[Ham-Computers] windows - linux

[jeff]

Ken wrote:
> Wonder if you might have a few moments to tell me some things about Linux?
> The more bad things I hear about MS, the more dis-enchanted I have become!

Welcome to the group.  The line gets longer as we type.  Vista was the 
last straw for many.


> What would be involved in cleaning MS out of a machine and intalling Linux?

The first thing you can do, if you want, is to download a distribution 
of linux that can also be used as a `live cd'.  You boot to it, linux 
detects your hardware and runs until you turn it off.  It doesn't 
disturb the hard drive at all.

There's a method of installing linux under Windows (wubi, I think) but I 
believe it's fundamentally flawed because Windows always becomes 
unstable and it will take linux with it.  It's like building an 
earthquake-proof building on a non earthquake-proof foundation.

Most, if not all versions of linux will allow you to boot and start 
right into installing, regardless of what's on the hard drive.  They'll 
also let you dual-boot with the existing operating system(s).

One benefit is that linux will run on older hardware much better.  It's 
not as resource-intensive (bloated) although you can bloat it up pretty 
nicely if you want to.

There are distros for low powered or low capacity systems (Puppy, Damn 
Small Linux) all the way up to fat, flesh eating displays that would 
make Windows users jealous :)

I have used PCLinuxOS, which was put together to be a less painful 
switch from Windows.  I've tried the small ones too.  My actual favorite 
  (and the one I use on my desktops+laptops) is Ubuntu.  It comes in 
three varieties - Ubuntu, Kubuntu and Xubuntu.  They're all the same 
underlying code but the display (called the desktop) is different. 
Ubuntu comes with the Gnome desktop.  Kubuntu comes with the KDE 
desktop, which is full of bells, whistles, and eye candy.  I use 
Xubuntu, which comes with the XFCE desktop, which sucks way less 
horsepower from your pc but loses nothing in functionality.

You can install all three desktops (or more) and switch which one you 
use at login.


THERE IS A LEARNING CURVE.  Don't let anybody tell you there isn't.  But 
it comes more with hardware problems than actually operating.  I always 
had net access so I could look something up if I didn't understand it. 
People are very helpful.  Look for a local Linux Users Group (LUG). 
They'll be happy to put in their two cents if you ask.

In essence, it can look so close to Windows that there shouldn't be a 
single problem operating it.  Desktop, taskbar, start button/menu, and 
programs.  As an experiment, I had several non linux fluent coworkers 
and family members try it out.  No one had a problem with it.  At work 
we occasionally put out a linux box when someone needs their computer 
repaired.  They have had no trouble with it (and some of them have IQ's 
approaching cardboard).



Give it a shot and let us know how you make out.  Ask questions.

-jeff