Linux Getting Started?

Question

I know there's a lot of Linux fan boys out there so I am sure I may get a lot of help here. I am basically wanting to start out with some Linux version (what version?). Since I am an avid Mac OSX and XP person I do not know anything about linux so a link to all the equivalent common programs would be a huge help! I understand that it's all "open source?" I think that is correct so I wanted to try out a more economical solution!

I have a spare xp cd that I was thinking about being ran under a LINUX vm machine is there a good free open source one that would do this that is equivalen to vmware and parrallels? I am very excited to get started and any help would be much appreciated

Answer 1

I use Ubuntu 9.04 and it's a very good environment for a newcomer.



Windows games do not work in Linux without workarounds. I have tried to use the WINE emulator, but probably I will opt to install Windows inside a virtual machine and use it to Windows-specific tasks like gaming.



You may also have trouble with certain proprietary media codecs, such as Windows wmw and wma, dvd playback and mp3 playback.



A very good and easy-to-use virtual machine is Virtual Box. It has a nice GUi and I managed to boot my old Windows 98 (!) with it ;-) XP is better supported by Virtual Box, so you should definitely try it out. Just remember those XP license codes!



Here's what I use for different tasks in Ubuntu:



Media Players: Totem, Kaffeine (for playing dvd's), Vlc, Mplayer

MP3 player: Audacious (and also Totem for this)

MP3 tagging: Audio Tag Tool

Image and photo manipulation: GIMP

Image Viewer: Eye Of Gnome (default), also GPicView

Office: OpenOffice 3

Ripping music from CD's: Sound Juicer

Burning cd's and dvd's: Brasero

DVD authoring: DeVeDe

Web browser: Firefox 3

P2P: Frostwire (you have to download this from the net)

Firewall: Firestarter (very easy to use)

Virus scanner: Bit Defender (download from the net)

Youtube downloader: youtube-dl (a console application!)

Tweaking Ubuntu: Ubuntu Tweak (very useful!)

Virtual machine: Virtual Box (as mentioned above)

Installing programs: Synaptic Package Manager



Getdeb.net is a great place to find programs that do not come with Ubuntu (also newer versions of programs). But most of the programs I mentioned are either the default ones or can be found from the Ubuntu program repositories (throuhg Synaptic Package Manager).



For media codecs, you should install "ubuntu-restricted-extras" from the repositories. You may also want to check out the Medibuntu website to find out about restricted codecs such as wmw, wma, dvd's and such.



Here's more about Linux in general and Ubuntu:



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux

http://www.ubuntu.com/

Answer 2

Ubuntu is your best bet for a Linux OS

http://www.ubuntu.com



I started using it less than a year ago and its really good especially since its COMPLETELY free. You can download if for free or they will even send you a CD in the mail for free. They encourage you, it says on the cd case, to share and copy the disc.



Anyway these are the equivilent programs you will find on a fresh install of ubuntu



Microsoft Office---------> Open office

Internet explorer--------> Mozilla Fire fox

command prompt------> Terminal

Windows media player--> Movie player

ctrl+alt+delete---------------> Force quit

Recycle bin------------------> Trash



Ubuntu is very friendly as far as a virtual machine, there is on you can download using the Add/remove software and you can install XP on it cuase i have that right now :).



I have a recomendation, download VLC player to take the place of movie player. It works ALOT better. open up the Terminal and type in "sudo apt-get install vlc" (without the quotations) and install it. (you can use the terminal to install apps)

Answer 3

Although the first place to maybe start is Ubuntu http://www.ubuntu.com/ , I have found that using CENTOS has alot of the networking features turned on and things are generally running without a lot of tweaking. http://www.centos.org/



Remeber, that Linux, is a tweaker's OS and you need to do alot of forum reading to assist you with anything you want to "turn on" or off, or add. BE prepared to take several hours of "tweaking time" to get it how you want it since it is customizable. But once you have it, I bet you'll be VERY HAPPY.

Answer 4

hiya, i became into in an analogous boat no longer some time past. once I hit senior one year of CS at college of Washington, no longer understanding Linux became no longer an decision, particularly with Java. certainly, it is not proper which way you go. i'm prepared on Linux Mint for sparkling purchasers nonetheless. it is in keeping with Debian (like Ubuntu) yet is a lot greater consumer friendly. in lots of techniques you will experience genuine at domicile. a pair issues to be conscious, to place in courses, you do no longer obtain **** such as you do in domicile windows, go into the menu (initiate menu in actuality) and visit "application supervisor" and seek for the appliance you want and bingo, put in for you, freed from value! in actuality, you are able to seek in basic terms varieties of application, no issue in any respect. additionally, analyzing a handbook on emacs would be a good theory for small edits in Java code. you would be working java stuff in the terminal (command line). it's going to seem something like this for a hi worldwide application in the terminal javac HelloWorld.java // the above compiles the document java HelloWorld // runs the document and it makes use of the terminal as your "console" in actuality. in case you have a issue nonetheless you are able to kind emacs HelloWorld.java and open a fantastically amazing editor (nonetheless i'm going to individually no longer use something yet eclipse for development courses through fact it is ordinary. VIM or emacs buffs will communicate your ear off approximately why Eclipse is inferior, yet Google workers making use of eclipse and cranking 200k will chortle all the way domicile). good success! and inspect the linux mint boards. returned, it is meant for noobs so human beings there are great efficient and could no longer flame you for "dumb" questions regularly. (there are ***** everywhere nonetheless so take that with a grain of salt)

Answer 5

Start with Ubuntu Wubi. Then if you like it consider a dual boot with your Windows. I prefer Linux Mint.



Following are some links to get you started .