A windows 7 experience with Linux

[MotzTech]

Ran across this while I was looking for a Linux version to use on a refurbished desktop. Since it was XP and support is ending soon I decided to throw this on. It was really quite impressed with it.


http://zorin-os.com/

 

[coffee]

Looks nice. Based on Ubuntu. I see it comes with compix also - The cube effect is turned on in one of their screenshots.

Really, I like Linux Mint for my customers. Im looking at the version 16 release candidate right now. Looks pretty good.

Fedora is also releasing version 20. I have the RC installed and running pretty good also. However, Probably a bit more advanced for customers. Not a good candidate for server either as its update cycle and retirement cycle are pretty quick. Fedora is bleeding edge though.

Have you looked at Mint? I recommend 14 as its the long term release version.

coffee

P.S. ---> Zorin? Reminds me of James Bond and Christopher Walken lol....

 

[lcoughey]

It almost looks like they are trying to do what Lindows tried to do, but failed with the help of MS Lawyers.

 

[SilverLeaf]

This is a timely topic. Despite the fact that Linux has been my personal O/S for many years, I have always been reluctant to steer customers in that direction for several reasons. However, with the EOL of XP on the horizon, I may re-think this. Many of my customers have XP machines that are still in fine working order and capable of performing the tasks that they need. Many are unable, some unwilling, to buy something new. One solution would be to upgrade to Win7, but I think I might start trialing some user-friendly, lightweight distros as an alternative. I'm well aware of the pitfalls here, but I think if I properly manage my customer's expectations, this may be a valid option for some. Now , I just need to find the right distro.

 

[coffee]

Just finishing up my new virus box / and cloning box running linux mint 14, Clamav. It has 2 hotswap bays. Runs great. Now I dont have to tie up my surfing box for cloning and recovery

There are about 150 (??) flavors of linux out there. One I would stay away from is Ubuntu. Its spyware all the way and of course their unity desktop ect... They dont play well with your data.

coffee

 

[coffee]

This is a timely topic. Despite the fact that Linux has been my personal O/S for many years, I have always been reluctant to steer customers in that direction for several reasons. However, with the EOL of XP on the horizon, I may re-think this. Many of my customers have XP machines that are still in fine working order and capable of performing the tasks that they need. Many are unable, some unwilling, to buy something new. One solution would be to upgrade to Win7, but I think I might start trialing some user-friendly, lightweight distros as an alternative. I'm well aware of the pitfalls here, but I think if I properly manage my customer's expectations, this may be a valid option for some. Now , I just need to find the right distro.

High Ho Silver! ))

I highly recommend Mint 14 for your customers. I also recommend setting up RDP on the mint 14 (use Xrdp on client machine) so that you can do remote support if needed.

I currently have about 8 customers on linux mint and they all love it very much. No real problems at all. I will be doing another (dual boot) for a customer saturday.

Sure would be nice to compare notes and such with another tech doing linux installs. Would be fun.

coffee

 

[SilverLeaf]

High Ho Silver! ))

I highly recommend Mint 14 for your customers. I also recommend setting up RDP on the mint 14 (use Xrdp on client machine) so that you can do remote support if needed.

I currently have about 8 customers on linux mint and they all love it very much. No real problems at all. I will be doing another (dual boot) for a customer saturday.

Sure would be nice to compare notes and such with another tech doing linux installs. Would be fun.

coffee

How have you found Mint to perform on XP-era hardware using the default install? I know I can tune it a bit and/or switch DE's, but I'd like to keep the setup simple. I've been playing around with WattOS a little recently, and it has some promise...and of course there is always Xubuntu.

 

[coffee]

How have you found Mint to perform on XP-era hardware using the default install? I know I can tune it a bit and/or switch DE's, but I'd like to keep the setup simple. I've been playing around with WattOS a little recently, and it has some promise...and of course there is always Xubuntu.

In a VM, Linux Mint 14 - Mate Desktop sitting at the desktop uses 256 megs of ram.

I recommend using mainstream DE and flavor of linux. That would be Linux Mint 14 with the mate desktop. Its very easy to work with and pretty good on resources.

I would think the specs for running it are extremely similar to windows XP. I would suggest a minimum 1GB of ram. Should do fine.

coffee

 

[Markverhyden]

Ran across this while I was looking for a Linux version to use on a refurbished desktop. Since it was XP and support is ending soon I decided to throw this on. It was really quite impressed with it.


http://zorin-os.com/

Interesting you brought this up. My neighbor across the street has a HP G60 which had another case of M$ indigestion. Except this time I was unable to resurrect the partitions to run the factory recovery.

Was doing the same research and came across that distro. Tested it with a live CD and she seemed to like it. So, after recovering her data, I installed it. The problem is she does not have a lot of time to play with it and seems to not trust the hardware. She had been thinking about getting a new one anyways.

 

[16k_zx81]

I just recently set up a machine at the office with this OS and I have been _very_ impressed with it.

ease of use, stable, nice interface, intuitive, all the qualities of ubuntu with some neat tweaks that are very appealing

I also set up a media centre at home for the kids based on zorin and they liked it straight off the bat

That said, its definitely Linux - the intention to make it like Windows XP/7 is there, but its still very much Linux.

Definitely not to be overlooked though, this one

 

[SpaceSquad]

One I would stay away from is Ubuntu. Its spyware all the way and of course their unity desktop ect... They dont play well with your data.

coffee

Hmm...I wouldn't say stay away from Ubuntu entirely...but certainly use a different Desktop Environment.

My amazing combo for the last couple years has been Ubuntu + KDE...which is a standalone distribution free of the tomfoolery called Kubuntu. Very mature and stable experience as far as I have seen. It is my daily driver and I am completely free of Windows besides that supporting it thing.

 

[coffee]

Hmm...I wouldn't say stay away from Ubuntu entirely...but certainly use a different Desktop Environment.

I guess any version linux is better than windows. However you may find you are trading one evil for another with ubuntu.

Happy thanksgiving,

coffee

 

[Mendija's Repair]

Been thinking about using this with clients who don't wanna buy new machines because they have already capable enough XP machines. I tried it with one client and she actually loves it. I really like it myself.

 

[SpaceSquad]

I guess any version linux is better than windows. However you may find you are trading one evil for another with ubuntu.

Happy thanksgiving,

coffee

We'll see what comes! I like to think they are pushing the envelope for the good over at Canonical.

Thanksgiving is more than 3 weeks away!

 

[cypress]

I hadn't seen this before. Looks really sleak. I may just have to try this out on a VM and install it for a friend of mine who is XP EOL and is just using it as a spare desktop.

 

[Galdorf]

For very secure web surfing experience linux mint and virtualbox disable changes seems fast enough to handle the task.

 

[Altster]

Mint is a very nice and easy to use Distro. I have it installed (Mint 17) on one of my laptops and a couple of desktop units at work. Unfortunately we don't have anyone at our shop / sales dept. that knows how to sell Linux (any distro). And that's a shame since it is a FREE O/S and helps to keep the cost of the computer system low.