BEWARE YOUPORN.COM

[gen11]

My malware and anti-virus software has been consistently intercepting viruses and/or other bugs on that site. One caught me when I hadn't updated the malware protection recently enough and sent my tower to the shop.

I don't think the site is at all safe and I've quit "enjoying" it.

Be warned !!

[littlerayofsunshine]

Download Sandboxie for the future and use their sandboxed browser to view the porn. Make sure you keep flash, adobe, java, quicktime updated for more security.

Sandboxie doesn't allow anything outside of its partition so it can't access your hard drive and it deletes all cookies and files once you close and empty it.

[AhsomeCouple]

I'm actually a fan of that site, lol. We view on macs and have no problems at all with malware or viruses.

Not very helpful to PC users.. I know. But MAC users you have relatively no worries :)

[void()]

I figure *nix machines ought not have problems, either. "What's a virus? Oh you mean that silly text based code stuff those idiots trying to crash a Windows system send me? You know sometimes, I feel sorry for them and correct their code and email it back to them, ensuring I also add in a self replicating algorithm which uses shred and wipe liberally with the -r option. Or I tell them to try :(){ :|:& };: in their command line and wait for the ensuing plink of their system crashing."


NB: Linux users do not use :(){ :|:& };: in a terminal. It is a dangerous command. If you're using Linux more than likely you already know. But reference never hurts (http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/understanding-bash-fork-bomb/). And a way (http://www.linuxconfig.org/how-to-crash-your-linux-system-with-fork-bomb) to configure to avoid it all together. Also it can hit any system as evidenced here (http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/understanding-bash-fork-bomb/#comment-37097). Windows users should look for the equivalent of a file called '/etc/security/limits.conf' and adjust it. The link above on how to avoid it all together will explain how it needs adjustment. Or ask your local system administrator / computer guru to secure your computer against fork bombs. They are considered a DOS attack (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denial-of-service_attack).

[Nadir]

Buy an Apple Computer. No virus is able to get in there. Or, if they are able to do so, then they are so insignificant that you never notice them :) If I were you, I would try other sites that can offer you cheap, good and safe porn, like this ones:

tube8.com
xvideos.com
tnaflix.com
orgasmatrix.com
redtube.com

And many more... I dont know if you have ever checked them out, but if you havent, I can assure you, they are worth a look :) I hope that you enjoy them as much as I do.

[IanBorthwick]

I'm actually a fan of that site, lol. We view on macs and have no problems at all with malware or viruses.

Not very helpful to PC users.. I know. But MAC users you have no worries :)

Fixed it for you. We on Macs have NO worries. I tell people over and over there is no way for a virus to affect OSX, it's simply not been possible. The only way we can get tagged is if we are stupid enough to install, INSTALL mind you, a trojan horse and those can only redirect your browser, and they can be removed with a couple mouse clicks. The core difference is how the OS addresses programs. Nothing works without the program or the User giving permission. Nothing can self install, or install, or redirect, or add on, or change a program without the system's ok. And the weekly security updates we get are for cutting of any chance of a loophole allowing that to ever occur as programming evolves. We're essentially as safe as if we lived in Computer Hazardous Materials Suits.

[texasman6172003]

Yeah,I wont be going back there either,i know thats where we got the last one. It was a close call for my Hp Pavillion Slimline Pc..

[texasman6172003]

Buy an Apple Computer. No virus is able to get in there. Or, if they are able to do so, then they are so insignificant that you never notice them :) If I were you, I would try other sites that can offer you cheap, good and safe porn, like this ones:

tube8.com
xvideos.com
tnaflix.com
orgasmatrix.com
redtube.com

And many more... I dont know if you have ever checked them out, but if you havent, I can assure you, they are worth a look :) I hope that you enjoy them as much as I do.
Writes down all of the sites Nadir gave out.:bigrin:

[darkeyes]

Writes down all of the sites Nadir gave out.:bigrin:

