Linux releases will go toe to toe with Windows 7

I find myself working more and more in Ubuntu.
As I'm about done with Windows and its shortcomings.
Virus scanners and other rubbish to keep is safe.
In Ubuntu you need nothing and it all simply works.
I have been testing Linux for years and years, but the current state of Linux is better then Windows for Office and Internet use.

Windows is only good for gaming, but hey, an PS3 or Wii are far better then any computer :-)

Windows, what for?

Why does Ubuntu come with a virus scanner available if its so safe?

P.S. Have fun with the CLI you'll be needing it a lot!

P.P.S. Linux and a PS3... All you need now is an i(diot)phone and you'll be a complete nerd! ;)

What Virusscanner?

I know CLI, but a normal user doesn't need it.
Looks to me you never seen the latest versions :-)

"Windows is only good for gaming, but hey, an PS3 or Wii are far better then any computer"

Source? What do you base this claim on?

A PC with the overhead of the Windows overhead is still far more powerful graphically than the PS3 or 360.

Consoles have a place, but I find too many of the games simplistic and limited.

A prime example is the newly released Operation Flashpoint 2. On the PC it is a clear console port and is getting slated by angry gamers who enjoyed the original. The maps and scale of the PC multiplayer experience is still far larger than the console version. Why do you think this is?

Ubuntu this, Ubuntu that, etc.... The only thing Canonical strives at is marketing. Development wise and contributions back to projects in the FLOSS community from them is near non-existent. Far better distros are out there just about to be released too such as openSUSE 11.2 and they actually do development and contribute to the kernel and many other projects. Stop using the word "linux" as a substitute for "Ubuntu".

If someone wants to try linux then try one where development actually happens and that does not rely on their competitors to add features and resolve bugs.

PS. Canonical's release of KDE is absolute shiat compared to KDE found in other distros such as openSUSE, Mandriva, etc.

Time for people to wake up and see that Canonical just repackages the efforts of others.

Last release I used was 9.04. If you go to the 'add software' tool (sorry I can't remember the full name) and look up anti virus.

In 9.04 I had a great time searching the net for a way to get my laptops video card (Nv7300go) drivers to work resulting in a lot of fiddly command lines which to the general user would have been a nightmare.

I know that many things are working well within Ubuntu but since Win7 went to RC1 I've been using that as I mainly play games when at home.

I've set up many small business' with a Ubuntu solution and found it to be a very good OS for general use.

Dear Kaos,

So you're the duty MS troll for today!

1. Ubuntu doesn't come with a virus scanner, but if you want to install one such as ClamAV then that's a few clicks away. Unfortunately, all those Windows-based exploits will fail to work on Linux. I get more hits from Windows files on USB keys than from the web. Shocking how lax security is in Windows workplaces.

2. Where have you been for the last few years? You hardly ever need to open a terminal these days. Of course, if you like using the command line then go right ahead! I've yet to find any scary monsters in there. You might need it for recalcitrant video driver configuration, but the last time I thought I had to do that, it wouldn't let me anyway, and it worked without. Point and click.

3. No, Linux and a Wii. Speaking of which, must dash. Keep polishing your MCSE.

Ubuntu is a superb desktop to give to someone who infects themselves in windows. Grandmas, wives & kids.

Centos is a serveros, for people who don't like to reboot.

windows7 is for gamers and people who like to scan for malware, spyware and other trojans on a regular basis.

After using Linux for almost a year at my workplace, I can't say its ready to take on Windows in any shape or form. We use SLED11. SLED10 was the most unstable OS I have probably ever used, 11 was much better. But still, there are constant features and issues that should clearly work that work great in Windows, but do not work in Linux.

Rarely can I figure it out myself and I have to have a coworker who is very savvy in Linux fix my issues. Such as, the other day, I updated video drivers. After a reboot, I couldn't get a GUI! Not to mention the complexity of some software installs (if there were not how to guides out there on all the terminal installs and what not, I would NEVER get any of that software installed, unless its available under some of those packaged installs that don't require all that "compiling" and such.)

