Why Should I install Linux?

Question

I have been hearing a lot of buzz about Linux and I am interested in learning more about it. So my questions are:

What benefits does linux have?

How differently does it run from Windows (Basic differences)?

If by chance I don't like Linux and it's already installed how do I get Windows 7 back?

Which devices can I install it on just to try it out (Like I know you could with the old PS3 systems I would like an alternative to my PC's)?

Answer 1

Installing Ubuntu as a dual-boot with Windows without partitioning

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi



You keep Windows as it is, Wubi only adds an extra option to boot into Ubuntu. Wubi does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.



Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.



Boot in to windows insert the Ubuntu 9.10 LiveCD and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where the Wubi installer comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Ubuntu (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.



Once Ubuntu is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Ubuntu



Ubuntu 9.10 Download

http://releases.ubuntu.com/9.10/



Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) User Guide

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Karmic



Linux Mint 7 based on Ubuntu 9.04 has a similar feature called mint4win and the directions given above for Wubi can be followed (Windows 7 run mint4win in Vista compatability mode)

http://duncsweb.com/2009/09/27/mint4win-a-wubi-based-installer-of-linux-mint/



Linux Mint 7 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=38



Linux Mint 7 Gloria User Guide

http://www.scribd.com/doc/15884753/Linux-Mint-7-Gloria-User-Guide



Ubuntu 9.10 and Linux Mint 7 can also be run straight from the LiveCD without touching your Hard drive



At present I do not recommend Ubuntu 10.04/Linux Mint 9 owing to multiple stability issues





LUg.

Answer 2

Some of the others have posted some very intelligent, thought out and researched answers.

To answer your questions though:

Linux is very flexible/customizable. Look up some Youtube videos and prepare to be blown away.

The differences in how it runs? Well it's far more secure than Windows. Most virii don't work on it. Which is why most viruses are built/compiled using Linux. Although, if you don't like the look. You can make Linux look like any operating system you choose.

Linux iso's when burned onto a CD/DVD usually contain a LiveCD option. Which means you don't need to install it to try it. But if you do decide to go with the full experience. You can dual boot it with Windows (adding it to your bootloader) and you won't have to decide one or the other.

Otherwise, if Linux is your only OS and you want windows back. Be sure to make backups.

Linux has distributions for almost any device. They even have moble versions. Yes, you can install it on a PS3. I did that. But I ran into far more problems running Ubuntu Linux on my PS3 then I did on a computer.

Distrowatch.com most likely has screenshots. It also is a great source for learning about other Distros/Flavors of Linux. There pretty much is a version of Linux for almost anyone.

Answer 3

Why should I Install Linux? You're tired of the Pain, Torture and, Suffering, just trying to keep Windows up and running and fighting Viruses, worms, trojans and malware, and constant crashes.



Never as the only operating system on the computer, Dual boot with Windows or run Linux inside of Windows. If you have Window Recovery CDs, then I wouldn't be concerned about changing the whole operating system. If you are a Gamer, Keep Windows installed.



Benefits:

1. You system will run cooler.

2. It's not memory intense.

3. You can run it 24/7 and not have to worry about it.

4. Viruses do exist for all operating systems, but have less affects on Linux. Use Clam Anti-virus

5. Program crashes or hangs up, simply close it or install the kill command to make it exit, them reopen the same program again.

6. Has software (free) that you can install that Windows doesn't have.

7. Will run virtually any open source software made for Linux.

8. About a dozen Web Browsers.

9. It can recover files from a crashed Windows Drive, that you need to save.

10. It doesn't tell you, you can't do this or do that.

11. It is fairly Stable, Safe and secured in general.



The non benefit side of this is really dependent of what version it is and who created it, even though they all share common files and base system.

Answer 4

Okay.

Here is one thing to be perfectly clear on:

Having Linux on a computer does NOT mean not having Windows on that computer. There are now 4 ways I can think of off hand where you can have Linux AND Window running on the same box. Two of those ways let you run them both at the same time even.



So.. You won;t have to put windows 7 back on, because you won;t have to take it off..

I recommend the following approach:

If your computer has any guts (and it does if you can run 7 smoothly) Get Ye VmWare player or another VMware free product for your Windows 7.. Run that under Windows, and install some Linux (or a bunch of them if you want) using VM images. That way, you can try a bunch of Linux (before finally deciding on Mint) and if you don;t like it, you just delete the VM and done.



You can also try some Linux distributions using a LiveCD (which runs from the CD drive only and doesn;t effect your system at all, but also runs like crap since it has to spin and read the CD every time it needs to do anything.



Even is you want to do a full on native install, you don;t have to remove Windows. You can have a second (third , fourth) OS on the same HDD in a separate partition and choose which one you want to use when you boot the machine.



