thinking about switching to linux for my media computer

[Turbo Dave]

so i have a main computer that im using to run my webcams, movies and music through.

since im not going to be doing anything much but that on it, i figure i would give linux a try, because ive never liked windows in the first place.


anyways, i dont know anything about linux.

im wondering; what version should i get? where do i get it? bittorrent? (i know its free) and any other advice

[Turbo Dave]

looks like im going with opensuse

i dont really know a damn thing about linux, so this should be fun, and i think with the way vista is going, linux is the future!

[doylna]

Use Ubuntu - it's the easiest to get going, and most widely supported version of linux.

[Phempa]

ubuntu is great.

[cb7wagonPL]

i have the linux bug too and i might try it soon. i believe that eric has some kind of support forum for ubuntu so you can check that out. I have also heard of people running Mac OS X on their PCs which is good for multimedia stuff too.

[quickangel93]

linux is the shit!

[Ralphie]

Ubuntu ftw!

[Pandemic]

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

you want desktop edition v7.10. download, burn, install. Dont forget to backup your files from your current OS

[starchland]

what are the advantages of linux? and will all my favourite programs work?

[steelbluesleepR]

linux is going in my carputer with custom code for the frontpage so as soon as it boots up, its at the command screen for music, movies, etc. fuck, i cant wait!

[Pandemic]

what are the advantages of linux? and will all my favourite programs work?

Utilizes hardware by not processing BS like windows. So, runs better.
open source = free
open source programs = free (and lots of them)


linux needs its own versions of programs.

[lokuputha]

Is Fedora an open source OP?

Fedora is a Linux-based operating system that showcases the latest in free and open source software.

I saw this on Google Video...looks pretty good for a PC Operating system.

Click to Watch: Fedora

[Accord R33]

If you are just starting out, go with Ubuntu. Not because Ubuntu is better than SuSe, but because its support forums are unrivaled. www.ubuntuforums.org seriously has the most "information per post" of any forum on the net (thats a new metric I just made up, btw).

what are the advantages of linux? and will all my favourite programs work?

The greatest benefit is that everything is free of charge, but of course things like security, stability, speed and scalability are all big Wins for UNIX. I like to think of Linux as "Macs for nerds". Everything is super streamlined, fast and lightweight.

If you are a gamer, Linux is just not for you...yet. Contrary to popular belief you can actually play most windows games on Linux one way or another. Either through virtual box, WINE or Cedega (many times games are actually FASTER through a windows emulator), But its not for the faint of heart.

Of course, as more and more uber nerds figure out how to port games to Linux, its getting easier and easier for the "average" user to figure it out. I would say within the next 3 years, there will be no one saying "you can't play games on Linux".

I have linux on every computer in my house now (finally got my mom to convert), That includes my mythTV box, which is just a fantastic free DVR system.

And just so you know. Almost every windows program has a free Linux alternative. And I dont use the word every lightly. Everything from winamp to AutoCAD.

[Pandemic]

wow, i didnt know autocad was among the list of supported!
shite man... I'm going to have to really start to experiment.