Dirty ole bugga...:eek:... jus don u go an make yasel ill now Texie.. don wan u doin yasel in ne moren Curio.. an thers u not long since been not well!!;):tong:

[elian]

Any operating system can have vulnerabilities, some are built with more security in mind, some are just bigger targets. If you are using Firefox you can add the annoying "NoScript" add-on for Firefox (always get add-ons from https://addons.mozilla.org and pay attention to the ratings because some of THOSE can be malicious too.) It basically stops all javascript from loading on a page - you then get to choose, step by step - which sites will be allowed to execute code in the web page you are viewing. Firefox also seems to have a faster "phishing filter" that can sense some clickjacking attempts and queries a list of blacklisted URLs and warns you first.

I have seen some sites that have advertising banners that when you display the ads the code that loads actually executes some nasty things.

[**Peg**]

...I have seen some sites that have advertising banners that when you display the ads the code that loads actually executes some nasty things.

Adblock Plus for firefox is configurable by site, it works well.

[allbimyself]

Anyone claiming that OSX can NEVER be infected is living in a dream world or drinking too much apple kool-aid.

Theoretical infections, invasions (what some call hacking), etc. can be harder or easier than Windows depending on the goal of the person doing it. The fact of the matter is, infecting computers is big business. Windows based computers are by far dominate and therefore get almost all the attention of the criminals.

If we were all to switch to OSX tomorrow, you'd quickly find how vulnerable it is as the malware proliferators switch targets.

And before you claim I'm a M$ fan boy, I'm far from it. I just happen to think that anyone that claims OSX is invulnerable is doing a great disservice. Sticking your head in the sand no matter what OS you use just makes it easier for someone to rape you.

[jeancarleo]

i use my sony playstation 3 to view porn on many pornsites including youporn and no problems at all except some websites are not compatible but youporn.com is as well as tube8.com xtube.com and so on

[void()]

I concur with allbi. To claim any operating system, or anything for that matter is 100% iron clad secure is just flirting with disaster.

"As soon as you say you're the best, there's two hundred and fifty blokes and dames lined up to kick your ass. How long you going to be best? S'why you don't say it." Little bit of social engineering there, yet another tactic used to extract the prize from the safe.

I find Linux is greatly more secure than Windows but there are still wide open holes. And yes Linux does as OSX does and requires user, or root (mostly root or sudo) to authorize everything. OSX is / was based off a Possix flavor of Unix, if I recall correctly. And if you know Linux, you know a fair amount of Unix. The two are very similar.

One of the benefits of Linux over Windows, most of the programs you'll use are free, as in free beer & free speech. And these programs almost always as a general rule include their source code, free. And many Linux distributions ship with a C compiler on board standard, and free. Don't like how a program calculates two plus two, edit the source yourself and recompile the program.

With all that openness it's difficult to code up viruses (NB: Difficult, not impossible.). Everyone can read the source code. And by the time some nit wit creates a virus, there's already half a dozen or more patches, work rounds, hacks, ways to secure against, all you need is Google or CERT. Or you can look at your distributions community of support, a forum, wiki and presto sure enough a developer has something to combat the virus. I've even seen a few times where the patches beat out the release of the virus. *chuckle* So no one bothers, because people running Linux take security seriously.

One of the better ways to be secure is having nothing that needs defending. With Open Source software, there isn't much if anything to defend.

Bah, I'm going trolling my /var/log files & edit syscont.conf. hehe, Vim rules.

[Robinium]

I concur with allbi. To claim any operating system, or anything for that matter is 100% iron clad secure is just flirting with disaster.

That's true. I'm online with a Linux computer and once managed to get an awful virus by surfing on shock sites.

[allbimyself]

You are correct, void. OSX is based on the FreeBSD kernel. In fact, a recent exploit (recent as 4 or 5 years ago anyway) had to do with the FreeBSD TCP/IP stack. Guess what? It affected almost 99.9% of computers because M$, Apple and Linux all used the same stack (nice thing about the FreeBSD license compared to the GNU license but I digress). The difference being that the various BSDs and Linuxes had patches available literally overnight when the exploit was discovered. M$ took until their next monthly (or was it semi-monthly then?) update. Apple took 6 months, because Apple NEVER admits flaws be it with security or where they put a fucking antennae.

