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9023
August 20th, 2007 06:00
Linux VS Windows, how do they compare?
Hello everyone,
I'm only just discovering Linux for the very first time, and I was wondering what everyone's experience with Linux is, compared to Windows.
* What makes Linux unique, and makes it better or worse compared to Windows.
* What about security? I heard that Linux codes are open, then doesn't that mean that it's easy for hackers to steal personal information?
* Is it for the technically minded or can anybody use Linux?
* Is it essentially built by whoever wants to build it? In other words, unlike Windows, there is no one person or group of people making the software? If so, does that mean there are no security updates or any other updates? Are updates even necessary?
* Would you recommend it to your friends? Why?
* Would browsers such as Firefox and IE work with Linux? What about other software from devices such as printers as well as utility software such as Office, iTunes and so on?
Any other comments that you would like to share would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your input in advance.
Calla
Message Edited by Calla Lily on 08-20-2007 05:10 PM
I'm only just discovering Linux for the very first time, and I was wondering what everyone's experience with Linux is, compared to Windows.
* What makes Linux unique, and makes it better or worse compared to Windows.
* What about security? I heard that Linux codes are open, then doesn't that mean that it's easy for hackers to steal personal information?
* Is it for the technically minded or can anybody use Linux?
* Is it essentially built by whoever wants to build it? In other words, unlike Windows, there is no one person or group of people making the software? If so, does that mean there are no security updates or any other updates? Are updates even necessary?
* Would you recommend it to your friends? Why?
* Would browsers such as Firefox and IE work with Linux? What about other software from devices such as printers as well as utility software such as Office, iTunes and so on?
Any other comments that you would like to share would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your input in advance.
Calla
Message Edited by Calla Lily on 08-20-2007 05:10 PM
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floba
54 Posts
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September 2nd, 2007 17:00
I'm pretty sure the CD you ordered is a LiveCD. Apart from the LiveCD there is only the Alternate-CD, and unless you explicitly ordered that one you'll get the LiveCD.
If you want to know in advance whether there are any known issues with Ubuntu on your hardware, check the reports on "http://www.linux-laptop.net/" (search for your vendor and system).
floba
Calla Lily
2 Intern
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243 Posts
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September 2nd, 2007 22:00
Thanks for your posts. I appreciate it.
To be honest, I'm actually nervous about trying it out myself, and I don't even have the CD yet. So I was thinking that maybe I could get an external hard disk and try it out on that, but not sure how that would work out. The system that I have currently is: Inspiron 640M/E1405 laptop, with Windows XP home edition. Although I looked at the reports that others have posted on the particular website that floba mentioned above, couldn't find ones in English. Hopefully things work out on mine. Have to do more research and see if anyone has tried out on my particular model.
Thanks again,
Calla
Calla Lily
2 Intern
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243 Posts
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September 2nd, 2007 22:00
Thanks for the link. Unfortunately, it didn't have reports on the model that I have in English. Would you happen to know other sites? Thanks,
Calla
DE11DO
4 Posts
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September 2nd, 2007 23:00
Calla Lily
2 Intern
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243 Posts
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September 4th, 2007 03:00
Actually, you suggested the same thing that I was thinking about doing: getting a second external hard disk. I've been reading some more on Ubuntu, and the more I read, the more I realize that I'm not technically equipped at this stage to handle the things that has to be done to run a dual boot. I've already had a nightmare of a time with a BIOS update that created a high pitched sound coming from the top right hand corner of the laptop. So I think it's best that I leave the current hard disk that is inside my laptop well alone, and get an external one so that should I make a mistake with Ubuntu, I don't have to worry about ruining my computer.
What I would like to know is, if I do mess things up with an external hard drive/USB flash drive, would it permanently damage the actual disk/flash drive? I realize that this question may seem strange or rather "stupid," per say, but I've never bought an external hard drive/USB flash drive, and this current laptop is my very first computer that I bought for myself, ever. I've always been given hand me downs and I just used them for emailing and web browsing. Although I am learning bit by bit about computers in general and about Linux and so forth, I must admit, with the kinds of things that has to be done to prepare my current hard drive for a dual boot, I see the huge gap between my technical "expertise" (lack of) and what needs to be done.
So this is what I was thinking: get an external hard drive or a USB flash drive, then install Ubuntu on that. I don't know how I would run Ubuntu and Windows XP at the same time though. Is my idea plausible or am I just dreaming? My goal is, is not to touch the BIOS codes or nay other codes, and be able to run Ubuntu and Windows XP, maybe not at the same time, but be able to run either OS.
Thank you for any help, Perhaps I will put a separate post about this idea.
Calla