Making the switch to Linux

[Windows i7 920]

I have decided to switch to Linux as my primary "work" OS. For some gaming, I am keeping Windows on my PC. Most of my favorite games use Java, HTML5, Flash, or have a Linux version or clone though, plus many Windows games can run fine in WINE. Due to this, I am not going to be using Windows near as much.

I am rather curious if anyone else here has been making steps to reduce/eliminate dependance on proprietary software. I have nothing against Microsoft specifically, but I love the open source software available (Ubuntu, Firefox, Chromium, Libre Office, Cube 2: Sauerbraten, etc). Linux also has support for hardware which Windows no longer has support for (i.e. my 10 year old USB scanner).

 

[Chilidawg]

I've been messing about with Linux off & on for years, mostly when I had a whacked Windows operating system and didn't want to buy a retail copy. Currently I have a live Linux distro on a flash drive that I use when traveling or on public networks. (hard to install malware on an OS that runs exclusively in RAM) Truth be said, for out-of-the-gate user-friendliness, Windows 7 is hard to beat.

 

[M1GU31]

I use linux mint 14 as my linux os while partitioned with windows 7. Linux has been geting some more love lately due to Valve releasing steam on linux and porting some of there games to linux. They are still in the work of adding there other games. Been testing tf2 and cs on linux. Runs really well even though there is a couple bugs here and there due to driver issues. Anyways I usually just use inux for normal computing, I use windows 7 for this also. Just depends on what I feel like using. Though I prefer windows most of the time truth be told due to having more support. Though I do enjoy linux as well.

 

[bigseb]

I also play around with Linux regularly. Really like it...

BUT...

I do CAD for a living and so far only MoI and Z88 Aurora run on Linux (MoI runs perfectly on Wine; Z88 is native to Linux but I hardly ever use it). Now if only Alibre, Keyshot, Lisa-FET and Moldflow would join the party... and that's not to mention all my part catalogues form DME, Hasco, Thermoplay, etc...

Still, Linux distros have improved phenomenally over the years. I really like Mint and will probably end up buying Zorin OS later this year.