Is OS really important

[pooya87]

So I'm thinking about getting into bitcoin trading and stuff, and I plan to begin storing my first bitcoins soon. I've read for this sense it is much safer to have Linux than for example Windows (as it is for a lot of other aspects aswell). Do you think is this really a thing to consider? Do I need to have tons of bitcoins before I get concerned about their safety? Should I consider switching to Linux if I'm storing just a few of them, or is it stupid?

Thanks erry'one in advance.

you don't need to switch to linux just because of bitcoin, there are other ways for securing your bitcoin like paper wallet or like this
but linux is more secure and if you are willing to migrate from "familiar" windows to a new environment then go for it, especially if the programs that you use day by day have also linux versions

The problem is if you like videogames. I do and I also tend to use audio programs for music making. So If I want to use Linux I have to shut down and boot under Linux. Going through Win to Linux just for Bitcoin isnt worth it for me.

yes, exactly. this is my problem too. that is why i said "the programs that you use day by day have also linux versions". well videogames are a big part of it. but mostly some professional programs do not have any linux version and so a peroson who uses them on daily basis will encounter problems

p.s. i am not sure but i think there are ways to run there apps in linux too

[Snorek]

So I'm thinking about getting into bitcoin trading and stuff, and I plan to begin storing my first bitcoins soon. I've read for this sense it is much safer to have Linux than for example Windows (as it is for a lot of other aspects aswell). Do you think is this really a thing to consider? Do I need to have tons of bitcoins before I get concerned about their safety? Should I consider switching to Linux if I'm storing just a few of them, or is it stupid?

Thanks erry'one in advance.

you don't need to switch to linux just because of bitcoin, there are other ways for securing your bitcoin like paper wallet or like this
but linux is more secure and if you are willing to migrate from "familiar" windows to a new environment then go for it, especially if the programs that you use day by day have also linux versions

The problem is if you like videogames. I do and I also tend to use audio programs for music making. So If I want to use Linux I have to shut down and boot under Linux. Going through Win to Linux just for Bitcoin isnt worth it for me.

yes, exactly. this is my problem too. that is why i said "the programs that you use day by day have also linux versions". well videogames are a big part of it. but mostly some professional programs do not have any linux version and so a peroson who uses them on daily basis will encounter problems

p.s. i am not sure but i think there are ways to run there apps in linux too

I will summarize this thread for you OP. If you are casual user of bitcoin, likes easy solutions, you like to play some PC games (they are awesome), you are using some software available only for Windows then there is no point for you to change your operating system to something 'more secure'.
If you are professional user you would not ask people if system matter in the first place. So stick to Windows and you will be just fine.

[Mr Moustache]

So I'm thinking about getting into bitcoin trading and stuff, and I plan to begin storing my first bitcoins soon. I've read for this sense it is much safer to have Linux than for example Windows (as it is for a lot of other aspects aswell). Do you think is this really a thing to consider? Do I need to have tons of bitcoins before I get concerned about their safety? Should I consider switching to Linux if I'm storing just a few of them, or is it stupid?

Thanks erry'one in advance.

you don't need to switch to linux just because of bitcoin, there are other ways for securing your bitcoin like paper wallet or like this
but linux is more secure and if you are willing to migrate from "familiar" windows to a new environment then go for it, especially if the programs that you use day by day have also linux versions

The problem is if you like videogames. I do and I also tend to use audio programs for music making. So If I want to use Linux I have to shut down and boot under Linux. Going through Win to Linux just for Bitcoin isnt worth it for me.

yes, exactly. this is my problem too. that is why i said "the programs that you use day by day have also linux versions". well videogames are a big part of it. but mostly some professional programs do not have any linux version and so a peroson who uses them on daily basis will encounter problems

p.s. i am not sure but i think there are ways to run there apps in linux too

I don't see what the big deal or big effort is in 'shutting down to boot linux'. You can easily boot from a live cd or usb and its best to keep your coins away from your everyday computer. Far easier to get infected this way and your coins will be safe if they're effectively on a new system. You could also just buy a cheap raspberry pi to boot up to use your bitcoins. Problem solved.

[neurotypical]

So I'm thinking about getting into bitcoin trading and stuff, and I plan to begin storing my first bitcoins soon. I've read for this sense it is much safer to have Linux than for example Windows (as it is for a lot of other aspects aswell). Do you think is this really a thing to consider? Do I need to have tons of bitcoins before I get concerned about their safety? Should I consider switching to Linux if I'm storing just a few of them, or is it stupid?

Thanks erry'one in advance.

you don't need to switch to linux just because of bitcoin, there are other ways for securing your bitcoin like paper wallet or like this
but linux is more secure and if you are willing to migrate from "familiar" windows to a new environment then go for it, especially if the programs that you use day by day have also linux versions

The problem is if you like videogames. I do and I also tend to use audio programs for music making. So If I want to use Linux I have to shut down and boot under Linux. Going through Win to Linux just for Bitcoin isnt worth it for me.

yes, exactly. this is my problem too. that is why i said "the programs that you use day by day have also linux versions". well videogames are a big part of it. but mostly some professional programs do not have any linux version and so a peroson who uses them on daily basis will encounter problems

p.s. i am not sure but i think there are ways to run there apps in linux too

Yeah you can sort of emulate Windows under Linux and play, but the performance is terribly bad compared to the real thing.

[pooya87]

~~~
Yeah you can sort of emulate Windows under Linux and play, but the performance is terribly bad compared to the real thing.

that's right. it is going to be a pain in the ass to do so. also you can create a virtual machine (i like virtualbox) and create a windows inside that, but you will need a somewhat powerfull pc!

[Kprawn]

~~~
Yeah you can sort of emulate Windows under Linux and play, but the performance is terribly bad compared to the real thing.

that's right. it is going to be a pain in the ass to do so. also you can create a virtual machine (i like virtualbox) and create a windows inside that, but you will need a somewhat powerfull pc!