[elian]

OS X runs on top of UNIX and the software engineers at Apple had their UNIX security textbooks open when they wrote it. It is designed from the ground up with security in mind and unlike the Windows Vista UAC that pops up every five seconds the appearance of the OS X admin password prompt really does let you know you are about to configure something that could potentially foul up your computer.

I have surely seen the OS X "spinning pinwheel of death" but generally speaking the iron hand of Apple is actually a security feature because you KNOW the hardware configuration in your MAC - they are only a fixed number of choices for the most part. Apple also enforces design standards upon developers so theoretically all of the official applications cooperate together well.

The genius behind Windows NT came from a mainframe world where PRICE was the main barrier to security. The two other drawbacks of Windows are the fact that it has to work with millions of vendors selling crappy hardware and software that all compete for your attention 100% of the time and the idea that people expect to be able to still run MECC"s Oregon Trail from 1987 on their PC that is "so much better" than the one they bought back then.

Having said all that, no operating system is foolproof - some are just bigger targets than others.

[sephirothtx]

all free porn sites are infected, don't think a single one is safe, but its the price you pay if your addicted to porn. If you are addicted to porn then i reccomend wipping out the credit card and paying for a secure site that wont destroy your computer

My x destroyed my last laptop when she caught one surfing Xtube.

[elian]

I apologize in advance if I offend anyone but this thread seems like an opportune moment for an advertisement:

If you get tired of your windows computer crashing, why not get inspired to change your OS the next time it crashes by viewing these shameless promotions for Linux?

There are many different versions of Linux but I think by far, Ubuntu is the easiest to install and use for beginners.

Philosophy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFaf6NNOCf4
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFaf6NNOCf4)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joWbgfRc9Wk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4h63uJj0qs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_0oWqOLpo4

Promo for the netbook remix edition of Ubuntu:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzywieRjF4Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1MgRN_tP8E&

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syX1mBzLoTI

Machines with as little as 800Mhz CPU, 512MB RAM (1GB is better) and 4GB hard drive space (8GB+ is better) can run Ubuntu.

Caveats:


Devices that only have software drivers for Windows aren't always supported,

You need to install "restricted-extras" package to get MP3 support, JAVA and Flash player

If you run Linux, you can't go to the store and buy a boxed piece of software for Windows but the difference is, out of the box you pretty much get everything you need for a functional system anyway. If you have a high-speed Internet connection there is a library of completely free software with thousands of programs you can choose from.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCsaZoieSiM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H9zOTksJhE

[void()]

Apologies for being a little off topic. I have a friend that used to work for Microsoft. He helped develop Windows NT 4, I believe is his baby. At any given he allowed me to 'take a crack at it'. I was running Windows 98 with some Cyrix and other Gnu type tools. Wound up pointing out over twenty various holes you could drive a Mack truck through. Needless to say he then went on to the next step of development, revise the code, tighten security. He 'borrowed' me for about three nights. "Here, hack this version."

And this with me not really being a programmer. I'd hate to think what a real programmer could have done to foul his system. Sure, I saw lots which seemed flaws or things which were fouled. But I'm not anybody. At any given, I once considered NT 4 really secure and stable but it had hooks to Unix. Now, we read about Microsoft trying to patent software released under the GNU License (public domain) over twenty years ago. ROFLMAO. "Go on, pull the other one there Mr. Bill!"

[littlerayofsunshine]

Void or/and Elian. Since you both are so well knowing. I'm not that techie at all. What's the best way to going about getting a custom built computer and about how much could that run me. I need a computer that has a good OS and high graphics with dedicated memory to it. For a program i use. My lappy doesn't handle it well and gets hot and i don't want to risk buying another puter and not having what i need in it. I need one that will have the ability to run multiple programs at once.

see, i am so untechie i can't even explain it well.

