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.
- incompatibility
- 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...
- by dkweston May 30, 2007 7:59 PM PDT
- Incompatibility can be a problem, but there are ways around it. <br />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.<br />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.<br />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.<br />There are a couple of distros that you might look at.<br />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..<br />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.<br />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.<br />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.<br />There are hundreds of different Linux distros out there. Distrowatch.com is a good place to start looking, reading reviews and learning.<br />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. <br />Best of luck and keep on looking.
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