Dual Booting and microsoft programs
 

I actually have two seperate questions. First, I am a new linux (ubuntu[8.04]) user and want to run itunes or a similer program that will sync to my ipod. Should I get a crossover product for itunes or another program. Second, I also was curious to people's ideas of dual booting my computer between windws xp and ubuntu, which would solve my itunes problem, as well as allow me to use programs such as Microsoft Word, which I have grown used to. I have gotten many opinions of dual boting and half say to dual boot and half say not to.

Welcome to LQ!!

The questions you are asking are the type where you can ask 5 people and get 10 answers..;)

Dual-boot is useful if you need to use Windows a few times per week. If you need it a lot more often, you might want to look into a virtual machine setup. This lets you have Linux and Windows running at the same time.

For the standard MS SW, plus Photoshop and few other things, we have WINE or Crossover. This allows you to run these programs directly on Linux.

For i-tunes, I assume there are some native Linux solutions, but I have no direct knowledge. A search here or at Google will surely answer the question.

First off itunes won't work through linux...

Thats why I don't own proprietary (proprietary- means owned by another company .... which means Apple owns Ipod) Apple crap....


Second off OpenOffice writer is a free program that works like Wordperfect

remember before windows 98 came out everyone in windows used wordperfect or corel...

Now don't get the history wrong yes windows office 1997 released 1 month before windows 98 came out so you could have had windows office running in windows 95......

Most people waited for 98 because they knew the release date prior to Windows office coming out....

Anyways really what the point is OpenOffice you can drag and drop pictures with requesting a lay out .... You can make files as you want without a template.... No need to request columns or cells just to put the picture in without wordwrap is automatic....

Can import OpenOffice spreadsheets like windows with excel....

Now linux has gone as far as to allow you to save OpenOffice documents as windows documents when you save as push the drop down arrow you can choice windows 2000, windows xp and windows vista...

Remember these transfer of data will not save data perfect ... problem is there is no way to save justification when you don't call on pictures the same or wordwarp in the same format.... Wordperfect was a different monster... Openoffice saves time ,but not if you don't own a printer....


Far as Itunes your going to need Wine...

good luck....

It is going to depend on how much time you spend downloading music from Itunes.. Weather linux is going to be a good bet...

If you own a Apple computer... Go with Yellow Dog...

I hate to say it Windows Vista sucks..... Eats to much processor to display images as well as run none useful functions youll never see or need to know about....


later...

good luck...

linux is the sh*t if you get away from IPOD look Ipod is great but Audacity and a cheap mp3 player works better... Audacity allows you to boost the sound on a file without equalizer

If you are in doubt, dual boot is the best option.