Topic: Ten Reasons to Dump Windows and Use Linux

[sam]

Now is a particularly good time to ditch Windows for good, for workstations as well as servers. For instance, now that Microsoft stopped supporting Windows Server 2003 on July 13, you'll need to find something different to use for your servers. Whether it's switching from Windows Server 2003 to 2008 or to Linux-based servers--or changing out tired and faulty Windows Vista desktops for the alien Windows 7 or something more user-friendly--Linux provides you with freedom and freedom of choice.

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/201731/ten_reasons_to_dump_windows_and_use_linux.html

[GillE]

But Windows knocks Linux into a cocked hat when it comes to media applications, especially television.  If Linux applied itself properly to that problem, Windows wouldn't get a look in.

Oh, I bet half of all the posts I've made here have said this .

[sam]

I personally feel general media, depends what you mean by that term is well suited with the currently linux distros - but I agree with you on the television front... but then again in a few years, who's going to use TV cards? It will all be streamed. Well actually 90% of what I watch already is.

Did you try straight ubuntu or Ubuntu Studio -  http://ubuntustudio.org/

Ubuntu Studio. A multimedia creation flavor of Ubuntu.

Ubuntu Studio is aimed at the GNU/Linux audio, video and graphic enthusiast as well as professional.

We provide a suite of the best open-source applications available for multimedia creation. Completely free to use, modify and redistribute. Your only limitation is your imagination.

[GillE]

Television will continue to be broadcast for the foreseeable future.  You probably won't be aware of it, Sam, but the UK is re-equipping itself with aerials which can receive digital transmissions ready for the analogue switch off.  The beauty of TV capture cards is that you can record programmes and convert them into formats which can be played on mp4s and iPods - great for when you're stuck on the bus or in a dentist's waiting room.  I've got loads of recorded programmes waiting to be viewed in this way.

I only hope the government gives up on the idea it's floating right now of taxing streamed television or charging an incremental licence fee.

I haven't tried Ubuntu Studio but I have tried Ubuntu and Ubuntu MythTV.  Neither were satisfactory and looking at the spec of Ubuntu Studio I don't think it will meet my needs.

[sam]

Yeah, I'm well aware of the UK switch over from analogue and the big refit - what a farce really. Oh well.

Though I seriously do think that streaming will be the norm in the not to distant future - in essence anyone who has Virgin is already doing this... and has been for years. Yes it comes through to your TV but behind it is a server just streaming data down the fibre optic, its just the process of stick these data stream into a web browser, just like the iplayer and job done.


I understand that Ubuntu isn't up to what you want but still, its one small thing really... and I don't think the average linux user is probably that bothered, as they probably all have TiVo or something similar to do this now. I'm so tempted to go out and buy an apple tv...

[GillE]

More free-to-air content is being broadcast in HD over Freeview now, Sam.  I think you'd probably get by with a conventional DVD recorder and a HD TV which incorporates Freeview.  Unless, of course, you're particularly interested in subjects which are only available through subscription or pay-per-view.

[davy51]

Ive only found one problem with linux

When a windows user switches over he has to use a command line to become admin
In windows you are always admin and that really bothers a lot of people

[Simon]

I could manage one command prompt, if that was it.

[sam]

Ive only found one problem with linux
When a windows user switches over he has to use a command line to become admin
In windows you are always admin and that really bothers a lot of people

That's not true though. You just create and admin account when you setup the install. Then you are always admin. Actually being logged in as root (which was its normally refered as to) is very bad practice really. If you are just some dumb user, ok one that has the right access (and yes that will then mean run tasks as sudo at the commandline) to run certain root task, makes so much more sense. It means you can't just install crap without realising it... or heaven forbid some task just does it..

[davy51]

I agree Sam but most os forums recommend not making an admin account and say its better to use sudo

I have umbuntu 8.04 on my machine and it didnt allow me to make an admin account during install

I had to give myself privileges after install

Not many people trying it for the first time would have any idea how to do it

[sam]

Things have definetly changed since 8.04 (also it depends on the OS, I'm sure Fedora did / Ubuntu studio - I could be wrong but you can add and edit users via the "control panel" like GUI) - but you are right its not at all recommended. Though I really think the same should be applied to Windows. I've always had a separate admin account on any machine I've run Windows on.