I will say that Linux has come a long ways and is far more user friendly, especially Ubuntu. But there is still a lot needed for, as 'd' said... "Sorry, until linux works for dummies, it will go unused."

Some of it, no doubt, is those who write the drivers for Linux. I hear that ATi has horrible drivers for it (Guess ill find out, gonna put 7 and Ubuntu on my machine at home this weekend).

One thing I loved about Win7 was I took a complete install on one computer and slapped it into a whole different computer. It automatically got all the drivers and was completely stable! Was very impressed with that. Though, it did eat quite a bit of RAM, hopefully its not so hungry now (Have not used it since Beta), but I have my doubts.

One thing that triggers an alarm in my head is that Windows gets most of its viruses because its the key player in the market. As Apple grows, it finds itself slowly getting an increased number of infectious badies (though through their strict "closed minded" software regulations, I can see it being a bit tougher to cause large infections). But Linux can't say its immune to viruses on any level. If it was as large as Windows, it would definitely have the issues... hard to say if it would be more immune or just as harmed, but I have no doubt you would see viral issues.

Also, my current issue is trying to make World of Goo work properly... as root, it is smooth as butter. As my own user, its very choppy. Just general issues like that I constantly find shies me away from saying that Linux will compete with Windows on a much larger scale.

This is just my personal opinion and experience. I absolutely want Linux to be successful, I just don't see it there yet.

"Centos is a serveros, for people who don't like to reboot."

Presumably, these same people who do not like to reboot, don't have a patch policy, either?

Setting up a cluster will keep apps and services running when you need to reboot a server (or even upgrade an application), but people who expect a server to just run and run and run - ad infinitum, with no further maintenance, are just one step away from getting owned.

Linux is a big bunch of crap - when will they realise that for Jo Punter the CLI is a descent into "IT Hell", and that even the simple act of installing/uninstalling is as painful as dentist surgery?

No...Linux in any flavour has a long way to go before Jo public acceptance. Even for experienced administrators it's royal rectum probe; windows is simplier "easier" (though not necessarily more reliable, you'll note).

Going "Toe-to-toe" with Window 7 is laughable...unless Linux can massively out-process windows at media encoding, browsing, watching iplayer etc, and simple admin tasks (installing drivers or software) can be performed with less clicks (yes, clicks....not characters)it's doomed. W7 (and OS X for that matter) has this one slam dunked, frankly.

WTF is wrong with you people ?
Windows 7 is windows 6.1 (Vista is 6.0)
So enjoy your SP2 for 100-400USD.
Last year is fludded with Win 7 PR.
Look at the last month ... There are more "articles" pasted from MS PR on the web then anything else. Only couple did serious work and posted facts about 7.
So what your problem to see 1 hamble post about next version release of the most popular desktop Linux distro ?
Why you have to bash someone for enjoing it ? especialy when your real knowledge of Linux is absolute 0 ?
Are you paid by someone to post FUD?
If your IQ is so low that you simply incapable to try something differnt, you don't really have to show everyone how illiterate you are.
P.S.
I do not use Ubuntu since 5.04 and replacing it on all family's computers with Sabayon. It (Ubuntu) is still better then most other distros and better then Windows unless you have very specific software needs or you are a gamer.
I'm kind of gamer and own overclocked water cooled quad core + SLI system for gaming. Few weeks ago i switched most of the gaming to PS3 slim. Most of the games are written for consoles and then ported to PC. The visual difference is negligible.

As a guy whos been a windows user since 3.11, I would have to say that while I do use the command line, I so it because I like to to tweek things not because I have to.
With windows you have the ball ache of babysitting installations to keep them running at an acceptable speed.
With Linux you have to google the type of app you need then use the repository app to find a copy, after using both systems i would say that they both have issues, but after using linux for a few months, I dont miss virus scans and trying to get spyware off my machine.

