What can't you do with linux

NotAGolf

NotAGolf

NotAGolf

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Hi all.

I've just loaded on Ubuntu and have got to say I'm very impressed. I've only had it for a few weeks but it can do everything I need currently. That got me thinking as to whether I could do away with windows on my next build?

I know one thing Linux is definitely lacking is gaming, but if I get an xbox/playstation I would use that instead. So bar gaming, what can't you do in linux that you can do in windows?

I was thinking of some apps that I have that I don't use often but might not work in linux. Things like maya/3ds max, photoshop, rosetta stone. I understand wine can be used to get some windows apps working on linux though. Can this handle all apps or just some?
 
Virtually nothing for me aside from gaming.

You will find if you have high end requirements for applications for things like graphical design, business logic etc are targeted at Windows only. 9 times out of 10 though there are Linux alternatives or a suitable level compatibility under Wine.

Also, these days its very straight forward to run Windows only applications inside a virtual machine :) I do this to use Visual Studio which saves rebooting and messing around.
 
IBM drivers if you have a Thinkpad laptop! Absolutely no drivers whatsoever for Linux for getting the fingerprint software, custom buttons, etc working :(

Apart from that erm maybe Paintshop Pro but apparently Gimp is better. I've already dumped my windows machine as I use a PS3 for gaming and for a web browser, general use machine I'm finding Ubuntu and Mint 8 great so far.

One thing I have to figure out is a replacement for iTunes for connecting my iphone for updates, etc. I absolutely hate itunes so this is no great thing if there is indeed an alternative!
 
This is a stupid question, but if you run virtual machines, don't you have to have a licence for windows still? As this would be pointless as the main reason I'd move away is to avoid the cost of windows.

I do have a dabble with graphic design apps, but I'm far from a pro and have no real experience with using a particular package so it should be ok to start from scratch with a new application.

I do a bit of programming, only basic level C stuff but I wouldn't mind learning some C# as well as some web and mysql stuff. I presume there are plenty of apps/addons to handle this though, especially as it will be very begginnner based stuff.

Don't have any weird stuff at the minute that I plug in like phones/laptops/pda's etc, the only thing I have is a drag and drop mp3 which works fine.

Anything else I might have not thought about? I don't think so as I use my PC mostly as a media machine so it's fairy straightforward stuff.

Cheers.
 
mpledge52 said:
This is a stupid question, but if you run virtual machines, don't you have to have a licence for windows still? As this would be pointless as the main reason I'd move away is to avoid the cost of windows.
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Fairpoint, I often overlook that factor as im lucky enough to get it free from my uni :D (although cost isnt the reason I avoid using it as a primary os)

C# can be also be used quite nicely for programming these days with Novell's Mono project.
 
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Totality said:
One thing I have to figure out is a replacement for iTunes for connecting my iphone for updates, etc. I absolutely hate itunes so this is no great thing if there is indeed an alternative!
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I really, really wish there was a decent alternative but unfortunately there isn't one, however as VirtualBox has USB support, you can use iTunes in a VM (even to update it).
 
I use linux (solely) in a corporate environment daily on both my laptop and workstation, with everyone else in the office on windows. I get by with a mix of native replacement apps with a bit of wine and crossover.

Only things I struggle with are no way to view\edit visio, and worst of all is no real exchange 6.5+ support, davmail is meant to solve this...its just so damn flaky.
 
Problems which keep me using windows are itunes (iphone) and game which dont run under wine :). Hopefully one day :)
 
Bigsy said:
I use linux (solely) in a corporate environment daily on both my laptop and workstation, with everyone else in the office on windows. I get by with a mix of native replacement apps with a bit of wine and crossover.

Only things I struggle with are no way to view\edit visio, and worst of all is no real exchange 6.5+ support, davmail is meant to solve this...its just so damn flaky.
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LinuxCOE? :cool:
 
I'd say support for TV cards. There is nothing very easy to install I struggled with my Hauppauge card and in end the settled for Windows.

Although I use Linux at work and it runs great. :)
 
I use debian on several boxes - mostly servers, etc. but theres no way I would use it as a desktop replacement...

Theres no guarantee new versions of software that currently work fine under WINE or similiar will continue to do so...

I use quite a bit of software development software that has no linux equivalent and won't work under linux either - admittedly this is mostly bespoke stuff.

Quite a few "alternatives" for windows software lack the intuitiveness of the windows original and often are quite fugly as well... much of the time your making do with an inferior alternative.

Obviously gaming is out for the most part unless you stick to a few idsoftware titles, etc.
 
psd99 said:
I'd say support for TV cards. There is nothing very easy to install I struggled with my Hauppauge card and in end the settled for Windows.

Although I use Linux at work and it runs great. :)
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Which Hauppauge card? i had a few probablems setting up the remote, ened up using a windows mce one, the tv card worked out of the box
 
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