Linux - is it any good? Which distribution?

AMO

Hi all,

I figured that it's about time I took a look at Linux. I've always been a Windows person for various reasons but I am about to get a new PC and figured that I might as well try and install Linux on my old PC. A few friends of mine really like Linux, but they're I.T. geeks.

Which distribution of Linux should I go for?

Also, for those that like Linux, what's their view on the following:
- If you had to pay the same cost for Linux as Windows, would you still buy it and think its way better than Windows?

Thanx

AMO

bat999

Hi AMO
I've been using Ubuntu Linux for 6 months or so, dual-booting with Windows 98SE.
It's great. I'm not a geek btw.;)
Ubuntu is a free download. Burn your own live CD and try it before you do the install.
I haven't used any other Linux distros so I have nothing to compare it with.
An advantage of Ubuntu is a very good user forum.
Compared to M$. It knocks the spots off 98SE and is probably better than XP.
If I had to pay for Ubuntu I'd probably be prepared to pay the same price as XP provided that I could keep my old 98 as backup/safety net.
You can download Ubuntu from here:-
www.ubuntu.com
There's info about other distros here:-
www.distrowatch.com
:cool:
PS A nice thread here:-
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=280193

AMO

Thanx bat999.

Couple of questions. If you dual boot with Windows XP is it simply a case of installing WinXP first and then putting in the Ubuntu CD to install? Is it difficult?

Also, is it easy to update Linux? Do they have live update equivalents?

I used to love dual-booting, but since I reformat my machines every year or so, the more operating systems, the more pain. However, for me they've always been MS operating systems.

AMO

wolfman

Or try Kubuntu. I personally prefer the KDE interface to Gnome. Ubuntu is probably the best "starter" distribution though.

It's quite easy to get into. It's a learning process though, so don't expect it to all happen straight away. Always takes a few installs and forum questions before you get things how you want them.

the_grey_lantern

I use Ubuntu pretty much exclusively and can't fault it.

I agree with Wolfman that some people may prefer Kubuntu - especially non-techies who are used to Windows XP.

Go for it, you won't regret it. :-)

bat999

Hi AMO

Dual-booting. Usually you install Windows first then create another partition using free software (similar to Partition Magic) that is on the Ubuntu CD. Then install Ubuntu in the new partition. In fact you create the partition as part of the installation procedure.

When both OS's are installed, each time you boot there is a menu asking which OS do you want to use now.

It's not difficult to install Ubuntu from the CD. Certainly no more difficult than Windows 98 or XP.

They release a new version of Ubuntu every six months. The latest is Edgy Eft 6.10.
(6.10 = Release date is 10th month of year 2006).

Each time you fire up Ubuntu it rings home to check that you have the latest versions of programs installed. If not, it asks you if you want to update them. This seems to happen approximately once or twice a week. Just click yes, everything is automatic. It only takes a minute.

If you are accustomed to doing a clean install every year (like me) then you can do it twice a year with Ubuntu if you like.

When you become familiar with Ubuntu you will probably hardly ever use Windows, just for M$ specific software.

It is also possible to create a third partition. Use this as a 'shared' area to store files such as jpg, mp3 etc which can then be accessed by both Windows and Ubuntu.

There's loads of how-to websites out there. This is a good example:-
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/partitioning


Any more questions, just ask.:cool:

DrBenway

i'm a redhat/fedora user and really only keep windows for gaming and work related software.

I find if dual booting from a fresh hard drive it is best to install windows first on the first primary partition and create a second fat partition for data/music etc files used on both os'es then put linux on the remainder.

I find using an old pc or spare seperate disk good for testing out the linux version you choose to go for very helpful. The learning curve can be quite steep. If you really want to know what is going on under the hood you have to be able to break a few things on the way and having a seperate system is ideal.

AMO

DrBenway wrote:

I find if dual booting from a fresh hard drive it is best to install windows first on the first primary partition and create a second fat partition for data/music etc files used on both os'es then put linux on the remainder.

Thanx. Why is it that Linux can't read NTFS and yet can read FAT32? Wouldn't it be easier if it could just read NTFS? I appreciate that NTFS can enable security features to stop people reading the hard drive, but by default this is switched off right?

Thanx

AMO

AMO

Another thing. This is what I use a PC for:

1) Email, Web Surfing - I think that this is straight-forward for Linux.

2) Playing music / watching DVDs. I hear that there might be issues with DVD playback on Linux for some reason.

3) Text messaging via phone software. I think I am going to have problems with this. Not only is the phone software Win32 only, but they all synchronise contacts with Microsoft Outlook. I don't think that I will be able to use Linux here.

4) pcAnywhere / Remote Desktop. How can I pcAnywhere / Remote Desktop from a Linux machine into a Windows machine and vice-versa? I also sometimes use RealVNC - I think this might work?

Thanx

AMO

Cypher

Wouldn't it be easier if it could just read NTFS

Linux Distro's can read NTFS, its usually writing back to an NTFS drive that they don't do (by default), but they can do it.

bat999

Hi AMO

I don't know why Ubuntu can't handle NTFS - that's just the way it is.

It's like this:-
XP uses NTFS systems
Ubuntu uses EXP3 systems
XP can't access EXP3 systems
Ubuntu can't access NTFS systems
Both of them can access FAT32 systems

If you really, really do want to format a shared partition NTFS then it is possible to do this. It just means that you have to use some extra software to force Ubuntu to access it.
For most users, using FAT32 for the shared partition keeps it simple.
:cool: