I'm a total Linux noob, but a great Windows user. What distro is best for me?
 

Hi everybody,

I've been using a windows computer ever since I started learning how to use PCs. My little brother downloaded a devastating virus onto my computer which I managed to destroy; but it's left my current OS (XP with service pack 2) awful. It freezes every 10-15 minutes, it's a lot slower than usual and it can't handle simple tasks like browsing. I tried to do a clean install of XP but thanks to a long, long list of formalities, I can't do anything. So I decided to try a Linux distro.

I am going to create a partition on my hard drive and install a version of Linux on it, then test it out and (hopefully) find relief from Windows. Here's what I'd like from a new OS:

- the ability to run Firefox, iTunes, Limewire, etc. with stability and decent speed.

- the ability to connect to my family's home network (Thrive.)

- easy-to-install drivers or drivers already installed

- something that has a similar theme to windows.

I truly want to make a switch to Linux, but alas, I am a noob. D: Can you, the Linux masters, recommend me something like that?

Thanks a lot,
DMike

PS: first post! :D

What the f#%& -- SP2 ???? service pack 3 has been OUT for YEARS !!!!!!!

i would look into using Ubuntu

you will not be able to run itunes. I think an older version of itunes may work in wine, but not natively. Onto a distro. I would suggest Ubuntu, Linux Mint or PCLinuxOS. Although I've never used PCLinux OS I hear it is more "windowsy"

Try Ubuntu. You'll be fine.

iTunes is a windows / OSX application, it doesn't run on Linux natively. There are docs out there on how to make it run with Wine, a windows compatability layer. Don't try to use Linux to be windows, it's not. You say you want a similar theme??? really? Why bother trying linux is you want to pretend you aren't?
Drivers are mostly much easier than windows. They're already there apart from some graphics high end graphics cards, and installing software in general is painfully simple most of the time with tool slike synaptics.

So? Why make a slow OS even slower?

I'm guessing not a legal version of windows :)

[quote=DMike;3836996]Hi everybody,

Firefox will definitely run. In fact it is more of a Linux-like program!

iTunes will not work. There is probably a good alternative, though.

I don't know what Limewire is.

What's Thrive?

Well, most of Linux's window managers and "widget toolkits" (yes, the GUI is totally separate from the OS in Linux) are quite customizable. It is possible for it to look almost exactly like Windows.

And remebmer, linux works completely differently than Windows inside. So programs made for one will not run on the other. There is WINE however. It runs as a layer between a Windows .exe and Linux, translating the program's Windows calls to UNIX calls. Note that not all programs work right under WINE, though.

See:

www.getgnulinux.com
http://www.distrowatch.com

SP3 made my OS crash a lot, felt kinda like using vista for a while. I switched back to SP2 and I was fine.

No, it's legal but I didn't use it for reasons stated.

[QUOTE=MTK358;3837017]Ok, I think I could go without iTunes although I would need something to sync my iPod to. :/
Thrive is my family's ISP, a new group from what I heard. What I'm asking is: does it connect to networks like Windows?
Limewire... nevermind about that.

I'm looking at Ubuntu but I heard Mandriva is also good for noobs like me. Any reviews for the Linux masters?

Stick with the *buntu's, Debian or Slack

There are many *buntu's

if you have at leats 4-5GB of space, Ultimate edition 2.5 really has no peer
http://ultimateedition.info/ultimate...e-edition-2-5/

thats the biggest buntu there is

Mint is even friendlier than Ubuntu (on which it's based). For the example, the software installation tool lets you call up reviews and screen-shots, and Firefox has various plug-ins pre-installed.

In terms of your ISP, if you connect via a router it will work with no problem. If you need a specific modem to work, let us know the make and model number and we can see what we can find out.

Limewire will run on LInux altough it would crash my 64 bit system. Banshee will sync to an ipod, but not by default. have a look here: http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8160. Also the itouch is different than the other ipods. Supposedly there is some new libraries that will allow you to connect to the itouch if you need, I have the files downloaded, but have not had time to try it out.

Might give PCLinuxOS a try ...
 

Hey there, DMike!

I have seen the suggestion to try PCLinuxOS, since it's more "windowsy." PCLinuxOS IS a great choice for users transitioning from Windows to Linux, as well as being a great choice for users who want everything to "just work" without becoming complicated. While easy to use, it doesn't sacrifice any of the power of Linux.

I strongly suggest you try the Live CD, and see for yourself if you like it. You can d/l the Live CD at http://www.pclinuxos.com.

I am a PCLinuxOS user, and the PCLinuxOS Magazine Chief Editor.

parnote

Current iTunes will run under the latest beta of WINE, if you must use it--at least the store and playing music, refused to sync my iPod though so I don't think it will help you much.

be careful with pclinuxos installer
it formatted my drive and I thought it would at least have a sanity check?!