Is Linux worth it?

da_buddha · Post by **da_buddha** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 11:16 pm

So... per some sort urging within me (and given that I am going back to college in about 7 hours), I wanted to get and try and just use and do some cool/fun/challenging things on Linux... I already have it all sorted out and have a Live CD I am using (for the time being) but am just wondering...

Is Linux really worth it? Every friend I have talked to, from regular gaming friends to crazy chinese ASP-lovers to Mac OS X programmers, etc., have all said Linux is only good for servers, and nothing more. It's sort of giving me a bad feeling like, maybe it is useles, as much as I want to "be 1337" and run it, but I am just trying to justify myself!!

I hope there aren't any Linux-addicts here that will go off on me for asking this, as happened in a similar situation on a Linux version forums... anyway, so yea, I was hoping the good Legit Reviews forums regulars would let in on their response to this interesting "dilemma"!

infinitevalence · Post by **infinitevalence** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 11:51 pm

I really like linux for a workstation or server. i find it to be very stable and easy to use it also never requires reboots and is very customizable. Windows is as well but you have to hack it to get it where you want it that or install gigs of programs that end up hogging all your memory. I would not use linux for gaming or graphics just because its not there yet for thoes sorts of things. I will be using linux on my laptop for school since i prefer the envorment over windows and i dont need any windows based apps for school work. So in the end i think its worth it just make sure you know that its a no nonsense workstation like OS, yes it has other frills in it but none really amount to much.

kenc51 · Post by **kenc51** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 4:53 pm

I have used just about every distro out there... Yet I'm typing this on XP...

I'm afraid no one can tell you.. You need to decide for yourself..

It is NO good for gaming.. Can be done, OpenGL games are ok but DirectX needs to use an emulator (wine), which slows performance greatly..

For Desktop use.. I would say better than Windoze...

Don't just install and think thats it... You will need to do alot of configuring to get things the way you like... (depending on version) But that what makes it good.. OPTIONS!!

Each Distro have their own little differenes.. Some have good reputation for stability , Debian (woody) etc. Some are geared towards server enviroments.. RHEL, Suse Ent Linux etc. and some are easier than others to configure...
Some come on 1 cd and others 6-7 cd's

Slackware would be the most UNIX like (no easy control panel) or Gentoo (which can be completely complied manually from source), Fedora, Mandravia (used to be called Mandrake), SUSE Pro would be "easier" to configure...

It's a steep learning curve if you pick the wrong distro... Can also be fun.. I suggest if you want to actually learn Linux, Install on a second pc, then you can safely "play" with your kernel etc...

If your Just interested in using Linux.. Life is easy If you choose SUSE or something.. You would be suprised how easy to config/update etc. some distro's are..

There is also loads of software freely available...

Here are a few sites!

http://distrowatch.com (pick your distro here)

http://www.suse.com/ (I use this.. Super solid and easy to use)
http://www.slackware.com/ (very solid and stable)
Http://fedora.redhat.com (Free "testing" version of red hat)
http://www.mandriva.com/ (like SuSe)

http://www.linuxquestions.org/ (join now if going to use Linux - best site for probs)

Ken

ps. I'm no Linux guru... Just have tried ALOT of versions... Let us know if you want to know anything about any distro... Altough http://distrowatch.com is a must....

pps. I run my rig for desktop,file server (1TB of crap) and folding rig.. I use SuSe.. Took me 20mins to install, setup network/internet and wirelsss....! Remember i have no programming skills and know very little about Linux

bubba · Post by **bubba** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 9:19 pm

I installed fedora on my file server. still trying to get use to it. set up easy enough. duno if I like yet of not.

da_buddha · Post by **da_buddha** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 10:05 pm

kenc51 wrote:pps. I run my rig for desktop,file server (1TB of crap) and folding rig.. I use SuSe.. Took me 20mins to install, setup network/internet and wirelsss....! Remember i have no programming skills and know very little about Linux

Haha... I am using Ubuntu (per suggestion from a good friend) and the Live CD I am using works great. Within <5 minutes it was up completely and not only had my network and everything on the desktop running great, but a bunch of apps installed like GAIM and Firefox, etc... Er, forgot to add that, it does all of that without me doing anything, all part of its config and operations during boot.

Thanks for the long reply man. It is an intersting thought, however I think I may just stick with using the Ubuntu Live CD, even though I lose some features like the 2300MHz my proc should run at. (It's an AMD A64 with PowerNow that requires rebuilding the kernel... unless I'm a n00b and don't know how to rebuild the kernel and not-reboot yet have it run?)

kenc51 · Post by **kenc51** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 7:43 am

cool
Rebuilding your kernel is easy since kernel 2.6!
It's only worth it if you have it installed!!

It took me abbot 2yrs to actually get stuck into linux.. I kept making mistakes and have to reinstall, then give up for a few mths...

Unbutu is based on debian.. Harder to config than others, but very stable and easy to use... All the progs you need are there..

anyhow, I suggest you get a USB memory stick if using a LiveCD.. Use it to save your settings etc...