Is it worth it to install Linux?

[Shorty]

I've been thinking of installing Linux just to test out this Steam for Linux beta? Personally I have no big interest in Linux, but my friend has been raving on about it so... is it worth it?

[night5ky]

I'd so if you are not interested in learning new things and are ready to search forums for troubleshooting it's not worth it. There are a lot of pitfalls and it can be extremely frustrating, especially if you're new into linux and lack the basics.

[Qantourisc]

tersock, if you are happy with what you got right now, (and can keep it running) i'd say no. There is no specific gain, other then being rid of windows and having Linux, if that is a + for you.

[El Pollo Santos]

There are many benefits but also pitfalls as well. You'll have to weigh the options yourself without getting into all the details

Benefits:

1. Virtually immune to viruses/malware/hacking
2. Very customizable interface
3. Full control over your system which means you can really streamline your computer (seen cons)
4. Very active development with cutting edge features (see cons)
5. Numerous pre-packaged distro's that appeal to a wide range of asthetics.

Cons
1. Lack of proprietary support, for example Itunes, Netflix. While there are workarounds they do not usually work as well as a native program on windows.
2. Full control over your system means you can mess it up quickly if you don't know what you are doing.
3. Very active development means that a lot of software is beta/alpha which can mean a lot of time tweaking new features to get it to work

So really it's up to you, but you can as suggested install a Virtual Machine and try it without messing with your windows install, it won't run at full speed but it'll give you a better idea.

[swirlingmurk]

I say, if you like a challenge and don't mind getting your hands dirty then, yes.

Wiki's on linux are there to help you too, maybe the best IMO is:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/

[yogaxpto]

If you're going to switch to Linux to try Steam, my opinion is that you're doing it wrong.
Steam offers much more games for other platforms at the moment.


If you're going to use to switch, the biggest change wiil be Linux itself, not the gaming platform that you're already used to. If you're going to install Linux and steam for Linux, you'll have a good experience cause everything just works (and well as far as I can see), but the big thing will the OS change.

[barsanuphe le sec]

It's worth it to install Linux for itself. It's not worth it to install Linux for Steam on Linux.

[|[GB]|(>'.')>RatmastarD<('.'<)]

Yes, it is worth it to install linux because its AWESOME!

Probably not a wise choice to use steam for linux until it matures if you are new to linux. Not many games out for the linux client yet.

[matt]

It's worth installing next to your Windows just for checking out purpose. Virtualbox or VMare will not give your whole picture, because one of the major benefits from changing from Win to Linux is the speed of system. Every single compenent of Linux system is faster then Windows one, more secure and can be changed by you in any way you want :) Also if you are completly new to Linux, check Ubuntu first (ubuntu.com), since it's most popular, most supported and easiest Linux distribution on the market atm. Oh and one major advice, do not install things manually until you are a little more familiar with Linux, just use Ubuntu Software Center (something like Google Play or Apple Store).

[matt]

Първоначално публикувано от Fred:

You can change it to full screen, and there you go.

What?

[Toquita]

The easiest Linux distribution to install is Ubuntu, I'd recomend it. It's the most user-friendly, has the Software Center which installs everything you need without asking for 50 lines of commands for that. Want skype? Download the .deb (.deb is the most popular package format, and strongly is the future for packaging) and type your password, done.

It's imune to windows and Mac viruses, it's lighter, safer, faster, you can customise it the way you want and even create a new Linux distribution based on what you want and need.

There's a really good video that shows the pros about Linux. I really recomend this channel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfLqLK7VdQY

[M. Chat]

For sure this will add some new games refreshing your Linux powered computer. I waited a long time for it and now it's there. I really expect that the Source and GoldSrc engines will be ported to my favourite OS. I just miss a easier installation for the beginners. I did not have issues but newbies did, for sure.

[Toquita]

Първоначално публикувано от Fred:

Първоначално публикувано от Linux gutigen o):

It's worth installing next to your Windows just for checking out purpose. Virtualbox or VMare will not give your whole picture, because one of the major benefits from changing from Win to Linux is the speed of system. Every single compenent of Linux system is faster then Windows one, more secure and can be changed by you in any way you want :) Also if you are completly new to Linux, check Ubuntu first (ubuntu.com), since it's most popular, most supported and easiest Linux distribution on the market atm. Oh and one major advice, do not install things manually until you are a little more familiar with Linux, just use Ubuntu Software Center (something like Google Play or Apple Store).

You can change it to full screen, and there you go.

He meant "you don't get the full package". It's OK to install on a VM if you're willing to get to know the system on a simple base, but when you really get into it (doing benchs, installing VGA drivers etc) you need to have it installed, because on a VM you get slower processing, it's running along with your system so you can't give your machine all it's potencial to get the most performance out of it.

[HumbleLinux]

First and foremost read this https://gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html

Free Software philosophy is what got me into Linux. I was not interested in Linux due to it's technological superiority over Windows in every way - i don't care about this aspect. But purely Free Software philosophy did it. That's what matters. It becomes clear to you once you understand the point of it. You might already know Free software under the term Open Source that some people, corporations foremost, use. Corporations use use the term Open Source because they would rather not bring freedom on mind, for obvious reasons.
People who dont think about it use the term Open Source rather than free software because it creates association with price, which is not the point - freedom is. This is limitation of English language.
This is just to give you some background so you know what the ♥♥♥♥ I'm talking about :)

[Leaf [DG]]

It's not worth it just to test out the Steam for Linux beta. All the games running on Linux also have Windows versions, and there's a lot more Windows-only games.

Though Linux is certainly something to consider as an alternative to Windows if you keep an open mind.

People have already mentioned a number of reasons Linux is awesome in this thread, but in comparison the only real advantage Windows has (other than it's "ease of use") is it's priority when it comes to games and certain software titles. Thanks to Valve and the Humble Bundle people, gaming on Linux is starting to become a pretty big thing... so if you aren't too attached to Photoshop or iTunes, it's something to consider trying.

[Toquita]

You can play Windows games via PlayonLinux, it runs sometimes even better than on Windows. Software like Photoshop or anyother one can be run via Wine or even in a virtual machine, although Gimp is the Photoshop of Linux, you can do almost everything you do on Photoshop on Gimp.