Which Distro to begin with?
 

Hey everyone,

I've finally decided to try Linux out for more stability and security. Which distro is on the easy side and not that different from Vista/7. I don't want to run into troubles and spend too much time learning a completely different OS. I have a few questions for you guys:

1. Does the following article fairly sum up the differences between Ubuntu and Mint?

http://windows2linux.tech-no-media.c...ution-for.html

2. How do I dual boot with Windows 7 Professional once a Linux distribution is installed?

3. I mostly use do schoolwork with Firefox, MS Word, MS Outlook, Acrobat Reader, VLC. MSN Messenger...Are those software supported?

4. I solely use wireless connections at home and at school. Will I run into troubles?

5. Should I get 64 bit Linux since I am running the same architecture on Win 7 here?

Thanks a lot in advance.

Mozilla Firefox
Adobe Acrobat Reader
VLC media player
... there are ports for Linux

Microsoft does not make software for Linux.

... I forgot to add ... the applications may be the same or similar ... but the Linux operating system is different than Microsoft Windows Vista/7.

I would suggest that you spend some time learning it.

Thanks for your response.

Which distribution is the easiest given I've only used Windows in the past? Something really popular with lots of support that bears quite some similarities to Windows would be great.

Hmm, I would suggest a Linux Distribution that uses the new KDE v4.

Kubuntu, SuSE 11 ... there are others.

You will find much Linux assistance ... ie this Forum.

Ah, you might NOT want to say Linux Users bear similarities to Windows Users ...


What specific hardware do you have ?

FYI:

Microsoft Office = OpenOffice
Microsoft Outlook = Mozilla Thunderbird
MSN Messenger = Kopete
there are many other equivalent apps also ...

Thanks again.

This forum has much to offer which is why I registered here. I actually meant that I'd rather start with a Linux that bears similarities to Windows so I wouldn't have to spend too much time learning a completely different OS.

I can also get some Thinkpad specific support for my laptop model from :
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Instal...e_ThinkPad_T61

Ideally, I would like to choose from one of the following distributions:
# 1.1 Debian
# 1.2 Slackware
# 1.3 Ubuntu
# 1.4 Fedora
# 1.5 openSUSE / SUSE Linux
# 1.6 Gentoo
# 1.7 Mandriva
# 1.8 ArchLinux

My laptop's specs are in my signature.

The ones which should do just fine for you are Ubuntu, Linux Mint, openSUSE, and Mandriva. They all have large fan bases and should be nicely supported. You may or may not have problems with your wireless, specifically if your device is not supported. You will have to read and find out if your hardware is supported by the Linux Operating system you choose. (most are supported but there are exceptions like wireless and such)

You will need to spend some time adjusting to your new operating system to learn how to keep it up to date, install software, remove software, learning how to change the options you want to for your system, and so on. It isn't all that difficult and you should master these distros in a few days or less.

Dual booting is not that hard although if you are not paying attention you may accidentally delete your Windows partition. (I did that two years ago by accident because I was in a rush to get Ubuntu installed on my laptop. Should have payed more attention to the device names. Of course now I know.) The boot loader for the Linux operating systems, which in this case I believe all use GRUB, should be able to boot your Windows operating system. The installer for the OSs should have an option to add it to your boot loader configuration but if it does not work it is easy to fix by editing the config file. You can also install the boot loader of the Linux OS of your choice to the same partition and use a program like EasyBCD to have the Windows boot loader start her up for you.

You can opt for 64bit if you wish, your choice. Both act essentially the same but I'd go 64bit as most problems with it were solved over the last few years.

Also:

Firefox has a Linux version

Open Office and/or AbiWord solves your MS Office problem (both support MS Office formats as well)

Evolution and/ or Thunderbird should be suitable to replace Outlook

Acrobat Reader has a Linux version

VLC has a Linux version

and Pidgin should solve the majority of all IM needs on Linux



If you aren't willing to spend too much time learning the system I would stay away from Gentoo, Arch Linux, and Slackware for now. (maybe add Debian in that list to) The way they tend to do things is without the GUIs Microsoft babies its customer base with. Although you can easily set them up to where the end customization allows you to have a GUI for everything if you so please.

That's quite a range!! Ubuntu (one of the easiest) all the way to Gentoo (one of the most difficult). But, never mind that: Pick something and dive in......the chances are quite high that you will try several before settling down.

Personal bias: Forget about finding something "like Windows"---you will only get frustrated when you find the details that are different. Focus on learning Linux.

Finally, I decided to go with Ubuntu and used Wubi to dowload and install it.
So far, frustration is the word that best describes what's going inside my head. I can't even install Flash, let alone Firestarter and everyone else... Is there a detailed guide on installing software for noobs like me?
Thank you.

I would suggest fedora.
Many people have complained about wifi and connections ubuntu

for the programs, they all have the same programs

I would suggest:
PCLinux OS 2009
Mandriva
Ubuntu
Suse

You need a distribution with plenty of graphical tools (like windows control panel) which is easy for a beginner.
PCLinux, Mandriva and Suse have good graphical tools, Ubuntu has command line tools.

Equally importan is the help and support you can get so I would also suggest using google, click images then enter each of the distributions.
This will give you screenshots so you can see what they look like.

I wouls also suggest using google and seraching for ubuntu forum, pclinux forum so you can get a "feel" for the posts and type of help offered there.

I would also recommend your school library there are some great books on linux these days which may help you and dont overlook magazines or ebay for cheap linux books and magazines.

Whatever you decide, you are making a good decision and broadening your computer horizon.
Hope that helps.

You'll need to go through the command line or access synaptic package manager. To access Synaptic you'd choose the third Gnome tab, click administration, and click Synaptic (my memory of Ubuntu is hazy as I haven't used it in a while but this should still work). Search for the software you want and install it.

The command line way usually involves you starting a terminal, then sudo apt-get insertappnamehere.

As for a guide this should help you:

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installingsoftware

Edit: Didn't realize they replaced Add/Remove and added a Software Center App till I read that guide. Heh learn something new everyday.

After I installed Ubuntu with Wubi, wireless worked right away ..like a charm, just as in Windows 7.

Ubuntu's command line tools are really a pain in the butt for a noob like me. I can't install any third-party software in it. Not even Linux's version of flash player.

Would it be possible to install Mandriva or Mint using something in the lines of Wubi?

Flash player shouldn't be hard to install according to this:

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/flash

Edit: Just continue with Ubuntu, I promise it will get easier over time to use.

You don't even have to do that it works the same on most linux distro's

Go to youtube.com a message will come up asking you download flash player follow the link make sure you pick .deb pacakage and download flash...


Whats hard about loading flash player... now if it don't work there can be trouble...

you are also going to need this


windows equivalents for linux

much more to learn go to google search for install manual ubuntu

this should jump start you real quick....

when your unsure about a program due a search in this forum or get a image from google.com...