Quote:
Originally Posted by
javyn 
Well I don't have 7 or a computer that can support it. Been using it (Ubuntu) since the end of Ibex (which I thought was terrible), but noticed steady improvement up until now. Never had any crashing probs or anything like that, at least not with any version after Ibex. The only bitch I have is that Firefox completely and utterly sucks, which is why I run Opera now. I'm not married to Ubuntu though, and would be more than happy to try another distribution that may be better. But I fear most people going off on Ubuntu like this want to recommend Slackware, Slax, Arch, Gentoo, or some distro that assumes my full time job is tinkering with Linux. I wish it was, but unfortunately I don't have the time. I switched to Linux not to look like an elite, cool dude, but because it is 1) easier to set up and use than XP, 2) faster than XP, 3) is keeping me from having to upgrade all my hardware and peripherals. I dual boot with XP now (for AnyDVD and Wordperfect), and I have FAR more driver issues trying to install XP SP3 than any version of Ubuntu. Ubuntu driver issues = 0. Win XP SP3 = 2 hours scouring the net looking for drivers, for hardware that at best, was manufactured no later than 2002.
I don't like to evangelize particular linux distributions b/c different people use different distributions to meet different needs and there's little point starting what amounts to an almost religious argument. Ubuntu wouldn't be as popular as it is if it wasn't serving a need to some people. I just found it terribly buggy and unstable over the time I used it and I didn't like the UI. Ubuntu's biggest problem (and some might argue its a strength) is that it is too inclusive. There's a lot of junky drivers and other code in there that can lead to stability problems. While it has support for a lot of newer hardware, that support is frequently the source of problems. The fact that you have older hardware might actually be a good thing for you since the drivers are more mature. I run a couple different distributions for different needs (in VMs) but I do prefer the source-based distributions. I personally view linux as a server OS, a learning tool, and an environment for nerds of different types to "play" in (hacking, programming, etc). I use it for all those reasons but I don't see myself ever replacing Windows as my main machine for casual screwing around and day to day activities, if for no other reason than app support, which for me is everything from random games, to Adobe Lightroom, to Anydvd HD. That's why windows is my VMWare Server host and not linux. On that note I have to say that I AM thinking of building a dedicated ESX server some day soon. You must have a pretty old computer if you can't run XP well though... Back when you said you built your computer I was running an Athlon xp 1800 and playing games like EverQuest and DAOC and I don't really remember having many problems. XP was always pretty good in that regard. I always found that XP did require an enema once in a while (meaning full format and re-installation), but since Vista I haven't had those kinds of issues (though the user experience was lacking in other ways). I had vista on my laptop for 2 years and performance never degraded from the level of performance at the time of installation. 7 is the same. FWIW, MS is on a 5 year product cycle. So maybe it's time to upgrade? I couldn't imagine reinstalling on a 6 month product cycle. You could buy a computer that's superior in every way to what you're running now for like 400 bucks.. I've also been reading that Office 2010 is going to have a new pricing model. You'll be able to download it for free, and then incrementally pay for the features you use.
edit: Any attempts to derail the thread with discussion or comparisons to other Linux distributions will not be allowed, unless I choose to participate, which I will, so nevermind about this edit.
