I've been using linux as my sole operating system since '95, and I could never go back to windows. There are some drawbacks however:
--Steeper learning curve
--Some websites are only tested on windows and mac machines -- they ignore the existing web standards -- and don't work properly in linux. This problem seems to be getting smaller and smaller.
--Inconsistent user interfaces (although is improving rapidly)
On the bright side, it's stable, secure, free, developing rapidly, and likely to get more and more important with time.
If you want to play around with it, I suggest trying out a bootable distribution (pop the cd in, linux boots without installing on your hard drive) like knoppix.
A good place to start is www.distrowatch.com, which tracks all the versions of linux, with links to reviews and download pages.
However, if you just want a stable, sensible OS that "just works", Macs are probably the way to go, if you can pay the price premium.
--Steeper learning curve
--Some websites are only tested on windows and mac machines -- they ignore the existing web standards -- and don't work properly in linux. This problem seems to be getting smaller and smaller.
--Inconsistent user interfaces (although is improving rapidly)
On the bright side, it's stable, secure, free, developing rapidly, and likely to get more and more important with time.
If you want to play around with it, I suggest trying out a bootable distribution (pop the cd in, linux boots without installing on your hard drive) like knoppix.
A good place to start is www.distrowatch.com, which tracks all the versions of linux, with links to reviews and download pages.
However, if you just want a stable, sensible OS that "just works", Macs are probably the way to go, if you can pay the price premium.
I use it to get at online books all the time. I had problems with a couple of sites a few years ago, but nothing recent.
Other tools you might want, all open source:
gnumeric -- spreadsheet
R -- open source version of Splus, a hard-core stats programming language
python -- scripting language for building web scrapers.
Of course, these tools have their own learning curves, but you can put together a pretty powerful data gathering and analysis setup with a $500 computer, free software, and considerable elbow grease.
If you're willing to play around, I think it's a no-lose situation to try it out.
One more suggestion: if you want a good intro plug-and-play distribution, look at jamd linux:
http://www.jamd-linux.com/upgraded69/index.php
It takes redhat (probably the most widely used distribution), fixes some little problems and makes it very friendly.
Other tools you might want, all open source:
gnumeric -- spreadsheet
R -- open source version of Splus, a hard-core stats programming language
python -- scripting language for building web scrapers.
Of course, these tools have their own learning curves, but you can put together a pretty powerful data gathering and analysis setup with a $500 computer, free software, and considerable elbow grease.
If you're willing to play around, I think it's a no-lose situation to try it out.
One more suggestion: if you want a good intro plug-and-play distribution, look at jamd linux:
http://www.jamd-linux.com/upgraded69/index.php
It takes redhat (probably the most widely used distribution), fixes some little problems and makes it very friendly.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Of course, these tools have their own learning curves, but you can put together a pretty powerful data gathering and analysis setup with a $500 computer, free software, and considerable elbow grease. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Exactly what I am looking at doing thanks for all the info
