hey ya'll, if I could run Linux all the time and completely scrap the Windows operating system, I feel that I would do it in an instant. The only thing that holds me back is the fact that I have a TON of software and devices that seem to only work properly in Windows (blah). But recently I've really considered kicking Windows off of my main machine. I'm not really a gamer, so I wouldn't be missing out on much, and my laptop is already booting soley Linux.
...blah blah blah, blah blah...
Ok, I want to know what ppl think about entirely scrapping Windows (good/bad experiences) and other stories regarding wether or not it's a good idea to do such a thing. Are there programs that allow Linux users to run .exe programs and other Windows-compatible software? Do they run well? I'm pretty fluent in Slackware at this point and feel confident in my ability to use Linux with normal day-to-day computer tasks. I have my reasons for switching, and on top of that, let's just say that Linux runs flat out BETTER than Windows.

WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK?

I run linux only on (almost) all my machines. All updated to Slackware 10.1 at this moment. I have a dual boot on my laptop right now, with XP, in case the roomies feel the need to use my machine downstairs. They have my blessing.

I can't think of any devices I own that don't work at least partially under linux. WIreless cards on all four computers -- two desktops, two laptops. Usb printer, etc. What devices are you having trouble with?

As far as .exe files, you can *try* running them with the WINE api set, but your milage will vary wildly. If you're not worried about games, there are usually many apps out there that work as well or better as the version you're used to running in windows.

--Shade

WINE and DOSEMU and DOSBox and Cedega are programs which spring to mind. They all have a good following and are very popular.

Just wanted to add:
I've never looked back after wiping 98se off my machine a few years ago. I've been using linux quite successfully ever since. It all boils down to what you want to do -- not what everyone thinks about it

--Shade

well...i still have a windos partition, but didn't boot it for a long time.
for simple things like self-extracting .exe files ( if you ever need them )
you can use wine. ( the only thing wine does ok here )

....but somehow i keep forgetting to delete the windos....

egag

awesome. I feel better about it. The devices I'm having trouble with are:
-D-Link wireless G network card
-(I haven't tried gettting my new Memorex DVD burner working in Linux yet)
-Dual-screen support with NVIDIA GeForce fx5200 Graphics card
-Shared Printers (for the most part, I'm on a Window's Network)
-The lack of a Mouse scroll wheel is annoying, but not necessary

That's all I can think of right now

But also, the major issue that I have is using Maple 8. I'm a physics major so that software is my life. When you guys say that Wine can run executables, does that mean that it can run ANYTHING windows-based in linux (executables that is)

The software that I worry about losing:
-Maple
-Winamp
-BitTorrent
-DVD and CD burning software (nero)

i've only run into that once so far
and cabextract did the job

"Ok, I want to know what ppl think about entirely scrapping Windows (good/bad experiences) and other stories regarding wether or not it's a good idea to do such a thing."

I scrapped Windows completely 5 years ago. Getting rid of Windows solved several problems for me and I have never regretted the upgrade to Linux.

-----------------------------
Steve Stites

ah...nice utility for .cab packages.
but i don't think it'll work for .exe self extracting packages .
you must run them afik.

egag

I run Linux on an older machine. The only greivance I have so far is that WiNE is somewhat bitchy to install and use, but I guess that's because I read as little documentation as I could (it wasn't very specific on how I should run it when I need to install a program as well as run it in WiNE).

to replcae winamp we have xmms, thee's a few other good players too for kde and gnome if you'll be using those. bittorrent works fine on linux, and nero released a linux version, but you also have k3b for the kde environment which does just as well.
not a clue what equivilants we might have to maple but another option aside from wine and othor such apps is to scrap the windows partition and install vmware so you can run windows from within slack.
i 've been running strictly slack for about a year without too many problems, same minor hardware issues but fixed those with support from this board and im sure you can do the same.
if you just drop windows all together and force yourself to use nothing other then linux you will start finding all the resources you need because you cant just switch back over as usual

I run linux on my two computers. One is able to connect to the net and one isn't. I'm still working on the one that isn't, I think I got a defective card, so I'm returning it and going to buy another kind that I've been able to use on the computer that is on the net.

I think scrapping M$ all-together is a good idea. I mean c'mon, there is even a window manager that looks just like windows! (Plus Puppy Linux also looks like Windows 98 or 95)

Good luck!

calcon

-Maple -- Try installing it under wine before getting rid of your Win partition.
-Winamp -- Mplayer or XMMS
-BitTorrent -- http://www.bittorrent.com/ has RPM/DEB/Source
-Nero -- If you paid for it, you can download the Linux version for free; if not you can use k3b

if you mean maple 9.5, there is a linux version.

look at : http://www.maplesoft.com/products/ma...uirements.aspx

egag

This can be fixed! Though I myself didn't quite figure out that scroll wheels do work under Linux until I'd been using it for almost 2 years...oops

Anyway, confession time aside, just fire up your favorite text editor and edit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

At the end of the following section:

add this line:
Save, restart X, and voila! Instant scroll wheel action! Hope that helps eliminate at least one thing off your list