Linux vs Vista, what should I use?

Published on August 12, 2008 By CharlesCS In Personal Computing

OK, I need some help from our local JU geeksquad (that's all you people who know a lot more about computers than I do). I am currently experimenting with PCLinuxOS. I have never used any other OS besides Windows but am curious to expand my PC knowledge and keep some open ption in case of future OS issues.

Now, I have heard many times before how a Linux server is much better than a Windows server when it comes to have a home network. I currently have 3 PC's at home that currently share internet. I am still learning about networking (since I never had much experience before) and have yet to get all the PC's to talk to each other the right way. I have a lot of movies, music and software I would like to share amonst all the PCs but am always coming across very annoying issues with this. Now, I understand that a Linux PC setup (hardware and stuff) does not require it to be good enough to play Crysis or Call of Duty 4, that a basic PC with some simple but good hardware should be good enough. probably something I can pick up for a couple of hundred bucks. Is this correct to assume?

Well once I can get that PC part sorted out, the real question is this. I want to build a PC with at least 1 TB of space for sharing all my files (music, movies, pictures and stuff) to open up space on my current 3 PC's. I want to able to access these files from any of the PCs, a server, so my question is which would be better suited for the job. Linux or Windows? The reason I ask is because I am not sure how Windows and Linux work together when it comes to using the server as a Linux box. Apart from Linux being considered much more solid, less buggy and much more secure than Windows, it also does not seem to require super-duper, $5000, state of the art, hardware to run it.

So what can you guys /gals say, should I venture into creating a server with Linux or should I stick to Windows? A few links to some good sources would be well appreciated.

Comments (Page 1)

Thilock

on Aug 12, 2008

As a longtime user of both OSs (both Desktop and servers). I'll say Gnu/Linux. The stability and security is unmatch (only BSD have higher security but kinda lacks of apps compared to Gnu/Linux). With Linux you can easely setup a lightweight server with or without GUI (XUbuntu will be a nice choice if you can't live without GUI). Plus it's Free and Open Source.
Just note that things are done way diffrently in the world of Gnu/Linux than Windows.

If you go Ubuntu/Xubuntu Linux I can recommend ubuntuforums.org if you have questions or troubles. There're 600.000+ members on that board and you can easely find or ask for help.

MottiKhan

on Aug 12, 2008

If your goal is to have a place to store and share files and multimedia on a home network, why go with a full blown server anyway? They make 1TB network hard drives that come in a lot cheaper than a computer and they take less power and effort to run.

Here's one at about $200.00 from fry's WWW Link but there are a lot of other places to get one. They come in RAID too, if you want data protection.

Just a thought.

Leauki

on Aug 12, 2008

If you are trying to decide between Windows and Linux, go for a Mac.

If you are a Windows user and don't want to buy a Mac, but do want to experiment with Linux to feel geeky, download or install Microsoft "Services for UNIX".

Services for UNIX is a UNIX-like subsystem for Windows Vista which will reside next to the Windows subsystem under the same GUI. You can then use Windows as a UNIX-system. Once you feel comfortable with the UNIX command line interface you will be better prepared for Linux anyway.

Leauki

on Aug 12, 2008

Also consider the price of Windows Server.

If you can afford Windows Server, I'd say go for it!

But if you cannot or don't want to, I recommend you download whatever Novell currently offer for free as a Linux-based server OS and get used to their admin tools. They are fairly good.

WOM

on Aug 12, 2008

Hehe

CharlesCS

on Aug 12, 2008

Funrisulven

Thanks for the info. I will check that forum out. I just want something basic just to be able to access my files thru it. Not really looking to actually use the PC itself, maybe just to learn about linux and stuff.

MottiKhan

I currently have an external 500 GB hard drive that is full at the moment and am running out of space on my other drives as well. At the moment I use my PC as the connection between all the other PCs but it's a laptop so it doesn't stay stationary all the time so I am always having to mess around setting up the other Pcs to access the hard drive thru mine from time to time, very annoying. Mt kids PC is a desktop, but they may mess around with it and delete my stuff so that is a no-no. I just wanna have it stationary, on a PC that will not be touched unless necessary and by someone with experience, also giving me the ability to expand my space easily. Not to mention the security and ease Linux can provide compared with Windows. But I did actually consider a 1 TB Western Digital MyBook which I had found for abvout $40 less recently but caught me at a time I did not have the extra money to spare. While I would like my stuff on a secure PC, I also like taking some of my stuff with me when I go out, you know to impress the family and stuff.

