Choosing a Linux distribution

[Connor84]

I have only used dsLinux. I have many years of experience with computers although have mainly used Windows as the OS.

After searching through web page after page, it appears that the two best options for me are Ubuntu or Fedora.

I am looking for:

1 - Plays newer windows-based RPGs, MMORPGs, FPS, and Strategy games. Not Steam. Perhaps WINE might be the solution for this?

2 - Is secure regarding privacy as well as viruses

3 - Is stable and free

I will be choosing shortly. Any suggestions would be welome.

[Konata]

Why not just use Windows

If you're a gamer I guarantee you'll go back in a month anyway.

[dizt3mp3r]

...and the reason you are asking us is because you think we as a group have specific skills pertaining to Linux?

[Fraizeraust]

Regarding your first point, it depends on what games you're talking about because not every single game is ported natively for the Linux platform. WINE has matured a lot but don't expect things working 100% smoothly as they do in Windows.

I've been using Linux since 2015 and I tried a plethora of Linux distributions. I also use Windows occasionally though not most of the time and in my point of view, Linux is still not ready yet to be a viable platform for gaming, speaking for hardcore gamers.

As for the second point, Linux market share is really low in comparison with other platforms so Linux is less prone to malware creation in general. Nearly most of the distributions I've used are generally friendly regarding privacy. You can check the source code if you're unsure.

The last point is a bit senseless since nearly all Linux distros are free of charge and stable (at low-level there's no real difference as they all use the Linux kernel, the only difference being the desktop environment). IMHO, the best Linux distro that gives you a Windows experience feeling so far is Linux Mint. Lubuntu is also good if you have a very weak and old hardware rig.

However, in the end, if you're exclusively towards gaming I'd recommend Windows without doubts since it's by far the most supported by the gaming industry. Unless you're a person like me who usually plays Counter-Strike 1.6 on Steam and doing some bare stuff.

[Aeneas]

Delete this nonsense already or at least banish it into offtopic country... otherwise I will have to ask here what sort of hotdog flavour to choose...

[Connor84]

Good to see another adult posting in this forum, Fraizeraust.

I do not have any specific games in mind, but I did mention the genres I am into. I have a rocking rig and would prefer not to miss out too much on games that are newer (ie: within the last couple of years as well into the future) within those genres. I am not into the Steam platform, I prefer to game without it. The reason I mention games so highly in choosing a nix is that I see that for basic (non-game related) functions, any will do really.

I am ditching windows because of MS's privacy and virus issues. It is not worth it to me to run a MS OS just for games. I won't be checking the source code for anything, as I have no knowledge of coding.

I am not specifically looking for a windows feel in a nix OS, but I don't care one way or the other.

Unfortunately even with all of the web-reading on choosing a nix I've done in addition to your reply, I am no closer to choosing a specific one for sure.

Unless you're a person like me who usually plays Counter-Strike 1.6 on Steam and doing some bare stuff.

People are still playing "original" CS, 1.6? Maybe I'll have to give Steam another chance! Hopefully Steam has found a way to close off all of the hackers I recall from back in the day.

Thanks for you help Fraizeraust!

danke schön mein bruder

[EmuandCo]

I don't wanna support Fraizeraust's way to answer (which I tend to use from time to time, too tbh), but you should not wonder to get some sarcastic feedback when you ask this in a forum for a alternative Windows NT arch based OS, don't you agree?

[erkinalp]

Use ReactOS as your Windows-like OS.

[dizt3mp3r]

Perhaps we should fork a linux distro, skin it look like ReactOS, add similar pack manager to RAPPS, add some Windows style applications, port notepad &c and call it ReactoX? Then we'd have real experience as a group on Linux and we could answer any question currently beyond our skillset as a group.

PS. I'm thinking of buying a car, does anyone here have any knowledge on in car HI-FI? One of those Android systems perhaps? Please help me choose the correct system for my usage, including wheels? (Do you see why we might be a bit miffed? It is almost as if you are taking the piss).

[Konata]

I am ditching windows because of MS's privacy and virus issues. It is not worth it to me to run a MS OS just for games. I won't be checking the source code for anything, as I have no knowledge of coding.

Ow, you just hurt my brain.
"I don't want to learn how this thing works, I just want to use another thing without knowing how it works, because superstition told me to"
Software is not a religion. If you're afraid of it, learn how it works. You're afraid of Windows? Learn how it works. Learn what the services do, learn to use diagnostic tools. You can do all of that without knowing how to program. I'm privacy and security conscious. I confidently use Windows because I know what it's doing.
See, this is why I have a problem with Linux users, because they're the equivalent of cultists. Windows is the evil scary devil and it can only go away by singing the proper hymn. Like, seriously, if you're going to use a computer, at least learn how it works. Don't go asking strangers to give your computer an exorcism.

[Fraizeraust]

There is no reason to not give Steam a try. Steam offers lots of games ported in Linux but don't expect ALL of them ported natively for the Linux ecosystems. Neither WINE would help you giving the best gaming experience, albeit WINE seems to have matured a lot as I explained in the previous post.

I am ditching windows because of MS's privacy and virus issues. It is not worth it to me to run a MS OS just for games.

If you refer to the Windows 10 privacy norms I understand your concern but malware? You get a bit exaggerated within this context. A sane person would never click on suspicious E-mails, on pornographic sites, download warez and illegal cracked software, suspicious websites and stuff. You shouldn't get worried about malicious software in Windows unless you're not aware of what you're doing.

As you said, you want to look for newer released games which I doubt they'd get Linux support (some do, some don't). After all Linux has a niche market share for the moment and game developers often release their products for the main OS, Windows. I know, my reply hasn't anything helpful information for you but there's nothing you can do until Linux matures a bit in the gaming industry.

I don't wanna support Fraizeraust's way to answer (which I tend to use from time to time, too tbh)

I'm not a big fan over long text as well but hopefully I didn't hurt anyone. ^_^

[florian]

I'm privacy and security conscious. I confidently use Windows because I know what it's doing.

Do you trust Windows 7 and/or 10? I am Just curious...

[PurpleGurl]

I don't understand why the question was asked here. "OffTopic" is intended for things that don't fit into other categories, but are still about ReactOS in some way. It is not for chit-chat and discussion of incompatible projects. We are not Linux. Microsoft's policies, for instance, would be tangentially related since we are reimplementing Windows.

[verserk]

I've found Manjaro Linux to be a good balance between the newness of packages and stability with a sane default setup. Throw wine-staging on it and it'll run the majority of games barring some of the less efficient dx11 games.

[EmuandCo]

I don't understand why the question was asked here. "OffTopic" is intended for things that don't fit into other categories, but are still about ReactOS in some way. It is not for chit-chat and discussion of incompatible projects. We are not Linux. Microsoft's policies, for instance, would be tangentially related since we are reimplementing Windows.

Don't forget that I moved the topic there ^^ It wasn't even in Off-Topic