GILXA1226
Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-29
London, OH
clubs:
| reply to Sindows 7
Re: Ubuntu v's Windows
said by Sindows 7  :Which of these games can I play on any OS besides Windows? Actually Using Wine you should be able to play all right now save for maybe GTAIV, I think there are still a few issues with that. Other than that you'd be good. Plus, IIRC Return to Castle Wolfenstein has a linux version that lets you load the game blob data off of the CD, so you don't need Wine in that case. |
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SUMware
Premium
join:2002-05-21
4 edits | reply to norwegian
said by norwegian :Both you and Vampirefo are saying the same thing here. I've not found an IM client to run. Is Gaim the only one, if so will it work with others enough? »en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pidgin_(software)
»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kopete
»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabber_(in···_client)
»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jabbim_(client)
»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psi_(insta···_client)
Goggle for others. Pidgin (Gaim) & Kopete seem to be the most popular.
said by norwegian :what of software for them that may need installing, how limiting is some of the choices that may come into play later? Good question. Selecting a distribution with large repositories will offer the most choices down the road. A Debian based distro as well as openSUSE offer huge repos with vast software collections.
openSUSE maintains their repos 24/7 with the latest software and patches. Other distros do not. The newest versions are made available ASAP. This may be an important consideration. And YaST is a wonderful OS/software manager.
And, as you know, no 3rd party security of any kind is needed. |
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Nightfall
My Goal Is To Deny Yours
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-03
Grand Rapids, MI
 ·Comcast
 ·AT&T Midwest
 ·Site5.com
| reply to norwegian
Just based on the fact that she has no previous experience, I would think either Windows or Ubuntu would be a good choice. You just have to keep in mind the benefits/drawbacks of each option.
For instance, lets say she gets very comfortable with Ubuntu, and one of her friends gives her a CD that has a game on it for her to play. Its only Windows based and she really wants to play it. Do you want to be responsible for troubleshooting that and trying to find ways to get it working?
Don't get me wrong, I am a big proponent of Ubuntu and Windows. I have both in my home and I love them both. However, when handing out an OS to someone remotely, I have learned that Windows may be the best option.
If you load the proper utilities on a Windows based system, you won't have any issues with security. Thats a fact.
No matter which you choose though, you will be required to hand hold a bit. So, choose wisely. My choice would be to just stick with Windows and call it good. Install a yearly subscription with Symantec Antivirus OR go with a free antivirus solution with AVG. Turn on the firewall and you are good to go.
--
My domain - Nightfall.net |
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Mummy on Mepis
@spcsdns.net | reply to norwegian
I've had mom on Mepis 6 for two years? Seems that long, what is great is all I've had to do is reboot the cable modem once in a while, she's behind a NAT, so no worries.
All she needs is point and click and Mepis works great. |
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JohnInSJ
Premium
join:2003-09-22
San Jose, CA | reply to norwegian
IM client in ubuntu is pidgin (used to be called Gaim) and it works just dandy with every IM system you can think of) |
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Jahntassa
What, I can have feathers
Premium
join:2006-04-14
Conway, SC
| reply to norwegian
My question would be, how comfortable are YOU with Ubuntu.
Regardless of any other fact, she's going to come to YOU when she has problems. If you don't know how to address them, it's going to be more of a headache than going with something you're familiar with. (The same with Windows if you're an Ubuntu / Mac person)
Go with what you know how to fix. |
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Matt
Take me down to the paradise city
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC | reply to norwegian
If you know Windows, go with Windows if you'll be supporting it. If you want to experiment with another operating system, do it on a machine you have physical access to. |
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SLD
Premium
join:2002-04-17 | reply to JohnInSJ
I use it on Vista...LOL. |
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SLD
Premium
join:2002-04-17
·Comcast
1 edit | reply to norwegian
If it weren't for a few Windows based apps that I need to run, such as Visual Studio, I'd switch to Ubuntu. I've already migrated many of the current apps I'm running from commercial to stuff like OpenOffice.org, Thunderbird and GIMP. I'm tired of paying for all of the upgrades (or at least the thought of paying  )
I'm using Ubuntu server on all of my datacenter boxes and it is great! |
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Matt
Take me down to the paradise city
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..
| said by SLD :I'm using Ubuntu server on all of my datacenter boxes and it is great! Not to derail the thread, but I have a single VM that is Ubuntu (CentOS time skew in a VM is STILL not fixed. Come on guys, it's only been what, 3 years or so?) and I am starting to enjoy it. As the guy responsible for security as well, I like the fact it's so stripped down it doesn't even come with SSH out of the box! With our CentOS installs, I have to disable a ton of running services (really, who still uses ISDN and Bluetooth on a server guys? Come on ...) to pare it down to only what we need. |
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salzan
Experienced Optimist
Premium
join:2004-01-08
WA State
1 edit | reply to norwegian
said by norwegian :As for the router, being she will want the functionality of wireless, I think the best approach is getting a wireless router, or a router, then wireless endpoint, as our wireless in Australia is...well...a rip off, especially if using a cam to chat comes into play. Getting the wireless connection to work reliably was the biggest problem I had with setting up Ubuntu. Would you be at your Mom's place to get it all set up and running?
