What's better? Kubuntu vs. Windows xp

[kbunt]

Re: What's better? Kubuntu vs. Windows xp

Development: Kubuntu! OR any Linux OS. Linux is constantly changing even if it is slow at times. Windows doesn't seem to change much at all although when it does, it is often major but then the XP to Vista 'change' will probably be the most revolutionary for quite a while. But, I think when you consider that Linux is often mostly volunteers with a few distros having some substantial corporate backing, it still is quite impressive regarding development. Or do I say something inaccurate here?

Features: I think Linux wins here, too. The problem is, when you look at the overall picture, Windows can win here with the support. When money and financial investment is involved, it's easier for Windows to do well since many write software for Windows and have people PAID to create the software. But, Linux also has good features and when you consider the problems that Windows has even though it has a lot of investors and people creating the OS/software for it, I think Linux does well considering.

As for Kubuntu, yeah, this all applies and I don't see a substantial improvement in Windows 7 or at least, I'm not sure it will be enough so that is a good opportunity for the Linux operating systems including Kubuntu. IMHO but I could be wrong.

My two cents (that went on for probably too long which probably will equal twenty cents now).

[digitalhead]

Re: What's better? Kubuntu vs. Windows xp

Personally, I think Linux/Kubuntu wins in all areas. For gaming, I would take an open source game over a costly game that puts realism before fun. I don't care if the demon I'm shooting is pixelated as long as I'm having fun while I'm shooting it. And plus, Wine has come far enough that any closed source games I would want to play are supported.

For editing, in a standard installation of Windows, you get Notepad and Wordpad. In a standard default installation of most Linux distros with KDE, you get Kate and a full office suite among other programs depending on the distro. I don't bother with Microsoft Office because it costs entirely too much to get the professional version to equal what I can get for free. And yes, Microsoft Office is more bloated than OpenOffice.org as far as hard drive space requirements. Office 2007 takes up over 1.5 GB now just to match what I can get in about 400 MB worth of space with OO.o and a small handful of other programs. Plus the created files are smaller in OO.o.

Development is definitely a hands down Linux win. Linux has always been developed to develop. Even in Windows, in order to get the best development tools, you'll pretty much have to go with open source projects like Netbeans.

Features are hard to come by in a default Windows installation... you get Wordpad, Notepad, a calculator, a couple small games, Windows Media Player, and an essentially useless terminal application. With Linux, again, you get the full office suite and Kate, powerful email client and web browser, a good graphics editor, photo library, video players and a music library, a very powerful terminal, and the list just goes on. Also, if you want to add a program, it's either open terminal > type "sudo apt-get install APPNAME" > let program install itself along with any dependencies ... or for Windows open browser > search for what you need > locate the download page > download > download again because you can't find where Internet Explorer saved the first one to > run the installer > answer several stupid questions > wait for it to install > find out you need DirectX 10.0 or better to run the program > search for DirectX 10.0 > locate the download page > .......... Then there's the customization factor... how much can you customize a Windows computer compared to a Linux based computer? In KDE, you can customize nearly any aspect without the need to hack (and technically breaking) the operating system. In Windows, you have to hack the system just to be able to use a non-Microsoft licensed theme, let alone create your own.

Also, I've found the community support for Linux to be much more helpful than any paid support for a Microsoft product. Just because it costs more, it doesn't mean it's worth more.

[Jhun Phil]

Re: What's better? Kubuntu vs. Windows xp

Aw.. yet i cannot agree or disagree with you guys, for the reason that I have never yet tried Kubuntu before. I like to download it now, where do you think I can get a downloader?

[Troberg]

Re: What's better? Kubuntu vs. Windows xp

Right here: http://www.kubuntu.org/getkubuntu

Welcome, and please don't hesitate to ask if you have any problems. Kubuntu is not Windows, so don't expect things to be exactly the same, but after a couple of days, it'll feel just like home.

[soonchica]

Re: What's better? Kubuntu vs. Windows xp

Kubuntu +1 / Windows -

Very helpful community Editing, Features and Development wise I agree with digitalhead. When it comes to games I'm mostly browser games oriented so, Linux works here too, but can play TuxRacer till hand turns numb

Windows user since 3.1, I fell for Kubuntu some 2 years ago. I've tried few other distros just to see what they 'look like' (Mandriva, Fedora, Knoppix) but *buntu +KDE is the combo for me and has been since the time I got fed up with XP and security problems, formated and put 6.10 as only OS. As you guys said it took some time to get my mind in Linux/Terminal way of thinking, but when you get round to it - it's great. Couple of months later I did make it a dual boot with XP as failsafe internet connected OS if I do something to Kubuntu and need to find a way to work around it Fortunately it rarely happens, so I see Windows maybe once a month.

[Troberg]

Re: What's better? Kubuntu vs. Windows xp

As far as games go, I have to mention something I recently found out.

UAE exists for Linux, and it happily emulates most Amiga games without problems. Sure, they do not look as impressive as today's games, but they are fun!