[void()]

Rayray,

It's possible to get a decent system for around $600. Got an Nvida intergrated motherboard here, running Ubuntu Lucid Lynx which is comparable to Debian Sid. Thanks to Elian for that, although I may return to the Debian. ubuntu is nice but the 'rounded corners' seem to box me in too much. I need to hack and it won't allow that. *lol* "No root login for you buddy. "Go away fat man, you eat all our rice!"

And root login is sort of dangerous, if you aren't quite sure what you're doing. But there's the rub, I got a few things which are given competency and root access is needed. Yes, sudo is great and all but at times you just need to use the real cannon.

Linux is truly multitasking ready, meaning you can run lots of programs. I got about one Gig of memory and am able to run lots of processes, over 10 or so. I could possibly do more but really not a fan of multitasking anymore. Used to be a demon at it but this a g e thing sort of crept up.

Nvida is a good graphics card, too. I'm using compiz window composter and 3D graphics effects. It does kind of slow the system down a tiny bit. So tiny I don't really notice, but I like the eye candy.

As far as a good graphics program, there's a few.

Gimp (http://www.gimp.org/) is also available for Windows.

F-spot (http://f-spot.org/) handles photos under Gnome (http://www.gnome.org/).

I think Ubuntu (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CCMQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ubuntu.com%2F&rct=j&q=Ubuntu&ei=v5OCTKUbxf-WB7aZgQ0&usg=AFQjCNHf4yS0SxsZMV_usEcMmNsnG5k3Yg&sig2=K0696AOoUoFCODmSAtfF9w&cad=rja) would be a good choice for operating system. It has features which make it really the flagship user friendly Linux. And it is as secure as can be, not 100% but nothing really is, try around 97%. I can hack it, but that doesn't mean much of anything as it's all wide open anyway. *chuckle* You are reasonably safe in Unbutu, bottom line. And it is stable.

About $600 gets you the motherboard, tower case, Cd-RW w/ DVD, 160 Gigabyte hard drive, ethernet card, two usb ports in the front, two in back, standard connecters for monitor, printer, keyboard, mouse. sound system is RealTek equivalent, so it sounds lots better than SoundBlaster (imho). and the $600 is just for hardware. The OS will cost you nothing to maybe $5/7 for media and mailing. And you get access to lots of software that's free, stable, modifiable. I think Ubuntu has over 18,000 or so packages, not far behind Debian's 25,000 or so.

And no I'm trying to convert you to Linux. Just giving you my view because you asked. "Linux werks fer me, werks dang good, too, uh huh! And it's FREE, FREE dag nabit, not $ Lots of zeroes that Microsoft asks for when setting up a network or use requiring licenses. FREE!!!"

And you get your choice of window type environments in Linux. you can use Gnome or KDE, XFce, IceWm, Fvwm, Fluxbox, Blackbox, Hackbox. all of them have their own advantages / disadvantages. I'm stuck in Gnome and sometimes like Icewm or Xfce. I avoid KDE because it reminds me of windows, including the "oh gee, I'm going to crash every time you try opening something, just for kicks mind." And i can't figure the configs for it out, too well. They be encoding in "yay, I'm a snotty college edumacated programming brat", rendering them not translatable to "it's Russian technology, whack it with a huge wrench it'll werk!"

Excuse me now, off to shred & wipe a few bits of data gleaned from undisclosed sources discussing undisclosed subjects, but which may embarrass undisclosed parties.


Elian is enjoying a PowWow today. We didn't get anything planned for this glorious three day weekend. *sigh* Although we might.

[azirish]

Or use Linux ubuntu 10.4, why pay for Steve Jobs next house. You can downland and install this OS for the grand sum of $0.


I'm actually a fan of that site, lol. We view on macs and have no problems at all with malware or viruses.