FInally, If you intent to install Ubuntu, you can use the WUBI installer which runs Ubuntu inside windows much like a VM..



Personally, I'm VM all the way for trying new distros and getting used to things. The player is free, and installation is a snap, and the fix-a-*&^kup is effortless since you can just erase the thing and start over from your last working image.



As for WHY to try Linux.. its about control, and learning, and being able to get in and look at / mess with ANYTHING that machine does. Linux lets you do that. WIndows and Mac simply do not. You want to change the way a Windows 7 machine deals with incoming TCP/IP packets? Good luck! If it isn;t in the configumajigger it aint happening. With Linux, you just.. >> to where you want to go.



So WIndows is good and well designed (finally, once again) way to use a computer. Linux is how a computer works.



Here's some screen shots.

http://images.google.com/images?q=Linux%20screenshots

Answer 5

You shouldn't unless you have a reason to.



I've only installed & used linux for some servers(and that was in a VM), and when I was doing some kernel-level development independent of the operating system I am running. It's also convenient to programmers because it already has a whole bunch of tools installed and ready to use with the Operating System(most of the distributions at least).



There is no basic difference between linux and windows. They're both completely different. Linux is, out of the box, developed for low-level(if you are unfamiliar with the term 'low-level' I mean, programmers that work real close to the hardware), or programmers working with languages independant from the OS(Java, Python,etc..), hackers, and those running some servers. Most servers will most likely be abandoning linux though once Microsoft Window's 128 bit operating system comes out(if it hasn't already). Unless there is a competing linux redistribution. And windows is out-of-the-box for casual users such as yourself. That goes without saying though, with at most a couple days work you can setup as good as a development environment on windows than you can on linux.



If you're using linux, you're going to be using the terminal a lot in many cases. Some advertise you can go without it, but if you're using a linux for what it's intended to be used for, you'll be using the Terminal a lot.



Also, don't by into the whole "Linux is safer from viruses" this is true, but only because you aren't going to have even close to a comparable amount of software than you will on a windows machine. The safe to unsafe executable ratio is still the same between the two OSs. If you're using Windows 7, you scan downloads, and update your OS occasionally, you shouldn't fear viruses.

Answer 6

there are a number of techniques you're able to try this. the single that works ultimate for me is as follows, 2 separate no longer uncomplicated drives with the capability linked to it one on the time with a AB swap. It would not sparkling up your capture 22 undertaking with one stress, yet once you sense like being in Linux mode, then capability up the Linux stress. If abode windows is the alternative for the day, then swap to the different stress and voila! it somewhat is kinda like driving, you the two take the 4 wheeler out for a spin, or the Ferrari, relies upon on your temper on the time.

Answer 7

linux is free, there are no 'in the wild' virus's for linux, its more secure, its more configurable, its less resource hungry, its faster than windows on less powerful hardware,

once you learn the basics its easier than windows



if you want a program for windows you have to search the 'net, download it, hope it doesn't contain a virus, pay for it or get a pirate copy, risk getting caught and fined, etc



if you want a program in linux, just open the software manager and look through the sections for which program you want and enable it - there are hundreds (if not more) of pieces of software for my version of linux



use a virtual machine to try linux, it won't mess with your win7



http://www.virtualbox.org/



try this linux chooser



http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/



linux is an operating system, same as windows is an operating system,

the hardest part is learning how to use a new program,

my 7 year old daughter uses pclinuxos, how hard can it be ?



people say free = rubbish, i say they are brain dead,

linux frees up the power of your pc, it gives you freedom to do what you want and faster,

linux is how computers should be, owned by you and used by you,



it also saves you money, i have no need to go out and buy a quad core cpu, new mobo, umpteen gigs of ram, and all the rest - i havn't found a pc faster than mine yet and i only have a measly 2gb ddr2 ram and a p4 single core prescott 3.4 UNDERclocked to 2.6 and its still fast as a march rabbit,

transcode and burn an .avi in less than 20 mins, while listening to mp3's and surfing the 'net and still using less than 40% cpu with no slow down at all - go on, try it



but its your choice



and my weapon of choice is mandriva, have a look through these vids



http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mandriva+compiz&aq=f

Answer 8

something better than screen shots how about video, millions of them on youtube. and be prepared for a mind blowing experience You will see things that windows or the Mac can't do



Click on this Link and watch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_cFq2EZTwA

running Linux on a Pentium III 800 with 128 megs of ram You can't run XP on this system

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qddueXkD8E



Now if your going to try out Linux then go for

Linux Mint 8 or 9 works out of the Box

Ultimate Edition 2.6 works out of the Box

Sabayon 5.2 works out of the Box



don't go for Ubuntu is does not work out of the box, things need to be set up in it which you won't know how to do, being new to Linux,



To download any of the versions above check this website out

http://www.distrowatch.com