Linux once you have it the way you like just works and i feel no desire to try out MSFTs latest on my machine.

Ubuntu distros are always released on a predefined schedule that has been pretty much constant for the last few years. April and October are the target months.. hence the x.04 and x.10 naming scheme.

Let's face it.. there's no competition. Usability for the average joe is still windows.. no matter how you cut it. I still haven't used any Linux that allows me to do everything with a few mouse clicks. Graphically however, I've been very impressed by the likes of KDE and Fedora. It's inching closer but GUI needs work as most users aren't IT gurus.

There is a very simple reason why a virus scanner exists for linux and why its useful: to scan windows partitions, usb sticks or emails for.. windows virusses.

Some people do dual boot you know, or exchange files with other OSs.

Other than that, flame on, but perhaps you should try it before flaming either OS.

If you don't want it, you never have to see it. If you want to install software, all you need to do is start Synaptic, and click your way to happiness. Devices get recognised at install time and their drivers installed automatically. All the things you could want are in the Canonical repositories. Need a project management tool? Five minutes after someone asked me, I was happily GANTT-charting away. The most-often-used apps, office productivity and whatnot, were already installed.

Of course, if you *do* want it, you get a much better CLI than you get with Windows, which is basically useless except for those "net use" commands that I can't seem to duplicate reliably with the GUI.

Whenever the topic of windows comes up there seems to more discussion about this issue than any other.Because we use computers every day of our lives.
When you buy a computer from a company like dell or hp your computer has been configured for that particular computer with windows or mac.When you install Linux or in my case Ubuntu you are using one cd for all computers. Thats a cd not a dvd.Linux is a shared os unlike windows or mac, so yes Ubuntu is based on Debian.Its pretty amazing to me that Linux can install most drivers for most computers with one cd. Ubuntu will install drivers like video and wifi after install, it might take a few minutes and even a few reboots, generaly much fewer than windows.
There is a huge amount of support for Linux,If you have a problem there is likely a solution, you might have to use the terminal and I just copy and paste, not to tough even for me.
The reason for antivirus is not for linux but for linux mail so you dont pass along infected mail to you friends
The reason windows has so many infections is partly becasue it is the most popular and partly because it is the most vulnerable.
I started using Ubuntu full time about 4 months ago and it remains my primary os. I have a copy of windows 7 enterprise 90 day as a Ms tech, but can't force myself to use it.windows 7 has a lot of improvements but continues to have DRM spies on you calls home with every song or movie you play with media player.The network only see's only windows 7 computers cant use my firewire hard drive, yet worked fine under windows.If you like windows fine, if you dont you at least have a good alternative for free.personally I find it better than windows. By the wasy Amazon is seeling OS X snow Leopard for $25.00 Its $119.00 for Windows 7 UPGRADE.If Windows 7 was $25.00 I might buy a copy. Considering it goes on over 90% of computers it is also overpriced.
I could have bought it for $49.00 for awhile on Amazon but thats only a upgrade. Microsoft does know GREED.

your biggest complaint is the av software that is required to use windows?

Yet i havent had a av program on my system for the past five years.

Of course i do use my head when it comes to surfing the net. I don't torrent things i actually buy them. I don't do porn sites, i have a wife that takes care of that.

My system runs my little company her little company and we play games on it when we have time.

If linux ever gets to that mythical 90% choke hold that MS enjoys ill bet you all the money on the planet you will have av's and malware programs coming out of your asses to help protect your air tight systems.

So you go ahead and mock away. 7 simply works and i dont have to waste my time tuning 24/7 to get it to run and look like windows.

kde, gnome, all variation of a windows theme.

Now take a breath, cry to mommy and flame away.

First of all, a virus scanner in Linux isn't for protection of our Linux systems, but rather to keep from forwarding viruses to our Windows using friends. Just because you're safe doesn't mean you're not forwarding something to someone else.

