Hey everyone,

Im a Linux newbie and really want to get to know the OS, because I have a website at TechBoards.net and if people started asking questions on the OS id really like to answer their questions (or else I could send them here anyway).

I recently posted an article on the site where Linux is introduced to beginners, to people who may be interested in changing from the Windows OS, but it is written from a beginner's point of view as I do not know much about the OS myself.

What I want to know is, is it actually possible to completely convert from Windows to Linux? Also, which is the best version of Linux to use in your opinion?

If I can do it, anyone can. I recommend Fedora or Mandrake to beginners. I haven't tried Suse, but I hear good things, but only if you're willing to pay. If you want to hear my somewhat biased opinion on the best distro period, I'd have to say Slackware. Of course, that's just my opinion, and I'll admit that Slack isn't the best distro for a beginner.

Your number one problem, though, will be trying to find Linux replacements for your favorite Windows programs. There are plenty of those around, though.

If you have more specific questions, ask away. And keep spreading the good word about Linux.

Ok, thanks for the help. I have been searching, and I have actually found a lot of programs to replace my Windows ones. I am thinking of buying a second computer (a cheap one) and putting Linux on that so i'll still have both Windows and Linux whenever i need them.

Dual boot It will solve all your problems

Might want to try a cd-rom based linux distribution like Knoppix. Just burn it onto a CD and set your BIOS to boot from cdrom. That will let you test out linux without having to touch your Windows partitions. If you like it, you can switch to a more permanent solution. Check out www.distrowatch.com for a pretty comprehensive list.

I would dual-boot, only i've only 40GB on my current disc which is nearly all used up.

Yes, i think knoppix would be better. Or else i'll download Mandrake 9.2 which is three discs each 600MB.

The knoppix option is good. Because it should detect most, if not all of your hardware.

There's also the option of installing to hard drive. But don't be fooled by the fact that it's only 1 cd of nearly 700 meg's. It uses an excellent compression system that will unpack to nearly 1.7 gig's i.e. about the same as mandrake.


Personally, I'd vet through the stuff you've got under windows i.e. either bin it or burn it to disc and then partition the disc into 2 - 20 for windows and 20 for linux, that's what I did to start with. 40 gigs worth of windows stuff is a lot!

there's also the option to get another hard disc and install it on the second ide channel and keep that just for linux

or if you haven't got one, buy a burner and go for the first option.

Oh, and doing a hard disc install of knoppix is nearly as easy as installing mandrake - the difference being that mandrake is rpm based, knoppix is debian based, and you get a full debian system up and runnig without the stress of configuring a "proper" debian system. You also get the debian "apt-get" package managing system, which I feel is better than rpm (or even mandrakes enhance rpm system called urpmi). debian have something in the region of 10000 different packages available.

So it's really up to you.

Hope this helps a little.

regards

john

Holy evil! You have almost 40 gigs of Windows stuff? Kill the bloat.

Dual booting's okay, but what happened to the "completely convert from Windows to Linux" idea? I thought you were on to something there. It may sound like a harsh move, but what better way to teach a bird how to fly than to push it out of the nest?

C'mon, you can do it.

Thanks for the advice bigjohn, i will probly end up getting a 2nd hard drive and dedicating that to Linux.

And Braneded, completely converting is a big step. I would like to get used to using Linux, and see for myself whether I would like to completely change. I think i will end up using both unless i see a huge significant change. I could never leave XP im afraid.

Re: SuSE - I am a former Windows only person, and I jumped in with SuSE 9.0. I tried Redhat back at version 5, and I tried Mandrake 9.2 (which I could not install sucessfully) before settling on SuSE.

No, you do not have to pay for it. The following is from the SuSE web page:
Here is the link to the mirrors (scroll down to the bottom for US mirrors):

SuSE Linux Mirror Sites

If you have broadband, you can download the entire mirror and then use it to setup your PC locally. SuSE provides a boot.iso to burn that boots the system, and then installs the OS. You can select a different source for the install point. For my first install, I downloaded the i386 directory and subdirectory on my Windows box, then shared the folder to everyone. When I booted using the boot ISO, I was able to connect to the network (SMB) share and install across the LAN.

You only need to purchase the software if you want CDs without the trouble of compling installation ISOs for yourself. And if you are running a non-Intel architechture, the ISOs ARE available for free.

BTW - I find SuSE to be a no brainer. It is so windows-esque with the default KDE desktop, you will be able to do about anything you can do in windows. Change the desktop? Right click and select properties. Access programs? Click the button where the windows start menu is, and voila!

Try it, you'll like it!

You get a big 10 out of 10 for a wise choice there.
I find it unbelieveable how often this is missed.
That is, of course, the easiest way to learn a new operating system and the best way to see if it does what you want.
Good Luck.

Ok i will ima.
Sure when you download the iso you only have to put it onto a disc to make it work, isn't it?

You need to burn it to a cd using something like Nero, or any other software that can read ISO files.

Check this page for instructions.

Yep i know, i have Nero 6 Ultra Edition so that should do.

Ah, don't let the FUD get to you! When I was looking for a machine, I was interested in Linux and I found a place that would sell me a laptop with no preinstalled OS. I was tempted, but I thought I ought to get Windows.....just in case. My friend at work told me "that's exactly what they want you to think!" and I thought about it and decided to take a leap of faith.

So, my laptop has never had Windows on it, and nor will it ever. Have I looked back since? Have I FECK!