Ubuntu 10.04 LTS?

[Zerlina]

they have this thing that lets you use most things on windows.

Well that's more than Vista can say.

[Osmose]

coughEXCUSEScough.
but in all seriousness, i see your point osmose.

Just asking though, what devices do you think you'd have problems recognizing? I might start programming soon for things like this.

Up until the last 6 months or so, I could say a second monitor and be mostly correct, but that's improved. It's the drivers.

It's more as a general rule; Windows thrives because of the widespread support. This includes everything under the sun having a driver for Windows so that it can work properly. Windows comes pre-packaged with gigantic libraries full of drivers, and most peripherals these days are plug-and-play, meaning that they contain their drivers and upload it to your machine when you plug them in.

From both personal experience and from what I've read, driver support on Linux is not too stellar. Game controllers, usb sound, etc.

I could be wrong since I don't use linux for anything other than server stuff these days, so your best bet is to look up if your stuff works. Most likely, if it doesn't, someone ran into the problem and posted about it.

[HobomasterXXX]

Other than being free and open source, what does Linux do that should be appealing to me over a retail OS like Windows?

[Osmose]

Other than being free and open source, what does Linux do that should be appealing to me over a retail OS like Windows?

What do you use your computer for?

[Bluhman]

For Gaming, Ubuntu is kind of useless.

[ThexXtremeXx]

For Gaming, Ubuntu is kind of useless.

At the moment it is, but it has the potential to get better with a larger community and more support.
That may be coming soon seeing as Dell is taking an interest in it.

[Archem]

For Gaming, Ubuntu is kind of useless.

This has been, by far, my largest barrier to entry for any OS that isn't Windows. It's not that I use my computer exclusively for gaming, but I certainly have a bit of a game library that I'd like to access from time-to-time.

[X_marks_the_ed]

*coughdualbootcough*

I'd go 100% Ubuntu, but I just don't like GIMP, and Jasc doesn't work too well in WINE. Maybe for five minutes, then it crashes. Ubuntu supports a lot of the equipment I need for my work in motherboards without Vista restricting the **** out of everything and ****ing up my EEPROMs. Plus, it's totally safe for online shopping and purchasing without worrying if a trojan is stealing your info.

You can always run Windows on Virtualbox to play games, but Ubuntu can handle simpler games with WINE (Diablo II, DOS games with DOSBOX, and Fallout 1 on my own experience).

[fruckert]

*coughdualbootcough*

And this is how I used it, before my OS torched and I lost my disc.

[Prpl_Mage]

To be honest, Ubuntu and all the linux freeware is good for 2 things.
1. People don't even bother to make viruses for it.
2. You can use some sneaky programming skills to lock up your files in case the police decide to bring your computer in fro illegal downloading.

Other than that - it's pretty useless. It takes some time to learn, it has a lot of uneccessary stuff(more than a MAC) and is not really that different.
You need to rely on other people to get things to work for it. New Windows live is released - now we need to wait for some guy to make the latest windows live to work for Ubuntu.
Also, there's no tech support.

[fruckert]

Also, there's no tech support.

That is a blatant lie.

[Prpl_Mage]

That is a blatant lie.

I know.

[fruckert]

I forget how socially retarded I am, my apologies.

[Bluhman]

1. People don't even bother to make viruses for it.

Precisely the reason my mother uses it.

2. You can use some sneaky programming skills to lock up your files in case the police decide to bring your computer in fro illegal downloading.

Precisely the secondary reason my mo- wait what?

[Archem]

Your mother downloads kiddie porn.