Second, Mark Shuttleworth is really full of himself. Not only does Ubuntu not really develop much of anything at all as far as improving Linux, they simply market it to death and act as if they're gonna be David vs. the Microsoft Goliath. It isn't going to happen. As much as I love Linux, let's get real here.

Combined, Linux has something like optimistically 5% and pessimistically 1% market share. It's hard to gauge because all attempts have flaws. But, do I really believe they have a lot of market share on the desktop? No. But out of hundreds of distros, only about 8 of them are truly used by a lot of people, and collectively that have that small of a market share. So how much market share does Ubuntu have? Probably in the range of a 6th of the entire Linux desktop market share, which is actually pretty good. So, if the lower estimate is right, then Ubuntu would own 1/6th or 1% of the desktop market. And they think they're gonna personally compete against someone who owns probably 88% of the desktop market?

For Linux to make strides, it's not going to come from one company on the desktop. Ubuntu is its own enemy since they pulled the rug out of the purchased box set distro market by giving away the distro with all the non-free stuff. Prior to that, you could get it free but it was a little work to get the non-free stuff installed, unless you bought your copy off the shelf. This has made it so desktop Linux is starving for funds and don't have the capital to compete with Microsoft. Sure, it probably brought in a bunch of users, but without capital, you're sunk.

I have no doubt that Microsoft will still continue to be dominant for quite sometime.

@ James.

Sure. Windows is great if you actually "Pay" for stuff.

"What is this "CLI" you speak of?"
"If you don't want it, you never have to see it"

Dude, have you ever used Linux?

You would want it, if you want to configure the OS on your machine.

And the file + Fax server in my house runs a headless Ubuntu Server with Hylafax and a RAID 5.

And I have no idea where you got the idea that Linux is without exploits, or a safe heaven. Just ask any IT admin who manages Linux servers connected to the outside world (Web Servers, etc.) and you will hear they constantly need to update to patch security flaws.

Trolls everywhere these days.

@ Mostor Astrakan
I agree synoptic package manager is so easy. I use it instead of command line most of the time because its easier to uninstall if I find a better app or dont like it. Instead of looking all over the intent the apps there all(most of them anyway)in one place. learning the Linux equivalent is the hard part. I find that most every app works better than windows apps without the bloat and ads.The gui's are getting much better and in many cases better than windows.
There are almost all free and just plain work. I just installed windows 7 on my notebook and using the windows usb tool for making a usb flash drive of windows 7. It does NOT work and I dont know why it does not tell you. Every Linux usb flash drive utility works fine as does the hp. Thanks for nothing again Microsoft. Yes windows 7 can magical see my Eee that I just installed Windows 7 Enterprise 90 day and dual boot, but cant see XP. Thanks again Microsoft for the best Windows 7 ever.BULLSHIT

Windows users and Linux users are two very different groups of people.
Think about it intelligently for a moment: Windows is very heavily marketed, Linux isn't.

Every year I help non-profit organisations move to Linux and the everyday user fights the process all the way. Just because the word processor isn't called Word anymore and you don't click on the Start button.

To prove a point I asked an average user to sit at a machine with Windows 7 and Office 2007, they simply couldn't cope because everything was different. Then I took a Linux machine running Gnome and OpenOffice, tweaked everything to look like XP, renamed some shortcuts and ran the same experiment. The user was very happy with the imitation XP machine.

The point is you can't compare the two. People have no choice, they simply do as they're told by the TV.

Anybody who uses windows with no AntiVirus needs their head examined!

I mean Win7 and Ubuntu are both excellent OS's...... an unbiased statement!

But windows and no AV is like leaving your front door open, and a sign in your front yard saying "I am not home".....

In todays world to think that the "only" place to get a virus or exploit is in a torrent or porn site is just plain stupidity!!!!!

But if you like your head in the sand, more power to you! To add to that, if you are a home user, and don't want to use AV....... whatever...... but if you are a BUSINESS and don't use AV????

