Comments on: Switching to Linux: Linux Alternatives to Windows Apps [Part I] http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/ Cool Websites, Software and Internet Tips Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:36:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: William Bertram http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-279186 William Bertram Sun, 04 May 2008 00:38:17 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-279186 I've been a *nix user off and on for ~10 years. I've ran FreeBSD web / ftp servers, Debian Firewalls, and tried a ton of desktop distros along the way. None of them really even came close to meeting my desktop needs until Ubuntu 5.04. I used 5, 6, and 7 on my laptop then switched the main computer over to 8.04 (lock stock and barrel) after running the beta on live CD for a few weeks. Everything works great except Flash. The Adobe Flash driver is crashy (Googling verifies that many, many people are having this problem). There is an alternative called Gnash, but it's not compatible with Flash 9, and the quality is not as good. Another alternative is swfplayer, which is more stable, and quality is good, but it doesn't play automatically (you have to click the play button), and it also does not appear to be compatible with Flash 9. I have read "it works on my computer" type responses in forums, so you might not have Flash problems if you are lucky. There also is not a Silverlight player. Not a huge issue now, but Silverlight seems to be catching on quickly. Another minor beef with 8.04 is the decision to ship with Firefox 3 beta. It's a good, fast, stable browser, but many add-ons are not compatible yet (TinyURL, GButts, and Google Bookmarks for Firefox to name a few). These can all be easily worked around with the bookmarks toolbar, it's just not quite as good. :) Anyway I see Ubuntu as a viable desktop OS. I’ve been a *nix user off and on for ~10 years. I’ve ran FreeBSD web / ftp servers, Debian Firewalls, and tried a ton of desktop distros along the way. None of them really even came close to meeting my desktop needs until Ubuntu 5.04. I used 5, 6, and 7 on my laptop then switched the main computer over to 8.04 (lock stock and barrel) after running the beta on live CD for a few weeks.

Everything works great except Flash. The Adobe Flash driver is crashy (Googling verifies that many, many people are having this problem). There is an alternative called Gnash, but it’s not compatible with Flash 9, and the quality is not as good. Another alternative is swfplayer, which is more stable, and quality is good, but it doesn’t play automatically (you have to click the play button), and it also does not appear to be compatible with Flash 9. I have read “it works on my computer” type responses in forums, so you might not have Flash problems if you are lucky.

There also is not a Silverlight player. Not a huge issue now, but Silverlight seems to be catching on quickly.

Another minor beef with 8.04 is the decision to ship with Firefox 3 beta. It’s a good, fast, stable browser, but many add-ons are not compatible yet (TinyURL, GButts, and Google Bookmarks for Firefox to name a few). These can all be easily worked around with the bookmarks toolbar, it’s just not quite as good. :)

Anyway I see Ubuntu as a viable desktop OS.

]]> By: Devon http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-279158 Devon Sat, 03 May 2008 23:38:53 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-279158 If you can't break the photoshop habit, Krita is a great open source alternative. It doesn't quite have all the features of photoshop, or even GIMP, but you might find the interface more familiar. If you can’t break the photoshop habit, Krita is a great open source alternative. It doesn’t quite have all the features of photoshop, or even GIMP, but you might find the interface more familiar.

]]> By: Richard Chapman http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-250898 Richard Chapman Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:43:51 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-250898 It's called "personal computing" and for a very good reason, it's personal. If you want to know what it's like for a blind person to have her house, rooms and all, completely changed, then try a different desktop environment. Applications fall into the same allegory. In many, not all, but many of the complaints I've seen regarding Open Source equivalents the phrase "not as good" should really be replaced with "not as familiar". It's not the Open Source application that's being hurt by this attitude, it's the potential customer. It’s called “personal computing” and for a very good reason, it’s personal. If you want to know what it’s like for a blind person to have her house, rooms and all, completely changed, then try a different desktop environment. Applications fall into the same allegory. In many, not all, but many of the complaints I’ve seen regarding Open Source equivalents the phrase “not as good” should really be replaced with “not as familiar”. It’s not the Open Source application that’s being hurt by this attitude, it’s the potential customer.