Will you be able to talk her through getting it to work by phone if she loses connection? |
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avd706
insert annoying animated gif here
Premium
join:2003-02-06
Union, NJ | reply to norwegian
The problem is that only you will maintain it if something goes bad. If you install windows and she has a problem, she might run to the next door teenager before she bugs you. |
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quatrix
Premium
join:2005-02-11
Davie, FL
| reply to norwegian
Ubuntu is fun to play with once in a while, but hardware drivers are a pain, even for major manufacturers such as NVIDIA and Creative. When I realized that I spent 90% of the time installing updates or fighting with drivers instead of actually USING Ubuntu, I stopped bothering. |
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EveryName
Wake Up
Premium
join:2001-12-05
Montreal | reply to Sindows 7
COD4, Halo and snes/nes emulators are all on Mac. |
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norwegian
Premium
join:2005-02-15
Outback
·WestNet Broadband
| reply to Jahntassa
said by Jahntassa :My question would be, how comfortable are YOU with Ubuntu. Regardless of any other fact, she's going to come to YOU when she has problems. If you don't know how to address them, it's going to be more of a headache than going with something you're familiar with. (The same with Windows if you're an Ubuntu / Mac person) Go with what you know how to fix. This is a concern, but I think if I go against Windows, I will have to install here locally the O/S she gets, so when it comes to troubleshooting, I can walk her through it.
Where as, Windows, well, I can walk anyone through it with confidence, due to I am experienced enough to have this not be a concern.
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing - Edmund Burke |
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norwegian
Premium
join:2005-02-15
Outback
·WestNet Broadband
| reply to salzan
said by salzan :Getting the wireless connection to work reliably was the biggest problem I had with setting up Ubuntu. Would you be at your Mom's place to get it all set up and running? Will you be able to talk her through getting it to work by phone if she loses connection? Very valid point. No I will not.
I will have the laptop here till I am happy with the end result before passing it on. So the connection may be better looked at from my end first.
If I organise the hardware to connect, I can set it all up here at home, shut down everything not needed, password protect everything that needs it and when it comes to sending it to her, organise what passwords she will use for the ISP connection before it ships and she has it connected. That way it will be basically plug it in and nothing to do so troubleshooting can be eliminated before it gets there.
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing - Edmund Burke |
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norwegian
Premium
join:2005-02-15
Outback
·WestNet Broadband
| reply to quatrix
said by quatrix :Ubuntu is fun to play with once in a while, but hardware drivers are a pain, even for major manufacturers such as NVIDIA and Creative. When I realized that I spent 90% of the time installing updates or fighting with drivers instead of actually USING Ubuntu, I stopped bothering. I can eliminate these issues before it ships, doubt there will be a great deal of hardware to install later and as for updating drivers, can't see a lot needed there.
My inexperience with Ubuntu though has me querying how big an issue will drivers be down the road. I doubt she will be loading a lot onto the box to change the configuration or cause a driver conflict, at least the first 6-12 months anyway. So will driver issues be a bug?
Also I can keep a file of the installers on the box, or on a CD so if there is a need to uninstall/install it will be as smooth as possible.
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing - Edmund Burke |
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norwegian
Premium
join:2005-02-15
Outback | reply to norwegian
Also, before I forget it, a warm thankyou for everyone who has replied. All the best for the year ahead.
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing - Edmund Burke |
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JohnInSJ
Premium
join:2003-09-22
San Jose, CA
·Comcast
| reply to norwegian
said by norwegian :said by quatrix :Ubuntu is fun to play with once in a while, but hardware drivers are a pain, even for major manufacturers such as NVIDIA and Creative. When I realized that I spent 90% of the time installing updates or fighting with drivers instead of actually USING Ubuntu, I stopped bothering. I can eliminate these issues before it ships, doubt there will be a great deal of hardware to install later and as for updating drivers, can't see a lot needed there. My inexperience with Ubuntu though has me querying how big an issue will drivers be down the road. I doubt she will be loading a lot onto the box to change the configuration or cause a driver conflict, at least the first 6-12 months anyway. So will driver issues be a bug? Also I can keep a file of the installers on the box, or on a CD so if there is a need to uninstall/install it will be as smooth as possible. I'd do ubuntu, personally, if I had the choice. Drivers won't be an issue in the current version, assuming the hardware isn't stoneage. |
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EveryName
Wake Up
Premium
join:2001-12-05
Montreal | reply to norwegian
Just use Windows, and set her up with a good anti-virus. Windows is easier to use. |
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