Operating System Decision

professor · Post by **professor** » 12 Jul 2005 17:24

Ok, I'm preparing to build a computer myself. I've got all the components picked out and stuff, but I'm still deciding on the OS(Operating System). I have always owned Windows myself because that's what almost every computer company sells with their computers, but just last year I was introduced to Linux, RedHat to be specific.

I really like the look and customization of Linux (plus it's free, big plus), but I like the windows software and support.

This will be a gaming computer and I'm concerned that certain games won't run on Linux or at least they won't run as well as on Windows.

So, can I get some info on which one you like best and why?

PS: Why is there no poll option available?

peanutbuterboy · Post by **peanutbuterboy** » 12 Jul 2005 17:39

Mac OSX

The best way to go

travismontoya · Post by **travismontoya** » 12 Jul 2005 18:20

dood you were so right!! Here is what I got

Linux hands down most customizeable pimp os EVER (Mac OSX is based of of UNIX , But its very crappy no offense to you osx'rs) newayz It depends what linux distro you want to run here are some of the top BEST ones:

Kubuntu - Easy to install uses the KDE Window Manager
Ubuntu - Easy to install uses the Gnome Window Manager
Gentoo - Expert install, But is probably one of the best linux distros
Debian - Kubuntu and ubuntu are based off this distro, Its great!

Red Hat and Mandrake are 2 other ones, But I dont recommend them at all.

But since you said you want this for a gaming OS ... 2 things.. What games are you wanting to run? And windows is way better for gaming newayz.. But if you gonna play games like doom3, ut, cs, sc, then they can be played on linux using wine (A utility that can run some windows applications under linux).... Well if you need any more help on your decision then you can im me or pm me! peaz man

- Travis

EDIT: lol forgot to tell you what I think, Considering your wanting to use this as a gaming computer id run Windows XP Professional SP2 (With all the updates)

jon · Post by **jon** » 12 Jul 2005 18:58

its a gaming machine so install windows xp pro !
then install vm ware and install a distro of bsd and maybe linux

Bander87 · Post by **Bander87** » 12 Jul 2005 19:12

Why not get both??? Theres programs that let you choose on boot what OS you want to use.

travismontoya · Post by **travismontoya** » 12 Jul 2005 19:16

BAH!I totally forgot about that, Yeah do this ben,

partition your hd use partiton magic or something its kinda easy, Then install windows first on one partition then install linux on the other.. Linux SHOULD find your windows partition and add it to the bootloader (thats what boots which os) and so everytime you start your computer you can choose which os you want to boot

A couple good bootloaders are grub,lilo and gag

Also depends which distro you install some come with grub/lilo others have there own, Id choose gag

Tsiangkun · Post by **Tsiangkun** » 13 Jul 2005 10:53

I've been using linux since 1994, and it's a decent OS.

Because you want to play games means this is not the OS for you. Very slim pickings for linux gamers.

Just get windows and be done with it, it's the defacto gamer OS, which is fine for games.

Tsiangkun · Post by **Tsiangkun** » 13 Jul 2005 10:54

travismontoya wrote:BAH!I totally forgot about that, Yeah do this ben,

partition your hd use partiton magic or something its kinda easy, Then install windows first on one partition then install linux on the other.. Linux SHOULD find your windows partition and add it to the bootloader (thats what boots which os) and so everytime you start your computer you can choose which os you want to boot

A couple good bootloaders are grub,lilo and gag

Also depends which distro you install some come with grub/lilo others have there own, Id choose gag

DO :
1) Install Windows
2) Install Linux

DO NOT
1) Install Linux
2) Install Windows
3) Realise windows is a fucking shitty friend that just clobbered your Linux partition
4) Wipe Disk
5) Install WIndows
6) Install Linux

travismontoya · Post by **travismontoya** » 13 Jul 2005 10:58

Tsiangkun wrote:
travismontoya wrote:BAH!I totally forgot about that, Yeah do this ben,

partition your hd use partiton magic or something its kinda easy, Then install windows first on one partition then install linux on the other.. Linux SHOULD find your windows partition and add it to the bootloader (thats what boots which os) and so everytime you start your computer you can choose which os you want to boot

A couple good bootloaders are grub,lilo and gag

Also depends which distro you install some come with grub/lilo others have there own, Id choose gag

DO :
1) Install Windows
2) Install Linux

DO NOT
1) Install Linux
2) Install Windows
3) Realise windows is a fucking shitty friend that just clobbered your Linux partition
4) Wipe Disk
5) Install WIndows
6) Install Linux

Didnt I say install windows first?

