Best free operating system?

JonathanRyan

JonathanRyan

Suspended / Banned
Messages
10,765
Name
Jonathan
Edit My Images
Yes
I have a great big imaging workstation I want to sell (OK, it's a black computer - it was custom built for me). For licensing reasons, I can't sell the OS that I've been using on it with it. (And for forum reasons I can't discuss what that OS is. Let's just say a pretty version of Unix).

What OS can I easily install on it for no money? I'm guessing some form of Linux but honestly I don't know where to start. I just want something I can use to show it working. I suspect the buyer may choose a prettier version of Unix to install themselves.
 
unless you have a particular buyer for your computer, maybe a £20 windows 10 OEM license bought from ebay might also be a more attractive proposition to attract buyers to your homemade raincoat too?
 
itsdavedotnet said:
unless you have a particular buyer for your computer, maybe a £20 windows 10 OEM license bought from ebay might also be a more attractive proposition to attract buyers to your homemade raincoat too?
Click to expand...

Are those, you know, legit?

plamen_gb said:
Ubuntu is a good option
Click to expand...

Where would I start with that? Actually that's probably my real question. Where do a get a free install disk for Ubuntu (or similar) that I can just stick in and let it get going without needing to learn lots of commands and stuff?
 
You can create the bootable Ubuntu USB stick on any computer that is attached to the Interweb and then use it to boot your other computer.
 
john.margetts said:
You can create the bootable Ubuntu USB stick on any computer that is attached to the Interweb and then use it to boot your other computer.
Click to expand...

Ah cool. I wasn't sure if it installed custom drivers or whatnot.
 
JonathanRyan said:
Are those, you know, legit?



Where would I start with that? Actually that's probably my real question. Where do a get a free install disk for Ubuntu (or similar) that I can just stick in and let it get going without needing to learn lots of commands and stuff?
Click to expand...
someone may know better than me but they're OEM keys that are sold in bulk, and you download the OS from microsoft's website, and it passes WGA, so I guess so, yep. Of course, Ebay's awful customer experience doesn't allow for reviews etc...
 
itsdavedotnet said:
someone may know better than me but they're OEM keys that are sold in bulk, and you download the OS from microsoft's website, and it passes WGA, so I guess so, yep. Of course, Ebay's awful customer experience doesn't allow for reviews etc...
Click to expand...

If you're a cautious sort of cove, you can always try reading this: http://www.zdnet.com/article/is-it-ok-to-use-oem-windows-on-your-own-pc-dont-ask-microsoft/ or this: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2949...ets-you-buy-windows-on-a-usb-flash-drive.html.

Or you could just stick Ubuntu on it and be done with! :)
 
If you don't fancy eBay, I have used softwaregeeks.co.uk to obtain a Windows 7 Pro licence so that I could upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.

It worked for me, there may be other suppliers out there, I have no connection to softwaregeeks beyond being a satisfied customer. :)
 
JonathanRyan said:
I just read the first article. It reminded me why I hate Microsoft..... :)
Click to expand...

One good thing about having retired: I no longer have to use a Microsoft box with a brain dead terminal program to access the Unix/VMS/Mainframe I'm actually working on! ;)
 
Sejanus Aelianus said:
One good thing about having retired: I no longer have to use a Microsoft box with a brain dead terminal program to access the Unix/VMS/Mainframe I'm actually working on! ;)
Click to expand...

I think I cried the day they took my 3270 away and replaced it with a 3270 emulator. Still, it allowed me an extra 15 mins in the morning to get coffee while it was turning on :D
 
You can install Windows 10 totally for free & legal. The buyer can then choose to activate it with their own licence key or format it an put their choice of OS on.
This I think is the way to go as it show the buyer the computer fully works with the most likely of OS that they will use.
 
