Switch from Windows to Linux

[VF-1A Valkyrie]

Greetings all, first post here, hoping for a good stay.

So i'm looking to switch to Linux, which i have before, but i was mostly put of the bad preformance in games, since i use my rig primarily for gaming.
I'm doing this partly because i'm getting tired of Windows & partly because i would like to have more control of my computer.

I've made a list of program i use daily and checked if they would run on Linux.

*Avast Antivirus - Check!
*Open Office - Check!
*Mozilla Firefox - Check!
*VLC Player - Check!
*Graphics Drivers - Check! (I use ATI cards for now... hopyfulle also later!)
*TeamSpeak - Check! (so my only problem is the overlay)

So the question is which Linux should i go for? People have said: Ubuntu, Fedore, Mandriva & so on, So which should i Take?
I know very little about Linux, so when you answer, explain it so we all can understand. And remember i need primarily as a gaming rig, so i know i need programs like Wine, i've checked Wine and it should handle the game i play, mostly...
But i also dont mind fiddling with it, so it dosen't have to be a fool proof Linux, i'm just looking for the one that gives me the most stable platform for a gaming rig.

Link: http://appdb.winehq.org/ i looked at this list.

*EVE - Check
*IL-2 Sturmovik
*Steam - Check
*StarCraft - Check

So the 2 games i currectly are playing that aren't on the list i'll have to work on is: Oblivion & Pangya.

So i hope you all can help me find a painless solution and switch.

Thanks in advance.

[SamsLembas]

Welcome to the wonderful world of free software, and to these forums (I am new here too, second post).

For what distro you should use, I would say there is little doubt you should use Ubnutu. Apt, the pakage management system used by Ubuntu and all other Debian based distros, is great, and its 12-month release schedule means you always have cutting edge software (there are long-term releases if you don't want to deal with that).

You may want to give Kubuntu a chance (that is Ubuntu with KDE instead of Gnome. Different desktop environment. It will look and feel much different, most people say KDE is more like Windows, and Gnome more like Mac in a way they cannot even explain). You should be able to decide between those just by booting off the live cd and poking around a little.



You mentioned Avast in your software section. You really do not need that. There [I]are[I] no viruses for Linux. If you feel the need to make sure you are not passing on virus to Windoze users, I would recommend using ClamAV. It is open source, so you can install it via apt. Perhaps it is just me, but I find it annoying to have software that I installed through other means, as you then have to update it individually.

For gaming, things get a little more annoying. You will really want to just dual-boot to play many games. Wine is a pain, if it works at all. It doesn't take long to dual boot, and it is not as bad as it would seem.
There are also some good games with Linux clients, such as Enemy Territory: Quake Wars.


So, to stop ranting and actually answer your question, here is what I recommend you do:
Download a copy of Ubuntu, and possibly Kubuntu as well if you have time to fool around. Pick the one you like best.

Install it (it is easy), but set it up to dual-boot with Windows (once again, it is easy. You will have no trouble).

If any of your games have Linux clients, grab 'em. For the rest, reboot. It is worth it.

Just a few random tips:
Don't be discouraged by the ugliness of Ubuntu. It can be easily fixed in the appearance preferences (for more options head to http://gnome-look.com ).

The best way for newbies to install software is by going to applications-add/remove. It is dead simple. Try to avoid downloading software from websites, it should almost never be necessary.

[Malikith]

Welcome to the wonderful world of free software, and to these forums (I am new here too, second post).

For what distro you should use, I would say there is little doubt you should use Ubnutu. Apt, the pakage management system used by Ubuntu and all other Debian based distros, is great, and its 12-month release schedule means you always have cutting edge software (there are long-term releases if you don't want to deal with that).

You may want to give Kubuntu a chance (that is Ubuntu with KDE instead of Gnome. Different desktop environment. It will look and feel much different, most people say KDE is more like Windows, and Gnome more like Mac in a way they cannot even explain). You should be able to decide between those just by booting off the live cd and poking around a little.



You mentioned Avast in your software section. You really do not need that. There [I]are[I] no viruses for Linux. If you feel the need to make sure you are not passing on virus to Windoze users, I would recommend using ClamAV. It is open source, so you can install it via apt. Perhaps it is just me, but I find it annoying to have software that I installed through other means, as you then have to update it individually.

For gaming, things get a little more annoying. You will really want to just dual-boot to play many games. Wine is a pain, if it works at all. It doesn't take long to dual boot, and it is not as bad as it would seem.
There are also some good games with Linux clients, such as Enemy Territory: Quake Wars.


