Windows and Linux converge
Is Linux becoming more compatible with Microsoft Windows?
(Credit: CNET Networks)The alternative, open-source operating system Linux has been making news recently. Last week, Dell began shipping PCs with the Linux distribution Ubuntu pre-installed, and on Friday I took a look at Wubi, free Windows software that lets you install and run Ubuntu on your Windows machine without creating a boot CD or partitioning your hard drive.
According to recent stats from W3Counter, Linux still holds only a tiny fraction of the personal-computing market share (slightly less than Windows 98!), but there's definitely a convergence going on within Windows, Mac, and Linux software development. The excellent personal-finance software GnuCash was recently ported from Linux to Windows, and the Lina project plans to soon release software that will let Windows and Mac users run Linux software on the OS of their choice.
Are you curious about Ubuntu or Linux? Have you had any personal experience with Linux software, or could you not care less? Tell me about it in the comments.
Also, when this software (linux) is installed with windows, does it create a "dual boot"? It might be great for recovering your files from a windows 'meltdown'!
How about you linux people (companies) amalgamating into one effort and make that a *real* alternative to Windows.
My opinion, for what it's worth; Linux was easy to install (at least as easy as Windows), easy to use, and easy to learn (Using the GUI interface was very much similar to Windows). The problem arose when I tried to find compatible software (and hardware) to run on Linux. Although the Redhat version I was using came with many pre-installed apps, including open source, when I attempted to install a D-link wireless USB adapter, USB thumb drive, or download a flash player for Firefox (So my daughter could connect to the Nickelodeon web site), I found Linux less then helpful, and it became the nightmare of cryptic commands I had imaged it would be. (Imagine, unzipping, installing, and moving a program using DOS commands.)
So my question is, other than the price, (which might be FREE depending on the version) why would anyone Windows user want to have Linux on their computer as well?
With the negatives from Vista growing daily I'm a firm believer in Open source as the solution.
In fact, there are already products (Parallels, VMware Fusion) that enable users to run Windows applications directly on their Mac desktop (imagine launching IE 7 or MS Project from the Dock). In fact, these products are maturing to the point where you can even play DirectX-powered games from within Mac OS X!
Pretty cool stuff. I hope this trend continues...
I installed both OS on a clean hard drive, Windows first, then Linux. I was astonished at the speed of Ubuntu installation. It easily took only about 10 percent of the time needed by Windows, and found more of my hardware automatically than Windows did (you would think by now that they would have Win2K right). It also configured my cable internet connection automatically -- Windows, not so much...
Comparing the two OS I notice that Ubuntu boots faster and runs applications MUCH faster than Windows. Nor does Ubuntu freeze, not at all, ever. It would be perfect for unattended server applications and the install package allows you to select the appropriate options for this.
Ubuntu has an auto update function which runs daily and which not only updates the OS, but your applications software as well. This appears to have worked perfectly to date - no broken or buggy applications. This week, it automatically updated the kernel, an operation that was not for the faint hearted when I was learning Linux SysAdmin. But the process was seamless and required almost no input from me at all.
Importantly, though it doesn't seem to be widely known, Ubuntu reads Windows NTFS files (though it uses EXT3 itself), so all your existing files are still available, easing the transition. Other Linux distros either read NTFS natively, or can take advantage of an open source package that allows this.
If you want Vista for the Aero desktop, or like the way the Mac looks, Linux users have an extremely sexy 3D desktop called Beryl. It will knock your socks off. And of course, it's open source.
I went to Linux because I simply lost patience with Microsoft and vendors of Microsoft-compatible software. Failure of the Windows Genuine Advantage verification process can be a terrible inconvenience, even for a professional (I can imagine some home users completely losing the use of their computers). Also some software vendors now are asking for successive re-registrations of Windows applications. I don't mind paying for good apps, but I think a single registration should be enough.
I didn't go to Linux for free software, I did it for speed, stability, convenience, and freedom from the sort of copy protection hassles that have dogged Windows since the 1980s. Now it's reached the point where I boot Win2K only to play a single Windows-specific game, and I can't see myself ever going back. Linux and its associated software may have slightly different feature sets, and yes, there is a short learning curve for laypeople, but it's faster, cleaner, it works every time and (unlike Vista) you don't need a Cray to run it. Given the choice, I'll never set up another Windows desktop or server system.
The open source community should be extremely proud of this effort. With something this good, there is essentially no reason to use Windows any more unless you have an application that won't run on anything else. Windows has lost most of its reason to exist.
JBB
I like the auto updates and yes, it has a lot of the feel of Windows. Have not had much time on it other than setting up and quick check out of some of the features but did not get in to the software programs yet.
The only problem I have is with my lcd monitor, the monitor says it won't support vga so I had to get out the bohimith crt monitor to use it. Have not had time to check into the reason or resolution if there is one.
