Should I install Linux?

Linux Mint 11

2011-07-13 16:36:48 UTC

Overall a Linux based platform can perform most of the tasks equally as well as a proprietary platform using the likes of Ubuntu and its derivative distros. However Linux does have its limitations with some applications and in particular gaming. For example I retain a dedicated Windows partition to run specific applications such as Office 2010 etc.

I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 11 which is built upon Ubuntu 11.04 but more stable. 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

How To Dual Boot Linux Mint and Windows 7

http://www.linuxbsdos.com/2010/12/08/how-to-dual-boot-linux-mint-10-and-windows-7/

Linux Mint 11 Release Notes/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 for installation

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

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

LUg.

?

2011-07-12 16:20:28 UTC

If your not a gamer, than no there's no downside, If you are you can use emulator software to run them, there's a free one called PlayOnLinux, which is somewhat reliable, and a commercial one called Cedega which IS reliable but not free. Aside from that it's just different. You can run MS Office but I wouldn't. OpenOffice and LibreOffice IMO are better and there completely compatible with MS Office. Most people that give Linux an honest chance don't go back to Windows. If you do a dual boot at first make sure you boot the CD and don't use the Windows Installer (WUBI). It only simulates a dual boot environment and actually installs Linux into your windows partition like it would a program.

The Upsides are-

Your computer will run faster

More Customizable

No more worrying about viruses

Free Software that would be thousands of dollars in Windows equivalents

It's NOT Windows

The List goes on.....

Being new to Linux, Ubuntu (or one of the buntu's) or Linux Mint would be good to start with. I see a lot of people recommending Zorin here on Y.A., It's a Ubuntu spin off that spends more time trying to sell paid versions (which those types never has a long lifespan in the Linux world) and the rest of the time trying to look like Windows 7. I'm a busy member of many Linux forums and I can tell you everybody that installs it usually replaces it very shortly thereafter.

?

2011-07-12 16:31:09 UTC

Where to start?

Well Linux is great. What ever distribution that is. I'm sure you've researches this but the main distro of Linux is ubuntu. So I will be reffering to that a lot.

1. Good things:

Well every distribution I can think of is free! Free and open source (so it's easier for developers). In my opinion, a lit of distrobutions look nice, modern. Ubuntu is very easy to learn, and soo fast. Your computer could. Be 5 times faster.

2. Flaws:

Linux can be un-stable at times (much like windows). Some of it is based around a command line interface, but issues can be solved with a google search. Ubuntu uses unity for it's graphical user interface, this is terrible. Good news is you can switch to gnome! This will all become clear if you use Linux.

3. Data:

Well, this is where it gets complicated, so I'm gonna put it into 3 main points. A. Dual-boot B. Just Linux C. Restoring to windows.

A. Well, to start a dual boot allows you to choose between Linux and windows when booting. This is great, I use it. This is dependant on the Linux distribution though. Ubuntu in particular makes a dual hoot really easy, so no worries about backing up data, it will still be there. I cant really go into too much detail as I'm writing on an iPod touch, but I would recommend googling ubuntu and looking at their website. YouTube is also very, very helpful.

B. Just Linux, well you would need to back up your data and it would just be Linux, no windows.

C. Well, first if you have access to windows:

There is an app called mbrfix.exe download that read the instructions and give it a go. Then just delete the Linux partitions.

No access to windows:

Put a windows disc in or a restore disc and do a fresh install.

4. The verdict:

Cretantly give Linux a go, you may love it, you may hate it. Just backup your data. You will notice a speed increase (in Linux) as well as a whole new operating system to explore

Well, I hope I've helped, please send me a message if any help is needed.

?

2011-07-12 16:15:36 UTC

If you like windows but you want to use linux, try something such as wubi (Ubuntu Installer for Windows) which lets you run both Windows and Linux which means at system startup you can select which one to boot from. Wubi installs the ubuntu distribution of linux which personally I think is the best. Now the ubuntu distribution has many cool graphics, programs, an "app store", a dock and many other cool things. The only downside is compatibility, which is why you would use Wubi because you can run both OSes at once. Also, there are some applications that let you use office/paint/others such as openoffice or gimp that come pre-installed. And the files can be easily transferred to your ubuntu install via USB.

