Linux OS, possibly starting to use it ;)?
Ok, ive been thinking of getting a new computer lately. Ive been told about Linux (just a sentence now and then, reccommended and stuff).
I use Blender 3D for 3D modelling, and im thinking of learning a few programming languages for developing software and games. What I would like to know is:
What is Linux mainly used for?
Would Linux be able to meet my requirements?
Are there any negative sides to it I should know of, like bad UI, slow processing, software incompability or others?
And since its also for personal use, I would like to know how it tackles windows live messenger, skype, other common programs. And if its compatible with firefox/google chrome browsers. (and AVG, Ad-Aware, etc)
Any other info would also be nice 
Oh, and im mostly into software, and not really OS, so correct my eventual mistakes 
kuapp.com/
2 Responses to “Linux OS, possibly starting to use it ;)?”
Comment from Jesse J
Time April 27, 2009 at 1:49 am
Linux…
I use Linux daily as a web server and also as something to access web servers. But Linux is used for a variety of things, none of which are all too “user-friendly”, although versions of Linux (like Ubuntu) are trying to get closer to that usability for the average user. Just doing a few searches on that question should turn up a rather varied response as to what people use Linux for.
Negative sides to Linux are mainly just that on at least slower computers you will sometimes notice a change in the way the processor works as where Linux will put the processor in stand-by mode to save energy if it is not in use but can also bog down things you might be trying to do. Wouldn’t notice this on a quicker computer though, I would imagine. There are a TON of software incompatibilities with Linux. Much more than Mac, it sometimes seems. You can get WINE for Linux (http://winehq.org) which should open up quite a bit to help out. Also you can try “Play on Linux” which I have heard good things about but it essentially uses WINE anyways.
As for using anti-virus software goes… you don’t need to. If there is a virus for Linux the community fixes it by the end of the day and releases an update that you won’t even notice slowing your computer down like Windows. Also due to the software incompatibilities you wouldn’t have any use for Ad-Aware as the ads would simply not know how to run on the operating system, haha!
I also gathered a few links for you. Looks like certain versions of some things work with the help of WINE:
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Best of luck deciding. I recommend a program called VirtualBox (http://virtualbox.org) and using it and an Ubuntu (http://ubuntu.com) CD Image to install Linux on your machine before switching to make sure you can actually use it. Just make sure you note that VirtualBox is essentially an emulator and won’t act EXACTLY the same as the real thing. You could just dual-boot into Linux too. That would be the best solution for you.
Comment from Mustang
Time April 24, 2009 at 9:48 pm
All I know is Linux most used version is Ubuntu
Its totally free to download and use
Open Source Software to download and install for free
Firefox is the default browser
Negative Side not really any? just use wine if you want to use windows software on linux
You only need 4gb of disk space and 256mb or ram to use
AMD and Intel pc can be used
you can use pidgin instant messenger for msn
skype for Linux is available
address for skype download :