Should I install Xubuntu?

[cr user]

I have this really crappy computer that runs XP Pro super slow so I thought of switching to Linux. Will this help me? What sought of commands do I need to know? What is the text box installation in the alternate Cd? All answers are greatly appreciated.

[wired076]

I would recommend you have a look at all the different flavours of linux then choose the one that you like the most. You don't really need to know command lines to run linux as a basic user. It will run faster than xp on that pc. I am not sure what you are referring to about a text box installation disc. My guess is that disc is command line driven use the gui install disc it will be much easier and you can choose heaps of settings.

Note if you are an IT type person NTFS file systems only exist under windows. Linux uses fat and other type of file systems.

Hope this helps.

[acb29]

NO! installing a modern Linux OS on a crappy computer will probably run slower than Windows... The reason is because a Graphical O/S (Linux with KDE or Gnome) will make heavy demands on the CPU for the desktop, and the drivers for linux tend not to be as optimized as those for windows. WHERE THE MYTH STARTED:---------------------------------------------Its a bit of a myth that Linux runs faster on older or dated hardware. This is NOT TRUE if you plan to use modern Linux version like Xubuntu with all the modern GUI bells and whistles it will be as fast as windows or slower.... The myth originated from using Linux in COMMAND LINE (no Gui) mode, where an older machine would be relegated to simpler tasks, like a firewall only, or as a storage device. Where very little effort was required of the CPUIf you intend to use it as a desktop replacement, with all the desktop bells and whistles (GUI, Web Browsing, Writing Documents, graphics editing etc.) , there will be no noticeable speed improvement...Try using a LiveCD like Knoppix first to see if there's a major performance difference (While a LIVE CD will boot slower ), you can get a pretty good sense of the system speed once all the running code is in RAM.Good Luck

[entikryst]

The previous answer is bogus if you take into account all the god awful virus/spy-ware scanning and removing software that tends to drown windows performance and make the user experience craptastic. Plus comparing a live cd to get the feel of how fast linux flavors will run on your system is ridiculous. Furthermore Windows still uses an inferior file system that has to defraged. Go for xubuntu.

[wired076]

Originally Posted by acb29

NO! installing a modern Linux OS on a crappy computer will probably run slower than Windows... The reason is because a Graphical O/S (Linux with KDE or Gnome) will make heavy demands on the CPU for the desktop, and the drivers for linux tend not to be as optimized as those for windows. WHERE THE MYTH STARTED:---------------------------------------------Its a bit of a myth that Linux runs faster on older or dated hardware. This is NOT TRUE if you plan to use modern Linux version like Xubuntu with all the modern GUI bells and whistles it will be as fast as windows or slower.... The myth originated from using Linux in COMMAND LINE (no Gui) mode, where an older machine would be relegated to simpler tasks, like a firewall only, or as a storage device. Where very little effort was required of the CPUIf you intend to use it as a desktop replacement, with all the desktop bells and whistles (GUI, Web Browsing, Writing Documents, graphics editing etc.) , there will be no noticeable speed improvement...Try using a LiveCD like Knoppix first to see if there's a major performance difference (While a LIVE CD will boot slower ), you can get a pretty good sense of the system speed once all the running code is in RAM.Good Luck

This answer is wrong. acb29 has no idea of what he is talking about and has probably never used Linux before.

However using a LiveCD to test out how the system will run on Linux is a ridiculous statement. One because the CD drive will run slower than the HD will and secondly it is an inappropriate method of testing the system out with Linux unless you are testing different versions of Linux to see which one you like the most to save time installing them all and them choosing.

I recommend you install the Linux version of your choice and give it a go. I have Linux running on an older pc as well as xp and xp takes forever to complete any tasks (XP) under 128mb of ram with a p3.. But that is only a testing pc that someone gave me.