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Author Topic: Do you use Linux as your primary os?  (Read 7574 times)
crosscourt
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« on: August 20, 2008, 09:33:35 AM »

Just curious as to how many of you use Linux as your primary os or at least use it most of the time.

Give us some details and whether you dual boot or use it alone.
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crosscourt
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« Reply #1 on: August 20, 2008, 10:07:40 AM »

If it werent for gaming Id probably be using Linux full time as it would serve most of my needs but right now so much of what I do is involved with gaming and benches its not possible.

Im running Linux on a seperate pc rather than trying to dual boot as Im sure many of you do.
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rrussell
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« Reply #2 on: August 20, 2008, 10:17:47 AM »

Gaming means Winders for me.

But on our public-access family PC, linux is installed.
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crosscourt
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« Reply #3 on: August 20, 2008, 10:30:58 AM »

Thats why I installed Linux on a seperate pc so my wife and others can sit down and take a look without any issues.
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Babar
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« Reply #4 on: August 20, 2008, 10:46:04 AM »

Windows for me also. I can't blame gaming entirely though, I just find it easier to use.
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crosscourt
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« Reply #5 on: August 20, 2008, 10:48:51 AM »

Im more use to Windows and thus have a qucker familiarity with it but Ive had no problems using PCLOS 2007 and any Windows user would find it very easy to use.
We install it on the pcs we collect and donate to seniors when we dont have copies of Windows to use and they find it very easy to get use to...
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Shuttle-Boy
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« Reply #6 on: August 20, 2008, 11:33:20 AM »

If it wasn't for gaming, I'd be using linux as my primary.
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crosscourt
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« Reply #7 on: August 20, 2008, 04:15:47 PM »

Its interesting Shuttle-Boy when Ive asked this question at other sites,  how many say the same thing about gaming.
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tino
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« Reply #8 on: August 21, 2008, 12:54:10 AM »

I use Debian on my main PC, my secondary one run's OS:X and the third gaming one has a copy of Windows 2k on it. (Which I turn on about once every other month) If I want to game i'll use a console.
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crosscourt
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« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2008, 09:50:32 AM »

Yiou can look at it in a variety of ways but for most people who already own decent pcs its alot cheaper to do work and play on the same platform.

Die hard gamers console and pc game.
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VorLonUK
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« Reply #10 on: August 21, 2008, 01:43:02 PM »

I use windows when I "have to" ie for gaming and either Sabayon, Mandriva or Mint for mainly everything else. I prefer Sabayon though as it includes the latest Nvidia (and ATI) drivers and a host of codecs - it works really well without having to change or add anything.

The more i use Vista though (and i have Premium 32 & 64) the more I feel that XP and Linux are the advanced OS's and Vista was something knocked together in one MS lunch break.

The new MS trademark Wink
"Vista - how much hair would you like to pull out today?"
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crosscourt
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« Reply #11 on: August 21, 2008, 02:54:44 PM »

I use Vista Vorlon and have enjoyed it......
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VorLonUK
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« Reply #12 on: August 21, 2008, 03:53:34 PM »

Quote from: "crosscourt" date="1219344884"
I use Vista Vorlon and have enjoyed it......

My biggest annoyance with Vista must be Windows Explorer and the number of templates it uses. Even when you set up your views and save "Apply to all folders" it doesn't remember and often then selects a different template. So for example you have a folder with a dozen of executables in it and then add one *.jpg and the Windows explore template will change - because windows has decided!  So where you might of had size, date modified, date created etc, you'll suddenly be presented with a new template, with things like "picture taken" and so on as the template has been changed.

Vista windows explorer (32 & 64) works nothing like the XP windows explorer (which I still use too). I know there are some third party window explorer type software out there - any recommendations?

If Vista didn't include DX10, i would get MS to exchange my Vista 32 and 64 to XP versions as i don't believe it's "fit for purpose". But thats my opinion, as is once you have a monopoly you can turn out cack if you wish and imo thats what Vista is when compared to XP.

If I was Bill Gates, i'd be giving all Vista users a refund, probably moreso out of sheer embarresment.
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crosscourt
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« Reply #13 on: August 21, 2008, 03:58:16 PM »

I use XP and Vista and enjoy both but obviously my needs are far different from yours.

I dont use Vista for DX10 as I dont even own a DX10 card but I do enjoy the speed and ease of use it affords but again thats my opinion....
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VorLonUK
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« Reply #14 on: August 21, 2008, 05:00:11 PM »

Quote from: "crosscourt" date="1219348696"
I use XP and Vista and enjoy both but obviously my needs are far different from yours.

I dont use Vista for DX10 as I dont even own a DX10 card but I do enjoy the speed and ease of use it affords but again thats my opinion....

I respect your opinion CC  Smiley

On the PC's i use the most as I'm sort of migrating to Vista 64 on my gaming PC, XP is far the quickest.

My Speed Chart

The fastest interaction, ie opening Windows own utilities, including windows explorer, internet explorer, paint, notepad etc

1st   Place) P4c3.2 @3.4Ghz,     1GB PC4000 DDR1, XP Home 32bit. Really enjoy this setup for manipulating files/library etc - no nonsense computing.
2nd  Place) E8200 2.66Ghzx2,   4GB PC6400 DDR2, Vista Premium 64bit. Great for games, encoding etc, but a dog as a file manipulation tool (copy speed is excellent).
3rd   Place) T2080 1.73Ghzx2,   2GB PC5300 DDR2, Vista Premium 32bit. This is my laptop and although it benchmarks faster than my XP PC, it is noticeably slower.

