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Author
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Topic: What Linux CAN'T do
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Gir Draxon
leftist-rightie and rightist-leftie
Babbler # 3804
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posted 06 October 2005 11:58 PM
So there are many threads on the virtues of Linux... but how about the vices? What can't Linux do?Instead of asking "Why should I switch to Linux?" I am asking "Why should I stay with Windows?" I am thinking of a new desktop system in the upcoming 1-2 years. I'm thinking something fast and powerful... but what if I were to go ahead and install Linux instead of a Windows OS... would I be able to do more than check my email, surf the net, and use office apps? What kind of media device support does Linux have to rival XP Media Edition? Can I run most of the latest PC games using WINE or some similar utility? I know that a dual boot system can do everything I asked, but I am not interested in that. I am talking about an exclusively Linux operated system.
From: Arkham Asylum | Registered: Feb 2003
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radiorahim
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 2777
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posted 07 October 2005 01:07 AM
Yeah gaming is definitely the weakness with Linux.Here's one approach, a programme called Cedega from a company called Trans Gaming that allows Windows games to be played on Linux. This particular software isn't free. Extreme Tech.com review of Cedega 4.0 Just in case it makes you feel "warm and fuzzy", Trans Gaming is a Canadian software company. With audio and video formats, especially WMP formats you may have to fiddle a bit to get them working correctly. [ 07 October 2005: Message edited by: radiorahim ]
From: a Micro$oft-free computer | Registered: Jun 2002
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radiorahim
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 2777
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posted 07 October 2005 05:06 PM
Some folks have claimed that some of the Window$ apps actually run a bit faster on Linux with Cross Over and Cedega...but your mileage as they say will vary.I do have Cross Over running on my Xandros Desktop OS3 box. On some stuff it works fine, some it doesn't. Windows Media Player is one of the "problem" programmes. It can't seem to find my video card and runs steaming video in old fashioned 16 colour and can't seem to find the sound card. Although I can play WMP files through open source alternative programmes after a bit of fiddling...although not always within a browser window. The other thing you may have problems with is doing security updates to M$ programmes that you're running from within Cross Over Office. Most of the inter-operability problems are the result of the M$ source code not being publicly available and everything being reverse engineered to make it work. By the way, the current (October) issue of "Tux Magazine" (a free online Linux magazine aimed at newbies) has a tutorial on how to setup Cedega. You can subscribe at Tux Magazine.com [ 07 October 2005: Message edited by: radiorahim ]
From: a Micro$oft-free computer | Registered: Jun 2002
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radiorahim
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 2777
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posted 08 October 2005 02:02 AM
quote:
Get a MAC!Or else I shall forcefully convert you to the virtues of OS X.
If you can afford it  Certainly more game titles available, and more commercial software available that runs on it.
There aren't any problems with hardware and drivers because Apple keeps tight control of it. If you want to go to a more "commercial" Linux distro there's Xandros, Linspire, Suse and Mandriva. The open (freebee) version of Novell Suse 10.0 was released this week and the freebee version of Mandriva 2006 will be out next week. Linspire runs around $50 U.S. I was reading that they have a deal going with Cedega. Xandros runs around $100 for the "paid" version. If you're new to Linux I'd highly recommend a "junque box test" on a spare machine...or at least trying a "live CD".
From: a Micro$oft-free computer | Registered: Jun 2002
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Rufus Polson
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3308
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posted 08 October 2005 02:27 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Gir Draxon:
Thank you for the replies. In my particular situation, I am starting to think about a new computer. I intend on keeping the one I have right now, but I am considering a new desktop. I am thinking about something that will be able to run some games, but not nessecarily the bleeding edge in terms of graphics.
Incidentally, I'd suggest watching what graphics card the new box has. From all I hear, NVidia tends to have pretty good drivers for Linux, whereas other companies often do not. Luckily, from all I hear NVidia is also one of the best brands. quote:
Something that I can also use as a multimedia center. What I am considering is not even bothering with Vista or whatever the hell is shipped with the system and going right to Linux because that is where I think the future lies...
Y'know, I don't know how things are around your way, but where I live we tend to have these local free rags called stuff like "The Computer Paper". All the computer stores, including the little up-a-flight-of-stairs holes in the wall, advertise in them, and the prices tend to be quite a bit lower than at, like, FutureShop or whatnot. And you can probably get them with a bit less bundled software, paying less for the system that way. Not much point paying for Windows L8est&Gr8est plus office etc. if you're just going to wipe them and put in Linux.
quote:
The way I see it right now, the best solution for me might be a commercial distro. Way cheaper than MS stuff, and no hours spend downloading or burning.
Of the commercial, desktop-intended distros, Xandros seems to get a fair amount of respect when it comes to the all-out for user friendliness distros. Linspire has been kind of controversial; I've tended to find it annoying.
Now, Xandros and Linspire are very user-friendly, to the point where they basically include one selected application for each job, and one desktop. This is indeed very easy to work with. But if you want the full breadth of applications so you can decide which ones you like best, and don't mind the arduous possibilities involved in picking Gnome or KDE, you might want to consider a bought copy of Mandriva. It's about the only distribution that's desktop-oriented, commercial, and also gives you choices rather than making them for you.
From: Caithnard College | Registered: Nov 2002
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