Hello

As a learning experience, I want to jump from Windows 7 to Linux full time on my laptop. This isn't because of some antiWindows bullshit or because its free or anything like that. I just want to learn the ins and outs of Linux like I pretty much know on Windows.

I plan to go with Ubuntu. LTS or latest stable version? Thoughts?

First off, compatibility. I do need that all my hardware on my laptop be compatible. From shortcut keys to wifi. This is not a brand new laptop so there shouldn't be any problems. Its a Dell Vostro 1510.

Next, software. Basically on this laptop software I use in and out: uTorrent, Teamviewer, WMP, mIRC, Skype, vSphere Client, Microsoft Office......That's pretty much it IMO. Also Facebook and YouTube (Flash) are a must. I will run all this software in WINE. I don't want (most) of the Linux ports. Im not looking to replace programs I like and use daily. Just looking to replace the operating system.

Next, virtualization. Due to some things (like Office) cannot be ran in Linux, I use a VM. VMWare with its unity feature pretty much gives me what I want.

Next, streaming. I need to be able to stream media from a WS2012R2 to this Linux installation. Special setup?

Anything that is blowing over me, please mention.

Thank you

Why switch over if you will want to run nothing but windows software?
Get a better machine and try Robolinux!

Maybe it's just me, but I feel OP needs to read this oldie but goodie before taking the leap!

Find McGrath's Linux in Easy Steps, too, as a suggestion.

Best wishes, but perhaps some rethinking is in order !

I don't understand why you want to run Linux in the first place but to solve your problems first I'd go with LTS then I'd use Google Chrome for Facebook and Youtube. Id grab PlayonLinux if your going to run WMP. Personally I've never had a problem with the Teamviewer and Skype Linux ports (if your using Ubuntu adding them is easier than trying to get them to run in WINE.) Last for streaming I'd use VLC media player.

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I think that your goals are at odds with themselves and agree that you should rethink them.

You will not learn the ins and outs of Linux while running all your M$ applications under Wine.

I think that you will not likely have a very good experience with this approach and will end by thinking that Linux is at fault!

To learn the operating system you need to learn how the native applications use it to advantage, and why. To learn the ins and outs of Linux you need to... learn the ins and outs of Linux, without the expectation that it be just like something else.

I would suggest that you reconsider and not try Linux in a way that is almost doomed to fail...

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if you want to be familiar with linux just create a live cd (or usb), boot it, but do not destroy your windows.

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Because I like and use daily software is on Windows. I dont want to use other alternatives.
Media player for example, VLC ive tried and did not like. XMBC (for another example) same thing. I like WMP.
Office. I tried switching over to LibreOffice...nothing to do with Microsoft Office.

Why change something if I not only like it but it works?

I clicked your link and then read this:

And I stopped. I dont think that of Linux at all so it really does not apply to me.

Teamviewer is not ported to Linux. It runs in a WINE wrapper.
Streaming is not a problem; Its streaming from a WS2012R2 server to a Linux media player client. At most, permission problems but besides that there shouldnt be any problems.

I was going to reply but if you are going to be childish and refer to "Microsoft" as "M$", its not worth it. Grow up.

The problem with this is that with a LiveCD you dont work everyday with linux, same thing happens with a virtual machine.


Look, I work with embedded linux at my work, have a Ubuntu Server configured as a OpenVPN server, and run bash scripts with CRON for making automated backups of web servers. Basically, Linux isnt new or anything to me. I just want to try using at my home Linux for a straight year, to really get a natural flow of things, BUT, I do not want to sacrifice programs I like and love.

You don't want a live CD, you don't want a VM. You want to run Linux, but want to keep Windows. I suppose that leaves you with two choices: dual-boot, or Windows and Linux on separate computers. It's your decision. You've dismissed every suggestion made so far, so my final suggestion is we leave you to it.

I want to learn how to swim, but I do not want to undress because I so like my fur coat, skis and fur gloves...

5 members found this post helpful.

I'm confused, do you or don't you want to learn the in and outs of linux?
You seem to be treating linux as if it's some application that will take a few minutes to understand.

Jamming your windows knowledge into linux has in the past and continues to be the best way to get incredibly frustrated.
You end up learning nothing, except that jamming windows into linux is not smart (most perceive it as linux=no good)
Believe me, your through & through windows knowledge will not assist you in trialling linux. Especially if you see them as being the same thing
(I am getting that impression)

Everything you are writing otherwise contraindicates this.

If you are going to invest a large amount of time into this project, try doing it in a way worth your time.

my experience is that buying a linux system from hp or system76 mite guarantee 100% compatibility compared to a d-i-y install.

i had to read this twice. of course office works in pretty much any linux distro but i think the op is referring to microsoft office as opposed to open/libre office ?
with the few games i tried i find that wine either would fail to launch or run the program fairly buggy (ymmv).

most the stuff the op mentions is possible in most linux distros (or sun,mac,cyanogenmod,android,... for that matter) as long as they learn how to do it and dont limit each app to a specific program. else it would be like asking how to install a chevy corvette muffler on a ford mustang (its probably possible but not very practical).

To me it seems like it would be better to do a dualboot & learn the linux native tools, without losing qny of your windows tools. That way you still have windows, to fallback on when in a pinch or just not satisfied with the linux experience.

this is confusing to us because for some of the programs you mention this would be like trying to use it00n$ (sic: because you told astrogeek to grow up) with a cyanogen or android fone (not only is it not designed to work, the other company goes to great lengths to break compatibility).

I agree with the comments that you ought to reconsider and either dual-boot or run a Linux virtual machine. I also agree that using Windows programs under Linux seems, perhaps, to defeat your stated goals?
In fact, I'm tempted to suggest you just stick with Windows as you have no intention of moving to Linux and seem already to know how it works.

As an aside, many people have their reasons for referring to Microsoft as M$. It may not be the most eloquent way of putting it but it's quicker than typing "The thieving, lying, criminal scum who threatened Linux for decades and put technological development back by years as well as charging millions for software which isn't compatible with itself." so perhaps you ought to get used to it?

3 members found this post helpful.

this thread seems like a good candidate for this sub-forum idea:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...te-4175528948/

The OP has been a member here since 2002. If the OP hasn't figured out Linux by now, he isn't trying. Either that or he is just a troll.

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