A Microsoft Slave No More.....

Broc Lee · 03-13-2008, 11:29 AM

well.... sorta.... lol

After a recent motherboard crash, I decided to try something different with the new system.

So check this out.... openSuse.org. 100% FREE, and DAMN!!!! Look at all the FREE software that comes with it.... i mean you get a FULL office suite with it... Microsoft charges what... 400.00+ for MS Office? Plus what, another 200.00 for Vista? Games, Office Software, Server, graphics, multimedia, I mean you get a TON of stuff.

Ok, there is a down side.... I am use to Microsoft programs... in my business, I have become accustom to Photoshop. So far, I have been able to get some MS software to run on Suse but not all. This could be a challenge as most software companies only produce programs for MS. The Gimp, which is the Linux version of Photoshop is pretty cool, just not use to it. Then of course, I program in ASP so that is going to be a bit of a problem.... Guess I will keep a copy of windows 2000 on the laptop for that... IMO, windows 2000 was the last good OS MS put out. Been wanting to learn PHP so I guess this is a good opportunity.

Anyway, if you are looking to get away from under the control of microsoft, give this OS a try. So far, I really like it.... and nothing beats FREE

Just thought I'd share.... carry on

vegaseric · 03-13-2008, 11:46 AM

Linux is a great OS if you're not a gamer or if you don't need a lot of MS-specific software and the Open Office suite is decent. (as you've already discovered) You sound like a good candidate for a dual-boot system... or you can run a virtual machine (VM) on top of your Linux installation that will run Windows. I think XP Pro is superior to Win2K, but YMMV. Have fun!

Broc Lee · 03-13-2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegaseric

Linux is a great OS if you're not a gamer or if you don't need a lot of MS-specific software and the Open Office suite is decent. (as you've already discovered) You sound like a good candidate for a dual-boot system... or you can run a virtual machine (VM) on top of your Linux installation that will run Windows. I think XP Pro is superior to Win2K, but YMMV. Have fun!

VM? Where is that? I would like to try it.

Yeah, I was thinking about the dual boot, but..... that is a pain to have to reboot when I need something from the other OS. I think running the laptop on the net will be good for now.

XP Pro is ok, at least it has a server. I have home on my laptop and hate it. I have installed my copy of XP Pro too many times so I can no longer get it activated. Nothing like paying for an OS sand not be able to use it. I guess that is my biggest issue with XP. I mean they make you feel like a thief even though you paid... NICE huh?

If you don't mind me asking... Can you get dual monitors working with openSuse? I can get them with Linux Server 10.1 and Linux Pro 9.2, but not openSuse 10.3....

I downloaded all the proper drivers, I have a Radeon AGP and an NVIDIA PCI..... When I did have both working before the driver update (with 10.1), I was not able to start the 3d accelerator, even though both cards have the ability (the reason forthe driver update). There seems to be a problem with the NVIDIA drivers I believe... that is the card that has the issues when rebooting.....

Any advice would be appreciated

we can PM this if inappropriate for the forum. no worries if not... I don't wanna be a pest with a ton of questions... LOL

vegaseric · 03-13-2008, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broc Lee

VM? Where is that? I would like to try it.

Yeah, I was thinking about the dual boot, but..... that is a pain to have to reboot when I need something from the other OS. I think running the laptop on the net will be good for now.

XP Pro is ok, at least it has a server. I have home on my laptop and hate it. I have installed my copy of XP Pro too many times so I can no longer get it activated. Nothing like paying for an OS sand not be able to use it. I guess that is my biggest issue with XP. I mean they make you feel like a thief even though you paid... NICE huh?

If you don't mind me asking... Can you get dual monitors working with openSuse? I can get them with Linux Server 10.1 and Linux Pro 9.2, but not openSuse 10.3....

I downloaded all the proper drivers, I have a Radeon AGP and an NVIDIA PCI..... When I did have both working before the driver update (with 10.1), I was not able to start the 3d accelerator, even though both cards have the ability (the reason forthe driver update). There seems to be a problem with the NVIDIA drivers I believe... that is the card that has the issues when rebooting.....

Any advice would be appreciated

we can PM this if inappropriate for the forum. no worries if not... I don't wanna be a pest with a ton of questions... LOL

Yea... Microsoft really hosed things up with there whole software "activation" scheme.

Here's where you can download a trial of VMware. It allows you to run another OS on top of your Linux (or Windows) installation. It's a great tool.
http://www.vmware.com/download/ws/

I'm not sure about the dual monitors with SuSe... but I'll check with our resident Linux geek here at the j-o-b. I administer a few Oracle applications and databases running on SuSe and Red Hat, but I'm mainly a Microsoft guy. (SQL Server)

Broc Lee · 03-13-2008, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegaseric

Yea... Microsoft really hosed things up with there whole software "activation" scheme.

