Switching to Linux . Is it good ?

Question

Switching to Linux . Is it good ?

Answer 1

I've been using Linux for 15 years in both business and personal use. I currently use it exclusively on my personal systems. No Windows anywhere. Here are the answers you need:



1. Linux installs on nearly all modern PC hardware. Unless you have something peculiar or really exotic, it should work. When you install one of the current distros, the detection will take place and if there are issues, you should know then.



2. Linux doesn't care about routers and modems. If you connect to the router for internet access, it's the wireless or Ethernet device on your systems that matter. Again, networking with Linux works out-of-the-box in nearly all cases. If the router and modem speak Wireless or Ethernet, it will likely work fine.



3. There are a lot of great distros for first-timers. I would look at PCLinuxOS and Linux Mint. I don't use them myself (I use Slackware, which is NOT for beginners), but I have seen them work, and they are terrific for ease of installation and use.



4. Deal with BSD later. Linux has far more support and available software.



Check out the Linux distro site for details on all Linux distros:



http://www.distrowatch.com



Each distro has plenty of support websites, and most are listed on the Distrowatch site.



I want to comment on a couple of things the guy above me (Michael) said.



1. Very few of the modern distros use LILO anymore. In fact, I can only think of one (Slackware), and you have the option not to install it. Most use GRUB to load, and most detect the current drive settings and add any Windows partitions you have to boot from so you can dual boot your computer to either system.



2. Linux installers do not do anything to the BIOS and nothing to the drives unless you direct it to in the installation. I have no idea where he gets that from. A Linux installation is very similar (in fact, easier) than a Windows install. You select or create a partition and install it. It doesn't touch anything unless you tell it to do so. Yes, you can do an automatic installation, but that's also a choice.



3. Just because someone is a second-level tech support at Dell doesn't mean they know anything about Linux. Stick with the sites dedicated to your distro and with Linux in general. You will always find a solution to any problem and all the help you need.

Answer 2

I am typing this reply using Firefox under Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackelope). My laptop is an HP (Compaq) that can dual-boot into Windows XP (which I use for work). I prefer the Linux OS, personally.



There were no installation problems I found. The Ubuntu installer is as friendly as can be: it asks a few questions about your name, password, keyboard type, location and then goes to work. When it's done, you have a fully-configured, fully-equipped (software includes Open Office, Firefox, music and video players, graphics tools, email, etc.) system.



The downside is that if you use Windows-specific programs, or have need to run Internet Explorer for certain things (I can only submit my timesheets using IE) you will have to install WINE, which can be problematic and difficult to configure. For example, I use a Garmin Forerunner GPS for running and biking. Garmin does not make a Linux-compatible training center, and the Linux alternatives are way behind in capabilities (although there are some very interesting projects under way).



My suggestion is to check out the different Linux distributions ("distros"), perhaps download and burn a couple of bootable CDs that you can run live without installing, to get a feel for them, and then install the one you like best. There's a Linux for everyone!

Answer 3

Most distros have a LiveCD feature. You boot from the CD and check it out. If you can go online with that CD running the computer, just about all other things fall into place. Ubuntu has a hardware compatiability list. The Ubuntu forums have searchable Q / A. The main gripe I hear with Win to Linux switchers is the Win crowd misses their games.



Linux takes a little getting used to, but is worth it. Linux over BSD because of the Linux community out there ready to help.



edit:================

I want to comment about being a Dell Tech support. That doesn't mean anything. Dell relies soley on ethnic diversity for all hiring and promotion decisions for any job title below Vice President. When ethinic diversity is not the criteria, then temporary workers is what Dell wants. Competance is not part of the Dell corporate philosophy at all.

Answer 4

If you are serious about a permanent Linux Desktop then I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 6 Main Edition which is Ubuntu based. Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled.



You would be best off RUNNING IT LIVE so you can get the feel of things.