I do see myself weening of Windows and on to Linux.I am so glad some one came up with a way to easily install Linus. I remember a version (Winlinux?) Was supposed to work with Windows 95 or 98, not sure of the name, claimed the same but I could never get it to work.
I finally got so damn frustrated, I tried Xandros. Although a commercial package; AKA I paid for it, it WORKED. It comes with Firefox, Thunderbird, Crossover (installs and runs popular Windows software) Open Office, etc. Although these are available in free distros, the software mangement more closely resembles what we are familiar with in XP. It is extremly stable. The only problem I had was trying to run 3D. My graphics card does not support it properly, but then it didn't support Vista either, which I ran in a dual boot with XP.
The main problem I see with Umbunto and the others is trying to get the simple steps to install something. Once you run into a problem trying to get a frank flow for installing you get half answers that remind you of Microsoft answers where you get something that describes the problem but not the answer. But then you can call live India support!
So a database of answers to issues and there are lots is necessary before we see the average user adopt any of this system.
For the average Joe it just does not work!
Ron
Installation & was a snap as was customizing the desktop. The GUI & feel are similar to Windows. There were a couple of issues with Xandros in this machine: the first was that my AOL dialup connection wouldn't work on this computer & also, the computer wouldn't shut down completely without the need to press the main power button, both of which always worked fine on Windows 98.
Fortunately, Xandros includes 60 days customer support. There's apparently a compatibility issue with AOL dialup service but with their help I got it working. The hang-up on shutdown is a BIOS issue that didn't show up with Windows but nothing that I can't live with. Incidentally, SBC Global HS internet service set up & worked fine on Xandros.
Xandros also comes with a preinstalled version of 'wine' called CodeWeavers to adapt Windows programs to Linux distros but it doesn't work with AutoCAD LT98, one of my favorite programs, so I eihter need to learn to use another CAD program or use AutoCAD on an offline Windows machine.
In spite of these two issues I like the idea of greater security & freedom from Microsoft.
I was a Unix administrator in Defence some 15 years ago and am surprised how good it is. I run a file server for the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome society running Ubuntu and it's accessable over the Internet. If we were to pay it would have been outside our budget.
As a Programmer and an Electronic Engineer I feel it's got about 80-90% of the software that Windows has. It lacks in the area of very expensive CAD software. Therefore I can't say good bye to my 2 home Windows machines. Give it time, it's early.
Mike Ritter,
Adelaide, South Australia.
rob.n.val@hotmail.com
- incompatibility
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by WileECoyote_1
May 30, 2007 3:27 AM PDT
- I had my own experience with Linux, after reading about the Xandros version for sale. I found that my Lexmark 5200 series printer and my Belkin wireless network would not work for me. Maybe some real geek might have found a patch or something, but it was not an easy fix for me. I think, in my own conspricay theorist mind that Bill likes it that way.
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- incompatibility...well...
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by dkweston
May 30, 2007 7:59 PM PDT
- Incompatibility can be a problem, but there are ways around it.
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Showing 1 of 2 pages (39 Comments)As far as hardware detection goes, not all flavors of Linux are created equally. Some distros do a better job of hardware detection than others. The good news is that trying different distributions is fairly easy.
Most Linux distros now come as live cd's or dvd's. You slip the disk into the computer, turn the machine on and it boots Linux without the need to partition your drive or install anything. If you don't like that particular distro or it fails to pick up your hardware, no harm done, try another one.
Ubuntu is the most popular distro out there. Some folks love it, some hate it. I've had better luck with several other distros in terms of hardware compatibility with this one but there's a large support community in place to help if you need it.
There are a couple of distros that you might look at.
Mepis is a single cd distro that packs a lot of punch. Although Mepis is based on Ubuntu-Debian, it's not just a Ubuntu clone and generally, hardware detection is excellent..
Mint is another distro that is based on Ubuntu, but is designed to be a little more "user friendly." Their hardware detection seems to be just about as good as it gets.
PCLinuxOS is another great distro. Originally based on Mandriva, PCLOS is one of the best looking distros out there. Hardware detection is very good and they have one of the best communities you'll find if you have a problem or a question.
The incompatibility issues you describe have more to do with companies not writing Linux drivers for their products than it does with any Linux distro. The Broadcom wireless cards found in many laptops is the best example I can give you. However, it is possible to use the native Windows drivers under Linux. Both Mint and PCLinuxOS give you graphic tools that make it easy.
There are hundreds of different Linux distros out there. Distrowatch.com is a good place to start looking, reading reviews and learning.
A final thought.... I switched to Linux a few years ago, tired of the crashes, security issues and generally hassles with Windows. Back then, there was a steeper learning curve but most of that has changed. And, I've found Linux to be a more reliable, friendlier and all around better experience.
Best of luck and keep on looking.