Forum Moderators: bakedjake
Started off using win98 then ME briefly using 2k before making the move to XP.
I moved to XP when I bought a new pc. It came pre-installed. Around about the same time I bought a linux distro and ran it on my old computer. It worked quite well that way. I was able to use XP when I wanted and also linux. I networked the computers for shared internet connection ect.
What I have noticed during this time of using the 2 systems is that my preferance is more towards linux.
Tonight I was writting a letter on my XP machine when it frooze up. That was the last straw. Armed with my linux CD's I formated windows and installed linux. There is no going back now because I do not have a windows Xp cd-rom, It's learning time.
Mack.
Can you open word documents? Excel? Powerpoint?
Can you save and email word documents to those of us not brave enough to make the penguin leap yet - and can we open your documents?
Have you found you were using many other programs that work only on Microsoft that has no Linux equivalent?
Would appreciate your thoughts in a day or two...
Can you open word documents? Excel? Powerpoint?
Would appreciate your thoughts in a day or two...
For what it's worth, I'll give you mine while you wait ;-)
Can you open word documents? Excel? Powerpoint?
Yes, without any problem.
Have you found you were using many other programs that work only on Microsoft that has no Linux equivalent?
I haven't, but I'm sure there will always be a few like that. I have had excellent success with WINE and VMWWARE though which I've been playing around with for the last few days (Windows emulators). I have got MS Office and Photoshop running under WINE succesfully, and surprisingly efficiently.
The one thing where I've noticed emulator issues is networking related Windows apps - Linux networking (and specifically sockets) work in a completely different way to Windows.
If you're interested in making a switch, I strongly recommend Mack's method though - install Linux on an old spare PC and get to know your way around, learn to install apps etc.
In my opinion, Linux is a superior OS but there are fundamental differences and making a jump from one to the other is not the easiest step.
TJ
Dixon.
Yep it sure it. When people thjink about Linux I think a lot of people are still thinking along the lines of command line and non graphical systems. All the modern mainstream systems come with a pretty easy to use interface. In a way it is similar to using a win computer, just a different ruit to get to the same destination.
The biggest problem a lot of people will have is getting to grips with the interface. As for opening files. Files that where created with ms word open no problem in all the editors I have tried them in. I have also sent files as attatchments and have not had anyone report any problems opening them.
It is just a different way of doing things. Linux isn't hard , it's just different to what a windows user would be used to.
Mack.
That said, take a look at Xfce. The interface is a bit more simple than Windows, IMHO. And it's fast.
OpenOffice is relatively flawless for 90% of your Word/Excel tasks. I've been almost UNIX exclusive for the last 1.5 years, and my clients have no issue with documents I create or modify. The one feature I promise you will miss, though, is the "Text to Columns" tool in Excel. I miss that so very much in OpenOffice. :)
