A few questions about Linux!?

Question

Hello. Im thinking about getting Linux, but first i have a few questions:

1.Is it better than Windows Vista, which I currently have?
2.Will I still have my stuff, like music and pictures and will i be able to view them?
3.Can i keep Vista if i end up not liking Linux?
4.Is there any chance that downloading it may hurt my computer?

In case what computer i have is important its a Dell Inspiron E1505

Answer 1

Try a few live cd distributions. You just download the iso files, burn them to disks and boot the computer with the disk. NO installation needed. Here is the list with most linux live distributions http://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.php

Puppy linux is the one I like the most. If you go to my profile you will see a link under "Windows Secrets". You can visit that site if you want to learn some of the BEST HIDEEN features of windows.

Answer 2

If you have to ask questions about Linux, then maybe it's not for you. Linux is a more 'hands on' operating system in that everything is not automatic as it is in the Windows world. But to answer your questions:

1. Better than Vista? I have Vista XP and Linux on different computers. Personally, I like XP best. Linux will work on a more modest system (unlike Vista, which is a power hog for memory, video RAM, CPU, etc.). However, finding drivers for Linux for things like wireless cards can be a problem, as everything is always written for Windows and only a few manufacturers bother with Linux drivers. For a balance of ease of use and running on decent hardware, I vote for XP.

2. Everything you do on any other operating system can be done on a Linux system.

3. Try Linux? You should download a copy of either Ubuntu or PCLinuxOS and burn to a CD. You can boot from this CD and run your system in Linux without damaging Windows and without loading anything permanently on your PC. This way you can see how it's the same and how it's different.

4. Hurt your computer? No way. If you are in Linux from your CD and you decide you want to quit or you get stuck, just switch the power off. Since Linux is only in your RAM, as soon as you power down, it's gone and you're back where you started.



Good Luck.

Answer 3

1. Yes, for many reasons which touch on your rights and freedoms, cost-effective use of your hardware and myriad other subjects.



2. You can make sure that you do not lose your files in various ways. The best is to back them up to another storage device, but you may also keep them through careful arrangement of partitions.



3. Yes, you can keep Vista. You can either use a Live CD (a very popular method) or dual boot (which is popular with those who know they want to use Linux but don't want to give up Windows yet).



4. No, downloading Linux will not hurt your computer. In fact, Linux is far less likely ever to harm your computer than Windows. You do have to be careful when arranging your hard disk partitions, but apart from that you'll be fine. Partitioning isn't hard, anyway, once you read the documentation about it.



For best results match the Linux version you use to the processor architecture your computer has. For instance an i686 or an 86_64.

Answer 4

1. It is definitely better than Vista in many aspects but it all drills down to usage. If you wanna just want internet, games, multimedia then Vista is just fine but if you are into serious stuff like programming, networking, servers, design etc Linux rocks

2,3 . You can keep vista partition and mount it from Linux so all your stuff will be available.

4. Downloading Linux will not hurt you but be careful while installing Linux as it requires repartitioning etc.



I will suggest you to first use some Disk based Linux (e.g KNOPPIX )so that you will get familier with it without touching

your harddrive.



Hope this helps.



Regards.

Answer 5

There are viruses for every operating system out there, but not as much for Linux. As stated before you will not be able to use any Microsoft software. You would have to use OpenOffice or a comparable program. You should know some code, it depends on what OS of Linux you get. There is command based, which is why everyone is saying "code code code" and there is graphical kind - sort of like Windows, but more stable.

Answer 6

well you can't use 2 OS on same partition, i have 2 dual boot PCs at home 1 with vista and Ubuntu linux and the other is XP and mandriva linux. your pictures and music will have to be transfered since linux doesn't use the same format as vista and no it won't hurt your computer but your going to need to do some serious research to know how to do it let alone how to set everthing up. will you like it better then vista, doubtful is it better well thats an opinion. its free so thats a huge plus

Answer 7

You can install Ubuntu 8.04.1 by using Wubi.

You keep Windows as it is, Wubi http://wubi-installer.org/ 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.

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.



The above method allows you to run both in tandem so you can boot into Ubuntu most of the time and forget Vista is even installed, but at the same time always having the option of booting into Vista should you wish to to so. Wubi is totally virus and spyware free in common with everything related to Linux.



Ubuntu includes a full package of varoius entertainment software for example :



Mplayer Movie Player http://www.mplayerhq.hu/design7/info.html

Rhythmbox Music Player http://www.gnome.org/projects/rhythmbox/

GIMP Image Manipulation http://www.gimp.org/tutorials/



These and many more are included in the Ubuntu package including OpenOffice http://www.openoffice.org/



If you have any further questions don't hesitate to contact me (see my profile) I am here to help.



LUg.

Answer 8

Download the live cd distribution of Ubuntu. You can try it out without loading it, straight from the cd. If you like it you can actually install it to dual boot with Windows, then you can still read your files.It uses different programs to windows.

Answer 9

Hahah, I love the Vista hate.



Vista doesn't suck.



Have fun with Linux, you will hate it within a few weeks. I don't know where you get your ideas from, but I doubt you have ever opened up a windows command line.



And ubuntu? If you're going to switch go to real linux. Try Debian.

Answer 10

1. yes.. vista sucks

2. you can back it up onto an external drive and put them back... linux will recognise them fine.

3.yes.. install ubuntu 8.04(also called hardy heron) and choose to install inside windows.. it will do a dual boot and u cna choose which to boot into.

4. no. download it from ubuntu.com

Answer 11

imo, linux>>>vista.

yes you can stll have all your music and pics.

downloading it wont hurt your computer.

and i have no clue about going back to vista if you dont like linux cause i have never felt the need to go back to that crap.