i'm thinking about switching from windows to Linux

[majorburt]

so, i was hearing all this cool stuff about Linux and i wanted to know what it REALLY is.

if there are any Linux users around then could you tell me not only about what it is but also the "how and why" of switching from something like windows XP.

[V_Chip]

Originally Posted by majorburt

so, i was hearing all this cool stuff about Linux and i wanted to know what it REALLY is.

if there are any Linux users around then could you tell me not only about what it is but also the "how and why" of switching from something like windows XP.

Try it out by using Wubi. It installs Linux (Ubuntu distro) as a program so that if you don't like it you can simply uninstall. Requires a reboot to boot into your selected OS.

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/deskt...dows-installer

It's different. I only use it when necessary (old machine, server). Great lightweight alternative to Windows if you don't need the Windows environment.

[Bellic]

I recently installed Linux on my PC. I kept Windows 7 on a separate partition. I absolutely love Ubuntu. I have fallen in love. It is the best OS I have ever used. I highly, highly recommend it.

[dooglehead]

I recommend Linux Mint over Ubuntu. It is based on Ubuntu, so it is compatible with everything that is compatible with Ubuntu, but I like the UI a lot more.

[majorburt]

Originally Posted by V_Chip

Try it out by using Wubi. It installs Linux (Ubuntu distro) as a program so that if you don't like it you can simply uninstall. Requires a reboot to boot into your selected OS.

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/deskt...dows-installer

It's different. I only use it when necessary (old machine, server). Great lightweight alternative to Windows if you don't need the Windows environment.

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would installing Wubi change anything form my system that would cause problems if i decided that Linux wasn't for me?


are there compatibly issues with other programs and games meant for other systems? the reason why is that i rarely see large companies releasing there products with installers meant for Linux.

[Locke]

Wubi, last I checked anyway, basically acts like a Windows program as far as you need to be concerned. It installs and uninstalls from inside of Windows. Nothing Wubi does should affect how your programs run in Windows either. Just make sure you've got plenty of free hard drive space for both.

[Beausiph]

Originally Posted by majorburt

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would installing Wubi change anything form my system that would cause problems if i decided that Linux wasn't for me?


are there compatibly issues with other programs and games meant for other systems? the reason why is that i rarely see large companies releasing there products with installers meant for Linux.

So basically very few programs will be compatible - as both operating systems are based extremely different. A program called WINE can emulate simple windows programs, but if .NET framework is needed - forget it.

Installing in Linux isn't so easy at first - its not like clicking to run an exe. Ubuntu does make it easier than most distros. You usually have to do it through the terminal (like windows command prompt).

[majorburt]

is there anything that Linux can do that windows can't?

[SteppingSplash]

Originally Posted by V_Chip

Try it out by using Wubi. It installs Linux (Ubuntu distro) as a program so that if you don't like it you can simply uninstall. Requires a reboot to boot into your selected OS.

What's the difference between Wubi and full fledged Ubuntu?

[V_Chip]

Originally Posted by SteppingSplash

What's the difference between Wubi and full fledged Ubuntu?

Originally Posted by Locke

Wubi, last I checked anyway, basically acts like a Windows program as far as you need to be concerned. It installs and uninstalls from inside of Windows. Nothing Wubi does should affect how your programs run in Windows either. Just make sure you've got plenty of free hard drive space for both.

Locke got it right.

Just reboot and select your OS. Rather than create an additional partition in order to install Linux, installing Ubuntu w/Wubi is through Windows and does not effect your current installation or the partitioning on your HDD. Great for testing purposes.

[majorburt]

i decided to install Wubi but i didn't get too far until i got stuck on the desktop environment selection.