My Operation System Dilemma – Linux or Windows
If you have read my last post about switching from Windows to Linux, you may know that I had switched to Open SuSe as alternative operation system. Actually there is no OpenSuSe installed in my laptop anymore. As day passing by, I realized that the system became slower and slower. Even it was slower than my Windows XP. There is no point of using it anymore. OpenSuSe was uninstalled and I stay with beloved Windows XP.
After a few weeks, my friend reintroduces me with Ubuntu. Yeah, I know it. I have it once installed but having no success getting the right driver for Broadcom wireless card to function properly. Hey, but this time the Ubuntu is different. It comes with Compiz Fusion, which has super cool graphic effect. It is way much cooler compared to Vista.
Being amazed with the effect, I installed Ubuntu on the empty partition left by OpenSuse. This time, with a little bit luck, I manage to get the wireless card to work. The learning curve was not too hard. Getting used to Terminal, installing packages, root access and so on was not a big deal.
But then some problems occurred. The first thing which annoys me very much is the video freeze. It freezes every time I watch movie. The video freezes for about 5-8 seconds but the sound is still there. It is okay when I watch English or Malay movies, but when I need to depend 100 percent on the subtitles, such as Japanese dramas, it is awful! I need to rewind back a little bit and for an episode of drama, I need to do that about 5 times. I have looked for solution in forums, but nothing worked. Maybe I just need to wait for the update.
Changing platform is not only change the Operation System; you need to change most everyday software you use. As a photography enthusiast, I do use Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom a lot. Unfortunately, there is neither Photoshop nor Lightroom for Linux. Yes, there are some alternatives to such softwares, such as GIMP for Photoshop or Lightzone for Lightroom. But, again I need to learn them. After so much effort learning Photoshop and Lightroom, I should change to new softwares, learn them, and get use to them.
All these make me thinking again, whether I do want to switch to Linux. Do I need to fancy graphic effects? Do I need an almost virus-free Operation System? (There are lots of free antivirus programmes out there. By the way, after about two years using this laptop, it does not suffer any virus attack.) Does Ubuntu 8.04 more stable than Windows XP?
Gosh, I need to get some sleep now. Tomorrow morning I need to catch a train to Games Convention in Leipzig. Good night.
I think the biggest question you should ask yourself is…are you geek enough to have fun with a Linux system. As much as every Linux geek out there would argue about viruses and stability and all that, the heart of it is…how much fun would you have tweaking your system to the fullest of its ability?
I dual-boot XP/Ubuntu on my desktop and also use Xandros on my EeePC without problems. I love spending time just tweaking my system to get it just right to how I like it. If you see yourself doing that all the time, then sure…why not stick with Linux?
Well i made the switch to ubuntu fulltime a month ago, that’s always some learning curve to climb, as for me, i’m 90% on ubuntu and the rest of the 10% i need to used windows, just run it via virtualbox (which i installed) or vmware, the downside is of course, linux is not compatible with virus:)
you can use photoshop on wine!
you using vlc for your videos? i don’t have any problems so far.
previously i was also trying the ubuntu. but the problem is also like yours.
suppose to learn new sotware also. quite troublesome! maybe have to wait more.
use os that u need not what other people tell you to use
i think most of your job require software that only available on windows.. why bother install linux? just stick with xp you will be fine
Edrei: That is exactly the biggest question. I love to have the possibilities to tweak Linux tailored to my need. But for this time being, I don’t have that much time. Maybe it is better for me to stick with Windows XP and slowly learn to get use to Linux. By the way, it is already more than good for anything,which is free.
Boon: It seems that you have overcome the hardship of changing. I have heard somewhere that Adobe are soon to make their products compatible for Linux. Maybe it is just a matter of time.
Bringest:I have not tried Photoshop on Wine yet. But Adobe Lightroom was not a success. Still keeping eye on Ubuntu Forums though. About the videos, I do use VLC, but the freezes are still there. Even with Compiz turned off.
megat:Right, it is not as easy as I imagined. But this time, I don’t want to give up anymore. Moreover, Ubuntu takes only 8GB of my hard disk. And it doesn’t bite.
novatech:Actually I just want to test drive Ubuntu again. It is not yet suitable for a complete change.
I’m still a newbie, so sorry if I give shallow comments. Besides Ubuntu, Linux also had GNOME and KDE, right? How about that other two?
For player, how about try Mplayer? I thought it was created for Linux first, then for Windows.
Hello,
I’m 16 yr old and from Belgium
I dualbooted my acer laptop with ubuntu and windows vista and it works fine! I just love it to tweak my OS linux to it’s maximum, even today I’ve spend a whole afternoon fine tuning my two screens for “twinview” so I have two workspaces now, very useful!
i agree,
you have to spend a lot of time into linux to find the right match,
linux is opensource and that has it’s advantages but also it’s disadvantages,
you can do ANYTHING with your linux, you can write programs yourself etc.. but the disadvantage is; it’s not a complete package (what microsoft ís ) so also myself spend a lot of time searching for suitable drivers, programs to get some compatibility with windows extensions etc..
but i love it!
and also,
everytime i boot up my laptop with windows vista, I’m scared it will freeze and I have to restart my system all over again.. and I’ve never had that feeling with Linux ubuntu
remember!!!
Linux is a young OS, Microsoft is much more older and has much more money for research and still, linux is getting close
That’s the power of opensource!
I have dual boot PC (Arch Linux and Windows). I have to say that I like Linux more than Windows but because I’m a gamer. I have to use Windows as my main operating system because all my favorite game can’t run under Linux.