OK so my dad just put linux on the computer to try as an alternate system and i was wondering if anybody had ever used it before? just for anyone who doesn't know because i didn't for a while an operating system is microsoft xp or 98 or whatever. Linux is free after you buy the initial operating system then all upgrades are free. Those are the main facts i know about it so if anyone knows anything else or has used it before tell me how you think it works!

Everything has it's advantages and disadvantages. I use DOS constantly to do file-level work in Windows machines. Windows' methods just don't cut it. If I need to verify that a CD burned right, for example, you can't do that with Windows (and the verification options in CD burners don't always work reliably). So, I do that in DOS. This is just one of a hundred examples.

It's also easy to program in assembly in DOS. If I need to throw something together quickly, it's so much easier to do in DOS than in anything else.

I do pen-testing, and some of the tools are UNIX-only, so I have to use them in UNIX unless I want to spend a LOT of time trying to port them. Plus, UNIX makes for a good firewall and Intrusion Protection System. I mostly use OpenBSD, and UNIX makes for good server duty too though I don't use it for that too often.

Plus, if you want to be a viable programmer, it really helps to know how to write stuff or at least be adaptable to all of the major operating systems on the market.

Nushoes,
why do you use DOS and UNIX if you have LINUX and Windows?

i really am not made to know anything about technology...lol

-arianhorn

I use Windows, don't get me wrong. I also use UNIX and DOS, as well as Linux on a daily basis, and I program under all of them as well as use them for other stuff. UNIX, yeah, I only good use that for programming or Internet or dedicated apps. But Linux is not UNIX. You can do most of the stuff you need to on Linux, except for the higher-end stuff like Photoshop, DVD editing, or most action games. And, as I understand, a lot of that will actually run under WINE or VMWare, if you want to do some modification and if you can get drivers for your video card.

Windows would be easier though. In fact, Windows wouldn't be so bad on a non-internet computers, but it's extremely insecure and it can't take advantage of 64-bit microprocessors like Linux can. Those are some pretty serious limitations though.

Ok I will do better and run windows. The only thing I use linux for is programming and internet because those are the only two things it is better at accomidating.

WINE runs a lot of programs with no tweaking and many more with a little shoehorning. It's not perfect, but if you can write better emulator, please do so.

WINE runs like 50% of the programs that it should. It sucks a ****.

P.S. You can run Windows programs on Linux using the free WINE or the commercial VMware.

Conversely, you can run some Linux programs on Windows using Cygwin, but you lose the speed and some of the security benefits of Linux, which is what Linux is all about in the first place.

I am on linux right now. It is ok. Windows is still my #1 because it has all the software I want. You cannot run any program on Linux that is blatently wrong.

Linux rocks. The only caveat is that the graphical user interface, X, sucks ***. Actually, it's just a little quirky, that's all. It's not quite as convenient if you're used to Windows, but it does what it is supposed to. The integration isn't quite as good. For example, if you want to download a document file and open up in your word processor, you have to save it to disk and then open your word processor and open the file you just saved; whereas on Windows, you can just click "Launch" from your browser's download manager.

Still, it's nice knowing that Linux is more secure. Except for a version of RealPlayer, and the Java-based RedSheriff, there is no spyware that affects Linux. There are some viruses and trojans, but they're rare. There is no Microsoft Internet Explorer to serve as an open door onto your system. There are far fewer flaws, and those that do exist are less likely to be exploitable from the outside i.e. the Internet.

P.S. Linux is totally free. You don't have to buy anything. Some services charge to give it to you on CD, and, depending on how convenient you want patches and upgrades to be, you may want to pay more for Premium RedHat or Mandrake, but it's not necessary. RedHat even has a Windows Update-like update feature that checks to see if you need any patches, although users of the "free" version are getting shafted more and more because RedHat wants to get people to pay. But, otherwise, you only pay for convenience.

yah i know that makes things kind of difficult

oh ok. see the thing with apple as far as im concerned is you cant use micrsoft programs on it.

you should be able to run almost all microsoft programs on it, but no my dad thought we would try it because it doesn't pump in money for each new thing that comes out you just download it off the internet and all support is free!

see the reaon i believe we have microsoft (my family) is because its really easy to find their software. unlike Apple Mac or Linux.