Is Linux worth it?

S

Schwartz

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Hey guys,
Now before I start I just want to say I dont just want Linux fanboy posting here saying it is the best.. I want reasons and facts!
so here it goes:
I was hit with 3 trojan horses today along with many other Viruses(dont know where form) so I was thinking of maybe dual-booting Linux!
What are the pros? Can I run my normal software on it?

Let me know
Thanks
 
I would recommend dual - booting (as you said you will be doing this) as it mitigates the risk of any software incompatibilities using WINE (to run any important, must - have Windows applications) - just boot into Windows again!

Make sure to backup your current data, just in case you select the incorrect settings during install and erase your data (installers such as Ubuntu's are pretty clear and straightforward).

Good luck, I am pretty sure that you will find it well worth taking the dive ;)
 
well I will just make another partition for Linux so no worry of loosing data! :)
 
To answer your question directly, yes, it's worth it, it's free.

To answer your other question, The win apps I need, I run in a VirtualBox. If you use the non-OSE version from Sun, you can even control USB devices such as scanners in the VirtualBox.
 
Dual booting Win and Linux won't solve your Trojan / virus problem - you'll still be running Windows. Change your browsing habits and / or get a decent Virus prog (like Nod32), or switch to Linux completely.
 
naughty-boy-sa said:
well I will just make another partition for Linux so no worry of loosing data! :)
Click to expand...

Download a Ubuntu LiveCD and test it out (or I can give you one). You can run the OS off the CD and you don't need to install anything or partition anything.

I have a feeling it won't be for you though. :D

Just get a good anti-virus for Windows...
 
Stick to windows. Dealing with some virruses every now and then is nothing compared to dealing with linux.
 
rorz0r said:
Stick to windows. Dealing with some virruses every now and then is nothing compared to dealing with linux.
Click to expand...

LoL :D

I'm still playing around with Kubuntu and really like it - boot it up from my external HDD.
Love the feel of it.
But have to update my media players and themes.
Feels just like Windows, but would only really be able to comment once I have everything updated.

For me - I'd actually like to make the move away from Windows.
Games is the only thing keeping me from doing that really.
 
K thanks guys but you not really getting what I am saying ... I am not gonna get Linux because I had some viruses... I am getting Linux to just try it out... the viruses just made me get the idea ... think I am gonna download it.... Link anyone?
Thanks
PS: My windows virus protectors are Avast and Spybot ... got any suggestions?
 
No dude - we got what you said, which was :
" was hit with 3 trojan horses today along with many other Viruses(dont know where form) so I was thinking of maybe dual-booting Linux!"

You implicitly implied that you were worried about viruses and trojans, and thought that dual booting would solve your "issues". The advice given in this thread addressed this point.

How did you find out you had Trojans and viruses? Your AV progs told you, I'm sure. That means they're working, no nead to change anything.

If you can post on MyBB, I'm sure you can find every Linux distro that exists...
 
naughty-boy-sa said:
K thanks guys but you not really getting what I am saying ... I am not gonna get Linux because I had some viruses... I am getting Linux to just try it out... the viruses just made me get the idea ... think I am gonna download it.... Link anyone?
Thanks
PS: My windows virus protectors are Avast and Spybot ... got any suggestions?
Click to expand...

ftp://ftp.is.co.za/linux/distributions/ubuntu/releases/8.10/ubuntu-8.10-desktop-amd64.iso (try get a local account or I can do it for you)

NOD32. ;)
 
simp said:
No dude - we got what you said, which was :
" was hit with 3 trojan horses today along with many other Viruses(dont know where form) so I was thinking of maybe dual-booting Linux!"

You implicitly implied that you were worried about viruses and trojans, and thought that dual booting would solve your "issues". The advice given in this thread addressed this point.

How did you find out you had Trojans and viruses? Your AV progs told you, I'm sure. That means they're working, no nead to change anything.

If you can post on MyBB, I'm sure you can find every Linux distro that exists...
Click to expand...

I know but what I said and what I mean are different!:p

I only picked up the viruses once I was in safe mode because My PC crashed several times!
 
I agree with what everyone else has posted, dual boot to be safe and once you have linux running use virtualbox to run some apps and wine to run those that can run on wine.

But I recommend you wait for Thursday, for ubuntu/kubuntu jaunty... I've been testing the Kubuntu RC and love the latest KDE.
 
I have now downloaded it(700MB)... What now? Same as other OS's? Boot PC with a disk in with it on?
Thanks
 
"Is Linux worth it?" ... Yes, if you purchase it with a DVD full of apps .. its fun to play around with. But that's about it .. "fun" .. not necessarily "worth it" imo
 
gpe said:
"Is Linux worth it?" ... Yes, if you purchase it with a DVD full of apps .. its fun to play around with. But that's about it .. "fun" .. not necessarily "worth it" imo
Click to expand...

Indeed, that's your opinion, an opinion that most Linux users will disagree with.

I use Linux as my main OS for work and it's a Media center, not just for 'fun'.

I use Windows for fun only.
 
Good grief, as most of you know I love Linux. However naughty-boy-sa I feel there are somethings you should know. *Do not let linux fanboi's doing their best to convert you influence your decision.*

Linux is not like Windows, yes recent advances might in some cases make it similar but it is not Windows. You can run some Windows applications on Linux using WINE, however success varies from person to person and it may or may not work.

If every Windows application ran 100% on Linux then there would be no need for Windows would there. My point with this statement rather think of using Linux with alternative versions of software, do not try to run Linux software on Windows. In the end it is not worth the pain and time in the end.

You will need to seriously look at your reason for trying Linux. If it is because of a few trojans than rather look at improving your habits and security software with Windows.

Using Linux will require you to re-learn many features etc, that you have become used to using in Windows. Linux is worth using and running even learning however it is not easy in the end. No matter what the fanboi's will tell you.
 
Linoman said:
Using Linux will require you to re-learn many features etc, that you have become used to using in Windows. Linux is worth using and running even learning however it is not easy in the end. No matter what the fanboi's will tell you.
Click to expand...

Basically... always have windows ready to fall back on.

I've been using Linux for some time but every 2 weeks or so I have to boot up windows to run a windows only app that needs to interact with my hardware and not a virtual machine.
 
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