So, to stop ranting and actually answer your question, here is what I recommend you do:
Download a copy of Ubuntu, and possibly Kubuntu as well if you have time to fool around. Pick the one you like best.

Install it (it is easy), but set it up to dual-boot with Windows (once again, it is easy. You will have no trouble).

If any of your games have Linux clients, grab 'em. For the rest, reboot. It is worth it.

Just a few random tips:
Don't be discouraged by the ugliness of Ubuntu. It can be easily fixed in the appearance preferences (for more options head to http://gnome-look.com ).

The best way for newbies to install software is by going to applications-add/remove. It is dead simple. Try to avoid downloading software from websites, it should almost never be necessary.

I agree with this, just one thing I'd like to say, is that, if you're going to Linux to play Windows games, I really recommend just running Windows. If you're going to run Linux to use its native apps/games and explore open source, its the best.

But those who become too dependent on Windows games, tend to always go back to Windows. Plus, you're running ATI, this means you're going to run into some problems which also may discourage you, especially when you mix ATI with Wine, very very bad combo.

I also recommend the dual boot, so at least you can play with Linux since you do have some interest in it. But using Linux as a Windows solution is not a good choice. Using Linux for its native apps and to get away from the Windows way, is a good choice. Just my two cents.

[envirotech]

You could also try Wubi and install into windows. You install it like you would any other windows program.

http://wubi.sourceforge.net/

This is a link to screenshots. My friend used this to install his and it worked flawlessly.

http://wubi.sourceforge.net/screenshots.php

This next link is to the Ubuntu link to it.

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/install.exe/Prototype

[Tarmael]

I'm a fan of Ubuntu too myself.

I've tried OpenSUSE, SimplyMepis and Knoppix as well.

Ubuntu tops them all.

I've had my share of problems with Linux I must say, but they mostly revolve around ATi's drivers.

Linux's problems itself aren't half as bad as the errors I run into with Windows.

The annoying thing for me is that I'm gonna get into the IT industry in AUS and I'm going to be fixing 99.9% of machines that will be/are running a Windows based OS.

That's what really grinds my gears.

[Mota_boy]

Me instead openSUSE is the best solution, even do i try ubuntu kubuntu and some other disto`s too but they weren`t for me.
openSUSE is good and stble to use, and i`m glad about it :)

[Tarmael]

Oh yes, I also really did enjoy my OpenSUSE experience.

But I didn't like a few things.

first of all, on the plus side of OpenSUSE is I LOVED YaST.

The interface was easy to work with and YUM was a pleasure.

I liked being able to log into another user using a second screen displayed in the first user.

However, I couldn't change any settings using gedit, and I didn't like how nano wasn't preinstalled (not sure if there was a nano replacement) and I REALLY didn't like the install interface from the disc (However, LiveCD's are starting to piss me off, I'd like to see an option, run LiveCD or install straight from Disc with Ubuntu.)

Cheers.

[ethana2]

..even though I'm an American ;)

I'm running a dual boot Ubuntu/WindowsXP system.
It's working great for me. Don't delete that windows partition if you're going to be relying on any proprietary windows software; it's the only guaranteed way you can run all of it, you know, when windows feels like running.

I wouldn't say you need to bother with the antivirus... I mean, you /could/ but.. I don't really see the point. I don't use one.

I have an ATi card. It's given me its share of trouble-- but don't write ATi off yet-- they've hired agd5f and released open specs for their cards; had they done that two years ago, my life may have been made much easier.

WINE: I have wine installed, but I don't really use it that much. You have to install software on it fresh, and while it says it can use windows .dll files, well.. how the heck are you really supposed to do that? Sometimes it works, sometimes not, but it does get better every week...
Like I said, dual booting is a good idea.

If those games you play use OpenGL, you're life was just made a whole lot easier...
Mostly I just play tremulous, nexuiz, openarena, and the like. I look forward to Apricot.

Linux crushes windows as an OS. Give us 5 years, and the same is likely to happen with FOSS games, especially with the advent of crystalspace.

Before Ubuntu, I tried Fedora and SuSE. Neither worked. I just couldn't figure out how to install software. With Ubuntu, I had to edit my xorg.conf in vim to even get a GUI (ATi card and all), but once I did that, it just worked. It made sense; it was simple. It looked pretty.

