Can computers with Linux communicate with computers with Windows?

Question

I have been thinking about getting a computer with Linux, but everyone else in my network has Windows. Will that cause a problem with all the computers communicating and sharing information with each other?

Answer 1

Yes on multiple levels.



The most obvious being samba for local printer and file sharing.



But also through the internet, right now your more then likely connected to one or more systems running linux, solaris and or some bsd variant.



You can even authenticate windows machine from linux, using Kerberos/BindDNS/ISADHCP/OpenLdap/Samba to create an opensource compatible activedirectory. You can do anything a windows machine can do, just more efficiently(with a few exceptions, just as binary compatibility and libraries which of course includes windows virus).



I use a Openbsd gateway/router/nat at the top of my network, this machine communicates dhcp/dns/samba/routing tables/etc,etc to windows, solaris, linux, freebsd, cisco switchs, wireless routers, ps3, xbox 360(even share music/movies/pictures between linux and the ps3 and xbox).



Ethernet, IP the internet was invented as a means to create a standardized network in which different operating systems and hardware could communicate with out bias.



I can not recommend linux if your the type of person who likes to spend lots of money on things you don't need. Linux is not for people who don't like to save money and for people who aren't ok with their computing out lasting its welcome.

Lasting far beyound the manufacture warranty.



If you don't like your computer working. Stick to windows. While running Linux, your computer just won't quit, it just keeps going and going, you have to actually try to break which might cause windows users to suffer from "my computer works" syndrome.



You have been warned.

Answer 2

As mentioned samba does Windows file/printer sharing.



PuTTY is a Windows ssh client (and scp for secure file copy) that can connect to Linux (if you have sshd in Linux properly configured).



OpenOffice (openoffice.crg) is an office suite that is available for Linux or Windows. MS Office may not be able to read its native files, but OO can open MS Office files (not sure about Office 2007 yet) and can save files in a format that can be opened by MS Office.

Answer 3

If your thinking about getting into Linux then I first suggest you fill out the following quiz ( http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/ ). It will tell you which distro is best for you and how to get it.



As for making Linux and Widows talk, you can always use a program like Putty ( http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/ ) to log into either a Windows or Linux machine (Putty is cross platform). If you just want to move folders every once in a while I suggest WinSCP ( http://winscp.net/ ) for windows and gFTP ( http://gftp.seul.org/ ) for Linux. If you want to setup a permanent shared folder there is Samba ( http://www.samba.org/ ).



Hope this all helps out.

Answer 4

no longer adequate reminiscence for win xp??? probable will infrequently paintings with linux. if it has win ninety 8 don t replace the os and stay with it.... approximately linux particular can communicate with abode windows np reason of superb linux technologies stated as samba. of direction abode windows comps could be configured correclty. my suggestion scrap previous comp. RICK

Answer 5

They can communicate no problem. Samba handles this.

Answer 6

If you have to ask that question, you will probably just want to stick with Windows.