Thinking of switching to Linux

[Huntsman]

Which Linux did you install?

Ubuntu 14.04.1

[Huntsman]

Okay, so I've got the dual boot working, this time with Linux Mint. So far, I like it and so on, but I'm having a lot of disatisfactories with it:

*Some interfaces, such as skype, look awful and ancient and is very difficult to use.
*Working with files, browsing hard drives and so on seems way too confusing.
*Dual boot installation is not an option, since it seems to slow down my Windows 7 a lot...

So in the end.. I'll have to decide what to do.. I really like Linux's speed and interface as a whole, but it's lack of compatibility (tried launching GTA SA with WINE today with no luck) is killing me.. The only useful thing here I find is the Linux multimedia studio, which is also available on windows, so..
I've no idea what to do :s

[Teddy]

Linux isn't for everyone; it takes dedication and a degree of understanding of the technical features and functions of a computer in order to learn to use it to its fullest potential. If you are looking for design and visuals then Linux is the absolute worst choice; it is an OS where it's terminal is the forefront of its operation.

Goto your local bookstore, find a book on Linux. Learn it, you'll be glad you did.

[Huntsman]

Linux isn't for everyone; it takes dedication and a degree of understanding of the technical features and functions of a computer in order to learn to use it to its fullest potential. If you are looking for design and visuals then Linux is the absolute worst choice; it is an OS where it's terminal is the forefront of its operation.

Goto your local bookstore, find a book on Linux. Learn it, you'll be glad you did.

I know i want to stay on linux but i cant seem to be able to run Gta Sa on it and i need it for argo.. Ive no idea what to do :s.

[Malik.]

Linux?

[Armelin]

Only frustrated computer scientists use Linux, go back to Windows update it and your browser and you will be much safer.

[eymas]

I only use it for:
Servers with specific roles(mostly web-related, no one in their right mind would work with IIS(No offense Gandalf <3))
Raspberry Pi
Rescue environment(or for cases where i need to do something windows doesn't let me.)

It's far from ready for a suitable daily driver for me 

[Devin]

My personal opinion on Linux is this, I would use Linux for a server over Windows Server editions but not for every-day use such as browsing the internet and casual gaming.

For a computer that I am frequently using I far prefer using Windows.
The biggest reason behind that is the software compatibility and the whole feel of a Windows system over Linux.

[Kewlizm]

I have a dual boot system with ubuntu and win7. I also have fedora on an ext hdd. Basically as many previously said, linux requires you to use the terminal as you probably realized when we tried to fix the error earlier.

So my conclusion would be that if you want an easy and a good looking GUI (tbh ubuntu has an OK looking design), windows is your OS. But if you want to fully be able to access and modify your system, linux is the OS. Of course you can dual boot like many do but if it actually slows your pc down then... You probably wanna choose only one.

As for the learning the coding part. Like Teddy said you can get a 1000 page book on it. But that can be boring for people like me. I learned it by doing. I just googled everything I wanted to do and tried to understand everything I type, and it worked. The stuff stuck in my mind.

Once you learn how to play with the terminal, stuff gets fun. You can model the OS in any way you want. No restrictions like in windows.

Here are 2 links to windows vs linux.

This one is simple english : http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000575.htm

and this is a bit more in depth comparison: http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10-things/10-fundamental-differences-between-linux-and-windows/

[Teddy]

As for the learning the coding part. Like Teddy said you can get a 1000 page book on it. But that can be boring for people like me. I learned it by doing. I just googled everything I wanted to do and tried to understand everything I type, and it worked. The stuff stuck in my mind.

Me too, I could never read a book to learn anything technical. I only suggested it because surprisingly most people still prefer the reading part than the hands on part in this field. Personally, I've learned everything I know about programming, scripting, Linux, servers, hosting, and such by doing, fucking up, asking for help, and trying again (rinse and repeat as needed).

[Patton]

*Some interfaces, such as skype, look awful and ancient and is very difficult to use.

That's Microsoft's fault -- they barely touched the Linux client since they bought Skype.

*Working with files, browsing hard drives and so on seems way too confusing.

The file system is much different, you'll get used to it.

So in the end.. I'll have to decide what to do.. I really like Linux's speed and interface as a whole, but it's lack of compatibility (tried launching GTA SA with WINE today with no luck) is killing me.. The only useful thing here I find is the Linux multimedia studio, which is also available on windows, so..
I've no idea what to do :s

What is the exact problem that you're having? Game not loading at all? Blank screen?

Only frustrated computer scientists use Linux,

This is perhaps the most uninformed opinion posted on this entire board.

Goto your local bookstore, find a book on Linux. Learn it, you'll be glad you did.

Software books are useless; most of the time they're outdated and too big for what they're describing. I have a copy on Java which is about 800 pages long, and it's only "part one" (got it as a birthday gift from a friend who I studied Java with). Everyday computer books rarely beat reading about the subject on the internet; K&R C is an exception.

[Huntsman]

What is the exact problem that you're having? Game not loading at all? Blank screen?

It blacks out as if the game was about to launch and then all I see is some kind of distorted screen. Upon clicking ALT+F4 it returns to desktop but desktop resolution is fucked up so I have to restart Linux.

[Patton]

It blacks out as if the game was about to launch and then all I see is some kind of distorted screen. Upon clicking ALT+F4 it returns to desktop but desktop resolution is f**ked up so I have to restart Linux.

Open up the terminal, then cd into the GTA: San Andreas folder:

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cd ~/.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files/Rockstar\ Games/GTA\ San\ Andreas(change the path as needed, and keep in mind that spaces need to be escaped with \ as in the example above)

Then, type the following:

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force_s3tc_enable=true wine gta_sa.exe

[Huntsman]

Open up the terminal, then cd into the GTA: San Andreas folder:

Code: [Select]

cd ~/.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files/Rockstar\ Games/GTA\ San\ Andreas(change the path as needed, and keep in mind that spaces need to be escaped with \ as in the example above)

Then, type the following:

Code: [Select]

force_s3tc_enable=true wine gta_sa.exe

I've already removed Linux, however, I'm planning to get a simple laptop which I need for working with the Police Volunteers office in my town, and I'd certainly have Linux installed on it.

[Huntsman]

Aaand I'm currently on a laptop with a Linux Mint in it!! However, I've got a problem - skype aint working. When I type in my credentials it says "Skype cannot connect" and that's all. It worked on my desktop PC when I had Mint :S