I used Ubuntu Studio because
-- it wasn't that nasty orange/tan/brown (insert low frequency color here) stuff, it was blue and black.
-- it wasn't a liveCD. I have neither the patience nor the system resources for that.
-- KDE will be too confusing for people until release 4, which I much look forward to using. (got videos ready that I want to play looping as my desktop background and everything)

Basically, I'd recommend getting Ubuntu Gutsy, but not deleting your windows partition.

My main trick was switching to open source software before switching, but it seems, teamspeak and games aside, that you've done the same... only I took it out to blender, the GIMP, inkscape, etc.

I used skype for talking while playing tremulous. It's not open source, but frankly, it makes linux a lot easier to move to, and I haven't seen an open source app that provides as neat of a communications protocol as skype yet. I look forward to this changing, and have my eyes on pidgin, ekiga, and openwengo.

[Tarmael]

Before Ubuntu, I tried Fedora and SuSE. Neither worked. I just couldn't figure out how to install software. With Ubuntu, I had to edit my xorg.conf in vim to even get a GUI (ATi card and all), but once I did that, it just worked. It made sense; it was simple. It looked pretty.


I run ATi, I've never had that problem before.

What card are you running?

[ethana2]

What card are you running?

ATi Radeon 9200SE PCI 128MB.

The problems I had were on Ubuntu Studio Feisty.
..except when I upgraded to gutsy, I allowed it to replace my xorg.conf, which it promptly mauled, and I had to go through the whole deal again.

[Tarmael]

See I've never allowed my system to auto upgrade from one release to another.

I've always just format. A lot easier in my eyes. I hear lots of stories where the upgrade hasn't gone so well.

[kirù]

Greetings all, first post here, hoping for a good stay.

So i'm looking to switch to Linux, which i have before, but i was mostly put of the bad preformance in games, since i use my rig primarily for gaming.
I'm doing this partly because i'm getting tired of Windows & partly because i would like to have more control of my computer.

I've made a list of program i use daily and checked if they would run on Linux.

*Avast Antivirus - Check!
*Open Office - Check!
*Mozilla Firefox - Check!
*VLC Player - Check!
*Graphics Drivers - Check! (I use ATI cards for now... hopyfulle also later!)
*TeamSpeak - Check! (so my only problem is the overlay)

So the question is which Linux should i go for? People have said: Ubuntu, Fedore, Mandriva & so on, So which should i Take?
I know very little about Linux, so when you answer, explain it so we all can understand. And remember i need primarily as a gaming rig, so i know i need programs like Wine, i've checked Wine and it should handle the game i play, mostly...
But i also dont mind fiddling with it, so it dosen't have to be a fool proof Linux, i'm just looking for the one that gives me the most stable platform for a gaming rig.

Link: http://appdb.winehq.org/ i looked at this list.

*EVE - Check
*IL-2 Sturmovik
*Steam - Check
*StarCraft - Check

So the 2 games i currectly are playing that aren't on the list i'll have to work on is: Oblivion & Pangya.

So i hope you all can help me find a painless solution and switch.

Thanks in advance.

You should take ubuntu, it's simple, fast and complete. But remember! If you want to use linux and you come from windows you have to do a lot of practice and you must be patient. You will have to read a lot of documentation and you will have to learn that everything you are searching for is at 99% already on the net.
To use linux is simple, but to pass from windows to linux is not.

[Tarmael]

You should take ubuntu, it's simple, fast and complete. But remember! If you want to use linux and you come from windows you have to do a lot of practice and you must be patient. You will have to read a lot of documentation and you will have to learn that everything you are searching for is at 99% already on the net.
To use linux is simple, but to pass from windows to linux is not.

Yeah, I'll second this.

When I first switched from Windows to Linux I had no idea what I was doing.

This was back in the day of Dapper (and close to the release of Edgy)

I used Dapper for a little bit, it was fun. Then I used Edgy and kept breaking it. I didn't know about the support forums or anything so just switched back to Windows.

After Windows pissed me off again, I thought I'd bring out my old Edgy RC disc, but first I'd check the Ubuntu website.

I then downloaded Feisty, loved it, and eagerly waited the release of Gutsy. I've got my official 86 and 86_64 and my burnt RC1 of Gutsy that I am proud to own.

[talon95]

People switching should keep in mind that they likely have many years of experience with Windows. You can't make that up in a few hours/days if you have no experience with Linux.

