How do you choose what to use Linux for (as opposed to Windows)?

pholland · 03-18-2018, 06:57 PM

www.openlibrary.org requires using Adobe Digital Editions to borrow a file. As far as I know, there is no Linux-native ADE. And to date I have not found a way to run in Wine.

Timothy Miller · 03-18-2018, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hydrurga

Timothy, I've been watching Netflix on Chrome because I couldn't get it to work on Firefox previously. After your post above, I thought I'd give Firefox a go again to see if it's working now. No show though: "Oops, something went wrong... Playback Error. There appears to be a problem with Firefox that is preventing Netflix from starting playback. Please ensure that you are using the latest version of Firefox. Error code: F7701-1003."

I'm using Firefox 59.0.1 (59.0.1+build1-0ubuntu0.16.04.1) on Linux Mint 18.3 MATE with adobe-flashplugin (1:20180206.1-0ubuntu0.16.04.1). If I can ask, what are you using?

I saw you already figured it out, but I'll reply regardless...

Firefox 59.0.1 no flash. You also need to specifically enable DRM in the preferences (General > Play DRM-controlled content), and if you use a scriptblocker there's several domains you need to ensure are permitted to run.

YesItsMe · 03-18-2018, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobLx

I assume that most people viewing this post have either abandoned Windows completely or use both.

Actually, Linux is the OS which I use the least - I still spend more time on Windows and (via ssh) on my *BSD servers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobLx

So how do you decide what you do with each OS?

My Linux laptop is a toy device for me. It is an adequate YouTube/e-mail/IRC/web device, perfect for conventions or slow weekends. I am not that far from you, basically having used Windows "forever" (since 1996), so my workflows are much more intuitive on it. A computer is a tool to me, I want to get things done with it. Since I develop and maintain a number of Windows applications, getting rid of Windows would be madness. And since I spend so much time doing development, it is convenient to just leave the Windows machine running ...

jailbait · 03-18-2018, 09:26 PM

I have used Linux exclusively since June, 2000.

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Steve Stites

SandsOfArrakis · 03-21-2018, 02:37 AM

I have 4 computers at home

2 desktops and 2 laptops.

Desktop A is my Mac mini. It's the computer I use for my daily stuff.
Desktop B is my Windows 10 PC. Which I use for playing games. Linux and MacOS can't touch Windows there.
Laptop A is my good old (as in 8 years old) big laptop. It's a dual boot Windows 10 / Linux Mint 18.3 KDE. Which acts as my toy with computer.
Laptop B is my little travel companion. 11.6 inch "big" It's a hybrid which can also transform into a tablet. Runs on Windows 10.

So as you can see I'm using MacOS, Linux and Windows.

Each OS has their own uses. I'm using Linux mainly for the fun of it.

sundialsvcs · 03-21-2018, 07:54 AM

That's a pretty typical setup, although I do use VMs for different client configurations, with external disk drives.

As YesItsMe put it, an operating system is just "a tool for a job." Railroads don't drive locomotives around because they think they look pretty – only "railfans" think that way – but because they haul the revenue-producing freight.

It so happens that I routinely need a Windows, a Linux, and an OS/X environment – so, I have one. If a particular "killer app" runs best, or runs only, in this-or-that environment, then that's where it runs. I bought both the hardware and the operating-system software for that express purpose.

And, specifically with regards to Windows, I bought the retail version ... and a fairly powerful one ... wiped the machine clean of its "OEM" configuration and installed completely from scratch using the retail disks. Having no knowledge and no control over what an "OEM" version might contain, I never use them.

rnturn · 03-21-2018, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soadyheid

... why on earth would I want to use Windows which seems intent on getting in my way and raising my blood pressure!

You have to admit: It's second to none in doing that.

fido_dogstoyevsky · 03-21-2018, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnturn

You have to admit: It's second to none in doing that.

Like an overly vigourous gym workout but without the health benefits.

I only use windows for two hardware related bits of software - I'm migrating away from one of those, and hoping that the other will eventually move to browser based configuration (looking in Garmin's direction).

Everything else (including games) gives me enough slack that I can use Linux.

jmgibson1981 · 03-22-2018, 01:16 PM

Rather than decide what to use linux for I decide what to use Windows for. For me personally, I need Windows for nothing. I run my business and everything on linux. Only Windows in the house is the wife's computer, which she feels she needs actual Office for her job. Otherwise we would be 100% linux under this roof. Server is Ubuntu, 2 laptops are Debian Stable. Android phones & tablets (linux kernel).

Shadow_7 · 03-22-2018, 03:08 PM

I got my first linux install disc in 1998. As a just in case Y2K thing. I didn't actually USE linux until 2002 when I lost my last IT job that "required" windows. Without a job that required windows or a job to pay for windows, I've been on linux since 2002-ish. Which means that the last version of windows that I actually used was Windows ME. I have infrequently used windows. To resize the partition to make room for linux. To fix peoples XP installs to get their NEW vista machines as payment. And when job hunting that have online skill testing that ONLY works under windows. As far as DRM content, they obviously don't want me to watch that, so I take the hint and don't.