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riahc3 12-30-2014 10:13 PM

Jumping from Windows 7 to Linux: Home user
 
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

hilyard 12-31-2014 12:03 AM

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 !

13millerd 12-31-2014 02:58 AM

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.

astrogeek 12-31-2014 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riahc3 (Post 5293006)
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 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.

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...

pan64 12-31-2014 03:43 AM

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

riahc3 12-31-2014 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hilyard (Post 5293043)
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 !

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:

Quote:

They come to Linux, expecting to find essentially a free, open-source version of Windows. Quite often, this is what they've been told to expect by over-zealous Linux users.
And I stopped. I dont think that of Linux at all so it really does not apply to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 13millerd (Post 5293082)
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.

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by astrogeek (Post 5293091)
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...

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan64 (Post 5293100)
if you want to be familiar with linux just create a live cd (or usb), boot it, but do not destroy your windows.

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.

brianL 12-31-2014 05:57 AM

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.

Teufel 12-31-2014 09:11 AM

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...

Miati 12-31-2014 11:24 AM

Quote:

I just want to learn the ins and outs of Linux
Quote:

I don't want (most) of the Linux ports.
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)

Quote:

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

schneidz 12-31-2014 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riahc3 (Post 5293006)
...
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.

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by riahc3 (Post 5293006)
...
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.

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).

EDDY1 12-31-2014 11:37 AM

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.

schneidz 12-31-2014 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riahc3 (Post 5293122)
...
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.

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).

273 12-31-2014 12:05 PM

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?

schneidz 12-31-2014 12:15 PM

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

Rubian 12-31-2014 01:16 PM

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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