Hi Guys, i'm new to this forum and a newbie to linux, after testing several linux distribution including Mandriva, Fedora, Ubuntu, Mepis.. i felt that they're nearly all the same but some have more stability, nicer user interface like a control panel, better maintained and renewed software repository, come readily installed with plugins, multimedia etc.. regarding hardware support i didnt notice that big difference because of same kernal builds. But in my country me and most of my friends wonder! we never thought of buying windows or it's software since they are sold in cd/dvd large collections for 1-3 $ each, and also they are distributed over internet in wares sites and p2p sharing programs with their cracks! Although commercial linux disributions are better all around than free one's, what would drive me into buying a subscription or a pack of a linux distro? if you're going to tell me that linux is more secure and safe i think this became something of the past, because with a good firewall and antivirus/antispyware program on windows xp the contest is close. plus that the stability of linux can be jeopardized if a hardware incompatibility failure occures "of course fixing errors needs an expert here" over a period i heard cliches like "linux is free" not financialy but stands for freedom of choice. IMHO anything that would make a competition with the monopoly of Bill Gates over software development and usage would be great ;-) i would be glad to hear your opinion about my ideas, thanks.

best regards,

bluegene

Well if you're that set on using illegal software, then sure. Why not. To me one of the great things about moving from windows to Linux was that I don't have to use illegal software which I was forced to do when running windows.

And I have to say you're begging for flames with that comment about security. I never flame, I'm just giving you a warning that those kinds of comments get overly sarcastic responces. But my take on the subject is that yeah, maybe, just maybe, you can equal the security on xp if you install and continuously run tons of security software. With Linux, you don't have to because the OS itself is secure. It saves a lot of time, money (well, not money in your case) and tons of system resources. That's why I'd say Linux is still way ahead with it's security.

On the note of security, yea if you keep your box up to date with a good firewall and watch what you install etc, windows isnt that insecure. However, I read somewhere that microsoft was going to be enforcing measures to keep updates only to computers with legit windows on them. This I guess is a good measure to curb piracy ( I would never use windows unpatched, even if its free). I am sure a work around will arise to get around this, but at some point I guess ethically you have to ask yourself, is it worth it?

Of course, the beauty of linux is that you have freedom of choice, to do whatever you want. Even down to how you run it. I have some older machines that could maybe struggle to run windows 98, however I put on a slim distro on it and it is perfectly fine for surfing the web, writing emails etc.

You can't tell me that, even with firewall and anti virus software running you never got infected yourself using all that cracked software and p2p sites - they are crawling with it. I know because I've been caught out by it too.
As the man said, the whole point of Linux is that you shouldn't need to use illegal software cos there's a lot of good stuff out there. Mind you, you do have to use your own brain power a bit to use it.

one of the reasons that drove me to linux was that i had a bootleg windows xp, with the registration code, but i could never download sp2 and some other updates

then i read somewhere that uncle bill would be knocking on my door

so i figured it was time to get out of dodge

"close" dosen't mean equal.it's like saying "a little bit pregnant".the major problem with windows is that these days you need firewalls,a/v,and anti-spyware.up untill a few months ago i ran with only spyware apps.then i switched from dial-up to dsl and that came to an end.
there is nothing that says you have to purchase linux the way windows does.read the eula before hitting f8 next time you install xp,some of what you are agreeing to borders on invasion of privacy here in the U.S.

You don't. Just continue to use illegal software and wasting resources with antivirus, adaware, and all the other extra stuff you need to run just to keep the system reasonably clean.

There is no reason to have to purchase a Linux distro. You can install any suitable distro and then download and install any apps you want legally. Personally, I feel that many of the freely distributed Linux distros are superior to the corporate ones in many ways.

nope, just hte opposite. security updates will always be available to pirated versions so that those computers wont be used to spread security exploits even further, however any non-security related updates will not be available to pirated versions.

and like you said, performance is another good thing about linux, and for me, it has never crashed the way a BSOD does. if your hardware is messed up, both linux and windows will die on you, but on a funtioning computer, linux is more stable than xp.

also, i used to pirate everything on my computer(unless a free alternative was available, like using firefox instead of a pirated opera), but opensource is soo much easier. why go out and spend 3 dollars on an office cd when you can just type in "apt-get install koffice" and get a very capable office suite for free, legally? spending hours downloading huge windows programs(MSoffice is like 400mb, koffice 1.4 is 25mb) from unreliable p2p progs, then having to go tyhrough the process of cracking it, then fooling activation, and then having to redo all these steps every tim MS steps up its anti-piracy and blacklists some more keys, its too much hassle. and if you are living in a first world country, there is the constant threat of getting sued for it. its just not worth the risk or the effort.

and why do you want to pay for linux anyway? you should donate the 3 dollars to your favourite distro and use it for free.

Now that you have just told everybody in the whole world that you were using illegal copies of Windows, you might notice the little tag "IP logged" at the bottom of each post, thats for the secret police to come and get your IP address and then physical address.

You might want to pack a few things for when the long black limo pulls up in your driveway.....

LOL
floppy

Ok, first of all. The police are not after you but they should be for using pirated software. This leads now to this: Please don't openly admit to using illegal software on a public forum. Such things are not allowed here so you should not even mention you break the law on this site. LQ.org does not want to be involved in any such activity in any form, even if your just admitting to having or using it.

Secondly, no one tells you that you have to buy Linux. When your buying it, your not buying Linux and 99% of the software on it most likely, your buying the CD's, Books, Manuals and most likely the SUPPORT that comes with it. If you don't need any of these things, don't buy it but keep in mind, buying it helps support it. If you want it to continue to grow and only get better, why not help the developers who give it away for free on something they've worked so hard on just to "provide" you with.. Note: This is not talking about some of the commercial distro's but even then, the one's that provide and help open source grow and improve, even buying their distro's from them is supporting them.

you might notice the little tag "IP logged" at the bottom of each post, thats for the secret police to come and get your IP address and then physical address. You might want to pack a few things for when the long black limo pulls up in your driveway.....

Ssshhh! The first rule about the "IP: Logged link" is that you do not talk about the "IP: Logged" link. Damn, now I just talked about it...

*Wraps self in aluminum foil*

Your IP has been logged now.. muhahaaahahaahahaa!!

me?

i actually own three legit copies of windows xp.

two of those computers run linux full time and the third one will too once i have enought time to set it up.

lets put it this way, i payed for windows and i still prefer to use linux. so if you pirated windows, you have an even bigger reason to use linux.

Bah, I transmit all my data by means of smoke signals to an anonymous teletype operator who transcribes them and sends it by carrier pigeon directly to my ISP. Doesn't everybody?

Tricky is right, don't steal software and especially don't discuss pirated software here. FWIW, I'd take a free linux distro over a cracked version of windows any day of the week.

Dude.. you seriously need to upgrade to ISP 2.0. Your method is so last year.. I've been transmitting all of my data by means of morse code to my teletype operator who then transcribes it to send via USPS to my ISP.. though lately the USPS has been a little flaky lately.. might need to upgrade them to FedEx 1.0..