Linux vs. Windows

[plwhit]

Originally Posted by mensaguy

Pros and Cons; Linux vs. Windows 7 (no point in considering versions prior to 7). Linux is free. There is a lot of open source software available for free. It is MUCH less likely to experience a virus or malware infection. It's going to be a little harder to hire a geek to fix it, should that become necessary. It will be much more difficult to get your questions answered in a non-computer forum. For surfing and reading email, it could be perfect. Windows comes on new computers. You'd have to buy it if you build your own rig. There is a free program to do almost anything. PC's are susceptible to virus and malware threats much more so that any other platform. Windows is so widely used that forum users might assume Windows is in use even if your question didn't say so, so someone probably knows the answer to your question. You can find software to do almost anything if you're running Windows. Windows

To the OP, notice the phrasing "fixing if it should become necessary"

Unless you have some off-the-wall hardware the popular Linux distro's are very very solid AND they have their own forums if you do have problems...

[Trucker7]

Originally Posted by MediocreButArrogant

You probably can't do the reverse (host a VM running Windows on a Linux system) because your Windows EULA probably doesn't allow it (doesn't allow you to activate the VM using the license of your OEM copy of Windows).

It's perfectly possible to run a Windows guest inside a Linux host. As a matter of fact, it is preferable, since running Linux as a guest inside Windows would negate many of the security features offered by it as the Windows host OS is still vulnerable. OTOH, if a Windows guest gets infected, it won't have direct access to PC BIOS, the MBR, or any Linux partition not shared. Worst case scenario is that the VM gets corrupted, but you still have a perfectly working PC.

Here's a picture of Windows 7 running on OpenSUSE:
VMware Workstation in Linux - Fantastic!

[Trucker7]

As to the OP, Linux is safe and secure. No antivirus needed and most software that you'll need is freely available from the repositories. BUT, if you have never used it before, I would suggest that you find someone experienced to install it for you and give you an intro. The installers have come a long way from several years ago, but there's always that piece of hardware that won't work right away and may require manual configuration. The good news is that after everything is setup and running, you don't have to worry about it anymore. My dad, who is 70 and knows nothing about computers, hasn't been able to break his computer in more than six years since I put Linux in it.

Try looking for a Linux Users Group in your area.

[MediocreButArrogant]

Originally Posted by Trucker7

It's perfectly possible to run a Windows guest inside a Linux host.

You didn't understand what I wrote.

Of course it's possible. But most people can't do it (for more than 30 days) because they don't have a license for the OS that will allow them to activate Windows running inside the virtual machine. I have access to volume licenses of Windows 7 Enterprise and an MSDN with Visual Studio Ultimate subscription so I can activate Windows VMs all day long. Actually, I have access to a library of dozens and dozens of Windows VM images that QA keeps around for testing our applications. Most people aren't going to run out and pay $300 for a retail version of Windows 7 just to run it inside a VM.

[Trucker7]

Originally Posted by MediocreButArrogant

You didn't understand what I wrote.

Of course it's possible. But most people can't do it (for more than 30 days) because they don't have a license for the OS that will allow them to activate Windows running inside the virtual machine. I have access to volume licenses of Windows 7 Enterprise and an MSDN with Visual Studio Ultimate subscription so I can activate Windows VMs all day long. Actually, I have access to a library of dozens and dozens of Windows VM images that QA keeps around for testing our applications. Most people aren't going to run out and pay $300 for a retail version of Windows 7 just to run it inside a VM.

Ahhh, you're talking about OEM licenses. Yep, you're right. I usually build my own systems, so I forgot about that.

[pgabrielr18]

Originally Posted by Trucker7

It's perfectly possible to run a Windows guest inside a Linux host. As a matter of fact, it is preferable, since running Linux as a guest inside Windows would negate many of the security features offered by it as the Windows host OS is still vulnerable. OTOH, if a Windows guest gets infected, it won't have direct access to PC BIOS, the MBR, or any Linux partition not shared. Worst case scenario is that the VM gets corrupted, but you still have a perfectly working PC.

Here's a picture of Windows 7 running on OpenSUSE:
[URL="http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/vmware-workstation.html"]VMware Workstation in Linux - Fantastic![/URL]

You can get VMware Workstation 9.0 full free from: [url=http://www.dnmw.net/vmware-workstation-9-0-free-download/]VMware Workstation 9.0 Free Download[/url]

good luck guys!