Some questions before trying Linux
 

Hi everybody, I already downloaded Ubuntu and ready to install but have some questions. As for my background i've been using Microsoft for very long time and only once did i ventured in Linux some long time ago and my experience were:
1) Messed up the MBR dual boot with Win98SE
2) Can't use the CDRW/CD drive (mount seems too confusing)
3) Didn't figured where the downloaded files were and how to install ( at least in Windows it's just double click).
4) The directory/file structure were "repetetive"(same kinds in different locations) and were confusing.

So Basically my experience in Linux is non-existent and not happy one to say. But this time i think i'm more equipped to at least some basics.

Here's the thing: I've 2 hard drive, One partitioned in 2 and other also in 2 and all are NTFS. The First one have WinXP professional. In 2nd hard drive i'll install Ubuntu. Movies,Musics,photos are in other extended partition.

What i want to do:
1)Use edonkey/other P2P from linux to download and save it on data partitions which is NTFS. No option than changing to FAT32?

2)Say i make some new text file and can i save on above NTFS drive?

3) Waht about Photos on NTFS drive- for editing,saving or viewing?

4)Movies for watching?

5)About installation which file system for Linux?

6)Since i've got contacts on MSN/Windows Messenger, will i be able to make contacts in Linux? waht about Remote assistance feature?

7)I would be dual booting with WinXP which is on Primary partition of first HD. Linux will also be on Primary partition of 2nd HD. Possible? or need some change in regard of Primary/extended/logical.

Thanks.

Hi,

For what its worth I will say that linux drivers and hardware compatibility have come a long way since you've last tried the OS. I'm not really familiar with ubuntu, For a first timer perhaps you can also consider a newbie oriented distro like SuSe? Regardless most of the distro's out there will automount your CD's as you put them in.

My experience in both SuSE and Mandrake are that installation is simple and both Grub and Lilo install easily and work well in allowing you to dual boot with XP

Also as far as I know NTFS is readable but not writeable. well, it IS write-able but apparently there is some danger in doing so and so is not recommended. So you will be able to view your pictures and etc. but will have to save changes to either a FAT or linux formated partition. same goes for movies -- they should be readable - and DVD is supported on the distro's I've played with.

Which linux filesystem? ext3 seems to be the safest, however I personally like ReiserFS


my $0.02

you'll need to convert your data partition(s) to fat32, which is what i'd do even if i didn't use linux 'cos i can't stand ntfs.

as for ubuntu, from what i've read it's supposed to be the easiest to install and really good at auto detecting hardware.

> 4)Movies for watching?

Check

http://www.websamba.com/Linux_Docs_Links
-> Softwares
-> Movie/Video

I never used any, so can't recommend any.

Sheng-Chieh

I'd recommend Mandrake or Fedora Core 3 to you. Then, for NTFS write-support, install a program called Captive-NTFS. Unfortunately, I don't have enough posts to post links but I'm sure you can find everything with Google.

Hi,

1), 2) and 3) Better use FAT32 if you want to edit and save.
4) Watching movies? I finally left Windows when I realized that for watching some movies my wife was rebooting with a Knoppix CD Live, because she coudn't watch them in Windows!
5) ext3 or ReiserFS. Notice that there are other options which seem to be better for big files.
6) There are several clones for MSN Messenger, like "gaim", "kopete" or "amsn". Any of these will import your contacts automatically when you sign in. To be honest, I like them more than the MS product. Don't sure why. Sometimes they have more features. Sometimes I feel they are better designed. No idea about the Remote assistance, but you can always come LQ if you need help with Linux...
7) No idea.

Hope it helps