Last edited:
JonathanRyan said:
I think I cried the day they took my 3270 away and replaced it with a 3270 emulator. Still, it allowed me an extra 15 mins in the morning to get coffee while it was turning on :D
Click to expand...
I spent 30 years working for IBM supporting/promoting the System/360 to Z Series mainframe product lines, including configuring the 3274 controllers (with 8" floppy discs) that attached 3270s :)
 
Last edited:
MINIX? I might be able to lend you my copy of Tanenbaum if you like, it has the source code as an appendix. :D

If you want a sensible answer, debian or FreeBSD.
 
Ease of use, high support of drivers etc I'd go for Linux Mint or Ubuntu. Both a doddle to install and Mint looks similar to Windows in some peoples eyes.
If you're selling it as a graphics workstation I'd put a version of Windows, 7,8 or 10 and some Adobe trial software to show what it can do. The buyer can either wipe it and start again or buy the adobe licences etc.

I'm just intrigued to know which OS you were using and which forum reasons prevent you mentioning it..................
 
PaulF said:
Ease of use, high support of drivers etc I'd go for Linux Mint or Ubuntu. Both a doddle to install and Mint looks similar to Windows in some peoples eyes.
If you're selling it as a graphics workstation I'd put a version of Windows, 7,8 or 10 and some Adobe trial software to show what it can do. The buyer can either wipe it and start again or buy the adobe licences etc.

I'm just intrigued to know which OS you were using and which forum reasons prevent you mentioning it..................
Click to expand...

A vote here for Mint Cinnamon over stock Ubuntu - more familiar, less bizarre desktop and rock-solid reliability. Paul, the unmentionable OS is likely to be fruity in origin, and use on hardware other than that provided by the manufacturer is breaking their terms and conditions of use, hence is illegal and not welcome for open discussion here.
 
ancient_mariner said:
A vote here for Mint Cinnamon over stock Ubuntu - more familiar, less bizarre desktop and rock-solid reliability. Paul, the unmentionable OS is likely to be fruity in origin, and use on hardware other than that provided by the manufacturer is breaking their terms and conditions of use, hence is illegal and not welcome for open discussion here.
Click to expand...

Ah, ok, I know the one. Nuff said.
 
Any of the 'buntus or flavours of Ubuntu such as UbuntuMate, Xubuntu and another vote for Mint.

Installed from a stick in minutes and looks cool!
 
Last edited:
My vote will be Elementary OS based on Unix but feels and looks just like a very good hackintosh ;) It will run beautifully.
 
ancient_mariner said:
Paul, the unmentionable OS is likely to be fruity in origin, and use on hardware other than that provided by the manufacturer is breaking their terms and conditions of use, hence is illegal and not welcome for open discussion here.
Click to expand...


Thanks chaps. I think I'll probably go with the OEM Win7 with free upgrade to 10 option. People seem to love Windows for some reason :)
 
JonathanRyan said:
Thanks chaps. I think I'll probably go with the OEM Win7 with free upgrade to 10 option. People seem to love Windows for some reason :)
Click to expand...
Sadly it's more for compatibility reasons. And then comes familiarity versus change. It's not a meritocracy unfortunately.
 
ianp5a said:
Sadly it's more for compatibility reasons. And then comes familiarity versus change. It's not a meritocracy unfortunately.
Click to expand...

Yes, it's like vanilla ice cream. I'll reach the largest target market by dropping Windoze on there.
 
PaulF said:
Ease of use, high support of drivers etc I'd go for Linux Mint or Ubuntu. Both a doddle to install and Mint looks similar to Windows in some peoples eyes.
If you're selling it as a graphics workstation I'd put a version of Windows, 7,8 or 10 and some Adobe trial software to show what it can do. The buyer can either wipe it and start again or buy the adobe licences etc.

I'm just intrigued to know which OS you were using and which forum reasons prevent you mentioning it..................
Click to expand...


Or get ubuntu studio, which has all the graphics, audio and video software you need pre installed
 
mr.si said:
Or get ubuntu studio, which has all the graphics, audio and video software you need pre installed
Click to expand...

Yeh, I did have an install of studio a few years ago, nice install. I'd still go with the most popular software though as the object of the exercise is to sell the pc so widows and Adobe will attract the most buyers rather than Linux and gimp.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top