SRL Archive - Discussions and Debates

I am unsure of what I should switch to though, preferably free. I don't mind learning how to use it, either. I love a challenge!

I have a strict list of what I would require it to do:
1. I'd like to be able to run games such as World of Warcraft, RIFT and Grand Fantasia.
2. I need to be able to run Skype and have the screen sharing part of it to be perfect.
3. I need to be able to run and use Windows Live Messenger or a trusted alternative to it.
4. I need to be able to run Simba. I don't mind going thru extra hassle to do this one especially.
5. I need to be able to branch out and use other programs for developing in other programming languages such as c++ and Java.


If anyone has an idea of an operating system that would be good for me, that would be great. Along with any other information. :)

Thanks! By the way, debating is welcomed.

You are going to have an issue with this. You basically have the choice between Windows, Linux or Mac/Other unix alternatives.

To play the games, you either use windows, see if they have mac compatibilty or run something like WINE. WINE could be unstable though.

Why not run duel boot? Have linux on one, then when you want to play games, switch to windows.

1) WoW should work fine in WINE, probably the others might.
2) Skype works native, unsure about screen sharing.
3) WLM could probably run in WINE but WLM sucks - use Pidgin or bitlbee if you're adventurous.
4) WINE runs Simba with SMART fine.
5) C++ and Java work native on GNU/Linux.

teamviewer is better than skype for screen sharing

windows live messenger is like the least trusted client imo.. pidgin, digsby, trillian, adium it's all much better


wine would be able to run WOW pretty decently, since it isn't made by a joke company it does run well, others I would assume they'd have trouble.. honestly you should grab like windows 8 dev preview or something if you want to run games and just dual boot to linux

Alright, I understand I'll have to run WINE for most programs to work the way I want them to.
But which one do I choose from? Linux? Is Ubuntu any good? Etc. etc.

Thanks guys!

Ubuntu is the easiest to switch to first.

You will probably like it a lot.

You can always make a LiveCD or LiveUSB and boot it up and run it a few times and see how you like it before installing.

Uniux, fast and if you are going to comp sci, it'll help ya:P

I would also suggest Ubuntu liveCD, see if you like it, if not, choose another flavor.

I loved learning how to use Ubuntu :)

Switching to os lion was the best thing I did.

I use wine to use all the old stuff I used. But now I dont have to worry about all the dicky stuff windows used to do that pissed me off.

You can use bootcamp for the times you really need to use windows without having to reboot!