Gaming Switching to Linux

[Danny600kill]

Ok I finally decided that I am going to switch to Linux

I've been studying Ubuntu for a while now and I ready for the move, I've backed up all of the file I want on a External Hard-drive and I'm about to download Ubuntu but then i thought, are there any other Linux based OS' that are as good as or better than Ubuntu.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Please if you do give a suggestion could you add a explanation of why this is good and the official site so I can have a look.

Thank You

P.S I'm on Vista now and I just don't like it, I did like XP but Linux seems the way to go. ( Windows 7 doesn't take my fancy )

 

[XWolf]

I would recommend trying a few flavours of linux. I had Ubuntu but now on Mint 8.

Go to: www.pendrivelinux.com

Make a usb linux key - or just use Live CDs - then you can try before you install.

 

[Deleted member 35947]

I would recommend Kubuntu instead of Ubuntu. It's based off of Ubuntu, just uses KDE graphical environment instead of Gnome.
http://www.kubuntu.org/

 

[XWolf]

It's personal preference. I prefer Gnome over KDE. Some people prefer yet a different one (like Enlightenment).

 

[BlackDave]

Yeah um unless it's a desktop and you have a router or modem next to it.....

good luck with the wireless drivers....

I'm Installing my Ubuntu version 64 bit JUST so I can use it with Xlink Kai (because Win 7 f***ed up the drivers and won't uninstall it) I am still stuck at the part where I have to make my drivers work

 

[Jamstruth]

Linux is the kind of thing you have on a secondary system such as a netbook or a kids PC that's just used for internet browsing in my opinion. Its simple to use but hampered by a lack of decent software that will leave you clambering for Windows again.

 

[mario5555]

Linux is the kind of thing you have on a secondary system such as a netbook or a kids PC that's just used for internet browsing in my opinion. Its simple to use but hampered by a lack of decent software that will leave you clambering for Windows again.

I have a VM instance of Ubuntu I can boot to anytime I want if I get tired of Windows, no partitioning, no hassle, I've been really happy with it.

Go to http://www.vmware.com/ if you're interested. Heck you can do VM instances of pretty much every OS you'd want with that program, easier then partitioning and formatting all the time to install a new OS.

 

[JustChillin1414]

I would strongly suggest ubuntu over windows. Sure, the driver for the wireless card was a pain but I eventually got it to work. Just post over in the ubuntu forums and they'll help you (or even better their irc channel.) Ubuntu is about 10x faster than windows. Of course I haven't seen what windows 7 is like but basically they tried to copy mac os x. I have a computer that runs linux, it only has 256MB ram and a 1GHz cpu, and it runs internet and mail just as fast as mac os x. The only problem is running multiple programs (because of lack of ram.) I LOVE LINUX

 

[Scorpei]

Linux is the kind of thing you have on a secondary system such as a netbook or a kids PC that's just used for internet browsing in my opinion. Its simple to use but hampered by a lack of decent software that will leave you clambering for Windows again.

Perhaps for you, but for me it is my main OS. Any application that NEEDS windows I run in Wine. If that doesn't work I still have a windows machine around. Anything available for windows you can find a good alternative in linux, mostly anyway

.

As for the topic starter, personally I prefer opensuse. It's quite easy to use, still letting you do everything you want of course as normal in linux. You might not want to use that latest opensuse install though as I hear it had some bugs but it has been out there for a while now

.

 

[BedtimeGuy]

i would suggest the same distribution i use: Linux mint! it's essentially a fork (modification) of ubuntu with a nicer menu, some things to make it easier for previous windoze users and much easier access to proprietary codecs. also linux doesn't have any lack of decent programs (plus you don't have to search through IE for hours to find one that isn't a free trial

)

 

[steve-p]

i use mandriva, and wireless stuff works just fine thanks.
(unlike on xp on the same machine!)

screw windoze.
if you need to run a windose program then install wine.
http://www.winehq.org

i can tell you that it runs "UMDGEN" perfectly.

 

[XWolf]

Difficulty getting wireless driver to work on Linux?

Odd. The most recent versions of Ubuntu, Mint and several other Linux's have the option for Use Windows Wireless Drivers; it's in the control panel bit.

Run update or just overlay the newer distro.

OR - check your Package Manager, it'll be in there to install.

 

[mkoo]

May I recommend Pardus. It's a Turkish Made, original distro. (Not based on Ubuntu or anything else)
With unique packet management system, unique init system for fast boot up and supports many features out of box.
Download
Page at DistroWatch

 

[BlackDave]

I'm running Gpart (i think that's the name) to Reformat my partiotions the right way because I had a 15gb partition for Dell's recovery on the left of my Primary OS (which was Vista now Win7)

So I had to use that program (it's still running right now) so i can Partition Half of My HD for Linux (I'm starting to like it)

Edit: 300 posts

only 200 left xD

 

[Deleted User]

Personally, I have had the most success with Debian-based distributions. I've used Debian, Ubuntu (and all variants), Mint, and some other ones.

I would definitely say that Mint and Ubuntu are my favorite and work the best (for me anyway). I would recommend just getting Ubuntu and then adding on packages, changing display managers, etc. when you feel like it. Ubuntu may be the most popular consumer Linux distro today, but there is a reason for it. It's well supported.

Get *buntu.

 

[piratesmack]

good luck with the wireless drivers....

Thanks

CODEroot@steven-netbook:/home/steven# iwconfig
loÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂno wireless extensions.

wlan0ÂÂÂÂ IEEE 802.11bgÂÂESSID:"stevens router"ÂÂNickname:"steven-netboo"
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂMode:ManagedÂÂFrequency:2.412 GHzÂÂAccess Point: 00:23:698:67:31
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂBit Rate=54 Mb/sÂÂ Tx-Power:32 dBm
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂRetry min limit:7ÂÂ RTS thr:offÂÂ Fragment thr:off
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂPower Managementmode:All packets received
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂLink Quality=5/5ÂÂSignal level=-47 dBmÂÂNoise level=-88 dBm
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂRx invalid nwid:0ÂÂRx invalid crypt:0ÂÂRx invalid frag:0
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂTx excessive retries:0ÂÂInvalid misc:0ÂÂ Missed beacon:0

 

[blitzer320]

i would say start at ubuntu like i did but eventually when you are more in depth of linux terms and how it works you can compile your own kernel something like gentoo or arch linux

 

[dark42]

Go with Ubuntu, install ubuntu-restricted-extras to install codecs to play many file formats.