Planning to shift from Windows to Linux?

Question

Hmmm.. Okay i have decided to change my OS from windows to any linux based OS which is better fedora or ubuntu or red hat or anything else?
Meow should i know all the terminal commands?

Answer 1

You can use terminal commands just like you can in Windows, but there is no need. There are many Linux users out there that will give you directions how to do something via the terminal, the terminal can be a very powerful way to modify your system, but leave it up to the nerds to do that, you & I should just stick to clicking on things to make things work, its much easier.



Ubuntu will have a new version coming out in April, so if you can wait for it, you should, because it will be supported for 5 years, while the current version will only be supported for about 1 more year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_(operating_system)#Releases



The most popular versions of Linux (therefore the most supported) are Linux Mint & Ubuntu.

http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major

Linux Mint comes will all codecs pre-installed which means you can play DVDs without any additional configuration after you install it. However, I choose to go with Ubuntu because Linux Mint is actually Ubuntu customized, for example, Mint comes with all the codecs, but from my experience, I just find Ubuntu more stable.



Live CDs are slow & kind of junk, I highly recommend using a Live USB stick, it is much faster. Follow the directions on the download page how to use a USB instead of a CD

Answer 2

Some advice:



At first, dual boot rather than wipe Windows away completely; your frustration level will be less knowing that Windows is available should you really really need to get something done and you're having problems with Linux.



While I usually suggest Linux Mint for new users, there's no reason why you can't download the iso file for all the distributions you may be considering, be they Fedora, SUSE, Ubuntu, Pinguy, Crunchbang, etc etc, burn it to a disc/install to USB, and play around with them in live session mode *before* committing the OS to your hard drive. Ask yourself:



Do you find the UI intuitive? Do you prefer a given package management system over the others? Will having to manually install media codecs and Flash, edit text files, and issue terminal commands to configure the desktop to your liking annoy you, or will you embrace these as a learning experience? Maybe an "out-of-the-box" distro is what you need.



Remember that "better" is subjective; it's your desktop, it's your computing needs and style. Try before you buy. There are so many options in Linux: different distros, different desktop environments, myriad media players, IM clients, browsers. Everyone has their personal favorites, and what appeals to me may not work for you. I've tried literally dozens of distros over the years, and very few of them outright sucked. Do a little research here http://distrowatch.com/ (listings on the right contain distro info and reviews) and you're more likely to find an OS that fits you.

Answer 3

If you are new to Linux, use Mint Linux. The best thing to do is have it install side by side so you don't lose your Windows. When you decide Linux is actually what you want then transition to using the whole hard drive, but make sure you have Window CDs to reinstall it if you decide you do not like it after. The reason for keeping Windows is if you are a gamer. There is no reason to be using terminal commands unless you download something that is not in the Linux Repositories in the software management program. Using the terminal to install software, you have to be the root user, not the user.

Answer 4

BEFORE you switch, take a deep breath.

Always dual boot to begin with so at least you have an option to get back to Windows if you 1) need to use Windows specific Apps and games, 2) end up not liking your Linux experience.

Always back up



To answer your question, more people use Ubuntu than any other free Linux Distro. There is more help and software and support than any other Linux Distro.

Fedora is a training ground for Redhat and professional Linux users...it should be as good, but just have as much hype as Ubuntu attached.



You hardly ever need to use the terminal...but if you want to learn, use this guide form MakeUseOf

http://www.makeuseof.com/pages/linux-commands-reference-pdf; they have loads of other guides and cheat sheets

Answer 5

I use Fedora (related to Red Hat).



I have always found it easy to use with all the power you would expect from Linux. I am sure Ubuntu and Mint (etc) are wonderful also, but I have not heard anyone explain how that are any better than most others of the popular Linux flavours. From what I have read, they are essentially the same to use and love.



Whichever you decide: Good choice!

Answer 6

Overall a Linux based platform can perform most of the tasks equally as well as a proprietary platform using OSS such as the excellent comprehensive Office Suite LibreOffice

http://tldp.org/LDP/intro-linux/html/chap_01.html

http://www.libreoffice.org/features/



There is really no reason to use a proprietary platform these days with the exception of High End gaming which will always be the achilles heel of Linux. Otherwise Windows is all but reduntant which is becoming increasingly evident particularly where users upgrading from XP are switching to Linux permanently

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/247577/desktop_linux_gains_share_in_recent_months.html



The Linux Desktop is currently a mess with a plethora of options available. Unity as on Ubuntu 11.10 and GNOME 3 as on Fedora 16 are cluttered and in my opinion not suitable for use on a production machine. I need a Desktop Environment that has stability and allows me to just get things done with minimal fuss. This is where the older Gnome 2 Desktop Environment excels.



Linux Mint 12 goes some way to addressing this wth MGSE (Mint Gnome Shell Extensions) which is a layer built on top of GNOME 3 however like other distros. such as Fedora to deploy the GNOME 3 Desktop Environment for me does not convince



Linux Desktop Faceoff GNOME 3 vs Ubuntu Unity

http://lifehacker.com/5853099/linux-desktop-faceoff-gnome-3-vs-ubuntu-unity



There is a promising project being developed by Linux Mint called Cinnamon which is also a layer built upon GNOME 3 and will replace MGSE on Linux Mint 13 LTS

http://cinnamon.linuxmint.com/



I thoroughly recommend the earlier release Linux Mint 11 which is based upon Ubuntu 11.04 Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled



Linux Mint 11 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=81



Linux Mint 11 Release Notes/Installation Guide/User Guide

http://linuxmint.com/rel_katya.php



You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 11 then you need to create a Bootable LiveDVD

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto



Linux Mint 11 can also be run straight from the LiveDVD without touching your Hard Drive







LUg.

Answer 7

Ubuntu is, hands down, the best starter/newbie build. Easy automated install, and a very easy to use GUI. The terminal commands are useful, but the need for them is all but eliminated in ubuntu.



You can make the Ubuntu LiveCD and boot to it to test it out, fully functional, without installing. Go check it out before you decide.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

Don't do it all at once, make sure your hardware is compatible.



http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntucat/a-home-users-successful-migration-strategy-from-windows-to-ubuntu/



I would also suggest trying out a few liveCD's first in order to pick the distro that is best for you.