Posted on 11/11/2009 7:51:53 AM PST by big bad easter bunny
After getting hit again with a nasty virus I finally pulled the trigger and did a full install of Ubuntu open source Lenox operating system, It is awesome! It's free, it's fast, it comes preloaded with 90% of what most computer users need and it comes with thousands of free programs that can be downloaded and installed with complete ease.
Also if you get nailed with one of those viruses that don't even let you open in safe-mode, install Ubuntu as a parallel and you can access your old files and put them on an external drive.
Did I mention it's free and of virus problems as well. Good bye Microsoft.
it’s Linux, not Lenox
I think you mean Linux as opposed to Lenox (that’s china as I recall...) Welcome to a M$-free world!
Microsoft works for me. What are you doing so wrong? Besides, advertising for Linux is not what this forum is about, but go ahead so we can bash you for being too stupid to use a computer.
But you've made a good choice. Anything that is M$ and you absolutely need can be run in either a Virtual Machine or use WINE (Windows Emulation).
install Ubuntu as a parallel and you can access your old files and put them on an external drive.
for us people who know how to hit the on button and the start, shutdown button, exactly HOW do you install Ubuntu as a parallel (to show my ignorance, what is a parellel and where is it installed?)
If you have no clue of my background then your statement could be seen a pretty absurd, which it is! It’s free! How could I be helping Lenox or Linux?
Good choice. Welcome to the dark side. Prepare to defend yourself from hoards of Windows and Mac zealots. Just try not to become a zealot yourself. :)
I won’t pile on ;-)
But if you have an older PC - and I mean even a 200 mhz 10 year old one - try Puppylinux - http://puppylinux.org
It is small and VERY fast and runs just fine on older machines right off the CDROM - no installation necessary. Just burn the ISO image (which will barely fill 1/6 of a CDROM!) and stick it in and reboot, you’ll be up and running linux with a nice GUI and all the bells and whistles most people will ever need.
The Seamonkey browser is from Mozilla, looks just like Firefox but inclues a mail and news reader client (remember Netscape Communicator?) Very nice.
And to my surprise, installing new programs is now a point-and-click deal, no need to know linux commands or file structures.
Ubuntu is great, Puppy is even more impressive to me because how it brings older PCs to useful life again. If nothing else, install it on your unused PC and give it to a non-profit or someone who can’t afford a new one.
I’ve tried Ubuntu, Mint, Puppy, whatever. I’m back with Windows. WINE is pitiful. Plus, why should I run a second operating system on top of another (Virtual Machine) just so I can use Windows by itself. Think about it. You don’t like Windows but you run VM because it allows you to run Windows apps. Duh.
I run Linux for my work, for my firewalls, for my NAS servers and for other critical systems. MS Vista is confined to my kid’s PC for games.
read
Ping for later
I’m assuming that he means dual-boot, and in that case, the Ubuntu disc will pretty much do all of the work for you. I currently have my PC set up to dual-boot XP and Ubuntu.
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When I was looking at switching to Vista, I was going to have to run XP in a virtual machine in Vista in order to run certain software that I need for work.
If I’m going to do that, what do I need Vista for?
How much Windows software do you need to run, anyway? Did you try out the Virtualbox seamless mode?
I do get most of my software for free, especially the MS stuff, legally even. And I don’t get viruses. The two most important steps to not getting viruses are not hanging around in the bad neighborhood on the internet (warez and porn tend to be trojan festivals) and not clicking on any random thing that comes a long (those silly smiley things and browser doo-dads almost always have bad stuff).
Before you let yourself look stupid, you should click on the names of posters and learn what you can about them. It can save you from future embarasment.
I often have this discussion with people. My main home computer is and has been a Windows machine for 16 years now. I have never had a virus. Hardware failures, sure, but that’s got nothing to do with the operating system. While I am in the computer field, it doesn’t take a genius to see that responsible use is really all you need to survive.
Why people don’t think this way with computers is beyond me. There are bad people everywhere. It doesn’t matter where you go or what you do, risks exist. People are generally cautious when they are shopping, traveling, or what have you, so why not with computers? Anybody who says “Well, I shouldn’t have to worry about that” is only deluding themselves. Travelers shouldn’t have to worry about being scammed while on vacation, but the threat is ever-present.
There are three simple rules people can follow. Be responsible (as you said, illegal software and porn sites usually are rife with security problems), install a free (or paid, doesn’t matter) antivirus suite (better safe than sorry), and use the automatic updates. Microsoft makes every attempt to keep their machines secure. If people don’t download the updates (which should be downloaded and installed automatically) I have no sympathy for them. This would be like blaming Toyota if you wrecked your car because you never changed the brake pads.
I don't know about that. He was able to load 'Linux' when he couldn't open the computer. Maybe he was thinking of the dishwasher.
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