"My system runs my little company her little company and we play games on it when we have time."

I don't do business with people who don't take business seriously! And to have a windows based computer, with business files and customer information on it.... and use no AV!!!!

hahahaha! Get Real!

Both the Windows 7 and Linux options involve change and other factors:

Effort: Both Ubuntu (or the KDE 4.3 version, Kubuntu) and Windows 7 will require a learning curve for users migrating from XP.

Cost: Windows 7 (and Office 14 or whatever) will cost hundreds of dollars per user. Ubuntu/Kubuntu and OpenOffice is free (you could cut some costs off the Windows options by using OpenOffice, but Microsoft wouldn't recommend that).

Security: Linux has it, Windows, not so much.

Hardware compatibility: Linux supports most hardware (graphics cards, wireless, printers, monitors, digital cameras, media players, and so on) out of the box. Windows 7 requires you to load Win 7-compatible drivers from manufacturers (good luck with your 8 year old printer!).

So if you are going to have to put some effort into both options, investing roughly equivalent time and effort switching to Linux involves no additional cost, and provides much better security than the Windows 7 option. So why not give Ubuntu/Kubuntu (possibly the best beginners' version of Linux) a try instead of just sending your hard-earned money to one of the richest companies on Earth?

(and thanks to the Microsoft-funded FUD-posters for all the misinformation posted above about Linux. When reading comments, I guess one could ask oneself the question: WHO has the most to gain by posting this comment, someone who speaks in favor of a billion-dollar company with a fat payroll, or one who speaks in favor of free, open-source software?).

I still find Linux so limited in it's ability to recover from a bad driver install. For instance installing a bad graphics driver almost always crashes the GUI and then you have to use another PC to download instructions on how to fix the GUI not loading through some lame old text editor. Either that or you find some rare Linux tech who will charge you an arm and a leg to fix it, that or you can just reinstall the O/S. Windows has had the ability to detect improper drivers and recover from their install since Windows 95 OSR2. It seems like Linux is meant to just work out of the box and if something doesn't work, then don't bother trying to fix it because you'll likely screw the installation.

@BAS consoles have their games that work fine, and PC's have their games that are better on PC. For instance try playing X-Plane on console, bet you couldn't do it. Also try playing a console FPS game with aim assist turned off, it is extremely hard to snipe using game pad without assistance. Consoles are great for people who just want to plug a new game in and it works immediately without configuring it.

"9+ full releases yet so limited"
1. the versions of Ubuntu are in <year .<month format so 9.10 means "October 2009 release".
2. Actually it is going to be 11th release of Ubuntu
3. Ubuntu actually has this annoying feature that very nicely and WITH GUI helps you to fix if some error prevented X to start.
so based on your post,,
1. You are paid to post FUD
or
2. You are dumbshit

Until there's an article with a title like this, do pls. crawl back under your rock.
I write SW for living and ALL our customer base (industrial, automotive, aerospace, med,..) is on Win. Replacing the entire ecosystem of tools used there is impossible. It's not just Web browsing, e-mail and word processing, but hundreds of diverse CAD, test, etc. utilities. Finding an alternative, deploying, relearning is astronomically expensive compared to ~100 Euro every five years.
But even the basic stuff fails on open source. We tried using OpenOffice internally (to save money, naive idiots), it sucked so hard our dicks fell off.
GCC does shocking stuff - a commercial compiler vendor would never get aways with. Anybody using it for a safety critical product would have to be shot. Python leaks memory 'per design' like a shotgun struck barrel, FireFox will consume a gig of RAM after a month, then you must clear history and restart - WTF?
The very hard part of creating a good product is not coding a fancy algorithm, but 'polishing' - the whole thing must work reliably, it must install easily, if possible invisibly. It's miserable work which brings no glory and little satisfaction.
I don't care about Win/Mac/Linux, I must feed my family. I will use any tool, be it OS, pencil or a showel, to do it. When Linux rules (= never, it's to expensive for corps to switch), then all the 90% who don't care about the aura of Torvalds or Jobs or Gates, will switch too.

