9 replies to this topic

[iChelsea]

I would say I'm decently experience in computers, I know enough about the different parts of hardware and some of the software stuff but not much. I honestly find windows whole operating system so confusing though. There are all these random files everywhere and i have no idea what they are and it drives me crazy. I just feel like its fucking IMPOSSIBLE to organize my computer, no matter how freshly installed the operating system is. I don't know what it is, I just fricken hate windows. I am always having problems with getting different programs to work on it and..it just sucks.

Should I give Linux a go? I know that its WAYYY lighter on system resources, something I've been having a problem with lately.

Also, I have an integrated graphics card on this laptop, is there anyway to update this? I'm pretty sure you can't but I'd just like to make sure.

It'd be nice if someone could compare what the two different operating systems are typically used for? My computer use is limited to graphics editing, watching videos, going online, listening to music, playing games, recording videos, and some homework stuff. I love tweaking my computer to my own personal settings and downloading programs to make things more efficient and useful.

[Pyro699]

If you have to ask the question; the answer is no

[iargue]

1)Windows is amazing. You just can't use it properly
2)Linux requires you to know a lot more about computers, and to know a lot more about how to use it
3)You cannot upgrade graphics cards in laptops in most situations. They are designed for that specific motherboard, and nothing else
4)Windows is the best for anyone who doesn't understand computers. Its GUI and commands are the simplest to use, and it has the largest support base out of all of them. You can also find a program for anything that you want to do.

I would recommend not installing Linux if you can't even use windows.

[iChelsea]

I can use windows I just really don't like it. it's not that i have that many problems using it, its just so stupid like i have to run all this shit as an administrator and change the permissions all the time and its really annoying. and i hate that it tries to organize my shit for me but fails miserably, because i'm really ocd about the way stuff is organized. i feel like there are all these background processes and settings i have no control over, and theres nothing i can do about it.

eh whatever, i'm going to dual install anyways and give it a try. i'm actually pretty good with computers and i could probably understand how windows worked if i wanted to , but i don't.

EDIT: here is a quote that has a lot to do with what i'm talking about

Quote

The uninitiated Windows software installs via an executable file (setup.exe usually) that places the main program files in the directory program files and then places a shortcut, or a folder of shortcuts in documents and settings->all users->start menu. The installing software has complete access to all areas of the hard drive – there are absolutely no limitations on what it can access and where it can put things. The software also generally saves settings in the Windows Registry (a centralized point of failure) via Windows APIs.
Of course sometimes programs do what they want. If some software wants to install itself in the root of c: (an incredibly bad place to put it) - its allowed. The fact of the matter though is that programs can install themselves anywhere they want, add as many icons as they want to any place they want - and even delete anything that they want.


The problem with this is that programs think they are much more important than they actually are. Quicktime, which isn't even the worst, and which 99% of people only have to use very occasionally watch a QuickTime file, installs a system tray stub (for settings and fast launch) a Quick-launch icon and an icon in your start menu. Not only that it also runs an updater in the background that'll alert you when new versions of the software come out. Its bundled with iTunes also (you don’t get a choice in the matter you've got to download both) which also gives it a quick-launch icon. I now have 3 icons taking up room on my start bar, some more on the desktop, a constantly running process (quick-launch and auto-update) and a mp3 player when all I needed was the ability to play QuickTime files.


If just one program does this it is not so bad. Unfortunately every single bit of irrelevant software nowadays has its own autoupdater, quicklaunch, system tray and start menu icons if it actually needs it or not. Now add RealPlayer (which is one of the worst for it), AIM, MSN, Skype, the usual collection of toolbars foisted on you, the half dozen more pointless icons added by your scanner, printer, OEM and mouse and you've got a slow booting computer with irrelevant icons repeated all over the place (and no room to view running programs) all popping up alerts, news, updates and generally getting in your way. You have to manually delete several dozen or so icons and then try to figure out where the 'stop annoying me all the time' button is buried on each one. It is generally buried fairly well too.

I guess my problem is more with the other software developers than windows? I just hate the whole setup, how its really hard to personalize things and stuff just gets modified without me being able to fit it to my needs

Edited by iChelsea, 10 June 2011 - 11:00 AM.

[iargue]

iChelsea, on 10 June 2011 - 10:53 AM, said:

I can use windows I just really don't like it.

iChelsea, on 10 June 2011 - 10:42 AM, said:

I honestly find windows whole operating system so confusing though. There are all these random files everywhere and i have no idea what they are and it drives me crazy. I just feel like its fucking IMPOSSIBLE to organize my computer, no matter how freshly installed the operating system is. I am always having problems with getting different programs to work on it

Sorry. You confused me

[iChelsea]

alright i guess i am contradicting myself. i guess its just hard to explain.

Quote

I honestly find windows whole operating system so confusing though. There are all these random files everywhere and i have no idea what they are and it drives me crazy. I just feel like its fucking IMPOSSIBLE to organize my computer, no matter how freshly installed the operating system is. I am always having problems with getting different programs to work on it

a big part of it is how the folders are organized. which doesn't really affect how i use the computer, it just really bothers me

and i guess i don't really have that many problems getting programs to work, but once and a while i do, and it usually has something to do with the fact that i'm running windows 7.

Edited by iChelsea, 10 June 2011 - 11:13 AM.

[Darkthrone]

Linux is an awesome operating system but reading through this thread I would also recommend against you installing it. Linux is heavily command line driven so you do need to know your way around a computer (You obviously don't or you would be able to keep your PC organised using windows) but I would recommend you either install on a separate box/dual boot/Virtual box (I would go for the latter) and have a play around with it. There are many different distro's of Linux so just play around with a few until you find your flavour.. at the moment my favoured is Debian.

[iChelsea]

There are many different distro's of Linux




That sounds nice




I mean, I would be willing to learn how to use Linux. How much reading would I have to do? I have nothing else to do..

[ToxicS]

If you don't play video games then I recommend linux. I know there is wine, but that always has bugs and can't play every game. If you follow enough guides you should be able to handle linux.

Ubuntu is a good OS to use. (I used it at least and it was pretty good)

[iargue]

iChelsea, on 10 June 2011 - 11:04 AM, said:

alright i guess i am contradicting myself. i guess its just hard to explain.


a big part of it is how the folders are organized. which doesn't really affect how i use the computer, it just really bothers me

and i guess i don't really have that many problems getting programs to work, but once and a while i do, and it usually has something to do with the fact that i'm running windows 7.

You mean, properly organized? All programs go to Program Folders, and user data goes to your user folder. The organization is simple and easy to understand :|

And Windows 7 runs everything unless it has an os check in it. Then windows 7 might not be able to run it.