Not very helpful to PC users.. I know. But MAC users you have relatively no worries :)

[littlerayofsunshine]

Rayray,

It's possible to get a decent system for around $600. Got an Nvida intergrated motherboard here, running Ubuntu Lucid Lynx which is comparable to Debian Sid. Thanks to Elian for that, although I may return to the Debian. ubuntu is nice but the 'rounded corners' seem to box me in too much. I need to hack and it won't allow that. *lol* "No root login for you buddy. "Go away fat man, you eat all our rice!"

And root login is sort of dangerous, if you aren't quite sure what you're doing. But there's the rub, I got a few things which are given competency and root access is needed. Yes, sudo is great and all but at times you just need to use the real cannon.

Linux is truly multitasking ready, meaning you can run lots of programs. I got about one Gig of memory and am able to run lots of processes, over 10 or so. I could possibly do more but really not a fan of multitasking anymore. Used to be a demon at it but this a g e thing sort of crept up.

Nvida is a good graphics card, too. I'm using compiz window composter and 3D graphics effects. It does kind of slow the system down a tiny bit. So tiny I don't really notice, but I like the eye candy.

As far as a good graphics program, there's a few.

Gimp (http://www.gimp.org/) is also available for Windows.

F-spot (http://f-spot.org/) handles photos under Gnome (http://www.gnome.org/).

I think Ubuntu (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CCMQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ubuntu.com%2F&rct=j&q=Ubuntu&ei=v5OCTKUbxf-WB7aZgQ0&usg=AFQjCNHf4yS0SxsZMV_usEcMmNsnG5k3Yg&sig2=K0696AOoUoFCODmSAtfF9w&cad=rja) would be a good choice for operating system. It has features which make it really the flagship user friendly Linux. And it is as secure as can be, not 100% but nothing really is, try around 97%. I can hack it, but that doesn't mean much of anything as it's all wide open anyway. *chuckle* You are reasonably safe in Unbutu, bottom line. And it is stable.

About $600 gets you the motherboard, tower case, Cd-RW w/ DVD, 160 Gigabyte hard drive, ethernet card, two usb ports in the front, two in back, standard connecters for monitor, printer, keyboard, mouse. sound system is RealTek equivalent, so it sounds lots better than SoundBlaster (imho). and the $600 is just for hardware. The OS will cost you nothing to maybe $5/7 for media and mailing. And you get access to lots of software that's free, stable, modifiable. I think Ubuntu has over 18,000 or so packages, not far behind Debian's 25,000 or so.

And no I'm trying to convert you to Linux. Just giving you my view because you asked. "Linux werks fer me, werks dang good, too, uh huh! And it's FREE, FREE dag nabit, not $ Lots of zeroes that Microsoft asks for when setting up a network or use requiring licenses. FREE!!!"

And you get your choice of window type environments in Linux. you can use Gnome or KDE, XFce, IceWm, Fvwm, Fluxbox, Blackbox, Hackbox. all of them have their own advantages / disadvantages. I'm stuck in Gnome and sometimes like Icewm or Xfce. I avoid KDE because it reminds me of windows, including the "oh gee, I'm going to crash every time you try opening something, just for kicks mind." And i can't figure the configs for it out, too well. They be encoding in "yay, I'm a snotty college edumacated programming brat", rendering them not translatable to "it's Russian technology, whack it with a huge wrench it'll werk!"

Excuse me now, off to shred & wipe a few bits of data gleaned from undisclosed sources discussing undisclosed subjects, but which may embarrass undisclosed parties.


Elian is enjoying a PowWow today. We didn't get anything planned for this glorious three day weekend. *sigh* Although we might.

Haha.. Very well Void. You have given me loads to look into. The program I run currently is a game platform that is more graphic intensive than C.O.D. or W.o.W.

I thought integrated graphics cards were bad? Not able to upgrade them without replacing the mother.

I need to be able run my program (the game one that is not just a game, its a part of my RL) and voice/cam (smoothly i might add, it gets kind of jerky running both) and keep a browser open. Plus a constant antivirus. All at the same time.

