XP or Linux

[Arkcon]

Wardad said:
What do I use for firewall security and antivirus on Linux?

My firewall currently is iptables, which is built into Linux, unlike XP's SP2 firewall, which is just a bandaid slapped unto a sucking chest wound.

O.K. that's a little unfair. But iptables is so easy to setup, and never slows down the system. To think of all the crap I endured trying to get Zone Alarm Pro to work, only to have it slow down my system ... . You see why I really enjoy Linux.

[Wardad]

The discussions are interesting.

I just found this on dual booting: http://www.aboutdebian.com/dualboot.htm

I'm considering Debian Linux.
I guess I will just download the CDs. Some many utilities!!!
Which Web Browser and Mail Server to use?

What about DVD software? Photoshop?
I use 601 instead of MS Orifice, what's good in Linux?

If it gets to be too much trouble I can just can it all and try XP Pro at $100 to $200 and renew Norton at $30.

[Aiken]

For web browser - Mozilla Firefox
Web server? I think you'll need a mail client - Mozilla Thunderburd or KMail (if you prefere KDE).
DVD software - MPlayer (no DVD menu) or xine (has dvd menu) + some frontend (totem or kaffein).
Office suite - OpenOffice.org

[parabolize]

Ubuntu has a nice selection of default apps. It's made by some of the people who make debian. If you want to do debian it self use the sarge installer. They say it's testing but it's very stable. Totem would be your dvd player with Ubuntu. GIMP is a good replacment for Photoshop. Open Office is good.