Ubuntu help

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BCO

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Hey guys,

I'm thinking of not installing Windows on my new machine and venturing into the wonderful world of Ubuntu. I've never used any kind of Linux system before so I have a couple of questions. The machine will be used mostly as a gaming and multimedia rig.

1) How easy to use is Ubuntu for a non-programmer type? I'm pretty much a n00b when it comes to computing (although not nearly as bad as your average Joe Schmoe I guess) - will I have a hard time setting up and configuring Ubuntu and adding new programs etc.

2) I currently play 2 games: LotRO and Team Fortress 2, both of which apparently work with Wine. Does Wine affect a game's performance? Do games run better on Windows machines?
 
1. If you are open to the fact that you will be learning a new OSand therefore won't expect things to work as they do under Windows you will have won the major battle. To install software the easiest package manager is Synaptic (I think - I am not an Ubuntu user).

2. You can expect games not to perform as optimally as they will under their native OS, in this case Windows. So yeah there will be some performance degradation. I don't play those games so can't comment on how much performance loss you will suffer.
 
If you're a n00b, as you say, and don't like tinkering with things to get it to work, then don't use Linux as your gaming machine.

Gaming is really weak on Linux. To get things running can be a mission sometimes. So if you don't want to tinker and try to make things work, then don't use Linux for gaming.
 
Of course, the easiest way to game and use Linux is just to get a console :P I don't do PC gaming anymore and I'm a happier person for it.
 
Milomak is right about synaptic. To install new software search through the repositories which you'll see in the graphical front-end (synaptic), and click apply - it's that easy.

Also don't play games, so sorry can't help with the other question.

Lastly, it is not windows. You have spent however many years learning and using windows, and linux is quite different and uses different conventions. But, if you're prepared to learn, you'll end up learning a lot about both linu and windows by being exposed to something different.
 
So in short, if I just wanna play games and don't want to mission too much setting things up etc, it's best to stick with Windows?
 
BlueCollar said:
So in short, if I just wanna play games and don't want to mission too much setting things up etc, it's best to stick with Windows?
Click to expand...

In a nutshell, yes.

You can also set your PC up for dual-booting between Linux and Windows, so you can play games in Windows, and boot to Linux should you want to surf or read email, or tinker around a bit. :)
 
I'm thinking of not installing Windows on my new machine
Click to expand...
I reckon its best to dual boot. Just so that one has a familiar OS to work with when things get frustrating with linux (which occurs often if one's linux clueless like me).

I've had a quick look at wine+games and its too much hassle for me. No sign of It Just Works(TM) there.
 
The only games I've really ever tried to bet working in wine are Football Manager. And they do. But not without some little tinkering iirc.
 
actually i also played max payne on cedega and that was pretty good
 
Like allready mentioned there will be a learing curve. Synaptic is good for installing applications but there are times when compiling from source will be needed (very rarely)

Also for gaming I suggest you try cadega, although it is not free it is much easier to get working than wine and personally may gaming experience is better under cadega than in windows. Besides if you don't want to par US$5 per month for cadega you can always 'find' it for free.

Cheers
Slayer
 
SlinkyMike said:
Forget about gaming on Linux
Click to expand...

Which games specifically? Have you even tried?
Granted the most recent games I played with Cedega were Oblivion and Painkiller, but they definitely worked.

@BlueCollar, I would recommend that you dual-boot for now. You can always reuse the hard drive space if you decide that Linux is not for you.
 
So where is it possible to get a free copy of cedega -i want to drop my windows box.

J
 
You notive that find is in inverted commas. make of that what you will.
 
BlueCollar said:
So in short, if I just wanna play games and don't want to mission too much setting things up etc, it's best to stick with Windows?
Click to expand...

No. Most games are easly installed with Cedega. Its worth the 5 bucks.

Edit: There are also loads of free native linux games like Alien Areena
 
Well I suppose that a large number of users on this forum will know where to 'find' software....::cool:
 
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