more because of this.

Professional software developers that don't port usually falls into one of these categories:
1. Too lazy
2. They don't program with cross-platformability in mind (i.e. DirectX)
3. Their publisher is a jackass
4. It would cost more money to port it than they would gain from porting it
5. They don't recognize the Linux community

I'm not using any of those as an insult. They only port things that they want to port. If they feel the benefits are not great enough, they won't port. It's that simple.

PS: JUST USE WINE!!!!!!!!!!

glUser3f · 12-09-2003, 04:11 PM

Using WINE will just make things worse, developers won't port games because WINE is there, but you know, native is much better.

12-09-2003, 09:32 AM	#1
afreedboy Microsoft Lover Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 189	Linux Linux why Linux?? I heard you guys talking about Linux and I see a lot of you use Linux. Why do you use Linux besides Windows? I heard Linux don't support hardware drivers and it harder to use than windows. Please tell me the reasons why you guys use Linux. So I can decide whether I should try Linux or not..
afreedboy is offline

12-09-2003, 09:38 AM	#2
FillYourBrain pronounced 'fib' Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 2,289	One reason I use it is that I can't justify the expense of some of the software I need. Linux allows me to do most of the same things for free. Yes, I know you can get illegal copies of things but I've developed a conscience over time. Another reason is that linux closely mimics Unix which is the environment I'll be working in for my new job. As far as the difficulty goes. That's true until you spend some real time on it. My wife for instance, won't touch it because she doesn't want to learn how to use it. I think it is more suitable for programmers. __________________ "You are stupid! You are stupid! Oh, and don't forget, you are STUPID!" - Dexter
FillYourBrain is offline

12-09-2003, 10:17 AM	#3
ober 5\|-\|1+\|-\|34\|) Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 4,429	There is a definite learning curve but, I think FYB will attest to this, once you get a handle on it, you can actually do lots of things a lot faster than you can with Windows. However, it's true, that Linux has it's drawbacks. Setup of some hardware can be a pain, but that is becoming less and less of a problem as newer versions emerge. Gaming is also an issue since most game developers do not create Linux versions of their games.
ober is offline

12-09-2003, 10:38 AM	#4
Thantos & the hat of GPL slaying Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 5,732	I have two computers, one with XP, one with Debian. One really nice thing about Linux is that it doesn't require a super fast computer to run really well. I have it on a PII 667mhz computer and it more then keeps up.
Thantos is offline

12-09-2003, 10:51 AM	#5
major_small Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,787	I like it because I like the whole open-source thing, and I like being able to see and work with underlying code... that's why I'm a programmer... Windows definately has it beat on compatibility though... __________________ Join is in our Unofficial Cprog IRC channel Server: irc.phoenixradio.org Channel: #Tech Team Cprog Folding@Home: Team #43476 Download it Here Detailed Stats Here More Detailed Stats 52 Members so far, are YOU a member? Current team score: 1223226 (ranked 374 of 45152) The CBoard team is doing better than 99.16% of the other teams Top 5 Members: Xterria(518175), pianorain(118517), Bennet(64957), JaWiB(55610), alphaoide(44374) Last Updated on: Wed, 30 Aug, 2006 @ 2:30 PM EDT
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12-09-2003, 11:48 AM	#6
glUser3f Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 345	hardware compatibility isn't Linux fault, manuafcturers should write Linux drivers and not only Windows ones. EDIT: forgot to mention that hardware compatibility is much better right now than how it used to be several years back. posting from a Linux machine, with modern hardware, and everything works just fine. Last edited by glUser3f; 12-09-2003 at 12:01 PM.
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12-09-2003, 01:21 PM	#8
glUser3f Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 345	why are you saying that there is no cash in writing Linux drivers? I'm a gamer, I buy a new graphics card every year (or so), I always get nVidia's cards, because of the great Linux support, unlike ATI. There is cash in it, it's just not as much as Windows.
glUser3f is offline

12-09-2003, 01:44 PM	#10
Waldo2k2 PC Fixer-Upper Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 2,001	leik cause L337 h4X0rs use Leenux!! Go penguins! ::edit:: I use it because I like being able to create a program and tailor the OS to it, not vice versa __________________ PHP and XML Let's talk about SAX
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12-09-2003, 03:15 PM	#12
FillYourBrain pronounced 'fib' Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 2,289	this conversation always degrades into idealistic rants about the evils of microsoft and the superiority of linux. Rule of thumb: ignore people who emotionally display disdain for Windows. The issue is politics to them. The operating systems serve different purposes in many ways. Unix/Linux is a more appropriate development/business machine. Where Windows is a more appropriate desktop for grandma and the kids. Neither is "better". __________________ "You are stupid! You are stupid! Oh, and don't forget, you are STUPID!" - Dexter
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12-09-2003, 04:11 PM	#15
glUser3f Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 345	Using WINE will just make things worse, developers won't port games because WINE is there, but you know, native is much better.
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