Tsiangkun · Post by **Tsiangkun** » 13 Jul 2005 11:16

Yes.

I was just making it extra clear that windows has no respect for your data and will not tolerate being installed second.

Just trying to save someone the frustration.

Post by **Allan** » 13 Jul 2005 12:09

Buy a gaming console and an ibook and forget about it

professor · Post by **professor** » 13 Jul 2005 12:12

Ok so you guys are saying to get Windows Pro.

What is the benefit for going Pro rather than going Home? (funny sentence)

jon · Post by **jon** » 13 Jul 2005 12:20

nothing for your uses :p

I would not recommend using partition magic, and would also recommend just using vm ware instead of using partitions and a boot loader
also look into other os's besides linux, just because its the "in" os to be using doesn't mean it is the best

differences : http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/wi ... me_pro.asp

SandWraith · Post by **SandWraith** » 13 Jul 2005 15:42

I have windows and linux. I at one time was excited to learn how to properly use linux, but never really took the time and effort, so I have a partioned machine with 1 linuxed hard drive that just sits there.

Makes me feel stupid every time I turn on my computer and see the grub boot loader, with which I haven't gone to linux in over a year now.

travismontoya · Post by **travismontoya** » 13 Jul 2005 19:27

First of all its not the "in" os, secondly Ill give you reasons why I think its the best:

1.) Barely ANY viruses, Your not prone to any of the new W32.* w/e viruses coming out!
2.) Security, none of the Jpeg image exploits, or hacks through web browsers
3.) User management/security its alot better then the windows user management and security
4.) No rpc dcom crap running!
5.) Graphics are way better!
6.) Don't have to by for half the programs you use!
7.) *nix has been around for years, and has proven its stability! Really no more FREEZING of programs and crap.
8.) More customizeable then windows
9.) Its cool

10.) The linux girls are hot!

Haha so theres 10 reasons I doubt you understood half of them, But I still recommend running windows xp pro considering you want to use it for a gaming machine

Oh and partiton magic is user preference I like it, Alot of people do, And easy to use! But... If you dont know anything about computers that much then I wouldnt do it, But your building your own so who knows!

- Travis

professor · Post by **professor** » 13 Jul 2005 20:44

I'm pretty knowledgable with windows, but I haven't been able to explore linux that much, so I don't know what it can and can't do.

ShredPirate · Post by **ShredPirate** » 14 Jul 2005 01:17

difference between xp pro and home doesn't affect gaming, and all it seems to do is make games slightly less compatible. i have pro, but only cause it came with a package i got. i wouldn't pay extra $$ for pro, because it has more problems with games.

MegaFighter_X · Post by **MegaFighter_X** » 14 Jul 2005 08:14

Who says you pay for pro?

You could do a dual boot, or you could just try out linux for a while. See what works, what doesn't, things like that. Macs have a windows emulator you can get, so why wouldn't linux?

Just be sure if you get red hat you don't manage to crash it...

jon · Post by **jon** » 14 Jul 2005 10:11

travismontoya wrote:...Haha so theres 10 reasons I doubt you understood half of them,
... If you dont know anything about computers that much then I wouldnt do it...

- Travis

partition magic is for those that dont know how to partition their drives with better programs like disk druid or even fdisk

Linux is the best? what about bsd as an example?
read this : http://www.forbes.com/intelligentinfras ... 6theo.html

here are some more from a quick google search:
http://www.computerworld.com/news/2000/ ... 47,00.html
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-5011 ... egacy=zdnn

Sure linux might be better than windows for a lot of uses, coding, serv related tasks, but from your list of 10 reasons you didnt really mention anything that important except for security.
9.) Its cool
10.) The linux girls are hot!
are not real reasons.
Why not try some flavours of unix or bsd ?

travismontoya · Post by **travismontoya** » 14 Jul 2005 11:32

lol no shit there not real reason... I was jokeing... heh.... And I guess he could use bsd but its a bit more complicated, I ran freebsd for 2 years

modified

Operating System Decision

Which OS do you like best?

Operating System Decision