Thanks though.

Leauki

Not currently interested in Mac. I am too use to Windows to spend that much money on a PC just to share some files. My wife does want one, maybe for Xmas I'll get her one.

I did think about Windows Server and my article was meant to be titled Windows not Vista but didn't notice it till a while ago. I wil check that services for Unix thing though. Thanks.

WOM

Uh, Glad I brought a smile to your face.

BowAndHammer

on Aug 12, 2008

I have OpenSuse 10.3 (solid) and Vista dual-booting on the same system a HP Pavilion 9500. The reason I am dual-booting them is that I love COMPIZ FUSION running the desktop works great. This system came with Vista so I installed it on the second drive it had to do with the licenses of Vista and the HP hardware. But my work system is OpenSuse and it ROCK's hands down from beginner to veteran UNIX people this Desktop is changing the WORLD.

By the way this system came with every type of hardware from webcam to wireless everything worked first install.
Support FORUMs are great for this distribution for special projects you come up with.

ginzero

on Aug 13, 2008

Lot of good advice here..

I say use both and learn to make them inter-operate. The more operating systems you know the better.

schekker

on Aug 13, 2008

It depends on what you want of course.

If all you are interested in is shared diskspace, buy some network disks and be done with it. Underwater they are probably using Linux anyway, but you don't have to worry about it. It just works.

If you want a bit more flexibility, I would choose Windows Home Server. It is simple, it works, but again it is limited in what it can do. And yes, it costs money (but so would any Windows based solution).

If you don't mind delving into it a bit, Linux is a very good choice. It is cheap, it is not that difficult to set up and very stable. And you can tailor it to your exact needs. The problem with Linux is always choice, but for a beginner I agree with fenrisulven, Ubuntu is an excellent choice.

I would say, try it out for a few days on an old machine or a dual boot one. If you can't get to grips with it, stick with the network disk or Windows. And if you do like it, start building your home server.

Jafo

on Aug 13, 2008

If you are trying to decide between Windows and Linux, go for a Mac.

Leauki ....it's a wonder someone didn't thump you with something decidedly hard and heavy for that one.... LOL

Leauki

on Aug 13, 2008

Leauki ....it's a wonder someone didn't thump you with something decidedly hard and heavy for that one....

Probably because the suggestion was serious and the person asking the question realised it and others didn't want to turn this into a flamewar?

I find Mac OS an excellent compromise between the GUI-ness of Windows and the UNIX-ness of Linux.

Thilock

on Aug 13, 2008

Leauki ....it's a wonder someone didn't thump you with something decidedly hard and heavy for that one....Probably because the suggestion was serious and the person asking the question realised it and others didn't want to turn this into a flamewar?I find Mac OS an excellent compromise between the GUI-ness of Windows and the UNIX-ness of Linux.

Fixed!

Sarissi

on Aug 14, 2008

Well, Mac OSX is a BSD, as Windows NT forward is based on Open BSD (at least parts of it). The Open BSD License does not require sharing of code.

Leauki

on Aug 14, 2008

Well, Mac OSX is a BSD,

In a way, yes.

as Windows NT forward is based on Open BSD (at least parts of it). The Open BSD License does not require sharing of code.

Nothing in Windows NT is based on Open or any BSD.

tjesterb

on Aug 17, 2008

My two-cents...
Windows Home server license is about $150
Windows Server 2003 SB license about $360
Windows Server 2008 SB license about $670
Linux or BSD.........................$000

If you only want file storage, FreeNAS is extremely small and fast.
If you think you may want more options, I'd say some flavor of Linux is your best bet. I'm partial to OpenSUSE WWW Link. I haven't been able to get on the Ubuntu bandwagon (Ubuntu is going to change the world, cure cancer, and solve all our problems. I know, I read it on Digg so it must be true.

) That said, the ubuntu community has great support forums.
CentOS and Fedora are also excellent server distos.

I have a Mac G4 I picked up for almost nothing that I use as a web server. OS-X is BSD with the Quartz windows shell on top. It's solid and SAMBA or file sharing work great, but hardware can get expensive if you need to add or upgrade components.

Components: If you're going to store all you family files on this machine, I would build in some hardware fault tolerance. If you build from scratch, get a motherboard with at least 4 SATA headers, and RAID 5 support. If you want to add to an existing machine, find a SATA or IDE PCI card that can give you RAID 5 support.
If you have no fault tolerance, you will at some point lose all your valuable files. All hard drives fail at some point. If you lose all their files, your family will never trust one of your projects again.

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