UNCLBEN

Soon I'm going to [attempt to] migrate my guest/server/backup box to Ubuntu 5.04 from WinXP Pro. This makes me wonder: what stops other people from switching to OS X or Linux?

Clearly, many people who buy from OEMs have no choice in their out-of-the-box OS and do not find it worth the effort to switch operating systems from the 'free' one that came with their computer. Just as clearly, Fix-IT is mostly a DIY population so that argument is irrelevant.

The reason my primary box is staying with XP Pro for now is because of specialized audio software I use that hasn't been written for non-Windows OSes. Eventually I might try to use WINE, but for now the PITA factor is too large an obstacle.

PCJ

The main thing that stops them is that they know Windows. Why learn a new OS when the old one does everything just fine. I for one am compiling Gantoo as we speak (have been doing it for the past 2 days ), but most people just consider it wasted time.

I4one

I think one of the biggest obstacles is that it's completely foreign to most - that and the fear of not being able to get certain hardware working.

Even to a somewhat DOS saavy type guy, like me - the Unix/Linux filesystem DIR structure is completely foreign to me...and there doesn't seem to be any easy explanations planted all over the web.

I'm a real "I-like-to-know-how-to-get-to-all-my-files-easily" kinda guy AND I like to know where the heck there are residing on the HDD ....not to mention which cow I have to "mount" just to accesss them....If I grew up more in the programming field, and/or using Unix / Solaris / BSD OSs, this would all be cake.

Most times, it also seems almost easy to perform hard tasks - yet extremely difficult to complete other easier ones. It's a matter of relearning a lot of stuff (from scratch)

Thermo

No such thing as migrating from Windows to Nix. You can switch/change over, but not migrate. You will have to import/recreate files, accounts, permissions, and data, and you will have to find Nix equivalents for the windows apps that you run.

To start from the beginning, with XP you are not really running a server or server based network. You just have a group member that acts as a storage point on your workgroup. I would highly recommend that you put up a true server and go from there. FreeBSD would be my recommendation for a non windows free solution. But you will need to get up to speed and do some testing. If you can swing it, MS SBS would be the easiest to get going with. If you are a student, see what it costs with your discount. Also be aware that server AV software is pricy, so take a look at what is available as part of your planning.

MrDigital

I just downloaded Knoppix 4.0.2 on DVD to boot my two PCs. I'm going to use it to test my fiber network against a gigabit copper network and I figured a "live cd" would have less crap loaded that could slow down the test, like antivirus, programs, etc.

A vanilla copy of Win2K would be my first choice, but it's too much work to install/cleanup when I'm done with it.

I don't think I'd give up Windows for Linux though. It would take some serious issues to do it.

-MrD

PCJ

MrD: Have you tried one of the better Windows boot cds?
Like BartPE or UBCD4Win?

With both, you can choose exactly what you want to have on your final cd.

UNCLBEN

When I say 'server', it's very basic stuff. File sharing mostly, with some ssh and ftp thrown in for good measure. Light usage by any measure, and almost exclusively within my LAN.

I'm not migrating (c'mon Thermo, don't be so pedantic) for practical reasons. I'm migrating because
1) I am a nerd, and *nix gives me much more freedom to have nerd fun: some because it's free-as-in-speech, some because it's different and new to me.
2) I don't use any software on that rig that doesn't have free-as-in-beer equivalents on *nix. I see no reason to continue paying the Microsoft tax just to own that computer.
3) I want to help end MS's monopoly on desktop operating systems. I disagree with most of MS's actions on both theoretical and practical grounds, and as such have no desire to aid them in continuing their hegemony.

Thermo

Ain't free speech wonderful.

If you like to explore new OS's, and don't mind chasing the curve, take a look at freeBSD.

UNCLBEN

Heh, I've really lost touch with the hardware/gaming scene in the last year or two, and haven't been visiting here at all. I popped into the OS forum, and this post is still near the top. :-P

I'm now all-Ubuntu, by the way. My backup/guest box runs Breezy, and my main desktop and lappie on Dapper. I still have a MS Windows XP license and boot disc laying around, just in case I decide to get back into the abovementioned audio tomfoolery.

Thermo: *BSD is still on my radar.