You can try Linux while booted into Windows
 

If you are curious about Linux and want to learn about it, how it works, just get your feet wet but are unsure of how to go about this (install, live CD...?) then this link is for you. Using your mouse you can be running Linux while booted into Windows. Completely pain free and a mouse only procedure.

RolledOat

http://mostly-linux.blogspot.com/200...pernewbie.html

Nice link with a good write-up. I use this setup regularly with an XP host and a Debian guest. It is so convenient that I almost never dual boot anymore. I would hazard a guess that 80% of the posts from newbies on this forum concern mucked up dual boot installs and inability to connect to the net. By letting vmware control the network interfaces and by learning a little bit about virtualization new linux users can have a much more pleasant experience.

Thanks for reading the link. I honestly think it is a good way to really start getting Linux out there. If they have a no brainer experience and learn Linux tools, interfaces, etc so easily, when they take the plunge, they are already familiar. My favorite part though 'at least you can actually surf securely online with your Windows PC'. :D

RolledOat (TripleII)

Very nice link.

Thanks for sharing this.

greaat....but...
 

can u install things in this?? eg. Firefox 2.0 if so how??

You would install apps in the vmware `guest' the same way you would the distro you choose to use.

I keep a copy of vmplayer to test dist-upgrades before I do a d-u on my working system, I also run Xp in it on the rare occasion I feel the need to mess with windows.

I agree with Vmplayer/Server being free to use and with the prebuilt vmx files available to download it is great way to start learning Linux without dualbooting or using a livecd.

Easily install anything
 

Yes, the PCLinuxOS VM machine is a 6 Gbyte machine, using about 2 Gbytes when expanded, so you can literally download to your hearts content.

If you click on the Rubic's Cube (Synatptic package manager), simply search for what you want to install, and install it. There are 5000 packages to choose from, and the package manager takes care of dependencies.

RolledOat.

Oh yeah, root's password is "toor" without the quotes.

1) Click on Rubic's Cube
2) enter "toor"
3) Wait for it to populate packages if first time running
4) Click on Installed (upgradeable)
5) Search for the program you want, and click on it
6) Click on the greenbox with the * on it and select mark for upgrade (accept any other modules it needs)
7) Click Apply
8) Enjoy

It just doesn't get any easier than that.

I checked, the standard repository list does not yet have FireFox 2.0, so if someone knows and unnoficial repository to add (Settings-->Repositories-->New) with FireFox 2.0, that would be great.

RolledOat

Going to add more part 2.5. Note, you can read all the "new users guide", it will explain everything, from virtual desktops to IM to CD burning to package management.

RolledOat