Even better, many of them has been released by the owners, so they are free to use.

My Linux laptop is a faster Amiga than any hardware based Amiga ever produced...

The same goes for other older platforms, such as Spectrum and arcade games (through MAME).

[kevinc]

Re: What's better? Kubuntu vs. Windows xp

The question needs clarification, although it has been added in some of the posts. Better, for what purpose?

For people interested in learning about an OS, computers generally, a programming language, networking, web design, etcetera, etcetera, GNU / Linux in general as open source is way ahead.
If you are a company interested in making huge profits through questionable business strategies then Windows will do that nicely. :P

What does the average person want? Internet, e-mail, office, videos, games, and the list goes on. Kubuntu being Debian based has packages that do many things not available on Windows. The best thing is that if you want to do anything, you can write your own program to do it, in just about any existing computer language, and make it available for others who may also find it useful. You can also test programs written by others and make suggestions, fix bugs, give ideas, suggestions or encouragement.

Kubuntu wins. Really, it no contest.

[Troberg]

Re: What's better? Kubuntu vs. Windows xp

If you are a company interested in making huge profits through questionable business strategies then Windows will do that nicely.

Clarification: That only works if the company name is something that would not be a good alternative name for Viagra.

[windows2003]

Re: What's better? Kubuntu vs. Windows xp

The most difficult question

I re-install lot of computers from normal users under microsoft. I see that most of the people don't have a knowledge about computers. They just can press the start button, the computer starts up and they can click around with there mouse on the desktop to open some programmes like MsOffice - Outlook - Internet Explorer -etc...
So long they can open there programme wich they work with, everything is fine. If they have a cd/dvd to install, they put it on the dvd-rom and some seconds later they have a screen to click install and thats it!

If they have troubles, well you may be verry sure, you will have fast a call to help them.. 8)
So if you ask me, what can those users best use Kubuntu or Microsoft. Well I would say, it don't matter... the only thing they need is something simply and graphical where they can click into with the mouse. If they know where to burn cd/dvd's in kubuntu, where to play dvd or DIVX, to play some music and to type some letters and sending e-mail, well kubuntu is even perfect as there old microsoft system.

But at most cases the troubles comes, when they need to install something. Microsoft installation from some software goes SOMETIMES much easier then with Kubuntu. Maybe lot of people here will not like those words, but yeah it's a fact.

The problem would be much more solved, if for every hardware you buy at a store, such as a printer - camera -etc... there are sitten standard linux drivers on the cd/dvd, who can easely also be installed by some mouse clicks.

What we also have here, is that in most school's the teachers who are giving informatics, also just have a knowledge from Microsoft. So, lot of users, just take microsoft because they did learn it at school.
Sometimes we have also troubles with linux, if we need some software like SolidWorks 3D cad programmes, Unigraphics, or other specific programmes like those cad software. Lots of that software is compiled for Microsoft Systems, and that is also a reason why some users don't want installing Linux. The first question you have is, can I run mine CAD software - can I run mine Photoshop software -etc...

Last years I find personally that Linux is coming more friendly for the normal users also....you put the cd into the dvd-rom and the installation can also go verry smoothly at most cases. The last install from Kubuntu 8.10 let me thinking on a unattended windows cd :P.

I think, people who want to put some energy on learning something new, well Kubuntu or an other linux distro is certainly an option!

But what will the Linux society doing with Games I'm verry sure, if they can let to install the same games as we have on Microsoft systems even so easy, Microsoft will go down for a lot! At this moment, if you want to install a brand new game on linux, pff you need to install a lot of things and then you need to cross the fingers from will it work :-X

When I look to factorys I see a lot of things who are the same:
1. Administrators only have a good knowledge of Microsoft.
2. Lots of own maked software are made with Visual Basic - C# - C++ and sometimes they have lot off automated tools at Microsoft Office. So
changing from Microsoft to Linux, would not be easy
3. Most of there personel only can work with Microsoft Office, because they did learn it at school.
4. and so.......

Personally I find that linux servers are the best machines (debian stabil, etc...) but you need to find people who has a lot of knowledge about it.
Also I need to say fairly, on Microsoft server (example => Windows 2003 Server) you can find a lot of information in the bookstores, and written in deffirent languages! It's much easier to learn a new O.S and lots of his features, when it is written at your own language...

Annyway, about this question, you can write days & days, but personally I find Kubuntu (and some other distro's) verry nice, and I like to use them. If I can I use mine Kubuntu, but when I need to use some software that I just can run under microsoft, then I use mine other hard-disk where I have Windows.

