Do You Use Linux?

I use Linux based OS on 2 / 3 computers in my home, one is running Linux Mint, which i recommend to new users, and the other one is on BackTrack.

Do you use Linux?

AMD fusion Ubuntu linux installed via wubi.

I use either Ubunut, Mint, puppy or Joli Cloud depending on computer, situation or need.

Would I recommend it to new users?

For new users I would recommend Ubuntu with unity interface because it is a fun mashup of windows & OSX.

Is Linux perfect for new users?

Pre-built machines with 'Linux tested' hardware is a safer bet than throwing Linux on a current computer and hoping it works. Often people have problems due to incompatible hardware that puts them off Linux.

Is Linux ready to take on Windows and Mac OS?

In a candyland world maybe, but as Windows has OEM support to bring windows to the masses & Mac OS has the desirable cool factor the answer is no. Both have flaws, but not as many as Linux.

What would a Linux distribution need to do to make you use it (ubuntu) everyday on a pc/laptop?

Not a whole lot! Have a pretty, unified interface (lets face it, unity works nice, but broken down looks like a fancy layer to gnome 2) or a half replication of OSX, but less 'polished'. Lets not even cover the others as I'm not trying to write a dissertation.

Fix the lag in the software centre so it's easier and quicker to stack applications to install and uninstall without causing the whole system to temporarily melt down. (same has happened on my quad core too)

OEM support and crash the prices. (Why buy a more expensive linux box when the windows one will do everything just as well?)

Full codec and DVD support out of the box (never gonna happen) (this is more a boring chore than anything)

Easy blu ray support (never going to happen) (possible, but stil a chore)

Full encoding support out of the box (I think saving movies in HD is fixed with Ubuntu-restricted-extras, but it's still a pain in the butt)

Better webcam support - perhaps i'm unlucky, but outside of skype i've never had much luck with my webcams and cheese just runs them horrid. I'm thinking along the lines of people making youtube videos using their HD webcams.

Easier printer setup. (another task I dread due to so much un-luck)

So what on earth makes you use Linux if you hate it so much??

Fantastic out the box driver support. Almost everything from laptops to computers it's found the hardware and given access instantly with extra drivers being activate later to make graphics run smoother.

Software centre that means you don't need to trawl through lots of potentially un-safe websites to get software

Easy to use

No 'update hell', the so-called 'Windows needs to re-start and install updates... NOW, RIGHT NOW while you are doing important work or i'll just do it right when you leave an important thing to run and re-boot randomly by myself!'

The fact that after about 15 minutes I can have a fully functioning system and removed and installed everything I use by copying a few commands into the terminal.

Linux is great for servers and most of my Linux testing while using Ubuntu or other is often combined with server tools testing, an understanding of the command line helps, but is not essential for server admin. Zero monetary input for a LOT out usable, reliable output.

The number of distributions and choice. This is both a love and a pet hate of mine for Linux.

P.S

I use linux a bit, who cares right?

P.P.S

Thanks for reading my essay. I could easily nit pick a lot more, but then again I could do the same for Windows and Mac OS.

Right now I have Ubuntu 10.10 on my MacBook Pro and Dell XPS. I only have it to play with though. The last time Linux was my primary operating system was years ago. I had one of those Aspire One Netbooks that ran Linux Linpus. Linpus is terrible. It crashed in the strangest way I've ever heard of. The connections manager icon disappeared, I couldn't get on the internet, period. I wound up loading Ubuntu on it and I loved it. I still have the netbook, it needs the power input replaced. I highly recommend Ubuntu to anyone who wants the features of the OS X desktop but doesn't want to pay for a Mac. You need to be a somewhat computer literate every now and then, but it's never so complicated you can't google the problem and get an answer. Ubuntu Forums should be the first bookmark anyone new to Ubuntu should create. It comes in handy.

I have about 50-60 servers running Linux.

I just don't trust Windows where my clients are.

I am running one computer with linux on it strictly. And one laptop that I switch from windows to linux when need be and back again. Ubuntu has been good for me for over 6 years on that one. Never had a major problembut a steep learning curve to make sure that I understood it. Other than that after the learning curve it was easy breezy stuff. I suggest it to those who want to learn it. The interface is nice and all that. I'm using the GNome one on both computers over here. They have KDE and XFCE as the two alternatives to he gnome one so it is easy pickings depending on the type of interface you want to use on the computer itself.

I'm dual booting with Windows 7, Ubuntu 10.10 and Linux Mint 11. I mainly use Ubuntu now as my Windows is pretty much busted - I end up getting a bsod when I use it. Linux Mint 11 is great but I find the theme is a bit hard on my eyes and haven't really found another theme that I like on there so it's not that I don't like Linux Mint 11, I love it, I just don't like the themes. Ubuntu is what I've been running on and off for a couple of years but have decided to stick with recently, I find that it is a joy to use and is highly customisable.

I run Ubuntu 10.10 on my Acer Aspire 5745 laptop. I run Windows XP virtually on Ubuntu when I have to run an application that is not available on Ubuntu.

Usually Fedora, but I'm rolling Ubuntu for the graphics drivers compatibility. (Screw you too, ATI.)

I'd recommend either one to new users, but they shouldn't try the stuff I do on it. Compiling custom kernels isn't exactly something for newbies to do.

Yes I do use Linux. Right now Ubuntu, but pondering going to Sabayon. I absolutely love Linux, unfortunately I need to use Windows in Virtualbox when I do my online schooling.

I've been running LMDE-Xfce edition since the Mint Xfce edition switched from a Ubuntu base to LMDE earlier this year. I've been extremely happy with it. This is actually the longest I've stuck with one particular distro.

And yes, i believe I would recommend it to new users. LMDE got off to a bit of a shaky start, but it is at this point (IMO) the most stable rolling distro available now.