New to linux

hey yall I'm new to linux and i wanna try it to see how it is, I have an Ubuntu 5.04 linux, can I use it as my os and can u use it to play games like halflife2 NBA 2005? And how does it compare to win98 in terms of game graphics( any difference with same v.card). Thanks

specs

intel 3.2ghz
xfx 5200
256mb ram

Can you use it as an OS? Sure.
Will it play those games? No.
As far as graphics go it's probably going to be a bit prettier than 98 (you're using 98 on that hardware?) but that depends on what desktop environment you want to use.

Linux is perfectly capable of all of the gaming that Windows is, but many of the games simply are not released for Linux. If games don't exist in a Linux version, you may not be able to play them on a linux system. There is a program called cedega by transgaming that allows you to play 3d games written for windows in linux, but it is not foolproof. Sometimes, it works quite well (I play warcraft III on it without any problems at all). There is no difference in speed or quality of gaming graphics in linux and windows provided the game exists in native form for both os's.

This is what I posted in the 2cpu.com forums...

Rather than chat on about defficiencies, let's get straight to the point.

(1) Don't think Windows.

I don't care what they say or what it looks like. Linux is NOT Windows, so don't treat it like Windows. The things you're used to in Windows do NOT necessarily apply to Linux. This is especially true when issues arise. So empty you're head of any Windows.


(2) Be prepared to read.

At most, you should get the basics of command line work. Know how to go to it, login as a user or "super root" when necessary, etc. Because sooner or later, a solution will need to be done via command line. (Don't be scared of it).


(3) If you run into problems...

Search for a solution first. Then if you're not sure or need some clarification, ask. (This is the best way to avoid any flaming that may arise). It demonstrates others that you are serious about getting into an OS. People will be alot more friendly to you.


(4) Don't expect all hardware or the latest hardware to be fully support.

There are a number of reasons...Hardware is too new, Manufacturer don't want to provide Linux support for some reason, no one has "reversed engineered" a driver for the hardware, etc.


(5) Don't expect a direct Windows replacement.

If you're expecting this...Forget it. Linux is young in this desktop scene. Its getting there, though...Slowly.


(6) Try a LiveCD first.

If you feel insecure about trying new things...Just try a bootable LiveCD. Don't like it? Reboot without the CD, and everything is back to normal.


(7) Attack of the clones.

Like all Linux that are diving into certain markets, there are more than one to choose for that segment.

Here's a list of distros that are aimed at the Desktop user. Note, this list is for free ones only. If you want dedicated help, consider a paid solution...If you can handle having forums for help and looking at docs on the website, these are for you.

Ubuntu
http://www.ubuntulinux.org/
Comes in both LiveCD and Install versions. So try it, if you like it, install it.

Kubuntu
http://www.kubuntu.org/
This is Ubuntu but using a different graphical interface called KDE. Think of it as the same girl in a different outfit. Wink

SimplyMepis
http://www.mepis.org/
Originally developed for the book "Point and Click Linux!", it has now grown to something more interesting...Its a LiveCD, but if you like it on a permanent basis, you can install it.

QiLinux
http://www.qilinux.it/
(Can't comment, I haven't tried yet)

Symphony OS
http://www.symphonyos.com/
(Can't comment, I haven't tried yet)

Xandros Desktop OS Version 3 : Open Circulation Edition
http://www.xandros.com/products/home/desktopoc/dsk_oc_intro.html
Has limitations, but easily overcome by installing third-party applications.

Fox Linux
http://www.foxlinux.org/?sel_lang=english
(Can't comment, I haven't tried yet...But its based on Fedora Core)


(8) Consider virtualisation software.

There's software out there that will let you run Linux in Windows, or Windows within Linux. Note that there are limitations. ie : no 3D acceleration. (since the software makes the "guest OS" think you're running a high powered PIII with an S3 video, etc.

Paid one (not cheap) : VMware Workstation

I've used this on WinXP SP2 on my notebook. I'm using Ubuntu Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, and Slackware Linux...Yes, 5 OSs on simultanously...But I do warn you, you need alot of RAM (1GB or more) and a fast hard disk. (something that can handle alot of requests simultanously).

There are Linux and Windows versions.

Free one (may have issues) : QEMU
=> http://fabrice.bellard.free.fr/qemu/

This is gonna require a bit of work. But its possible to run Linux on Windows with some work. (command line stuff).

To minimise issues, if you're gonna be running Windows on Linux, make sure you slipstream Service Packs to Windows using something like AutoStreamer/Autopatcher => http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showforum=89


Can you make Linux for a desktop user? Yeah, you can.
Has it reach there yet? Nope. Its gonna take a while.

Even if you use WINE or Cedega (for windows games), you won't be able to get all your Windows apps to work. (some do, some don't)

If you're expecting Linux to work like Windows (minimal effort required for user), then you're not looking for Linux. You're looking for Windows.

I was searching google and just found out that there are doom3 and unrealT versions for Linux.

and americas army... rtcw

not to mention hl1,starcraft, and wow all work pretty decent in cedega

Congratulations on joining the growing ranks of Linux Users.
I use Linux exclusively myself, though I do still remember a few things about Windows, and fix machines with it now and then.

guok7 said:

hey yall I'm new to linux and i wanna try it to see how it is, I have an Ubuntu 5.04 linux, can I use it as my os and can u use it to play games like halflife2 NBA 2005?

Click to expand...

I am not a hardcore gamer, but I do mess around a bit and I have played HalfLife 2 in linux with NVidia Ti4200 and FX5900 video cards:
it ran just fine and looked pretty similar to similar cards in Windows.
I'm not a fan of the game though.
There are some threads around here about other games that work perfectly or quite well in Linux, and Transgaming (Cedega company) is constantly working on adding more games and improved support to Cedega. I have no idea if the NBA game works....

And how does it compare to win98 in terms of game graphics( any difference with same v.card).

Click to expand...

The games I have seen most in both Linux and Windows are UT (2k3 and 2K4) and Doom3: both look every bit as good in linux with my cards as they do in Windows. The only bad news I might have here is that in my experience the FX series of video cards are not great and their weaknesses are more apparent in Linux.
My Ti4200 128mb card does about the same as my FX5900XT card, and I have to just about double the core and ram speeds on the fx5900 to do even THAT.

I disagree with the above assessment entirely. I believe Linux is superior to Windows as a desktop environment. The OS is capable of doing everything Windows can and more. The only disadvantage with linux is gaming. Windows is still superior, not because the OS is better, but because more is written for it. For non gamers, Linux makes a better desktop than Windows.

gaming is becoming less and less an issue on the pc..... consoles just get better and better.... most pc's won't be able to match the graphics performance of the ps3 or xbox2 for some time..... so.. what's the big deal about games

besides.... i really don't play them anyway.... except as an example to friends that they can and do work on a linux box UT2004-demo, doom3-demo, bzflag, chromiumbsu, quake3-demo (i don't buy games) lol

OSGentoo said:

gaming is becoming less and less an issue on the pc..... consoles just get better and better.... most pc's won't be able to match the graphics performance of the ps3 or xbox2 for some time..... so.. what's the big deal about games

Click to expand...

Well, this is an area where personal preference comes into play:

I dislike consoles.
I should still have an old original playstation I bought used around here someplace, but I haven't touched it in 3 or 4 years.

While my tastes may not be mainstream, or even "Gamer" mainstream as I am not that much of a gamer, there IS still quite a market for pc gaming.

Linux gaming is not an issue for many, but for a fairly good size portion of the market- or possible market- it still is a concern.