I am somewhat frustrated w/ Microsoft OSes and would like to try Linux. I am researching it now but this is very new to me. I am somewhat computer "geeky", but have a way to go as far as Linux is concerned. My questions are probably the same ones everyones elses is. Is Linux easy to install, compatable on my system, is it stable, can I run existing software like MS Word, Excel, etc. and perhaps games? I'm sure all these question have been asked and answered. I just don't know where to find them. If you could point me in the reight direction, I would appriciate it greatly!!

uncarock

Many Microsoft softwares won't run, no. Some will if you install WINE but not all. Then again, there are many good open source alternatives. Open Office is just as good as MS Office unless you have some highly specific needs (in which case you can still decide to pay for Crossover office, a commercial package that does make it possible to run MS Office without any issues). It's about the same with games, some will run if you use WINE, other ones can be made to run using a commercial solution, some won't run at all.

If you would like to give it a try, download a livecd such as Ubuntu, Mandriva one, Knoppix... These can be tested by running them off cd so you don't need to install anything until you have made up your mind. Of course, something that runs off cd is inevitably going to be a lot slower than something that has been installed (unless you have enough RAM to load the cd to memory).

You can always have Windows and Linux installed. Keep Windows for the games; I suspect you won't find much else that you can't do as well or better using Linux software. If you always use Linux when on the internet, you won't have to worry about viruses!

Yes as said by Senior member jay_73 ,it is useful to go with live cd .
Now answers your questions regarding Linux:
1.Yes Linux is easy to install. If you have problem with it dedicated tutorials are also available on Our forum as well as on the internet.That to distro specific .
2.Linux is hardware independent.(This is what my teacher told me).So no question about compatibility.Yes if you have problem regarding installation with specific distro check out information about it on internet .
3.There is no doubt about the stability of Linux. It is one of the most stable operating system till date.
It requires rebooting only in case of hardware installation & some kernel level changes.
4.Answer for your last query is best solved by jay_73.

Openoffice is the recognized alternative to MS Office. It has its own file formats, but can create and edit MS Office formats (.doc, .xls, .ppt etc) with no issues at all, and the interface is almost identical to MS Office before the 2007 edition.

If you decide to use Linux, rather look for an alternative program than try to get the Windows program working. It's usually easier.

I'd suggest a version of Ubuntu. It's exceedingly easy to use, and it comes bundled with a lot of software, including Openoffice. The version that uses the K Desktop Environment (Kubuntu) is the prettiest, and most similar to Windows.

or fedora 8 ,not 9 there are a few issues with 9 that makes it unsuitable for a NEW user . Ubuntu is also good for the new linux user , and if you live near a Best Buy ( usa) soon you will be able to buy a install dvd for $19.99 or just download it for free from the Ubuntu site

You want to run an live CD version.
The Ubuntu distribution offers a way to install as an image to an existing Windows partition.
Both the live CD or WUBI install are simple ways to answer some questions for yourself how Linux can work for you.

Hi,
You can compile a kernel for most popular processor families. The most poplar being the X86 family. If a user needs to have a Linux kernel for another family then hopefully that user can compile for the processor family. Don't forget the applications!

Linux itself is not hardware independent. If your instructor cut that in stone for you then I would return the tablet. Seriously though the use of 'Linux' across platforms is easier than any other OS and does provide the means to create that crossover.

You should be fine then ;-) easier than windows in my opinion unless you are running somthing totally weird yesits stable enough to keep google running, honestly reboots are few and far between, if your minded to leave the box on all the time you will end up rebooting every few months probabbly not! linux uses a totally different exicutable file type and most windows software wont work, there are kluges designed to get windows progs to work like WINE but they are not very reliable, on the other hand for most windows programs i can think of there are sutable linux alternatives that in most cases are better! for office apps, there is open office that is totally free, and just as good as office 2003 a good place to start is
http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm

and then, grab a live cd, play and ask any questions here!

I would not recommend Fedora for the Linux newbie. And why would anyone pay 20 bucks for a Ubuntu CD?

Because they'll get a nice box, a manual and sixty days of free support?

For what distro?

about compatibility. Most distros will auto-configure almost any common hardware device. keep in mind that many drivers are reverse-engineered, so not absolutely everything is supported. core functionality is usually available at least. wifi access can be a real pain. only a select number of devices are fully supported in linux at this time. many different projects are working very hard to fix those that aren't. Intel cards are very well supported by proprietary drivers from intel (i think).

other than wifi, you shouldn't have many problems getting things up and running well. and some wifi will work out of the box too. glad to have a new linux convert among us.

bill

Buntu. Similar deals already exist for Suse and Mandriva, now Canonical is working on its own version.

You can order free CDs for ubuntu through shippit.
It is delivered to your doorstep free of charge, to any country
goto http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu and click the link for request free CDs, and follow the instructions
delivery took 1 month from the date of request in my case, but its free!
I had to do this because, I am on dial-up and downloading an ISO was not possible