Here's where you can download a trial of VMware. It allows you to run another OS on top of your Linux (or Windows) installation. It's a great tool.
http://www.vmware.com/download/ws/

I'm not sure about the dual monitors with SuSe... but I'll check with our resident Linux geek here at the j-o-b. I administer a few Oracle applications and databases running on SuSe and Red Hat, but I'm mainly a Microsoft guy. (SQL Server)

Thanks Man... much appreciated

Yeah, I know what you mean, I have been a MS person too.... ever since I built my 1st computer that was about 18 years ago..... had a 30 meg hard drive, dos screen and then the 1st windows...... top of the line.... at the time that is... LOL. Thought about a Mac but never wanted to pay that price and then have to buy all new software. I am loving these patches that allow these programs on other systems, I feel less trapped now.

Gonna go get that demo now.... thanks again.

Mr Pheer · 03-13-2008, 01:24 PM

all 5 of my servers run FreeBSD. I like it so much I'm about to setup a FreeBSD box here at the house.

Broc Lee · 03-13-2008, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Pheer

all 5 of my servers run FreeBSD. I like it so much I'm about to setup a FreeBSD box here at the house.

I've heard of that..... good huh? Is it a freebie too? If so, I may check that out too. :)

Broc Lee · 03-14-2008, 09:53 AM

Hey Eric... Thanks man!!! That program, VMWare, is AWESOME!!!!!! I tried it on my laptop, installed Suse on a VM and it works GREAT.

Only question is, I wonder what will happen if I install Windows on my linux box..... The HD's are formatted for linux, and windows 2k needs NTFS. It asks for a format and I stopped as I don't wanna have to reinstall the OS if it messes up.

I am gonna have to contact them on this... I have 30 days of free tech support..... Shoot, I never looked to see the price of this.... I just downloaded the trial(s)... watch, this will be a 300.00 program... LOL. But if so, it would be worth it.... it really is that cool.

Thanks again man.... I owe you one.

(edited)

Mr Pheer · 03-14-2008, 09:56 AM

Actually, Eric is the one that suggested vmware.

Broc Lee · 03-14-2008, 09:59 AM

WT hell was I thinking..... Ooops.

Coffee not kicking in yet..... LOL

Eric......

Thanks man, That program is AWESOME.... LOL.

For some reason I kept thinking it was you... shoulda re-read the post....

Open Mouth, insert foot.... swallow! LOL

Eric, I owe you one! Thanks man!!!!

vegaseric · 03-14-2008, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broc Lee

WT hell was I thinking..... Ooops.

Coffee not kicking in yet..... LOL

Eric......

Thanks man, That program is AWESOME.... LOL.

For some reason I kept thinking it was you... shoulda re-read the post....

Open Mouth, insert foot.... swallow! LOL

Eric, I owe you one! Thanks man!!!!

Ha... no problem man!

The VM you are creating with Win2K and NTFS is installed in its own container... it's really a big ol file on your Linux box. You can safely create a Windows instance on your Linux box using NTFS and your Linux file system is unaffected since only the VM encapsulated by this container is being formatted. I hope this makes sense.

Broc Lee · 03-14-2008, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegaseric

Ha... no problem man!

The VM you are creating with Win2K and NTFS is installed in its own container... it's really a big ol file on your Linux box. You can safely create a Windows instance on your Linux box using NTFS and your Linux file system is unaffected since only the VM encapsulated by this container is being formatted. I hope this makes sense.

I kinda thought so since that is what happened when I installed Suse on my windows computer..... but I really don't know linux and it took a while to get the system to where it's working well... I didn't wanna take a chance on messing it up. But yeah, that makes perfect sense and I am going to give it a shot.

Thanks yet once again :)

Mr Pheer · 03-14-2008, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegaseric

Ha... no problem man!

The VM you are creating with Win2K and NTFS is installed in its own container... it's really a big ol file on your Linux box. You can safely create a Windows instance on your Linux box using NTFS and your Linux file system is unaffected since only the VM encapsulated by this container is being formatted. I hope this makes sense.

I know its a stupid question but this probably works with FreeBSD as well?

I need to set one up and work on my php skills... I know I can do php with windows but I prefer to setup a machine at home running FreeBSD, Apache, and MySQL the same as my servers, just to make the coding easier. And if I can put Win2k Pro on it also, then thats even better.

vegaseric · 03-14-2008, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Pheer

I know its a stupid question but this probably works with FreeBSD as well?

I need to set one up and work on my php skills... I know I can do php with windows but I prefer to setup a machine at home running FreeBSD, Apache, and MySQL the same as my servers, just to make the coding easier. And if I can put Win2k Pro on it also, then thats even better.

Yep... you can run Free BSD as a guest OS on a Windows box with VMware installed. You can install VMware, then download the FreeBSD applicance here:

http://www.vmware.com/appliances/directory/75

This makes it so you don't have to do a FreeBSD install from scratch... the OS is already up and running, you just open it from an existing VMware installation.