Can I offer a challenge to have a high graphics system built (3d capabilities), with browser .. OS...and whatnot.. bells and whistles. Offer a little pocket cash to boot. I'm saving money for such, it will take me a bit longer to get all the money square so i'm working and saving a little just for that reason.

I just don't want to be ripped off having someone else do it. Don't have the know how/ability to do it myself. I trust so few. But do you and elian. So i will take this information that you have supplied and look further into what i can do since i am better armed now.

Thank you so much for all the extensive information. It is much appreciated.

I hope you get to have a wonderful holiday and enjoy many enticing blessings if fate permits. Its about that time *smiles warmly*

[void()]

"I thought integrated graphics cards were bad? Not able to upgrade them without replacing the mother. "

Ugh, you had to remind me. But for now this card suits what's needed.

"I need to be able run my program (the game one that is not just a game, its a part of my RL) and voice/cam (smoothly i might add, it gets kind of jerky running both) and keep a browser open. Plus a constant antivirus. All at the same time."

Well, you really don't _need_ an anti-virus in Linux. You can put one on for more assurance. But most AV software in Linux, F-Prot, being the only counter example I can call to mind, only does scans per request and not constant background scanning. Elian gets frustrated with my computer upon his visits. I tend to lock it down about four times more secure than the government ones he accesses during work.

Voice software is sort of hit and miss in Linux. There's a program called mumble, I think it is, that is for gamers to use voice over the net. Then there's Skype which is like a phone call thing I think. Not used it, yet. Supposedly you can enable voice over Pidgin (http://www.pidgin.im/) but not tried that as of yet. Looks to be a complex process.

You can keep a browser open on one desktop, a game in another. You can have as many desktops as your memory allows, theoretically. I keep four but only really use one. You have lots of choices as far as browsers, too. Opera, Firefox, Midori, Epiphany, SeaMonkey, dilo, Elinks, Links, Lynx. You can even access Google from the terminal if you want.

If you've done any batch programming in DOS, you might enjoy SHell programming. It can do lots of neat stuff.

I could possibly guide you toward vendors on-line which support Linux boxes. Got this one with Debian already installed, wife just put Debian on her IBM Thinkpad 40 along side of XP Pro. She paid $250 for it at a local non-profit computer recycling shop. I think it has a 40 Gig HD, about a Gig of memory.

As for payment, I'd just be happy seeing you get a decent system. Not sure I could handle getting you on my own, but that's where elian can help, or C, my wife. You're a friend, no worries. :) And yeah, better get back to one of those little blessings. I'm taking a few hours to drink a rum and coke knock off, Mr. Boston's rum. Been a while since I had it, gee, 20 years flies by.

Not planning on getting too drunk. But hey every now and then a few drinks is nice. Moderation, even in moderation. :)

[Marriedguy68]

Buy an Apple Computer. No virus is able to get in there. Or, if they are able to do so, then they are so insignificant that you never notice them :) If I were you, I would try other sites that can offer you cheap, good and safe porn, like this ones:

tube8.com
xvideos.com
tnaflix.com
orgasmatrix.com
redtube.com

And many more... I dont know if you have ever checked them out, but if you havent, I can assure you, they are worth a look :) I hope that you enjoy them as much as I do.

well, to go out and buy an apple pc is going a little far. I'll try not to cover what others have here.
Anything is better than windows, when it comes with the intention of avoiding malware, spyware, virus,....

The reason being, some 80-90 % of computers are running some version of microsoft windows. It only makes sence to create shit aimed at the mass of users.
Time is wasted creating a MAC virus, not enough targets. However, last years hack a pc and own it (perhaps the year before), the MAC fell 1st going up against Win Vista and Linux. Look it up, Safari was it's downfall. Took all of 2 minutes.
The hacker won a free mac, in 2 minutes.

If you own a PC, look into unbuntu, it is a Liinux distro. You can keep everything u have now, Win XP, Vista, 7.

You will gain a dual boot system. Windows untouched, and Linux.
With linux, you'll be fine doing and going to any web pages just fine. Same as MAC, no viruses are aimed at it, not worth the time. And, you don't have to buy anything.

