I was thinking the other day that I no longer really need anything that Windows has to offer that...

[G+_Tony Rueb]

I was thinking the other day that I no longer really need anything that Windows has to offer that Linux does not. I have used Linux in virtual machines for quite some time now, but only recently started to even conciser making the move.

 

 

I also thought that It would be great if there could be a community of people who does some sort of a 30 day challenge together and share tips. Perhaps this could be a series of segments of on know how?

 

I feel it is important that you only use Linux for personal use for 30 days. This would exclude work as some do not have an option.

 

What does everyone think of this idea?

[G+_Steve C]

I switched from Win7 to Linux Mint 15 about 2 weeks ago and it works for most things except banking, I'm going to have to use Win7 again for that.

It looks and works just like Windows for the most part, is easier to install and easier to install application programs in now too.  I've run into some problems that might be deal breakers for the average person though. For instance there's not much USB support and while it has most programs available to install in the app store there are some things I just can't do like use a USB headset with Skype, take photos with my USB microscope or my webcam since there's no software available for that on Linux or print on anything but a Brother printer since my Samsung laser printer is not supported.  It still has a long way to go before it's ready for Prime Time but it's working pretty well so far except for the problems described above. 

[G+_Sam Zick]

I have a three computer setup,,, Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, and Ubuntu 13.04. There are just some things I can do on Linux, that I cannot do on Windows. I never could get git to work on Windows. I love being able to switch OS without rebooting, or running in a virtual machine. My Ubuntu machine is just a laptop with a broken screen attached to an external monitor.

 

(Also, I use a program called 'synergy' to share my mouse and keyboard between computers naturally.)

 

I am already using Linux everyday, but I like this 30 day challenge idea. I am sure there are plenty of things that I don't know how to do yet, and this could prove to be an interesting 'Know How' miniseries.

[G+_Matt Wait]

I've Also Switched From Windows ( 8 ) to Linux about 4 weeks a go. I've been using #kubuntu . I have been able to set-up most things including my Kodak ESP C310 printer (usings #CUPs  ( http://www.cups.org/ )). Have been able to install most apps like Spotfiy, Google Chrome, Dropbox, VLC, etc. :-)

 

The only thing i use windows now for is banking. Banking software is a bit on the naff side on Linux imo. :-(

 

Is #linux  ready for prime time? maybe, but more businesses need to be supporting hardware for linux too. 

[G+_Sam Zick]

I believe Linux is and has been ready for primetime, but primetime isn't ready for Linux. The only way to make a name for Linux is to have machines at best buy and Walmart with Linux pre-installed.

[G+_Wayne Brander]

steve c way to go Steve, getting started with Mint 15.  It's often been said that the Linux community is super helpful and I'm not sure most Windows users are aware of the depth of one-on-one support available for Linux that is NOT available for the other operating systems unless you're a millionaire.  

 

I can promise you that Linux Mint fans are using all the devices you mentioned except I have not tried to find a user with a USB microscope.  Cheese Webcam Booth will take lots of pictures with your webcam and it may be configurable for your USB microscope.  Have you tried it? (It's in your software center).  

 

USB headset with Skype is straightforward by adjusting settings with PAVU, pulse audio volume control (software center again).  

 

One of the more challenging tasks was the recent set up of a Samsung multi-function laser printer, everything works perfectly except for the fax which must be managed at the printer keypad until we get the communication hooks sorted.  Start searching for answers on http://ubuntuforums.org/ and all the other Linux forums.  It's way easier than you think.

[G+_Lee Roche]

I'm working my way to learning Linux better and have to admit that there isn't as much I miss about Windows 7. 8 is just more of a headache than Ubuntu.

[G+_Steve C]

Wayne, The problem is it doesn't recognize the USB headset or the microscope and none of the picture or video editing or saving programs can see the webcam except for Skype!  The headset never shows up in the sound settings.  I never heard of Cheese Webcam Booth and it's not in the software manager but I did find it with a Google search. Haven't tried it yet though. Another problem is that the software manager often freezes when I try to open it and there doesn't seem to be any way to kill it.  Linux doesn't even see the Samsung printer either but oddly it is able to operate the scanner!  Like I said, still a lot of problems. Someone shouldn't have to search the forums for answers to common problems, they should have been fixed years ago.

[G+_Matt Moran]

I would drop MS WIN8 in a heartbeat if I can figure out how to run auto backups (in background) to my Seagate GoFlex 2TB ext. HD. Seagate says it won't support anything linux. Any thoughts/suggestions on a solution/workaround?

[G+_Matt Moran]

Perhaps I should say that the GoFlex is actually a NAS.