A confused n00b
 

Hi. I have a friend that uses a dual-boot computer and he finds that he would rather use Linux to play video games, and surf the internet and do homework on and such instead of getting Longhorn when it gets all of its bugs out. I would like to know if it is a good idea because to my understanding Linux is used by people who program or run servers or have a big corporation and need a way to organize their information easier. If I am wrong can you please correct me and help me save some money.
:newbie:

Linux can run many games, often using Cedega or other windows compatability layer apps. it can play virtually any video files, run virtually any hardware.

please use useful thread titles in future.

Wouldn't the layered apps slow the game down?

Welcome to LQ!

Please read this carefully, Korialstraszz.

yep. windows does that for you anyway though. you can easily cut off all the windowing junk that you don't need to pull dedicate so so much more system resources to the game than you ever can on windows.

Dual-booting is in my opinion the best way to learn Linux. You start out at your own pace and you can fall back to Windows if you run into trouble.

I recommend Fedora Core. Its a nice stable system and it comes with a TON of things to play with. Start by installing everything under the sun on the disks and then you will figure out what you need and what you don't.

Re: A confused n00b
 

I've been using Linux as a desktop for the sole purpose of learning the language... it's a great desktop application!! There's a ton of options to customize it, either with your window manager, (KDE, Gnome, Fluxbox, etc) and with the addons that others have developed for it. Google search for screenshots and you'll get a better idea of what I mean. You will need to learn a little to use it, but out of the box, it's a great application.

Since when was Linux a desktop, desktop application or language? :confused:

i'm with you there.

on the topic of the thread. any game that you can't get running natively in linux isn't worth playing. well it is and it may be worth keeping windows tucked away somewhere for those occasions. most games made by ID come with a linux installer when you buy them. alternatively if your not paying for your games then you can download the instlaler from their website. i've had quake3, UT, UT2003 and a fair few others going in linux without any emulatery kinda things.
although i haven't done it for a fair few years i did once try playing i think i t was red alert 2 using wine.... it worked but i wouldn't recomend it. a little slow. but it sounds that things might have got better in that respect and almost certainly have for natively run games

as for media linux is the best. i haven't found any video or sound that i couldn't play or find a codec for. some corrupted files that won't play in windows have worked in linux (xine rules)
good luck

Ok, you got me. I dont know the jargon yet since I'm still a newbie... I was just trying to share my experience with another newbie to say how great Linux is. Maybe you can clairfy it for me.

acid_kewpie, what's the proper teminolgy that I should have been using? I dont know the answer to your questions about when linux was a desktop etc. I look to people like you you for help.

I'm doing my best to learn, which is why I spend so much time in this forum. Fortunately we have moderators like you to help us newbies out!

Thanks! :scratch:

Linux is an operating system :) A desktop is... well, what you see :)

When I switched to Linux years ago, I kept my Windows installation but I decided to back up a few files and format Windows XP. I saw myself install Windows 2000 strictly for games :) Installing Windows will overwrite your MBR so just use a bootdisk to boot back into Linux and do whatever necessery to fix your master boot record.

pats,
Have you been able to play m4a or Quicktime files at all? Just because you say you can play anything, and I wouldn't mind knowing what can play these.

Thanks for the kind response AresXP!

I'm starting to think that Acid_Kewpie's remark is more of an insult than an actual question... strange... as a moderator, I figured he'd be more helpful.

I think what "acid_kewpie" was trying to say was that Linux is the kernel of a Linux distribution,
and that is has nothing to do with the desktop (KDE, Gnome etc.)
In another way: He was just pointing out that Linux is not the desktop, an aplication nor a language...
IMHO, a crude joke on newbees... And as a moderator, thats a bad tone to set...