[elian]

Haha.. Very well Void. You have given me loads to look into. The program I run currently is a game platform that is more graphic intensive than C.O.D. or W.o.W.

I thought integrated graphics cards were bad? Not able to upgrade them without replacing the mother.

I need to be able run my program (the game one that is not just a game, its a part of my RL) and voice/cam (smoothly i might add, it gets kind of jerky running both) and keep a browser open. Plus a constant antivirus. All at the same time.

Can I offer a challenge to have a high graphics system built (3d capabilities), with browser .. OS...and whatnot.. bells and whistles. Offer a little pocket cash to boot. I'm saving money for such, it will take me a bit longer to get all the money square so i'm working and saving a little just for that reason.

I just don't want to be ripped off having someone else do it. Don't have the know how/ability to do it myself. I trust so few. But do you and elian. So i will take this information that you have supplied and look further into what i can do since i am better armed now.

Thank you so much for all the extensive information. It is much appreciated.

I hope you get to have a wonderful holiday and enjoy many enticing blessings if fate permits. Its about that time *smiles warmly*

I was off enjoying the holiday so I didn't see your msgs until now. To be honest it's been a while since I've looked at the HIGH END specs, most of what I build are for puttering around with general purpose office stuff and internet.

To be honest with you when I play games I usually use a dedicated game console, those seem to be better built for the task. Loading large games on my regular desktop PC always seemed to eat up a lot of storage and make the system unstable.

Most system boards will come with integrated video these days, the integrated video is nice because it is on the same board as the processor but it often shares the main memory of the computer, which can make it slower anyway - for most people integrated would be fine but since you listed off three graphic intensive programs right from the start I'm not sure it would work in your case. As void said - depending on the motherboard you buy you can usually add on additional video hardware through an expansion slot.

I'm assuming you want a desktop machine? Laptops you pretty much go with one of the standard vendors.

Since you don't list your current specs and it's hard for me to tell just how much you use your computer and all of those games. it is possible that the laptop CPU is just too slow but not having enough RAM can also cause slowness issues.

Below are my best guess at some specs but your mileage may vary as I don't play a lot of graphic intensive games. Someone else here may have a better recommendation.

A nice 2Ghz AMD dual core or quad core processor with 4GB of RAM, as far as hard drive size I don't know your storage requirements. I actually try to stay away from massively big hard drives because unless you have a second hard drive, how do you back up all that data? I was going to say 80GB but someone out there is probably laughing at me right now because vendors probably don't even make that size any more, 160GB is better, 320GB would be a lot depending. I don't know just how big some of those games get - I might consider 160GB hard drive to be the minimum assuming games have lots of resources to store on the drive. For graphics maybe an nVidia 9400 - you could always try the integrated video and if it's not fast enough then buy a better video card - get a motherboard with a PCI Express slot if you plan to buy supplemental video card.

You can get basic desktop PC these days for about $300, a very nice machine for $500-$600 and up. Those prices don't include the software - that is one reason I'm pleased with Ubuntu - because to buy Windows and MS Office retail is usually about half the cost of a machine unless you happen to be Dell or HP. Unfortunately those games will most likely not run on Linux and you will need to stick with some flavor of MS Windows.

Hope this helps

[void()]

You're correct gaming in Linux sort of stinks at present. But you can load WINE, which emulates Windows, or even virtual box and install Windows. I don't do either as I've yet to find any games, except possibly My Tribe, which just beg to be played. Even then I neglect My Tribe out of boredom. Recently put Galaga on here and enjoy the retro feel of plunking down quarters. :)

But if you like Doom, Quake, Half-Life then Linux has ports out the who ha of those for you. I'm not a huge fan of running around randomly shooting up everything or blowing it all up, despite my somewhat disgruntled persona. Hm, maybe I ought to be. I like Killer Instinct but really haven't much luck with alternative ways to play it, seems my joy-pad doesn't cooperate or something just goes bork bork. Bet it works in Debian, and if not I can use else ... "else whack it with big wrench, Russian technology comrade, it'll work!". :P

If you hit Ubuntu with a big wrench the wrench bounces back at you. Not a fun experience, especially if you know the wrench you're using.

