SoniX

hmm, have noticed a recent trend towards games being developed for linux and windows, UT2K3 for example, they promised a linux version of NWN as well, havn't seen it yet though, not that it really matters, all the games that people play anyway are already ported to linux: UT, Q3, Tribes 2, what more do you need? add in a damn sexy desktop (search around for the desktop thread to see my Redhat Desktop, so pretty) plus all the free programs you could hope for, and it is a good way to kill brain cells, I say that because there are some seemingly simple things that take an inordinate amount of work or learning to do, but once you get it, it becomes second nature. I suggest RedHat, mainly because it is what I use, though Mandrake comes with many more nifty apps, hmm, I should figure out how to extract the good desktop games from my mandrake cds to put on my RedHat install. (P.S. if you do install redhat, I may be able to help with some of the more common issues, sound, and video for example)

phinsup

I play games on the playstation.. it has never even been an issue for me.

drew

it depends on what you consider everyday normal operations... if your normal operation consit of web surfing, email and using stuff like word processors and spreadsheets then you won't miss a step...



there are more applications than you can imagine, to do just about anything, most of them free... and you can probably do everything without using MS Windows at all... as long as you don't mind figuring **** out now and then or learning a different way of doing things... the one thing that you won't be able to do is run down to your local Comp USA or Best Buy, buy any old piece of software and install it on your Linux box...



I'll more than gladly take a ride down to your neck of the woods and help out in exchange for a few cold beverages...



:monkydance:

Rotarydragon

As for myself too much of what I do is dependant on the Windows platform I couldn't switch if I wanted to. It's all about the dev tools...



A lot of the games are going to linux but it's a slow process...at least now they have a unified graphics envionment to work with...



Shoulda heard the screams trying to get them all to agree on something.

SoniX

yeah, I am quite fond of my X desktop, it is actually one of the main reasons I made the switch, odd, because a lot of hardcore linux users scoff at XWindows, when that is going to be the thing that brings linux to the light of day, like it or not, for most people a GUI is easier than a command line, and so much prettier as well, however, I will admit, I still use windows for some things, since I am too lazy/stupid to configure wine, I need my starcraft.

Rotarydragon

I didn't say this but I prefer NeXT Step or AfterStep over Windows.

Fd3BOOST

Still debating on the switch. I hate to cause myself an *** load of headache just for the sake of being different but I am curious so It' going to bother me unless I do it. Drew I take it that you use linux. I would be up to you giving me a demonstration. Any chance I can come up your way and have a look at it in person?

SoniX

hmm, havn't used an afterstep desktop yet, I am still using windowmaker with the AbsoluteE theme, I like my Gnome bar, or I would consider using Enlightenment.

drew

I use it alot... but not exclusively... I still run a Windows XP machine for alot of the day to day stuff and games... plus the g/f tends to use it for her stuff from time to time... I do however use it on my web/ftp/mail server and several other machines that I use... I think time is my biggest problem... by the time I think I've got everything worked out... and am ready to oad up my main machine, a new or updated distribution comes out and feel like I HAVE TO give it a spin before making the switch... *shrug*



the best thing for you to do might be to run on another system... doesn't have to be new or anything, or at least get yourself another hard drive (20GB or even larger can be had REAL cheap) and load it on the second hard drive... you could repartition your existing one, but adding the second one allows you to leave the original one as is... and you can boot to either Windows or Linux dependign on your mood...



anyway... we can probably hook up sometime and you can see for yourself whether or not it's worth the effort



later

Bugzuki

I am in the process of downloading Mandrake 9.0. A couple years ago I checked out 6 or so different distributions and mandrake was by far the easiest to install. All the other distributions had something I could not get to work (like the mouse scroll) everything worked perfect in Mandrake the first time.



I just wish the I could switch to Linux completely. but I have not made it yet. I am hoping on 9.0.