Yea, it's like a sandbox... I use it too... every time you reboot the virtual machine, you start with a clean OS.

I also use a boot disk on a old "cheap" computer I have... it has no harddrive {dumb terminal} and I save everything to external storage. {This is only used on this computer}

Every time you restart, you use a fresh installed OS. {It cancel out any nasty stuff, that might have been installed -- eg. Keyloggers etc}

[kepo07]

So I'm thinking about getting into bitcoin trading and stuff, and I plan to begin storing my first bitcoins soon. I've read for this sense it is much safer to have Linux than for example Windows (as it is for a lot of other aspects aswell). Do you think is this really a thing to consider? Do I need to have tons of bitcoins before I get concerned about their safety? Should I consider switching to Linux if I'm storing just a few of them, or is it stupid?

Thanks erry'one in advance.

you don't need to switch to linux just because of bitcoin, there are other ways for securing your bitcoin like paper wallet or like this
but linux is more secure and if you are willing to migrate from "familiar" windows to a new environment then go for it, especially if the programs that you use day by day have also linux versions

The problem is if you like videogames. I do and I also tend to use audio programs for music making. So If I want to use Linux I have to shut down and boot under Linux. Going through Win to Linux just for Bitcoin isnt worth it for me.

yes, exactly. this is my problem too. that is why i said "the programs that you use day by day have also linux versions". well videogames are a big part of it. but mostly some professional programs do not have any linux version and so a peroson who uses them on daily basis will encounter problems

p.s. i am not sure but i think there are ways to run there apps in linux too

I assume gaming programs are more optimized due to the amount of windows users out there. Frankly speaking, those who are intelligent never get viruses or malware. If you use google chrome, dont install foreign programs, etc. you would be just fine. Ubuntu is just for those who are paranoid but it has exploits in it too.

[MrBungle]

I just switched to Ubuntu (besides this getting into bitcoin thing it was something I was looking to do for a long time, switching to free software) and mainly the 2 games I play the most, CS:GO and Dota 2 run silky smooth, so everything's perfect for me. 

[HarmonLi]

I don't think that the Operating System is that important, actually. I think it is more important to make sure you don't have any malware on your system. Basically every system can have malware these days, and your not even safe on Linux os OS X machines if you installed the malware yourself by mistake.

[KIRAZ]

If you know your way around it and keep yourself protected it won't but if you can't just start out with ubuntu.

[Whitehouse]

I don't think that the Operating System is that important, actually. I think it is more important to make sure you don't have any malware on your system. Basically every system can have malware these days, and your not even safe on Linux os OS X machines if you installed the malware yourself by mistake.

Yes, but it's piss easy to get viruses on Windows and even an anti virus cannot protect against all viruses. There's next to zero viruses for linux and the chance of you getting one is very very slim but I agree you shouldn't just rely on linux to save you but I would recommend using it. Ubuntu is piss easy to use and you don't need to be an expert so there's no excuses.

[Kipsy89]

I guess you have to pay attention what you're installing on Linux, as well. It's just too damn easy to sneak some BTC-stealing code into some repository you're using to compile something, man.

[CrackedLogic]

I have 2 windows machines and 1 linux. Both of my Windows machines dualboot linux. I prefer linux(ubuntu) over windows any day. It's a lot more efficient and safer. I don't have any anti-virus software, but then again, I am extremely cautious of what I do. As ChuckBuck said, it doesn't matter as long as you have a solid anti-virus and a firewall active.

If you're a technically advanced user- go for linux.
If you're an average joe - Windows is for you.
If you're computer illiterate - OSX will do the job.

[okthen]

If you're computer illiterate - OSX will do the job.

Exactly. In a very pretty fashion, but you lose control of your own machine.

(And soul?)

[CrackedLogic]

(And soul?)

Apple is one of those Ginger children(no offense to Gingers, I love you guys) who devour your soul and make you buy every overpriced simplified product they create.

I'm not looking for an argument with you Apple fanboys

[ChuckBuck]

(And soul?)

Apple is one of those Ginger children(no offense to Gingers, I love you guys) who devour your soul and make you buy every overpriced simplified product they create.

I'm not looking for an argument with you Apple fanboys

What you talking about, I used Apple products and services everyday!  I don't see anything wrong with being like everyone else...

[elliwilli]

For security, yes.
Linux is the most secure if you know how to follow security procedures.
Windows is fine for the casual user but once you start holding vast amounts of bitcoin, i recommend Linux or BSD.

[okthen]

(And soul?)

Apple is one of those Ginger children(no offense to Gingers, I love you guys) who devour your soul and make you buy every overpriced simplified product they create.

I'm not looking for an argument with you Apple fanboys

hahahaha, way to offend Apple users AND gingers in the same sentence

Loved the small text, really. Reminded me of iTunes user agreement.

[ChuckBuck]

(And soul?)

Apple is one of those Ginger children(no offense to Gingers, I love you guys) who devour your soul and make you buy every overpriced simplified product they create.

I'm not looking for an argument with you Apple fanboys

hahahaha, way to offend Apple users AND gingers in the same sentence

Loved the small text, really. Reminded me of iTunes user agreement.

Ahh the trifecta!  Apple user, ginger, and hipster all wrapped into one ball of regret...

[yenzae0215]

Makes lots of sense. What if my offline device gets broken, or burnt, or w/e? Is there a super safe way to store bitcoins? I'm getting to the idea there is no 100% safe way to do it. My online wallet could get hacked and my offline USB/HD could crack...

you can use offline wallets and save your private keys in paper then put it somewhere safe so that even your hdd or usb got a problem so can still recover your stored coins