Linux: A cool way to use your computer!

[Sarah]

Dun, Dun, Daaah!
If you havn't already,
Check it out!

This first one has an interesting wallpaper. Sorry about that, This guy is a little crude. I wanted another vid but the person who posted it pulled it. It is very well done otherwise for demonstrating the uses and effects of the Ubuntu Linux Desktop.

This one is nice as it shows some of the other effects as well as the ability to not be hindered by 3D video play.

Not posted but available: some videos showing Windows XP being run inside the Linux desktop.

I am a User Interface Design Major so this sort of thing is of personal interest to me.
Linux is Free though, so if you or someone you know needs an OS and Feel uncomfortable about paying for Windows, or Vista or whatever, and don't want to pirate a copy, this is a REally good alternative.

[Keira]

I've been using linux since the early 90's, the first experimental 0 versions so
I don't need to sold on it :-). Though, its almost a necessity to
have both XP and linux because there are many applications that don't quite
work good in emulation mode. One thing I did for awhile is running linux and XP
in a virtual computers and even having them being in a network on my
computer. Kinda cool though very resource intensive (need lots of memory).

[Sarah]

"Though, its almost a necessity to
have both XP and linux because there are many applications that don't quite
work good in emulation mode."

I understand that.
I am typing this on my XP section, because I need to do some stuff with my ipod in iTunes that I can not ( or at least without great difficulty) in Linux.
I like the effects though. Definitely the most advanced in the industry.
I hope to see it continue to advance. Linux is getting pretty popular now (by linux standards) and I will be glad to see it take off more mainstream when it does.
It's nice to use for security too and I like the development code redialy availible to look at so if I need to work on a project I can access it for a reference.
Nice stuff. 

[OtherWorldJJ]

I've been enjoying Kubuntu for a while now, currently using Gutsy now that its more stable and NVidia have fixed their driver. I use XWinwrap to display my wallpaper (Flurry) and of course, compiz fusion as the compositor with my own custom dark emerald theme and a few other modifications. Love linux have Vista too, but only generally for gaming and CS3 (unless Kubuntu fails).
I run the 64bit edition as use 6GB DDRII 800 and need it to get full potential, but of course vista 64 is so very limited.
anyways, screenies

[OtherWorldJJ]

I just don't get it.  When it comes to user interfaces, I'm conservative, downright reactionary.
95% of the time I'm looking at a single maximized window.
When I switch to something else (with alt-tab), I want it to occur immediately.
I don't ever need or want windows to morph, rotate, slide or dissolve.
It seems like Vista, Mac and Linux are all unifying on a very "eye candy" intensive standard.

I use a customized "Windows Classic" theme on my old box running XP.
I spend a lot of time in the command line.  "Make" is my friend.
You might wonder why I don't use Linux instead.  I just might.

In any case, an unrelated question.  I have a friend with a newish computer but no OS.
What is the simplest Linux install to get the box up and running with a browser?
They wouldn't use anything else.  I don't want to encourage them to pirate an OS.

Renate

I would suggest Ubuntu (www.ubuntu.com) as its the easiest to get started on, has the widest support network and most used forums of any distro.

[Steph]

I used Linux for many, many many years, in various versions Redhat, SuSE etc.  Two years ago I discovered OS X and the Macs.  I've never looked back.  Of course the big advantage that Linux has over the other OS's available is that most versions can be downloaded for free, along with the software, definitely a great alternative to M$oft in any version.

Steph

[Keira]

I ran linux or SCO UNIX in server mode on my desktop at work for years, so I did not even have X or any visual interface installed. I had a second computer for windows apps, but I did not use it much.

So, yeah, the command line was my friend. You can do things very quickly you can from this when you've got the nack. I usually ran 7-10 full screen consoles I switched around to.

Lynx was my browser. At that time, web sites were lot less visual than now, so it made sense (not so much any more because many web site are not non-visually accessible so the browser cannot even work that way).