]]> By: Mackenzie Morgan http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-246307 Mackenzie Morgan Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:14:16 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-246307 I've never heard of the 2nd game, but WoW works fine in Wine. I’ve never heard of the 2nd game, but WoW works fine in Wine.

]]> By: Keith Sanders http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-245790 Keith Sanders Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:34:10 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-245790 Linux is cool and fun to play around with. But, there are two software areas that keep me from migrating to Linux as my primary operating system. 1. I don't know of any personal finance software of the caliber of Quicken / Money that will run in the Linux environment. 2. Games: World of Warcraft, Entropia Universe, etc. So unfortunately, it's still relegated to playing second fiddle on an old computer or as a dual boot setup. Linux is cool and fun to play around with. But, there are two software areas that keep me from migrating to Linux as my primary operating system.

1. I don’t know of any personal finance software of the caliber of Quicken / Money that will run in the Linux environment.

2. Games: World of Warcraft, Entropia Universe, etc.

So unfortunately, it’s still relegated to playing second fiddle on an old computer or as a dual boot setup.

]]> By: Adam Kane http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-244586 Adam Kane Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:20:03 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-244586 Great post. I like the Rubrica Address Book, though I mostly use Gmail now. There is a similar post for alternatives to windows programs written a while back <a href="http://www.foogazi.com/2006/11/10/alternatives-to-windows-programs/" title="here" rel="nofollow"> if anyone is interested. Great post. I like the Rubrica Address Book, though I mostly use Gmail now. There is a similar post for alternatives to windows programs written a while back if anyone is interested.

]]> By: Mackenzie Morgan http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-244527 Mackenzie Morgan Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:44:23 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-244527 The (basic) rules of hardware for Linux: - No ATI graphics - No Broadcom wireless - No Creative audio - Intel wireless will always work (was: "if your distro includes the binary firmware and daemon", now: "new stuff's all open, all distros should include it") - Intel graphics will always work The (basic) rules of hardware for Linux:
- No ATI graphics
- No Broadcom wireless
- No Creative audio
- Intel wireless will always work (was: “if your distro includes the binary firmware and daemon”, now: “new stuff’s all open, all distros should include it”)
- Intel graphics will always work

]]> By: Mackenzie Morgan http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-244505 Mackenzie Morgan Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:30:27 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-244505 You'd suddenly have choices. I didn't do a "virgin" trip from Mac to Linux though. I've done the reverse because I had to use a Mac at work. OSX just gives me this horribly restricted feeling. It's like they gutted all the features. Going to Linux after 3 months of having to use OSX was *wonderful*. You’d suddenly have choices. I didn’t do a “virgin” trip from Mac to Linux though. I’ve done the reverse because I had to use a Mac at work. OSX just gives me this horribly restricted feeling. It’s like they gutted all the features. Going to Linux after 3 months of having to use OSX was *wonderful*.

]]> By: Mackenzie Morgan http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-244499 Mackenzie Morgan Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:28:27 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-244499 I've gladly gone back. If I never see that sorry convoluted excuse for an interface again (Photoshop), I'll be very happy. I’ve gladly gone back. If I never see that sorry convoluted excuse for an interface again (Photoshop), I’ll be very happy.

]]> By: Aibek http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-244398 Aibek Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:07:51 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-244398 "...the whole thing was nothing but fail from the word go" :-) I know exactly what you mean. Been there several times. “…the whole thing was nothing but fail from the word go” :-)

I know exactly what you mean. Been there several times.

]]> By: Jackson http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-244353 Jackson Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:42:34 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-244353 Maybe someone should raise the question about Linux vs Mac OS and what it would be like to switch from Mac to Linux, instead of the same old Windows. Maybe someone should raise the question about Linux vs Mac OS and what it would be like to switch from Mac to Linux, instead of the same old Windows.

]]> By: Richard Chapman http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-244351 Richard Chapman Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:41:31 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-244351 One of the easiest ways to overcome hardware issues is to try a different distribution. You only tried one distribution, Ubuntu. Kubuntu is just the KDE desktop on the Ubuntu core. I once had PCLinuxOS, Ubuntu, DSL and Fedora fail on a computer (terribly so too). I tried SimplyMepis next and it worked like a charm. Why? I have no idea. One of the easiest ways to overcome hardware issues is to try a different distribution. You only tried one distribution, Ubuntu. Kubuntu is just the KDE desktop on the Ubuntu core. I once had PCLinuxOS, Ubuntu, DSL and Fedora fail on a computer (terribly so too). I tried SimplyMepis next and it worked like a charm. Why? I have no idea.

