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TJ
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
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 Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 8:56 pm Post subject: Linux / Unix compatibility |
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Before you all jump on me for being so technologically illiterate I freely admit that my IT knowledge is very very limited.
However, I am considering dumping Microsoft and installing a Linux / Unix operating system on my desktop. This is because the research I've done so far indicates that this will considerably reduce the risk of my machine contracting a virus.
Before I do this I have a couple of questions...........(1) Can I still use M/s Word if my O/s is Linux / Unix ? (2) Can I send emails to friends who are not Linux / Unix users ? (3) What the heck is the difference between Linux and Unix ?
See, I told you I was I.T. illiterate. Hope someone out there will take pity on me and throw some advice my way. |
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klaasb
Joined: 07 Sep 2004
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| Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 12:18 am Post subject: |
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1. Short answer: No, you can not run MS Word/Office on Linux
Long answer: there are a few technical ways around it, but why not try OpenOffice (it's free) or Koffice (comes with your desktop manager)
2. No problemo
3. Technically speaking Linux is not a Unix.
See Unix as a name for certain types of operating systems. In order to be able to call your os a Unix os, you need to certify it. Well the Linux community doesn't want to spend their money on that I guess.
Linux acts as a Unix os, it talks as a Unix os I guess it even smells as a Unix os, so it's safe to say that Linux is a Unix-like os 
Just go ahead and give it a try (MAKE A BACKUP FIRST of important DATA!!!) or try one of the 'Linux on a cd'-distributions. You can run them from cd and get used to Linux without hurting your Windows installation (google for Knoppix)
Otherwise: buy a mac |
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Demophobe
Joined: 17 May 2004
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| Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 12:35 am Post subject: |
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Switiching to Linux/Unix for fear of a virus is a bit extreme, no? I hope you don't expect the usual assortment of software for your new OS, as it's just not all avaliable and what's there will make the learning curve start again.
Try a dual-boot first to see how you like it, then totally switch over if you feel good.
Buying a MAC is just silly.  |
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the saint
Joined: 09 Dec 2003
Location: not there yet...
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| Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 2:00 am Post subject: |
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| Demophobe wrote: |
| Switiching to Linux/Unix for fear of a virus is a bit extreme, no? |
hoist by your own petard there aren't you Demo... maybe your Washer post scared him off his OS  |
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klaasb
Joined: 07 Sep 2004
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| Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 4:58 am Post subject: |
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buying a mac is the best thing I ever did........
....Now you could argue I haven't been doing a lot of good...... |
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Demophobe
Joined: 17 May 2004
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| Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 12:46 pm Post subject: |
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| the saint wrote: |
hoist by your own petard there aren't you Demo... maybe your Washer post scared him off his OS |
Perhaps, but anyone scared by that thread shouldn't be using a computer.
It was wordy, but said little when distilled by a knowing reader. |
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