I honestly was pleasantly surprised that I got Ubuntu up and running with various apps configured in a few hours. (I have used unix before though, AIX).

[indigo196]

I used Ubuntu for a while and then moved to Debian.

Personally I think your choice of distro should be determined on what you want out of the experience. If you want games you have three choices...

1. Dual boot with Windows XP/Vista
2. Run native Linux games (Wine/Cedega work, but you may as well just dual boot IMHO)
3. Run no games on your PC, take the money saved from not needing a killer graphics care and AV solution and buy a PS3 or XBOX 360 and game on an actual 'gaming' platform.

I want to 'learn' about what makes Linux tick so I am toying with Debian, Ubuntu, Arch, Gentoo, openSUSE, Fedora Core, and Slackware. If you just want a 'cutting' edge distro that is fairly stable go Ubuntu or Mepis. If you want a stable distro I would go with Debian.

Though to be honest I have not found my home in Linux yet... so perhaps you should simply try a great number of Distros and see what you like about them.

Also, don't forget about the BSD family -- freeBDS, openBSD and pcBSD I believe are all out there.

Good luck on your quest.

[Compxpert]

I used fedora core 4 for a couple months but then moved onto Gentoo which I like a heck of a lot better. I've also used Ubuntu and have it installed on another computer so Ubuntu is good although in my opinion not as good as Gentoo. For starting out on Linux though I would suggest Ubuntu as it is easier. Though if you are looking for a challenge you could always dive right into Gentoo

[niniendowarrior]

My opinion:

Greetings all, first post here, hoping for a good stay.

So i'm looking to switch to Linux, which i have before, but i was mostly put of the bad preformance in games, since i use my rig primarily for gaming.
I'm doing this partly because i'm getting tired of Windows & partly because i would like to have more control of my computer.

Good to hear you want to try Linux. By the way, why not VF-1S? Skull leader is always better.

*Avast Antivirus - No need
*Open Office - Available
*Mozilla Firefox - Available
*VLC Player - Available (I think), even if there isn't there are alternatives.
*Graphics Drivers - Available... cross your fingers and hope you are satisfied with the outcome.
*TeamSpeak - I don't know about this one.

So the question is which Linux should i go for? People have said: Ubuntu, Fedore, Mandriva & so on, So which should i Take?
I know very little about Linux, so when you answer, explain it so we all can understand. And remember i need primarily as a gaming rig, so i know i need programs like Wine, i've checked Wine and it should handle the game i play, mostly...
But i also dont mind fiddling with it, so it dosen't have to be a fool proof Linux, i'm just looking for the one that gives me the most stable platform for a gaming rig.

As far as competent distribution, I vouch for Ubuntu. I used to hate the distribution to the bone, but it's shaping up really good. I think a lot of stuff has been streamlined in this distribution and I don't mean to knock on the other distributions. I think as of now, Ubuntu is a good choice and from a Windows shifting person's point of view, pick up Kubuntu which is a good start of transition, then when you are familiar, move to Ubuntu.


Link: http://appdb.winehq.org/ i looked at this list.

*EVE
*IL-2 Sturmovik
*Steam
*StarCraft

So the 2 games i currectly are playing that aren't on the list i'll have to work on is: Oblivion & Pangya.

*Sigh*, gaming rig on Linux. My advise to go about this is these simple steps.
1. Look for a Linux native port. That should be the first order of business. This offers the least amount of headache (while still offering some) but I never recommend emulation as a solution.

2. If you are willing to shell out money and absolutely wish to play games, games and more games, grab Cedega. They aren't too shabby with some games just not every title in the market. You can always go Wine. It's a good software and it does support some games too. If you want to cover your bases, get both.


So i hope you all can help me find a painless solution and switch.

Thanks in advance.

I hope I helped.

[Tarmael]

I can vouch VLC and TS are on Ubuntu.

[lakritz]

Yes, VLC is one of the most cross-platform media players in existence, and is definitely available for Ubuntu, Fedora etc.

About TeamSpeak, I have no personal experience with it, but I believe it uses an old sound system (OSS, haha, it really stands for Open Sound System though) so there might be problems with it and it's closed source so there isn't much to do about it.

And like others said; no need for anti virus.

I wouldn't either use Linux if all I wanted to do was to run Windows apps.

[Tarmael]

I would.

I prefer the safety of Linux and the feel.

Windows just seemed too picky for me.

I say that, but you must keep in mind, the only Windows apps I run are games, the rest is Open Source.