]]> By: Tina http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-244287 Tina Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:46:31 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-244287 Yeah, why would anyone want to try anything new? Let's think about that... Maybe because it's free? Maybe because it's open source? Maybe because being open source makes it more secure? Maybe because there is an active community of users eager to fix any bug immediately, and provide free drivers and software? Maybe because having an active community makes it so much more flexible? Maybe because it demands less from the hardware, albeit being much faster and more stable? (At least that's what I hear...) Maybe because it's an adventure? Maybe because people will stop asking whether they can use your computer since the mere idea of Linux running on it confuses them to no end? Geez, why am I still using Windows? Yeah, why would anyone want to try anything new? Let’s think about that…
Maybe because it’s free?
Maybe because it’s open source?
Maybe because being open source makes it more secure?
Maybe because there is an active community of users eager to fix any bug immediately, and provide free drivers and software?
Maybe because having an active community makes it so much more flexible?
Maybe because it demands less from the hardware, albeit being much faster and more stable? (At least that’s what I hear…)
Maybe because it’s an adventure?
Maybe because people will stop asking whether they can use your computer since the mere idea of Linux running on it confuses them to no end?
Geez, why am I still using Windows?

]]> By: Nick W http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-244217 Nick W Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:52:54 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-244217 I tried to make the switch to Ubuntu after a crippling HD failure, since it lost Windows I chose to install 7.10 and see how it went. I'd had it installed on a different machine and it worked wonderfully. All the hardware seemed to mesh. The wireless drivers took a little bit of work but once I had it hooked up to a cable all went very smoothly. So when I got a "new" pc from a roomie that owed me some cash I decided to go Ubuntu all the way. All I can say is that it gave me nothing but issues. Video card wouldn't mesh, xorg kept blacking out the monitor, sound card issues, disc drive issues, you name it and it seems like that pc was built NOT to be compatible. I finally reinstalled Windows and decided to dual boot when I have the time to fight with it. The point being I think that the Linux distros I tried (Ubuntu/Kubuntu 7.10 - Hardy Heron 8.04) had Windows beat HANDS DOWN when it came to software. There are so many options to do everything you need it to, and then some, the range is quite amazing. My issues really boil down to hardware conflicts which I'm guessing will just take time (And cooperation on the part of developers/manufacturers) to get sorted out. I totally suggesting at least TRYING the different distros because they'll do all you want and then some. As long as it plays nice with your system. I tried to make the switch to Ubuntu after a crippling HD failure, since it lost Windows I chose to install 7.10 and see how it went. I’d had it installed on a different machine and it worked wonderfully. All the hardware seemed to mesh. The wireless drivers took a little bit of work but once I had it hooked up to a cable all went very smoothly. So when I got a “new” pc from a roomie that owed me some cash I decided to go Ubuntu all the way. All I can say is that it gave me nothing but issues. Video card wouldn’t mesh, xorg kept blacking out the monitor, sound card issues, disc drive issues, you name it and it seems like that pc was built NOT to be compatible.
I finally reinstalled Windows and decided to dual boot when I have the time to fight with it.
The point being I think that the Linux distros I tried (Ubuntu/Kubuntu 7.10 - Hardy Heron 8.04) had Windows beat HANDS DOWN when it came to software. There are so many options to do everything you need it to, and then some, the range is quite amazing. My issues really boil down to hardware conflicts which I’m guessing will just take time (And cooperation on the part of developers/manufacturers) to get sorted out.
I totally suggesting at least TRYING the different distros because they’ll do all you want and then some. As long as it plays nice with your system.

]]> By: Gerald http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-244216 Gerald Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:52:10 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/switching-to-linux-linux-alternatives-to-windows-apps-part-i/#comment-244216 Switch to Linux?? Why would anyone want to?? Switch to Linux?? Why would anyone want to??

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