I’ve been trying Linux off and on for about a decade now. I’ve got a good feel for the basics but I can’t get into using it on a regular basis. I’m a Slackware user. I’ve tried other distros but none suit me as well. Anyone have a good 10 step program for how to kick the Microsoft habit?

I’m not sure what I’m looking for exactly. I’ve been using for so long I just can’t seem to quit!

I can do it in 2 steps:
1. Remove Windows
2. Install Linux
.........

My method:
machines set up for dual-boot, default to Linux.
only go to Windows when something doesn't work on Linux.

I'm now 99.5% Linux--after 5 years. Just last night, I had to open Windows to do a SW upgrade on my GPS. Hoping for a solution using WINE.

The first step to getting really good with linux, is go find solutions to get microsoft out of your home entireley.


I too use slackware on all of my main machines, and currently run Opensuse on my laptops. I have started installing Kubuntu on spare boxes to play around with.


The only windows install in my household is a windows XP install inside a VMware instance running off vmware server on my main workstation. The only time it gets booted is when I need to test something for a client, or tweak a piece of windows software to make supporting windows clients easier.


I haven't had a physical windows install on any of my machines in about two years now.


Gaming is achieved via Cedega on my dell Opensuse laptop. I am able to play counterstrike, battlefield 2, and just about everything else Ive bothered to install on Suse Linux, with no windows in sight


Probably really focusing on figuring out what windows programs you keep going back to, and getting them or equivalents running on Linux will be your key to getting rid of MS entirely. Getting rid of MS will change the way you think, and eventually you'll never want to go back.

What those 2 guys said ... Linux emersion. Pretend you've moved to Mexico, and no one there speaks English. You have to learn Spanish then, right?

Step 1. Research. Define and understand your computing needs and habits and what it is you seek to accomplish with your Operating System.
Step 2. Research. Identify possible distributions that will meet this need as defined by you.
Step 3. Research. Try several different flavors on an unused partition while dual booting with Windows.
Step 4. Commit. Find one that suits your needs best then commit to using it is your Primary OS.
Step 5. Explore. Learn as much as you can by reading and trying various things out with your new Distribution.
Step 6. Plan. Formulate a plan to have your /home partition separated from your / partition so that you can change your mind if you want to.
Step 7. Exercise. Exercise your freedom by choosing which programs and utilities you wish to load.
Step 8. Flex. Remain flexible and realize that your first choice in OS may not be your last.
Step 9. Open. Remain open to learning and exploring more about Open Source and Gnu/Linux.
Step 10. Enjoy. Enjoy the Freedom in which you are participating. Embrace the idea of community and perhaps, even contribute back.
These are of course all my opinions and ymmv.
Mahalo,
Edward
P.S. Maybe it should be a 12 step plan?
"Hello. My name is Edward and I am a Windowsholic."

Oh there are 12 steps!? That must be why AA never worked for me.

Exactly what was said previous. Take a step back and look at the reasons why you are currently going back to Windows. Look at what you use and what you require to be on your system for its day to day use. Using Linux on and off for ten years, you will already know that there isn't much offered to Windows users that isn't offered to Linux users. I can't see me using my Windows CD for anything other than throwing at my dog when it chews the cushions.

avadondragon
I did the same thing for years until, that is, I discovered Simply Mepis. It is powerful, functional, flexible, and an easy transition from the world of M$. Check it out: mepis.org. While you're at it, check out the great community support forum: mepislovers.org.

Mepis 7.0 is still in beta (5) but is stable as is: debian based. Mepis 6.5 (my current workhorse) debian / ubuntu dapper. You can have your choice of environments (kde, fluxbox, icewm, xfce, etc.). I think you'll like it. It did the trick for me and I've been M$ free for almost two years now. lol :-)

Yep I know this to be true. In fact I've got an rather old laptop that will not run any version of windows newer that 2000. Win2k doesn't support all of the hardware I've got attached to this laptop e.g. wireless card & USB network adapter. I load it up with Linux and suddenly every last device works on it. Well except the sound card. But I know how to make that work too.

Furthermore this antiquated Laptop is now a fairly zippy machine. Though it doesn’t like running KDE too much.

Check out AntiX.....antix.mepis.org and the forum is at antix.freeforums.org

I think much of my frustration with Linux comes not from the system itself but my own impatience in dealing with the learning curve. I have certain things I want to do but I just don’t have the basic experience necessary to do them. For instance I once attempted to create a wireless bridge out of an old laptop. As far as I could tell I did everything I needed to do to accomplish this. It even seemed to work partially. I could get an ARP packet through it but nothing else. I picked up the MAC of a device on the other side but could never ping it.

I would also like to do embedded design work with uLinux sometime. But again I don’t have the fundamental knowledge of the OS necessary to accomplish this.

Your suggestions are all very good. It really is an addiction sort of thing. I mean if I didn’t have anything but Linux to work with I would master it in no time. There was a time long ago when I couldn’t use a computer and I played with one until I understood how to use it. Now I guess I just don’t want to go through learning how to walk again if I don’t have to. But then Microsoft makes you learn it all again every few years. Oh well. I just need to get it over with!

Out of curiousity, what make/model of GPS have you got?
I am making a serial interface cable for my Magellan 315 handheld unit, and though it's been a little while since I worked on the project, AFAI-remember I located some Linux software to use the interface, and should be able to download/upload to my GPS with it too. I have already downloaded the firmware for it, but I'm not done the cable..

NOTES:
1 - rather than help me hijack this thread, email me the make/model if you'd like me to investigate.
2 - you have FAR more experience than I with Linux, so you have probably already looked into every angle of the situation. If so, disregard this post.
3 - RE NOTE 1 --If you do email me, I'll start a new thread IF I think there's a way to do the upgrade. There are precious few threads on LQ about GPSs (I checked)

#EOH

It's like everything else in life though, you have to want to learn. If the want isn't there, I suppose you could force yourself, but would you enjoy it?

I done something similiar, I killed dual-booting before I knew how to get everything working that I required. I got online, so I knew I had the resources to learn what I needed to know. The want has to be there though. Good luck and keep us posted on your journey

Boot it and use it. If you have a problem read, ask questions, and learn how to solve it.

Reformat your HD getting rid of windows entirely. Use Linux to do everything. If you have questions use your distros irc channel or post in a suitable forum like here at LQ.org. Thats what I did 3 yrs ago and I haven't missed windows once.