Linux

[PC812]

I'm starting to look at building myself a new computer. Since my old computer came pre-installed with XP, I don't have the software for it. And I refuse to buy Vista. I'm thinking about giving Linux a try, since I've heard pretty good things about it.

Now my question is, would I be able to install the programs I use for my comic work, like Final Draft and Adobe CS2?

[JAQ]

Now my question is, would I be able to install the programs I use for my comic work, like Final Draft and Adobe CS2?Short answer: no.

Those programs were developed specifically to run on Windows and OS X; including Linux would have been more work, and they (probably correctly) judged that it wouldn't bring in enough additional money to make it worth their while. There is a package called CrossOver Linux (http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxoffice/) that makes it possible for many Windows-developed programs to run on Linux (including Photoshop 5-7), but it's never going to be as reliable as running on Windows. Switching to Linux generally means switching to different apps. There are similar apps available for Linux (Celtx for Final Draft, The GIMP for Photoshop, OpenOffice for MS Office, etc.), and many of them are free (which is why Adobe isn't keen to try selling Photoshop to Linux users) but if you've already paid for Photoshop, it's worth the expense of getting your hands on a Windows XP install CD to keep using it rather than switching to The GIMP.

[PC812]

Are there any alternatives for programs like Illustrator and InDesign?

[JAQ]

Are there any alternatives for programs like Illustrator and InDesign?Inkscape is the closest match for Illustrator. The only Linux-compatible DTP program I know of is Scribus (never used it).

By the way, pretty much any of the best-of-breed apps for Linux are also available for Windows and/or OS X, so if you want to download them and give them a test drive before taking the Linux plunge, you can do that.

[Jorge Vega]

Since my old computer came pre-installed with XP, I don't have the software for it. And I refuse to buy Vista.
Why not buy XP (http://www.buycheapsoftware.com/ms_products.asp?subcategory=24)?

[PC812]

Why not buy XP (http://www.buycheapsoftware.com/ms_products.asp?subcategory=24)?It's an option, but one I was hoping to avoid because I didn't want to have to spend $90 on XP (especially when I already have it, but damn MicroCenter couldn't include the software for it).

[artsnake]

I run Photoshop on Ubuntu Linux and it runs great. It runs under wine which emulates windows. Illustrator probably works also.
Ubuntu has a large number of people using it and you can get lots of support.
Google is your friend.

[mohaps]

but it's never going to be as reliable as running on Windows.

:whistlin:

[albone]

:whistlin:

LOL :p

[PC812]

I run Photoshop on Ubuntu Linux and it runs great. It runs under wine which emulates windows. Illustrator probably works also.
Ubuntu has a large number of people using it and you can get lots of support.
Google is your friend.Awesome, thanks for that info!

What version of Photoshop are you running? I've got the CS2 package, so I want to be sure I can use that.

[mattchee]

If you spent the money on CS2 you might as well spend money on an operating system to run it on. I hear the programs for Linux are as good and comparable function/powerful/usefullness-wise. But, Adobe products are pretty comonplace for graphical inudstries as a whole, and I think if you're planning on working with other people AT ALL, you're better off using your Adobe programs. Especially since i'm sure you've already spent a small fortune on them! Whats another 90 bucks?

[PC812]

If you spent the money on CS2 you might as well spend money on an operating system to run it on. I hear the programs for Linux are as good and comparable function/powerful/usefullness-wise. But, Adobe products are pretty comonplace for graphical inudstries as a whole, and I think if you're planning on working with other people AT ALL, you're better off using your Adobe programs. Especially since i'm sure you've already spent a small fortune on them! Whats another 90 bucks?
Actually, the CS2 package was a graduation gift.

[JAQ]

:whistlin:I wasn't talking about how reliable the OS is, just how reliable the app running on top of it is. I'm a great fan of Linux, but given a choice between running Photoshop on top of WINE on top of Linux, and Photoshop on top of Windows XP... I'll take the latter. (And as a matter of fact, I do have that choice. My main 'shopping machine is a Mac running OS X, but my secondary one is an PC with WinXP. The program I run on the Linux box is the GIMP.)

The most recent version of Photoshop to get a "platinum" (as good as it gets) compatiblity rating with WINE is version 7. PS CS1(8) and CS2(9) are rated "silver" (some features don't work, but OK "for normal use"). PS CS3(10) won't install.

[mattchee]

Actually, the CS2 package was a graduation gift.

Even still. I hear lots of good things about the GIMP and other programs, but I wouldn't want to send a guy a file and find out his InDesign or Illustrator or Photoshop or whatever won't open my files. Spend hours/days on a project only to shoot off a PDF that no one can open? If you're serious about Linux, I would look into issues such as those. Heck, they all might all gel smooth with Adobe... but i would want to be absolutly certain that i can send files off to people using Adobe products on their Mac's and PC's without any issues.

I also think it would be a hassle to get CS2 running on Linux, only to have the limitations that JAQ mentioned.