?

2011-07-12 16:17:02 UTC

When you install Linux, during the install process it tells you where you want to install the OS, just choose half for WIndows and half for Linux. However, MS Word and Office will work through Wine or Play on Linux, when running a program through Wine or Play on Linux it will be faster then in Windows. Their are alternatives, like OpenOffice or LibreOffice.

Linux does no freeze or get viruses, depending on what flavor you install it is very stable. I use Ubuntu 11.04 and have been since it was in beta. And Ubuntu in general since 10.04. I use Ubuntu because I compile Linux Kernels, but why you will use it will be different. Their are about 350 or so distros and all are fully customizable just Youtube search some or just put in "Linux Os'" in a search box. If you want to feel like you are using Windows but in a Linux world, try Zorin OS.

If you want to be really secure you can backup your files on a USB, but it is less then likely that for any reason you should lose your files.

anonymous

2011-07-12 16:25:46 UTC

Well You Can As Stated Have Both Windows & Linux Installed.

You Can Create a Dual Boot As Stated.. Where you get to Choose Which..

OS to Load As The Computer's Starting which can be Great.

Wubi Tutorial -> http://www.howtoforge.com/wubi_ubuntu_on_windows

Or You Can Create a VM(Virtual Machine) Which is Easier than it Sounds :)

This is Basically a Bunch of Files that sit on your HD that let you Use a..

Virtual Linux/Ubuntu OS just like Running a Program (Like MSN, Firefox)

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/11287/how-to-run-ubuntu-in-windows-7-with-vmware-player/

And Yea.. Linux is not a Gaming OS & Theres not Billions of Software..

For It Either Like windows(The Best For Games & Software)

But On the other Hand it's More Secure & Is known as a 'Programmer's OS'

Hope it helps :)

EDIT: No If all goes well you should not need to copy them to usb..

But i would just for the hell of it if they are VIF ( Very Important Files :)

Oh And if you Create a VM You Can use Word as your Running Linux In Windows.

?

2011-07-12 16:30:34 UTC

I've been told in the latest edition of WINE you can use Word.

ubuntu 11.04 is unstable, try 10.10 instead or use OpenSUSE or fedora or ...

Linux also has not quite grown up to being a desktop OS. for instance, backups and some kinds of mounting are still command-line. you can install it in a virtual machine and try it out for a while to see if you like it. VirtualBox is a free Virtual Machine. it gives the OS a 640x480 "video card" (you see it as a window) and "disk space" to itself. it can optionally capture your mouse and or keyboard and you can shut it down, etc.

If you want to pay for something fancier that can have a shared FAT32 partition (not sure how well this would work - never tried vmware), VMWare Workstation is a more serious virtual machine.

with OpenSUSE, networking is configured through YAST. it's not obvious.

don't obliterate your windows' system restore partition in case you decide you want windows instead - that is your windows OS - it's a good idea to create System Restore/Recovery discs before you start - there is usually an application on your computer for that.

there are plenty of applications in linux, but the commercial windows apps are generally more stable.

windows is also much more recoverable in the case of a serious problem. take the case of an unclean shutdown - ubuntu will not come back (you reinstall). windows you simply reboot and if you feel up to it, do a filesystem repair.

Learning Windows, OS X, and Linux may be required for some jobs (well, maybe Windows and Linux).

?

2016-12-18 16:11:14 UTC

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anonymous

2014-08-06 20:38:15 UTC

Hey,

I downloaded Virtualbox for free here http://j.mp/WhuTSZ

I have been using it for years

Bye Bye

anonymous

2011-07-12 16:28:53 UTC

WARNING: Some things in Linux are a lot more complicated so I wouldn't suggest it unless you are good at computers and are interested in learning even more about computers.