Replacing Windows...

[Beelzebub]

Well, I have done it. Since March 11, I haven't had anything to do with Windows. I removed it entirely from my system and haven't gone back.

I have replacements for all the Windows programs I had been using. I even got my Pinnacle PCTV card to work without hassle (after trying 3 different TV viewing programs). While I still use MS Office documents for work (with OpenOffice), that is basically the only thing MS still in use. I do use Wine to crunch Seti (only because I can do it 40 minutes faster than with the Linux client).

My question to all of you is... have you found something you CANNOT replace from windows? Sure there are some IE specific sites you cannot access, but what problems have you encountered that cannot be overcome?

 

[adovbs]

I had a linux dual-boot for a while, and I may try that again sometime. My biggest problem was that I use several high-end grahics programs at work that I also like to train on at home, and they don't have linux versions. I also develop in VBScript/ASP and that's not so easy to run on Linux, whereas I can run it in 2000 on the personal version of IIS that comes with it.

Adovbs

 

[Beelzebub]

Well, I have found developing in ASP and other NT Server specific environments are easy to do in Linux, but I do not run a server on my workstation. My Win 2K Server that I use for ASP/SQL/email is still running and hasn't had to be rebooted since the last important update (about 30 days ago). Other than that, I haven't had to reboot the server for ANY other reason.

I haven't toyed with running web servers or mail servers on Linux yet (waiting to build another system), but as far as workstation apps go, I have found replacements for everything (although I only use industry-standard apps, not high-end, specialized apps like AutoCAD or anything like that).

 

[PolyPill]

Well gaming is always an issue, but for me, the only game I ever play has a linux port, Wolfenstein.

I use MS Visio for work a lot, but I get around this by taking advantage of our Citrix servers.

I also use citrix for MS Office because it's just so much better. I guess there's a new program from Codeweavers to run Office through wine better, maybe I'll give that a try some time. Call me anti-linux, but MS Office is much better than any of the current linux suites.

Another issue I have is with printing to our color copier, it's a Mita copier and we have our own unique codes to print with. It wouldn't be a problem if it weren't for those codes that need to be entered in with Mita's software.

Video editing is also an issue, I have yet to see anything that comes even close to Adobe Premiere.

Most of these issues can be over come if you have access to a Citrix Meta Frame server, but most people don't.

It would be nice if I could access our Exchange server's address book. There's a plug in for Evolution to do this, but it's like $70. It'd be nice, but not $70 nice.

I think those are the only problems I'm having after using Linux as my primary OS for the past 4 years. I've had my current job for 6 months and the first thing I did was put Linux on the notebook I was assigned, with Linux I can do more and trouble shoot better than any of the other admins.

Another thought, I'd like to get my extra keys on my apple keyboard to work, but they also don't work in windows. (3 volume keys and an eject button)

 

[David]

There is only really two things stopping me adopting linux as my main OS and that is Folding@Home and net access.

I can't surf the net or process FAH WUs in Linux because of my winmodem. I am working on the parents to get cable (may take a while...) and then I should be mainly a Linux user. As it is just now, Linux is still my hobby OS.

 

[Samurai_Punch]

Hehe i know what i can't replace in linux that i can do in windows... have my fiance use it LOL!!! Although we can do everything that we would do normally in windows. I only use XP because i'm too lazy to wait for the computer to reboot.

Although user fast switching from XP would be nice to see in linux, despite the security issues... and IMO would also make linux alot more appealing to the desktop crowd.

David, i think i saw something in the kernel that ships w/ mandrake8.2 for winmodem use, so there might be hope for you getting your linux box on the net

 

[Beelzebub]

Winmodem!! ACK!

I am fortunate to have a DSL provider who has given me 5 static IP's for various things, and fairly fast upload speeds to run webservers... And my Linksys DSL Router makes connecting my Linux Workstation a breeze. I guess I am spoiled, haven't had to dial-up for 2 years.

 

[David]

Winmodem!! ACK!

I am fortunate to have a DSL provider who has given me 5 static IP's for various things, and fairly fast upload speeds to run webservers... And my Linksys DSL Router makes connecting my Linux Workstation a breeze. I guess I am spoiled, haven't had to dial-up for 2 years.

As I said, i am working on the parents to see if I can get cable
I'll have a look at Mandrake Perhaps, but I'm mostly a SuSE devotee

 

[Samurai_Punch]

well i was thinking along the lines of upgrading to the same kernel... or looking for a newer kernel...not converting you over to Mandrake...i think the winmodem support may be experimental... I'd actually prefer to use Debian though, but i can never get an iso to compile so i gave up when i switched from RH... and went to mandrake...

 

[Ebola]

I can't surf the net or process FAH WUs in Linux because of my winmodem. I am working on the parents to get cable (may take a while...) and then I should be mainly a Linux user. As it is just now, Linux is still my hobby OS.

buy a hardware modem or if you have two rigs do what i do and run the linux box through the windows box via a proxy program.

I grade access databases so i'm suck with windows on one rig.

 

[David]

buy a hardware modem or if you have two rigs do what i do and run the linux box through the windows box via a proxy program.

I am a bit skint right now, but I'll see if I can get an old second hand external hardware modem.