Ubuntu 7.10 vs Win XP on HP Compaq 6715b AMD Turion X64 x2 notebook
 

Hi folks,

I'm a Windows raised noob lookin' to abandon my roots and elope with Linux. I'd like to try Ubuntu 7.10 (and later, Hardy Heron) and MAYBE Slackware on my HP notebook. Can i be assured that i wont rue this decision as far as web browsing and development are concerned? I'm an intermediate web. dev. and would like to spend MOST of my time developing good websites, not resolving platform issues...

Also, where can one get a good intro to linux tut in pdf, so as to learn regular sys admin as well as the plethora of command line switches?

Thankee for your time,

Lloyd Dube

Download a Live CD, and see how it goes. I don't know about Slackware, but I know Ubuntu has live CDs. Look and see if there's gonna be any major hardware issues. If there is, search out the answers. Once your satisfied you should be able to get a workable system, dual boot Windows and Ubuntu for a while, and test out the various things you want to do, if it all works out. I'd recommend a minimum of 1mo dual booting. Don't think cuz all is well after 2 days, you're ready. If after a month, you're comfortable with the applications in Linux, that it detects all your hardware, does what you want, etc... then do a clean install and blow away windows. You'd have to be crazy to jump feet first into Linux, w/o at least exploring any hardware/software issues.

I'd say most people who make a successful transition, generally follow a path similar to above. Just jumping in, removing Windows, and "winging it" so to speak, almost always results in frustration and simply reinstalling Windows. I know this, because I've been there.. :)

The last part you're kinda putting the cart before the horse, but boot a Live CD, open a terminal and type "man cli" no quotes. Its got a lot of info about a lot of switches in cli

IGF

Linux is great, more then great once it's setup..
though it's the worse OS between Windows and Linux that is.. when it comes to fresh installs.. it might work..
Laptops what i know generally have more trouble with linux then desktops..

i would recommend you to dualboot it.. or atleast run a livecd for awile to see if it really works and fit your needs.

dont know about tutorial in PDF..
but there is plenty of info on the net..
http://ubuntuguide.org/

Thanks for your responses guys, i will try things out first. I got bitten by dual booting before and i will rather use vmware to run Ubuntu until i am more confident; whereupon, i will blow Windows into the weeds...

Kind Regards,

Lloyd Dube