8 Reasons Windows Users don't Switch

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

However, to say that Linux has complete drivers is incorrect, and should be examined.

Yes, it varies a lot. But the same is true for Windows and in general the quality of Windows drivers is lower than that of the Linux equivalent so even if it presents more overall functionality you'll probably run into problems into other areas.

This is an nvidia graphics card, a company that I have heard actually provides decent drivers for linux.

They do, compared to ATI at least. Free drivers will almost always be the better choice but nVidia is the lesser of the two non-free evils. I personally can't remember the last time I had a problem with nVidia's drivers but fixing things like that is as second nature to me now as adjusting the resolution in Windows so I can't say that I would've even noticed.

And getting those drivers were a remarkable chore indeed. I could not get them from nVidia's site directly, instead I had to access the site via the command line, and then, IIRC, had to compile the drivers myself, or some such nonsense.

Then you likely did something wrong because Ubuntu has provided packages of the nVidia drivers for quite a few releases.

So, I disagree with you respectfully, and stand by my reasons for someone to switch to OS X, and that it is, in my opinion, an excellent OS that lets me accomplish my work quickly and effectively.

Linux does too once setup properly. Your mother or neice would likely have similar questions if you gave them OS X, except instead of asking about the resolution they'd be asking why they can't use/install any of the children's games, cookbook apps, etc on the shelf at CompUSA.

I installed the graphics drivers with my Ubuntu using friend standing right next to me. He could not figure it out either, and he has used linux for years, and is quite comfortable with the command line and the ins and outs of Linux.

As for the mother/niece thing, it is actually my Mother and sisters that have switched to OS X, and aside from little questions, they have never had any questions at all about installing things, or anything along those lines. In their case, it does just work.

 

[Nothinman]

I installed the graphics drivers with my Ubuntu using friend standing right next to me. He could not figure it out either, and he has used linux for years, and is quite comfortable with the command line and the ins and outs of Linux.

And I've heard many reports of "OMG I just clicked this box and it installed the right 3D drivers!". If you had to download anything manually and especially if you compiled anything yourself then you did it wrong. The only time that's necessary is when you've already compiled a custom kernel.

 

[TheStu]

And that was my impression as well, but that is what happened. The same thing happened to the guy that got that system from me, he tried putting Ubuntu on it, and he couldn't get past 1024*768 resolution either. It turns out that it is that particular graphics card. But if a person were to have that card, and wanted to run Ubuntu at anything higher than that res, then they are apparently SOL. So, you know, incomplete drivers, the thing that I was talking about.

And, I downloaded athe drivers from nVidia's website, but they would not install, so i had to go through the command line. Regardless of if I was doing it wrong or not, the fact that my ubuntu-wise friend couldn't get it working, nor could my other friend who received the system from me. On the Windows side, you get the drivers from nVidia, you install the drivers, you restart the computer, and bam, the card works at any and all supported resolutions.

 

[The Raven]

Thanks for the respectful replies.

I agree that there are problems with drivers and such with Linux, but the only problem I have had was using a 7600GS right after the card came out (in other words, it is understandable that there would be problems.) And Stu says it was a prob w/ 1 specific card. Well, what can we say about Mac? How many cards does OSX work with? Count up the number of cards that Apple uses to make Macs and there you have it.

I'm just saying that on a level playing field, I'd rather go with Ubuntu for free (or with great paid support). Get your family a factory built Ubuntu rig, or a factory built Mac? That is the hypothetical that we should be asking in this case.

I'd rather have an Ubuntu machine.

 

[Nothinman]

It turns out that it is that particular graphics card. But if a person were to have that card, and wanted to run Ubuntu at anything higher than that res, then they are apparently SOL. So, you know, incomplete drivers, the thing that I was talking about.

Then file a bug report, the only way the developers will know about the problem is if someone speaks up.

And, I downloaded athe drivers from nVidia's website, but they would not install, so i had to go through the command line.

The drivers from their site require some command-line work, that's nVidia's fault not Ubuntu's.

Regardless of if I was doing it wrong or not, the fact that my ubuntu-wise friend couldn't get it working, nor could my other friend who received the system from me.

Then I'd say that he's not too Ubuntu-wise, although he maybe Linux-wise which would explain why he used the cli to install them.

On the Windows side, you get the drivers from nVidia, you install the drivers, you restart the computer, and bam, the card works at any and all supported resolutions.

Sometimes. And that's only if you can get to nVidia's site which is a PITA with any machine built in the past 5 years since XP doesn't ship with NIC drivers for anything even remotely recent.