Windows to Linux
 

I want an 100% switch to Linux but problem is, (I THINK) some programs i use (Dreamweaver, Flash, Photoshop, Adobe Audition, Virtual DJ, etc) are not available for Linux distros. Any ideas, coz i don't want to run Win and Linux concurrently on my PC.

Why don't you want to run both systems concurrently on your machine? It's a very safe option when you're new to linux. If you mess something up on linux you can always boot into windows to find a solution to your problem online. Besides, while you're testing linux equivalents of the above mentioned programs, you can still work on the programs you know well. Once/if you are happy with linux software performing the functions you want, you can get rid of windows.

AFAIK, the closest linux equivalent of Dreamweaver is Kompozer (you could also use Dreamweaver within linux using the software called 'wine'. When it comes to Photoshop, you could use Gimp (it depends what exactly you do with photoshop). I don't know about other programs.
Check those websites for some alternatives:
http://wiki.linuxquestions.org/wiki/...ndows_software
http://www.linuxrsp.ru/win-lin-soft/table-eng.html

Also check the list of windows programs that run on linux through wine:
http://appdb.winehq.org/

If you're really new to linux, you might want to have a look at it:
http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm


After I switched to linux, I dual-booted for two years until I found all the functionality I needed in linux.

HTH

You have ruled out running Win in a virtual machine running on Linux (or vice versa)?

If you install a Linux distribution and need to use Windows applications that have no analog available for Linux (although GIMP, the GNU Image Manipulation Program, I'm told is a pretty useful replacement for Photoshop) you can install Windows (all versions) in a virtual machine running on your Linux server. Two virtual machine software packages that seem quite popular are Sun Microsystems' VirtualBox (http://www.virtualbox.org) and VMware's VMware Server (there are other versions) (http://www.vmware.com). VirtualBox is free, VMware offers a free version (you must register to get a serial number for it).

You install Windows in a virtual machine; it boots and runs on your system, does not interfere with Linux in any way, and when you're though with whatever application you're using, you simply shut it off and it is gone.

There is also WINE, (http://www.winehq.org) a system that install Windows applications directly in Linux (no Windows installation at all) and it supports quite a few popular Windows applications.

I prefer VirtualBox for the Windows applications I use (infrequently); those would be Stamps.com and Turbotax, so you can imagine how little I actually use it (mostly I start Windows XP for Patch Tuesdays come to think about it). It's fast, it's simple to install, configure and use.

Hope this helps some.

In addition to WINE, look at CrossOver (the paid version with a friendly front end, support, etc.)

dual-boot is a well-established way to go, as is virtualization---I would not rule out those options.

@Pixellany: Thanks for the help. Though me nah try it den, me try it today.
@Tronayne & Sycamorex: People, thanks fi everyting deh. Guess it ah wise think fe dual boot. Sorry for the ignorance.

well said - its easy for users to switch from platform they are currently working - Evaluate other platform and then use whichever they like.

Bottom line would be to get a problem solved/work done conveniently - do not rush in to it because somebody said so.

but often at times - it is not about doing convenient things - it is doing right things - the right way - at right time :)