Kubuntu vs Microsoft:
1. Kubuntu a good and stabil system =YES
2. Windows XP a good and stabil system = YES
3. Vista (home/professional/ultimate) a good and stabil system = NO NO NO it s*cks
4. The new Windows 7 impression: Well a lot of futures, sounds and bells, but probally it's Vista with a new look and some fixed bugs!
Users will back be forced to buy new machines, software etc... and for what If you want to stay using microsoft, just keep it by Windows XP.
Install a good anti-virus and make you have a good hardware firewall and everything will be ok! You will be able to surf, writing e-mails etc.. for a
lot of years

Questions
1. Why if people buy a new PC, it's always standard installed with Microsoft
2. Hopely there will come more books at store also about linux and his features (desktop & servers)


I hope there comes a day, that linux is also the number 1 at desktops just like it is now for servers!

[GreyGeek]

Re: What's better? Kubuntu vs. Windows xp

Right here: http://www.kubuntu.org/getkubuntu

Welcome, and please don't hesitate to ask if you have any problems. Kubuntu is not Windows, so don't expect things to be exactly the same, but after a couple of days, it'll feel just like home.

And to add to what Troberg said, DO NOT forget to run an md5sum on the ISO you download and check what it gives against the sum posted on the download site. IF they are not the same you didn't get a good download. Burning a bad download is a good way to run into problems installing and/or running Linux and generates a lot of "Linux sux" messages.

[Sissy]

Re: What's better? Kubuntu vs. Windows xp

Gaming: I don't do much, but I've noticed that I can't get any of the Windows applications (on CD) to run under wine. So, sadly, Windows here.

General Editing: Linux. I've read at least some of the discussion on OO vs. MSO, and I'm surprised that many have found that MSO loads faster. In my experience, they're both slow but OO is quite a bit faster to load in Linux than MSO in Windows. That said, though, I've never used MSO in Linux, and I rarely use OO in Windows.

But, why bother with either OO or MSO? LaTeX is definitely the way to go.

For plain text editing (and LaTeX), I use Xemacs, but Kile is a very nice GUI for those who don't want to learn _all_ of the TeX terminology.

Development: I don't know enough here to make an informed judgment, but I will say that I can't stand Visual C++.

Features: Linux... once you figure out how to make them work, which can take a while if you don't know what you're doing.

[GreyGeek]

Re: What's better? Kubuntu vs. Windows xp

Everyone correctly mentions the lack of modern games on Linux, giving Windows the edge in that department.


For just about everything else, Linux offerings are equal to or better than those offered on Windows, ignoring the occasional fastidiousness user who requires some esoteric feature not present on one or the other desktop.


However, everyone seems to be ignoring the TRUMP CARD, one of the main reasons why I recommend to all my friends that they switch to Linux ASAP.... how easy it is to hijack Windows and make a zombie out of it for hackers to assult your bank webpages, your email accounts, etc...

Just a few days ago we learned of yet another GIGANTIC bot farm made up of over 1.9 Million Windows bots. Those machines have already been stripped of any personal information they may contain: social security numbers, bank account numbers and passwords, passwords to various other web pages where personal information is stored, like Medicare Pages, Medical health records, etc.... Untold BILLIONS of dollars have been lost by Windows users due to Windows abhorrent lack of adequate security. One can't blame this on "clueless users" because information needed by them to keep their Windows boxes secure is being withheld from them by Microsoft until it's bottom line determines the best time to make and release fixes, IF EVER.

For those claiming that Linux is just as insecure just show me the beef. Point to a news article where a bot farm containing even 1,000 Linux computers was ever discovered. Or 500. Or 250. Or even 100, if a hacker was ever willing to settle on 100 bots in his farm.

For those claiming security is proportional to the percentage of the market share we have look again to the data. Linux holds the market share in servers, and FOSS powers 70% of the Internet, yet all the infections arise from that 28% running Windows servers. Mac has 10-12% of the desktop market share, Linux owns 8-10% (not withstanding NetApplications bogus claims) and Microsoft owns the rest. The percentage argument dictates that 8% of all computers in bot farms are Linux computers. They are not.


So, IMHO, the Linux trumps Windows in all respects. What difference does it make that Windows can play more games IF your gaming computer is a member of a bot farm, and your personal info and ID are up forsale on hackers version of eBay?

[sithlord48]

Re: What's better? Kubuntu vs. Windows xp

just a small comment on your bot farm, if i told you that under windows xp or vista (possibly more i only tested on these too) there is a single command to change password for any given user (and can be done from a guest account or ne account for that matter) would you think that all you need on xp is an antivirus...

food for thought....
i can prolly write a java script to run on my web page that will change your password if you go to my page and it would be 2 or 3 lines of code total. after i look at my logs and gather up some ip addresses i have a good idea of what machines now use my password and things can be even worse if my script was also to enable telnet on ur machine then i would have admin access on every machine that went to my page..(along with a cli to use that access) and could quickly establish a bot farm, the question then becomes what to do with all these bots..(i know it is not the best example but you get the point)


i think really the only thing that makes windows the "popular" os is that dell and other manufactures sell you a machine w/ it pre installed, because most people don't really care (or know/understand) what an operating system is. or why you might consider using one over another.(sad,but true). and a lot of people don't really understand and think that Open source software or FOSS is BAD because if it was good people would sell it.