It's not just down to a slower HD's etc, as superfetch should see to a quicker access by having programs loaded into Ram. I just find XP is far more snappier within it's own workings. I find I'm constantly waiting on the Vista PC's where the XP is over the finish line before Vista has thought about executing the code.
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crosscourt
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« Reply #15 on: August 21, 2008, 05:22:35 PM »

Im running a Pentium d 3.4 2gb ddr667 with Vista 32bit no issues fast,easy to use and gaming is fine.

I also have 2 P4 3.4 HT cpu systems both with 1gb ddr400 using XP 32bit and they run very well both for average use and gaming.

Ive done alot of benching with similar systems that belong to a friend of mine and found that Vista is performing just as well as XP in recent games most of the time.

Now that said, for older games I find XP typically faster but the gap isnt as huge as it was early on when Vista was really struggling. Most of that is the improved graphics drivers.

I find both Vista and XP 32bit are pretty snappy and none of my installs are slow by any means.

From an install standpoint I much prefer Vista as it saw all my hardware on my Pentium D system and updates went very quickly,not much to do versus the lengthy process I had to go thru with XP on the same system thus I stuck with Vista.

Its one of those situations where you dont have to use Vista,XP is still very viable and performs well but I still enjoy using Vista.

To be honest I still like Win2k and still run it on some of my older pcs...... its one of my all time favorites.
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VorLonUK
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« Reply #16 on: August 21, 2008, 05:51:16 PM »

Well,

My migration to my "new" PC is taking forever, as what was going to be a whole new gaming PC (which it is) E8200, 4GB, 8800GTS(g92), Vista64 - from P4Northwood @3.4, 1GB, 6800Ultra, XPHome; has become a test bed for all and sundry.

Of the few features i like about Vista, one would be AHCI (and/or RAID) supported at install and F6 method NOT required; (http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProductID=2101&DwnldID=16760&strOSs=150&OSFullName=Windows%20Vista*%2064&lang=eng)

and the only other feature that comes to mind is the page preview by hovering over the minimised page button (aero I suppose)

I have tried Vista64 with my apps and tried loads of different drivers, benchmarked in IDE & AHCI modes, where it seems AHCI only has a significant improvement in buffer to host speeds.

I have also burnt around 40 Linux Distro/Versions and dual booted with Vista. As i said above, sabayon is probably my fav Ver 3.5 as it is the most feature packed. It uses upto date proprietry drivers and it has a load of codecs "out of the box" - which suits me fine.

Other than disapearing drives with some Linux distro's when it comes to support for the Jmicron JMB363 chip, Linux has been very good.

I hate Vista thrashing my drives in the name of "SuperFetch" which i see as an uneccessary and very poorly implemented "feature", so after awhile I have to disable it and stop premature ageing to my OS hard drive.

I honestly think though that some Linux Distro's are good enough now for those who just want to do everything but game. You don't need any MS apps unless you are forced (as some companies are) into exacting compliance, so for the home user, OpenOffice is just as good (if not better). Firefox is mega popular and serves as an excellent browser. All the Linux distro's I've tried support my Realtek Onboard sound with better clarity than Windows! (Alc889a)

I think the real clincher for most is familiarity in every which way, which Windows has - but then it totally overshadows and monopolizes the Destktop OS market and has done for some time, so you'd expect that.

If the average punter knew more about Linux (or was "allowed" to) what it could do and how, plus it was free - there would be an exodus from Windows imo
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crosscourt
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« Reply #17 on: August 21, 2008, 05:56:50 PM »

I really like both Mandriva 2008 and PCLos 2007 and would use them full time if I didnt need gaming compatibility but 95% of what I do for other sites involves Windows gaming.
The years of familiarity with Windows does make it easier for me as well as others but I had few issues getting use to pclos 2007 except for the different way to install programs and updates which I found a bit odd and different but fine.

I havent had any issues with my drives in Vista,but I also dont use those features.

Ive got 70 year old seniors using pclos 2007 on donated pcs we clean up and doing just fine.....but most still prefer Windows when possible.
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VorLonUK
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« Reply #18 on: August 21, 2008, 06:18:05 PM »

Try Sabayon if you get a chance CC,

http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=sabayon

• 2008-07-01: Distribution Release: Sabayon Linux 3.5  is the latest and i think it's upto date support for both Nvidia and ATI newish cards is good. It also plays Divx and Mp4a (aac) too - "out of the box"

ATI driver = 8.501
Nvidia driver = 173.14.05
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crosscourt
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« Reply #19 on: August 21, 2008, 06:21:52 PM »

Mandriva 2008 has excellent driver support for both Ati and Nvidia as well as other nice goodies.....

Ill take a look at it Vorlon,thanks  CC
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CrystalCowboy
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« Reply #20 on: August 22, 2008, 05:03:04 AM »

Linux full time. In addition to my desktop, I've got access/responsibility for a dozen or two other machines, all Linux. In the past I have run Unix and VMS, but never Windows.
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crosscourt
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« Reply #21 on: August 25, 2008, 02:59:36 PM »

So your using it at home and at work CrystalCowboy......
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ChmOOrecK
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« Reply #22 on: August 25, 2008, 10:12:02 PM »

Gentoo@home (tv, movies, music, internet, sometimes Scorched3D)
Arch@work (programming, music, internet)

Looks like i'm full-time linux user ;-)
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liaeb
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« Reply #23 on: August 25, 2008, 11:41:56 PM »

Linux mainly but I also boot Vista (mainly for gaming) on my main machine, Xubuntu & XP dual booted on the laptop
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CrystalCowboy
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« Reply #24 on: August 26, 2008, 05:06:53 AM »

Quote from: "crosscourt" date="1219690776"
So your using it at home and at work CrystalCowboy......
Well, no. I don't have a computer at home.
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