I don't think operating systems will evolve much further as long as the dominant OS is closed source. Microsoft is in it for money nothing more, OS graphics in general will get prettier but real progress will always be stunted by money.

@first post, Bas
I agree I have a self built gaming rig with XP and that is all it does, game, I don't MS with my banking or other stuff. I grudge the idea of my gaming rig being so powerful and only running Windows. Plan on fixing that this weekend after 9.10 comes out.

I have been using Ubuntu exclusively on my cheap Acer laptop for going on a year now and not looking back. Had a Mac laptop before but they just cost so much.
Plan on putting 64 bit 9.10 on my gaming too on a separate HD. I hope the servers are not too busy this Thursday.

wow...I hear there's a new toilet paper coming out with the next Ubuntu release...it's so you can wipe your ass after reading about all the things you cant do with it...

I've got to say that Ubuntu Netbook Remix 9.10 is the sweetest fit of software to hardware that I've experience in many years. In fact, the Aspire One plus Ubuntu combination is the best portable machine since the Tandy Model 100.

Why are so many Linux users so frustrated to get their favorite OS get acknowledge by the world + dog? The world + dog have lives outside the PC, so don't expect them to know Linux. Mac and Windows give convenience to them at a price. Linux give them headaches.

Some of us are not children.

Some of us have real jobs.

Some of us have actually retired in style.

Some of us value honesty and integrity over thievery or handouts.

Some of of us have actually grown up as opposed to simply getting older.

Some of us work/have worked to earn what we have in place of expecting it to be given to us.

Some us contribute.

Some of us have a work ethic as well as a play ethic.

Some of us have paid prices of you have no concept.

Some of us are people instead of simple organic oxygen converters.

I just don't get the arguments that people use to argue for one OS or the other. It would be like me making an argument that because Windows ME sucked ass I don't use Windows and instead use Linux. Just because one distro of Linux didn't meet your expectations doesn't mean all of them should be excluded.

I believe we all here have had some experience with Windows and it's a fair argument that you have to "work" at keeping it running smooth. I mean how many times have family and friends brought over a PC thats just full of crapware you have to spend hours cleaning or just reinstalling?

I personally find Ubuntu to be perfect for my needs and I have yet to come across something I couldn't do because it wasn't running Windows.

Could a few things be made better? Sure, like faxing and print to fax. I got it working but it would be alot simpler if it worked without any work on my part.

You can make your Linux look and feel like anything you want. Thats he great thing about it. You don't dont have every single third party app trying to load at startup eating up ram. Some people try it on 10 year old hardware and want to complain how slow it is. Would they do the same with Win7?

It's almost like they are pissed they have to spend so much on an OS they have to point the finger at someone else, bringing up things like CLI. I hardly ever use CLI.

I dual boot XP and Ubuntu. After upgrading from Hardy Intrepid Jaunty and now to Karmic, I just think it's a wonderful OS, especially after all the browns and orange is removed :). Xp hardly ever sees the light of day because I just don't have a need to boot into it.

Okay Linux is great, its chasing Microsoft the same way that Apple is, but we still dont have platforms where we can share info upon all of these Operating systems

That is going to hanker all of what we need to share in business.

My Partner and I still have problems sharing info on Microsoft word, as she is based 40 miles away from me.

With so many operating systems available how is linux and how is apple going to cope with this?

The web is forcasted in 10 years time to be the way to do business, and we still have not got it right have we?

Nobody liked Windows vista at all.

I am a retail marketing consultant, my details are garyattractionlifestyles@yahoo.co.uk

I may seem as being pandantic, but I cannot see a way forward unless some sort of electronic communication platform is agreed between Linux, Apple and Microsoft.

Gary Woollard.