Fact or Fiction? Top 8 Linux Myths Debunked

Yahoo ^ | Thu Sep 9, 2:18 pm ET | Katherine Noyes Katherine Noyes

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

If the idea of using Linux in your business is one that makes you nervous, chances are you've fallen prey to one or more of the many myths out there that are frequently disseminated by competing vendors such as Microsoft. After all, each Linux user means one less sale for such companies, so they have a powerful motivation to spread such FUD.

In fact, the ranks of businesses and government organizations using Linux grows every day, and for good reason: it's simply a good business choice. Let's take a look, then, at some of the top anxiety-causing myths and dispel them once and for all.

1. "It's Hard to Install"

Today, installing Linux is actually easier than installing Windows. Of course, most people don't install Windows themselves--rather, it comes preinstalled on their hardware, and that's an option with Linux too, if you're in the market for a new machine anyway.

If not, however, the best thing to do is first try out the distribution you're interested in via a Live CD or Live USB. Then, once you decide you like it, you can either install it in dual-boot fashion, so that both Linux and Windows are available to you all the time, or you can install Linux instead of Windows.

Either way, installation has become extremely simple over the years, particularly on distributions such as Ubuntu, Fedora, Linux Mint and openSUSE. Most include a step-by-step wizard and very easy-to-understand graphical tools; they also typically offer a way to automate the process. A full installation will probably take no more than 30 minutes, including basic apps.

2. "It's Just for Experts"

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Why the virtual Machines?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

The Structure of Linux and Unix ...(Apple uses the same)...prevents remote installation of the type that happens with Windows via things like Active X.

In its early days Unix had vulnerablity..but it can be pretty hard to hack into NOW.

You have to get into root mode ....(simple explanation leaving out many details).

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I run several flavors...never bother with any antivirus stuff....

Those guys are getting rich off of the Windows users.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Was just looking at this specialized Distro...for keeping the bad guys out of your private data:

FR Thread:

Ubuntu Privacy Remix 9.04 now available ( The goal of ...private data can be dealt with safely)

[puppypusher]

I installed the newest version of ubuntu on my Dell 1710 XPS.The only problemI had was getting the WiFi system to work and after a few weeks of working on it Without success I reinstalled Windows XP.

As soon as they clear up problems like that it will be worthwhile reinstalling.

[bmwcyle]

Now burn your copies of Windows.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

With multiple machines start with this:

IOGEAR GCS634U MiniView USB KVM Switch with audio and cables

Control Four PCs via One Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse Share one monitor, keyboard, mouse and a set of speakers between four USB-compatible computers using the IOGEAR GCS634U KVM switch. The built-in VGA connector supports monitors with resolutions of up to 2048 x 1536.

Then you can have a machine with Linux set up for

FEARLESS BROWSING ANYWHERE on the internet....

Use the other one for something else like running the Windows applications that so many of us have!

It is a small box....

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Probably has a Broadcom chip in it....the B**** don't want to write any drivers .

Since that is a gaming laptop , probably don't think there is any need to...damn high price for a laptop.

Do I have this right?

Dell XPS M1710 Review (pics, specs)

Wireless Card: Intel 3945 (802.11b/g)

That might have a solution...see this thread...he is trying to get it working on an encrypted network...so he must have drivers....:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1451620&highlight=Intel+3945

[puppypusher]

Yea!It’s a gaming laptop with Broadcom WiFi chipset.It was expensive when I bought it and since it’s not upgradeable I will NOT be buying one again.

Desktops are more economical.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Just found this:

Broadcom opensources it's WIFI driver

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

More...

Broadcom 4238 a/b/g/n Ver 3

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Kind of choppy...but this looks very useful:

[SOLVED] The Definitive 9.10 Broadcom Solution Guide

I remeber someone having Broadcom on a portable...not sure who.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Well I am digging up stuff...this is from Broadcom...guess they are doing something about Linux:

802.11 Linux STA driver

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From ubuntu:

LinuxLogFiles

[Paradox]

Ubuntu was the easiest install I had ever done, but I must say that Windows 7 install is superb. Really, since Ubuntu, Linux has been “there”. It is as easy to use as Windows and Mac. The only thing keeping me from it at the moment is that.. I have no reason to switch. Windows serves me fine at the moment, but if needed, I will not be hesitant to switch.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

No malware problems on the internet?

That is what got to me.

[Grut]

The point about lack of support isn't entirely wrong, though. Yes, there's a big on-line support community - and it is absolutely full of bad advice that never goes away because nobody's responsible for policing content. Also good advice, of course, if you can find it amongst the dreck.

[Paradox]

I really don't have to deal much with Malware these days, and when I do, it is a minor annoyance.

That said, I recently helped my sister rid herself of a real SOB rootkit virus. What a pain.. Funny enough, I used a Linux CD distro with AV on it it get rid of the thing..

[eclecticEel]

#5 is Linux’s biggest shortcoming. The Linux community can pump up OpenOffice as much as they want - but it will never replace MS Office. Microsoft will also never release a Linux version, for obvious reasons.

[MarineBrat]

>>Why the virtual Machines?

Our clients run 100% Windows systems. So that’s what I run. But I’ve always liked to have my hand in different operating systems. 4DOS, DR DOS, MS DOS, FreeDOS, Desqview, OS/2, Win 3.1, W4WG, Win95/98/NT/XP/Vista/7, Ubuntu, Jolicloud, Redhat, Netware, etc... It’s fun to tinker. And most of those I’ve got ready to run in VMs.

OK, so I finally remembered what I needed earlier when I was actually in the process of updating some VMs, and needed to install the Guest Additions. My frustration was showing through. :)

cd /media/cdrom
sudo ./VBoxLinuxAdditions-x86.run

The sudo commandline was escaping me. :)