LINUX users ATTENTION?

Question

LINUX users ATTENTION?

Answer 1

First bias: I'm a Linux user of a certain age. While I got interested in it because it was one of the first programming environments I was introduced to in college (with Vax VMS and MS-DOS as opposed to Windows) my degree is in painting.



I'm sorry, a rant is necessary before my answer.



That said, disgust with Windows is a LOUSY reason to use Linux. Linux is either a free version of the Unix OS, or a free derivative of the UNIX os. The advantages are, hardware demands, depending on the distro can be very modest, it supports an awesomely wide range of hardware including powerpc macs and Playstation 3 (you can also run it on X Box but Microsoft prefers a stripped down version of Windows for that), some devices including some cell phones and servers. It also provides an straightforward path for taking responsibility for what is on your computer.



The downside is it does not take responsibility for what is going on on your computer. The argument that Windows doesn't either is wrong. It does -- very badly.



That's why a dual boot is the best way to start. There is a learning curve for Linux and it should not be underestimated. While you learn the commands, I would suggest using Ubuntu and more specifically I would suggest installing it using the Wubi Installer at http://www.wubi-installer.org which for now runs Ubuntu on top of Windows as a dual boot -- you choose at boot time which OS you want to run. Unlike other ways of putting it on, if you want your machine to run just windows (as sometimes happens), you just go to windows and click add/remove programs. Any other means of installation requires either giving up Windows (and I'm having a problem right now with an old gentoo bug I cannot solve) or a Windows installation disk even if you are not planning on reinstalling it.



There are actually programs which allow you to do this for both Suse and Debian, (and a web page for Debian at http://www.goodbye-microsoft.com ) but both are more demanding of technical knowledge to do anything. Ubuntu, of the major distributions, is most geared towards allowing a non-specialist to be productive.

Answer 2

My opinion- I can easily understand most anyone choosing a Windows os- because thats whats available to the masses. Most do not know better. I can understand someone buying a Mac if money was not an issue and they wanted to see what it was like. I can not understand someone trying to pump up mac just because they have wasted a lot of money, and are too proud to admit they made a mistake and just dump it. I also can not understand why people who are not using Linux say its too hard to learn. In the last year I have tried about a dozen Linux distros. Ubuntu is great. But I have chosen Mint, because its a little better than great. I have never had to type in a command in terminal-neither do I know how. If you wish to struggle along with Mac-hey, go for it.

Answer 3

most linux distro's doesn't need that much hardware demand as windows

as I started with ubuntu on my machine and really it was a very good option i would recommend it to you (i have now 4 distro's installed ) but i still use ubuntu as the primary os and the rest for trying or putting eye candy ...

the thing is with going to linux you will find yourself learning more about os and software

at very first do a dual boot with ubuntu and windows until you feel comfortable with linux



the ubuntuforum is very supportive and you will find many help and documentations to ubuntu everywhere just google an ubnutu problem and you will see



if you can install windows then download the live cd and you will find installing it easy (graphical interface )

also live cd's are good for trying and then you may install the distro you like more

(there are hundred's of them distrowatch.com )



so if you are ready to learn some new stuff about better os go to ubuntu.com and download the iso

burn it and it will come with most the programs you need

even if you want more use synaptic just check the software you like and it will download it and install it for you (sounds easy )

Answer 4

Your computer should be able to handle any of the current mainstream distributions. Which one you use is more about your personal taste.



Ubuntu is very popular with a vibrant support community.



Mandriva used to lead the Linux-newbie market and is still a very good option.



OpenSuSE has certain advantages, such as theoretically never needing to use the command line... ever. But in practice that isn't always the case. However it's my preferred distro.



Fedora is a solid option, but possibly more of a geek choice.



Simply for the fact that it's so popular, you might be best off with Ubuntu.

Answer 5

Suse-Linux: open Suse 11.

Answer 6

ubuntu



http://www.ubuntu.org

Answer 7

Install them as a dual boot system and use RedHat.

Answer 8

Hi, openSUSE is the best.



Its the most stable, polished and easiest to use as well.



Its also one of the few that look pretty and innovates and its got GUI wizards for everything.



http://en.opensuse.org



Screenshots



http://en.opensuse.org/Screenshots/openSUSE_11.0



Its the best distro of Spring 2008



http://en.opensuse.org/Screenshots/openSUSE_11.0



Here is another help ful website



http://www.opensuse-community.org



If u have any questions u may contact me.



Good Luck!



EDIT



Here r 2 new reviews



http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/opensource/?p=245

http://thedullbulb.blogspot.com/2008/07/open-source-oss-part-3-opensuse.html



EDIT 2



Thumbs down for telling the questioner about my favorite distro, real nice, ubuntu is a lame debian rip off so I won't be recommending that sorry ubuntu users.

Answer 9

If you want to dip your toes into Linux without carrying out a full installation you could do is install Ubuntu 8.04.1 using Wubi http://wubi-installer.org/



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.

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.



Another possibility is running a Linux LiveCD. There are a whole host available. Worth considering are



Mandriva 2008.1 Spring http://www.mandriva.com/

SimplyMEPIS 7.0 http://www.mepis.org/

Ubuntu 7.10 http://releases.ubuntu.com/7.10/ (My Preference)

Ubuntu 8.04.1 http://releases.ubuntu.com/hardy/

Linux Mint 5.0 http://www.linuxmint.com/

OpenSUSE 11.0 http://software.opensuse.org/



All the Linux flavours listed above are easy to install and easy to use.



If you need any help or advice please do not hesitate to email me (see my profile)



LUg.