<p>???</p>
<p>i dunno. i hear computer programmers like Linux. probably not as user-friendly though. definitely less virus-prone.</p>
<p>Linux has less bugs/glitches but more people use XP.</p>
<p>Linux is far superior as an operating system, and I have used it with joy for 4 years or so. Some bundles (called “distros” or “distributions”) are more user friendly than others (look for RedHat or Mandrake as easy options), and unlike with windows some things just won’t work (mostly so-called “closed” hardware, which doesn’t provide info for linux hackers). Frankly, learning to use and *nix system is a bit of an investment. But as for crashes, bugs, viruses, and speed, it’s a far superior option. HTH.</p>
<p>There’s a fairly active UNIX mailing list at P-ton.</p>
<p>Ashley</p>
<p>Which has LESS GLITCHES? Did you even have to ask? Boy, you are clueless! </p>
<p>Linux</p>
<p>There’s a fairly active UNIX mailing list at P-ton.</p>
<p>I have to say that I am quite pleased with my Windows computer, but I do take care of it (no viruses/spyware yet!) and I’m not using it as a server. As a result, I haven’t really tried using UNIX day-to-day, even though I could probably get comfortable with it. Just haven’t gotten around to configuring a dual boot, because I haven’t needed one for anything.</p>
<p>I can’t <em>believe</em> this topic came up without flames. Then again, College Confidential’s not Slashdot…</p>
<p>Ashley</p>
<p>SORRY guess i’m not that computer savvy. I’ve always used Windows since the 2nd grade until last week when my grandpa (air force vet) introduced to me to Linux. He said Linux is superior as well</p>
<p>I use a Dell Inspiron 5160 with Windows XP</p>
<p>The little windows computer sticker says that my Dell was designed for Windows XP. Does this mean that if i wanted to replace XP with Linux my computer might get screwed up??</p>
<p>If you aren’t familiar with Linux but plan on using it, you had better get started now. The first week of term is probably not the best time to be trying to figure out how to configure a printer. I use it becuase it’s so much more flexible, but for schoolwork I stuck to Windows - if only because it can be a pain trying to get files to appear right. </p>
<p>As to using it with a laptop, there shouldn’t be any problems, but you may find some features no longer works - for example, on my laptop, I can’t use the wireless internet because it’s a software swtich that turns it on and apparently no one’s written one for my model of laptop yet (and I am not up to writing it myself). </p>
<p>But unless you know what you’re doing or are willing to spend the next six weeks getting intimate with Linux (which is more than enough time) and getting frustrated trying to get hardware to work right, I recommend you stick to Windows, update often and install an anti-virus program. </p>
<p>Oh and another thing: before you begin, try googling for Linux on Laptops. There’s a website with different laptop models and tells you what works and what doesn’t with Linux on them.</p>
<p>Ashley: I was thinking the same things about Slashdot; in any case the SNR is much higher here anyway.</p>
<p>cevnioa: I entirely agree with the LoL idea; it is the best resource out there. </p>
<p>All in all, if you’re not familiar, the problem you’ll probably run in to is power. Because linux doesn’t really hide things from you (like the ability to turn your hard drive into an attractive paperweight), trying to learn it on the fly while preserving crucial information (like a long paper, etc) could be dangerous. The best advice I ever got re: linux was to install it first on an old, old system you have lying around and don’t care about. There at least you can get your bearings, and a stray rm -rf / won’t destroy crucial data. YMMV.</p>
<p>I have been running a dual boot machine having both win xp and RedHat Enterprise Linux 4. I also was a bit apprehensive in the beginning; My verdict is that LINUX IS FAR SUPERIOR. I have not even started XP in months. Also, you can surely run Linux on anything labelled as ‘designed for win XP.’ Also, I wish to add that with a little bit of tinkering, you can add much better functionality to linux. For example, I regularly use military grade procedures to digitally sign emails. Not that I need such functionality, but if it is easily available, why not use it?</p>
<p>Also, I suggest that you goto shipit.ubuntu.com and request for a CD (They give it totally free), or download the CD images. They include a ‘live’ cd which you can use to get acquainted with linux without installing it.</p>