Free alternative cutting edge operating system.

[Kamepa]

Here is an idea for a free alternative to traditional operating systems. Pictured is my Lighthouse Linux desktop which is based on the Puppy Linux Operating system. It comes complete with multimedia support out of box... I installed all the main add on files and am using KDE4.3.3 desktop with all the special effects. It is running on a cheap twenty quid car boot sale 2.8ghz P4 512mb box with a basic 128mb graphics card and a standard usb wireless stick to connect to the router. It has some heavy weight software Gimp 2.6.6, GoogleEarth Firefox 3.6 and OpenOffice 3.1. I also installed Picasa as it is the best free photo organizer. It is a relatively simple install process for those with some basic computer knowledge. Anyway just an idea as so many people try to talk down Linux.
http://www.lhpup.org/about.htm

[Scphoto]

I have a few USB keys with Puppy Linux on it, quite handy things to carry round. Though not much use to me as working with Raw images isn't as easy as using Lightroom.

[BigWill]

I've long extolled the virtues of Linux on here as an "alternative" operating system, whether you just want to try something different from the "usual" Microsoft or Mac OS's or if you're really strapped for cash and need all the help you can get in the form of a totally free OS. My own particular favorite "variety" of Linux is Ubuntu Linux which, like the original poster, I have found to be both easy to install and to operate for the "non-techy" type person. I can't recommend it highly enough for anyone who either needs or just wants to try a free and fully functional operating system. I'm not going to say or pretend that it will offer all the functionality of a Microsoft or Mac OS but it will certainly "do what it says on the tin" and will provide all the basics that any computer owner would or should ever need. They'll even send you a CD for free if you ask for one..........can't really say fairer than that now can you!

BigWill

[Kamepa]

I have a few USB keys with Puppy Linux on it, quite handy things to carry round. Though not much use to me as working with Raw images isn't as easy as using Lightroom.

Depends on what camera you have or maybe how patient you are?

I use ufraw albeit it was a real pain to install in Puppy. I am sure there is a pet or pup file available but did it the hard way. You can even have it as a standalone or as part of Gimp.
http://ufraw.sourceforge.net/
I also use s7raw running under wine for Fuji digital raw formats
http://www.geocities.co.jp/SiliconVa...919/s7raw.html
There are other raw Linux software options albeit I have not tried them yet. Even some windows raw editors will run under wine including elements and photoshop.

I used to think Paint Shop Pro and Photoshop were the best but I now know it was just a fear of the unknown

[nspur]

I wouldn't say that Ubuntu is only a good *alternative* OS. I've been using it as my OS of choice for some time and the only reason I have to boot a copy of Windows (XP) is to use Lightroom and Quick Books. There isn't a Linux version of accounting software that's as good as QB. I think that Open Office (3.1)is as good as Office 2007 and there's database development software for Linux that hugely surpasses anything Microsoft has to offer as well as other development stuff. The Gimp is pretty good as a photoshop replacement but needs an interface facelift.

[Kamepa]

I wouldn't say that Ubuntu is only a good *alternative* OS. I've been using it as my OS of choice for some time and the only reason I have to boot a copy of Windows (XP) is to use Lightroom and Quick Books. There isn't a Linux version of accounting software that's as good as QB. I think that Open Office (3.1)is as good as Office 2007 and there's database development software for Linux that hugely surpasses anything Microsoft has to offer as well as other development stuff. The Gimp is pretty good as a photoshop replacement but needs an interface facelift.

As a Lightroom alternative there is rawstudio which might be compatible with your camera.

http://rawstudio.org/compatibility.php

I use ufraw with my Fuji digitals. You are right about Gimp needing a facelift. The menu structure is a nightmare as everything is scattered in no logical order. You can however use the somewhat basic ShowFoto which is far more polished and possibly has the best black and white conversion tools of any software? The other option is to run Photoshop or Elements under Wine?

Best Linux distro is probably Ubuntu but as you state there are loads of alternatives. Distrowatch is the place to keep tabs on Linux developments.

http://distrowatch.com/



You can see I am bored and have now switched to the KDE3 desktop. In Lighthouse linux you can switch gui's on the fly albeit the popular Gnome desktop is not available

[MarchHare]

I started dabbling with Ubuntu v6.10, then 7.04. I started to seriously use v7.10, 8.04, 8.10 and at present 9.10. In between times I have tried Mint v5 and v8 but I prefer Ubuntu and shall carry on with that. I do have an old laptop with XP which I keep for controlling a film scanner.

Life is certainly easier with Ubuntu, I don't get the annoying pop-ups with spurious "errors" like Windows throws up.

[Kamepa]

I started dabbling with Ubuntu v6.10, then 7.04. I started to seriously use v7.10, 8.04, 8.10 and at present 9.10. In between times I have tried Mint v5 and v8 but I prefer Ubuntu and shall carry on with that. I do have an old laptop with XP which I keep for controlling a film scanner.

Life is certainly easier with Ubuntu, I don't get the annoying pop-ups with spurious "errors" like Windows throws up.

What scanner do you have? Some are really easy to get working under Linux. Typically you have to just, modify a config file, create a directory and copy a driver file into that directory.

I tend to use distro's based on Puppy Linux. The main reason for this is that it behaves more like windows in having no hyped security features as in root, file permissions etc etc... Yes they have all been deactivated so you get all the advantages of free software without the main problem file permissions. This actually makes it far easier to use than other mainstream Linux distros, albeit I have Ubuntu as a dual boot option as it is far more polished.