Ubuntu

[Dan]

I think this is a really good program to use on an OS. It basically changes Linux into Windows with remote configuration so you can run everything that windows does, surf the web on it ect ect..

http://www.ubuntu.com

[kev woodman]

Umm being nitpicky you can't run Ubuntu on and OS as it is an OS. Also you can't run everything that Windows does on Ubuntu - it's just another distro of Linux. You can get some programs working using Wine but its not all that straightforward.

It definitely doesn't turn Linux into 'Windows with remote configuration', it is a full Linux distribution. In fact it is one of the most popular desktop editions of Linux (I'm running the 6.02 release on my desktop machine now virtualised with VMWare).

Also if you have no experience of Unix/Linux then there is going to be a bit of a learning curve. Running Linux is great (especially if you have a decent spec machine and can run it virtualised) but its not something you should rush into.

[paul]

You can bring out some look and feel like window but I don't think you can be able to enjoy all features of window through linux, also check with "samba", by which you can blend your Windows and Linux machines mixing together.

[Dan]

Well iv'e basically managed to run everything i need on Ubuntu. So really it's a desktop version of Linux in my eyes.

And when i hence the word "basically" it doesnt mean indefinate

[kev woodman]

Samba allows you to view files on an NTFS drive which are normally not accessible through Linux. I'm glad you have everything you need on Linux Dan but there are a few programs that are Windows only that I can't do without (3DS Max for starters) plus where would I be without Bioshock

[hayku]

Does only Linux allow using all these programs?

[Dan]

Well iv'e finally installed it on my dedicated server and everything is running smooth. It's a much easier way to basically manage Linux. I got the wrong end of the stick when i seen it on their website. It's a low-resource used system and it's great

And Hayku, Linux doesnt always allow executables on this system, unless you have decompiled the executable and created your own Linux loader for this.

[kev woodman]

Windows Home Server will be out soon and looks pretty handy if you want a errr...home server.

Hayku - don't know what programs you mean. Only Linux runs SAMBA and WINE but you wouldn't need them on Windows.

[Dan]

Originally Posted by kev woodman

Windows Home Server will be out soon and looks pretty handy if you want a errr...home server.

Hayku - don't know what programs you mean. Only Linux runs SAMBA and WINE but you wouldn't need them on Windows.

Thats something i'm definately investing into. I currently have a homeserver running Linux.. well it's basically a filebase where i store all my files but maybe i could run my whole computer on that

[kev woodman]

If you're happy with Linux then the various server distros probably give you a lot more control than Windows Home Server will - and they are free which is always nice If you're looking for a quick solution then WHS might be a decent buy. If you're in the UK then PC Pro has some good stuff on WHS this month.

[jon123]

so you can install office on ubuntu?
A client has a dell laptop and the hdd as failed. They have lost their restore disk and was looking at Linux. What they need as far as i know is office, mainly publisher and powerpoint.

[kev woodman]

Not sure Jon - there are alternatives to Office but if they are really dead set on MS you might want to have a look at Wine first to see if it supports it.

[jon123]

Originally Posted by kev woodman

Not sure Jon - there are alternatives to Office but if they are really dead set on MS you might want to have a look at Wine first to see if it supports it.

Thanks Kev, yes not office 2003 by the looks of it. Shame really.

[paul]

Dan, do you've any demo or video tutorials about how to use ubuntu on an OS?, I wish to have a look on this nice program.

[Dan]

www.ubuntu.com

It has all the info on Ubuntu