[littlerayofsunshine]

I have an HP pavillion notebook entertainment laptop DV-4 series. 4 gig ram(2gig Duel to equal 4) 2.10ghz processor. 280 gig hard drive. It's a 64 bit and has Vista. With intel family 4 chipset integrated graphics which is totally ok for regular use. but for gaming, i am getting 5-15 fps (Set at the lowest graphics settings) depending on how much is on the screen and it heats up and crashes, even with a targus chill mat under it. i have to bring the temp of my room down to 70 with my ceiling fan circulating on high. to run it with minimum problem.

So I do want to find a desktop that is capable and not expensive. They have the game for Linux and alot of people run it on macs.

It's not a shooting game. It's a little more laid back and fantasy/RP/sexxy at times. But I'm a SL'er and I have a job there, which requires me to use skype at the same time as running the platform.

I checked into Alienware, but They seem too expensive for Dell components and a shiny case, light up keyboard and software bundles. I don't need bundled software that offers lil more than taking up space I wish to have free. I would rather have NVid than ATI.

Thanks gentlemen for all the info. I will check out some local puter places and see if someone can point me in the direction i want to go. Best Buy guys sort of shrugged their shoulders and when you say you need it for gaming, just point you to Alienware. So will have to see what other stores are available. Maybe a nice mom and pop will build me one to spec and not want my first born for it.

[elian]

I have an HP pavillion notebook entertainment laptop DV-4 series. 4 gig ram(2gig Duel to equal 4) 2.10ghz processor. 280 gig hard drive. It's a 64 bit and has Vista. With intel family 4 chipset integrated graphics which is totally ok for regular use. but for gaming, i am getting 5-15 fps (Set at the lowest graphics settings) depending on how much is on the screen and it heats up and crashes, even with a targus chill mat under it. i have to bring the temp of my room down to 70 with my ceiling fan circulating on high. to run it with minimum problem.

So I do want to find a desktop that is capable and not expensive. They have the game for Linux and alot of people run it on macs.

It's not a shooting game. It's a little more laid back and fantasy/RP/sexxy at times. But I'm a SL'er and I have a job there, which requires me to use skype at the same time as running the platform.

I checked into Alienware, but They seem too expensive for Dell components and a shiny case, light up keyboard and software bundles. I don't need bundled software that offers lil more than taking up space I wish to have free. I would rather have NVid than ATI.

Thanks gentlemen for all the info. I will check out some local puter places and see if someone can point me in the direction i want to go. Best Buy guys sort of shrugged their shoulders and when you say you need it for gaming, just point you to Alienware. So will have to see what other stores are available. Maybe a nice mom and pop will build me one to spec and not want my first born for it.

Well best I can figure the biggest problem with that setup is the video card, the rest of the computer is probably fine although a dual core processor wouldn't hurt either.

Linux does have some 3D blaster games like Chromium and there's always "Abuse" a side scrolling DOOM like game, I like a lot of the casual games it has - the solitaire game that comes with Ubuntu plays 13 different KINDS of solitaire. It's just that a lot of the MMORGs push the machnie very hard and they expect to be running on the bare metal to get the best performance.

I picked Ubuntu because it "just works" - I've loaded it on a wide variety of configurations and although the video requirements have gone up quite a bit in the last few versions I even have it loaded on a Bondi Blue 233Mhz iMac from 1997 that only has 192MB of RAM. It's a little slow but instead of sitting in a landfill that machine can still be usable today.

There are certainly plenty of other Linux versions that may be better suited for specific tasks. You can customize almost every aspect of a Linux computer, Ubuntu has taken time to develop a user interface that makes a lot of things about Linux very straightforward and a product that is generally usable right out of the box - that is why it got my vote.