Linux Mint 6 Release notes

http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_felicia_whatsnew.php



Linux Mint 6 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=31



Once you have got the feel of things you may wish to consider an installation



The Perfect Desktop - Linux Mint 6 (Felicia)



This tutorial shows how you can set up a Linux Mint 6 (Felicia) desktop that is a full-fledged replacement for a Windows desktop, i.e. that has all the software that people need to do the things they do on their Windows desktops. The advantages are clear: you get a secure system without DRM restrictions that works even on old hardware, and the best thing is: all software comes free of charge. Linux Mint 6 is a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu 8.10 that has lots of packages in its repositories (like multimedia codecs, Adobe Flash, Adobe Reader, Skype, Google Earth, etc.) that are relatively hard to install on other distributions; it therefore provides a user-friendly desktop experience even for Linux newbies

http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-6-felicia





You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 6 then you need to create a Bootable CD from the ISO. This can easily be done using Nero Burning ROM or similar software. Linux Mint can also be run straight from the LiveCD you have created without touching your Hard Drive.



Remember you can RUN IT LIVE !





LUg.

Answer 5

I would recommend Ubuntu 9.04 for beginners to Linux as it is very friendly.



During installation, you shouldn't really face any problems assuming you're not using some rarely used chipset or SATA/IDE controller (which is unlikely unless you have RAID setup). (I've installed Ubuntu, and other distros of linux, on dozens of hardware setups and never had any hiccups.)



Previous versions of Ubuntu have had issues regarding wireless cards and wireless security not being recognized, but most of these issues were resolved in Ubuntu 9.04. I have a PCIMA wireless card that previous versions of Ubuntu were not able to detect, but 9.04 had no problem whatsoever. If it doesn't work instantly, you should get a popup stating that additional hardware was detected and requires drivers. You can also search the Ubuntu forums (very friendly place) for tutorials on getting your wireless adapter up and running.



While Unix-like distros such as FreeBSD, OpenBSD, etc. are preferred by many hardcore users, I would recommend starting out simple with a GUI-based distro such as Ubuntu for people getting used to Linux. Coming from Windows, I'm almost sure you're used to clicking on stuff rather than using the terminal (command prompt). Once you're familiar with the terminal and many of the commands (ls, cd, mkdir, rm, mv, etc.) you can try to move on to GUI-less distros such as FreeBSD.



As an additional tip, I would recommend installing Linux on a separate hard drive, or partition, in case something goes godly wrong (Make sure to backup either way!). This way you can get back to your loving Windows to get either support to feel safe.

If you would like to dual-boot (two OSes installed at the same time, with the option to switch between them at bootup) I would recommend this tutorial: http://bit.ly/lj409



Best of luck with the Penguin!



Cheers,

-robodude666

Answer 6

Some people like Linux - you may too.

My son gave it a try and learned a couple of things the hard way. They both hinge around LILO, the linux loader. It is a jealous god, to say the least. Any drives connected and visible to BIOS will be converted to Linux whether you want it so or not. And drives that have been touched by LILO are not reusable for Windows without some special attention. It is possible the version of fdisk shipping woth Windows these days supports the /mbr (master boot record) switch, and it is possible that will make the drive usable with Windows again. I think my son used Partition Magic to recover the drives. He stayed with Linux a few weeks then went back to Windows. He's very technically competent - he was a second level customer assistance rep an a Dell support line for about a year - but he was worn down by the difficulties he had with Linux.

Your experience may vary.

Answer 7

I would recommend Ubuntu all the way. Just tried their 9.04 and did not have to do anything to get any drivers working on my 3 year old Dell desktop. Compiz fusion (advanced desktop effects such as cube) works out of the box. As long as you're not into gaming, Ubuntu can replace just about anything in Windows. Even works with iPod and iPhone.



As to installation it is pretty smooth. You download the live CD iso and burn it to a blank CD. Put the CD in your drive and just follow the instructions. Ubuntu is also a piece of cake for most beginners. It's suppose to be the most user-friendly distro.



You shouldn't have any problems with your Linksys router and modem as they don't need software to run on your computer. Routers and modems have its individual software interface which is accessed via their IP addresses. So it doesn't matter what OS you run.



It's better to go Linux for beginners.

Answer 8

Like the other experienced user posted, I'd go with PCLinuxOS which is a fork off Mandrak/Mandriva. It's not nearly as bloated and slow as Ubuntu. It's also much easier to setup and it uses KDE instead of Gnome. Which may be a bit easier for someone moving from M$. (I know I'll probably be bashed by 'buntu heads, but they're kind of like the AOL users of Linux so I don't listen)



As for Linux commands? Try this link.



http://lmgtfy.com/?q=linux+commands