A strong operating system
 

Hi I am new to Linux and I have been using Ubuntu and Fedora. My question is; Is Linux as powerful as Mac or Windows? I do not like Windows but I just had to reinstall it because my school makes it mandatory since silverlight is required. After reinstalling all of the required drivers, I noticed that now I can do more with my printer and other hardware. Why are these options not available in a Linux OS and if they are what am I doing wrong by not finding them? And my last question; what is Xubuntu and Kubuntu and for what reason would I use them?
Thank you

Yes, Linux is as "powerful" as Windows. But different. If you are having problems with your printer then be specific; tell us which model printer you have an exactly what "these options" are. We'll try to help. :)

Xubuntu and Kubuntu are Ubuntu with different Desktop Environments (or "skins").

So it's not Linux that lacks power, it's your hardware's manufacturer policy, that they don't help Linux community.
However I'll give you a counter-example. My HP printer won't print under Windows without color cartridge (which I don't want to buy, since I only print text), no matter what I do in printer's configuration. But under Linux it works fine.
As far as Ubuntu, KUbuntu comes with KDE and XUbuntu I think with Xfce, instead of Ubuntu's Gnome/Unity. However you can still in a normal Ubuntu instal KDE, Xfce or whatever desktop environment/window manager you like.

jonnynitro138, Snowpipe
 

I am using the HP F4480, the driver disk (which only works on windows:( ) has functions that allow me to adjust the color (which I like because usually I turn color photos into black and white to save ink). I don't know how to use this function on Ubuntu, is there a way to adjust the color on my printer? I know how to install or use Linux software, there's just so much of it what are some options on narrowing down specific software?
Thank you

HP has outstanding support for Linux. This site is a good place to start: http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/index.html

I don't know that specific printer, but generally you have the option to "print as greyscale" in the print dialogue. As said, HP has very good support for Linux except for a few of the real bargain basement models. On any Debian based system, Synaptic is usually present. The search tool in Synaptic will give you an overview of software that may fit your purposes, even give you a screenshot. Otherwise, use Google (or Google/Linux) to search for stuff, or ask in the appropriate part of this forum.

Thank you
 

I thank you guys for your assistance.

Based on this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMD_v._Intel did you know AMD sued intel for over billion dollars. Maybe thats what all the Linux communities should get togeather sue microsoft in the same way since they make it hard for us to get supported hardware we have to take what we can get. I mean you can by a kodak assessory and expect to use it with out a 3rd party driver which doesn't have all functions. So how do we divide the money? I guess we got another fight on our hands =)

Anyways your hardware issues are because most software companies only program for windows and won't release all the info so a 3rd party could build a driver for their software that works on linux. So thats why open source drivers most of the time you don't get full functionality. How ever HP does have a good support for Linux considering they have a Unix version they own which is practically the same a Linux. (Linux is a Minux Clone which is a unix system). So there you have it your answer and my rant ;)

Linux its self isn't a computers its just the heart. Developers around the world build the rest of the system to suit their and others needs as a result of this you end up with several GUIs (Graphic User Interface) which comes in flavors such as XFCE: a light weight desktop, KDE: a windows like desktop: Gnome: another good desktop based on their own designs, where their are other desktop. By default most Linux distrubutions such as Fedora, Opensuse, in their core dvd install you have the option to pick what you want but in CD based Distros they only installed 1 desktop to save on diskspace such as xubuntu, ubuntu, and kubuntu.

some more advice please.
 

What about a Linux driver for Visiontek Radeon HD 4670 video card and Intel core i7; are there any drivers for these pieces of hardware?
Thank you again/

3 options
Download the binary and install from AMD them selves
http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownloa...2&lang=English
Use opensuse method of installing proprietary drivers
http://en.opensuse.org/SDB:ATI_drivers
or last but not least use your opensource drivers.