Go Open Source

I've been using an operating system for the past three months called Linux and it works just as well as Windows or Mac with one exception, it doesn't cost you anything to download and install it to your desktop, netbook and or laptop.

The GNU General Public License - For your Information
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnu_public_license

LInux - Brief History
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux

For the beginner I'd recommend:

Ubuntu
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_%28operating_system%29
http://www.ubuntu.com

Linux Mint
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_Mint
http://www.linuxmint.com

If your not to comfortable with switching over your current OS, then I can suggest this also:

Open Office - Similar to Microsoft Office
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Office
http://www.openoffice.org

Mozilla Firefox - Web Browser
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozilla_Firefox
http://www.mozilla.com/firefox

Mozilla Thunderbird - Email Client
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozilla_Thunderbird
http://www.mozillamessaging.com/thunderbird

Opera - Web Browser
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opera_%28web_browser%29
http://www.opera.com

Just a few other things I should mention:

Source Forge - Open Source Repository for Software
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_Forge
http://sourceforge.net

Distro Watch - Lists Other Versions of the Linux Operating System
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distrowatch
http://distrowatch.com

No it doesn't natively, but it "can". I have been a Linux power-user for over 10 years now and it's by far the best OS on the planet. It's written by the community and is the closest things to a "Love-made OS". Windows unfortuntely is the only platform that plays games well. You can get windows functionality within Linux, there are MANY ways to do this, here's a list:

Sun Virtualbox - Virtualize a copy of windows with directx support within Linux
Vmware Workstation 6.5 or newer, same deal, virtualize with directx support.

Otherwise, winex, transgaming's DirectX emulator for Linux.

I hope this helps to make a decision. I have been working on a user-friendly version of linux that windows users can use. Linux is extremely flexible so you can do anything on it!

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Replies

Vagelis4VP February 24, 2010 at 5:14pm

I would have used Linux a long time ago...but im a gamer...thats why i stuck with windows....
but for now, i use also the Linux "elive version of Zeitgeist", with Sun Virtual Box, and i use it through my windows OS...
Amelia February 22, 2010 at 10:59pm

But does it play games????
- Silent Observer > Amelia February 22, 2010 at 11:12pm
  
  Yes
  
  But if you want to play games I suggest Wine which is a windows emulator that works with Linux.
  http://www.winehq.org
  
  Or
  
  Cedega, however that's not free and it will cost you
  http://www.cedega.com
- Treveto > Amelia February 22, 2010 at 11:08pm
  
  No it doesn't natively, but it "can". I have been a Linux power-user for over 10 years now and it's by far the best OS on the planet. It's written by the community and is the closest things to a "Love-made OS". Windows unfortuntely is the only platform that plays games well. You can get windows functionality within Linux, there are MANY ways to do this, here's a list:
  
  Sun Virtualbox - Virtualize a copy of windows with directx support within Linux
  Vmware Workstation 6.5 or newer, same deal, virtualize with directx support.
  
  Otherwise, winex, transgaming's DirectX emulator for Linux.
  
  I hope this helps to make a decision. I have been working on a user-friendly version of linux that windows users can use. Linux is extremely flexible so you can do anything on it!