So Ubuntu is the easiest dual-boot Linux, for a small business?
 

So would you recommend Ubuntu for a dual-boot system using XP? I'm brand-new to the new world of Linux, and am bewildered by the plethora of different versions.

I just saw what Win8 will be; so instead of getting new machines with Win7, I opted for XP Prof again, installed on a 64-bit machine, because I still use DOS windows. But will later migrate to some version of Linux, over time. I refuse to use servers, and instead want each of my machines separate. I use older stuff, hardware from 286-486 computers forward to XP. It's surprising how productive they are.

But the problem is compatibility. Hence I don't want the headache of trying to set up and keep a network. Easier to just copy the floppy from one machine to another which also has a USB port connected to flash or other drive. Can run my DOS windows in XP, seamlessly. The only hassle is that I can't use UMB access for my old Borland Sidekick, which runs all my merge printing. So I run my merges, from my 486. Been doing that for over 30 years, now. Low overhead, stable, no interface changes, no need to upgrade hardware.

Only my Windows programs, give me trouble. And now Windows is deleting all backwards-compatibility, via Win 8. So I'll eventually delete Windows, and put what I used to do on it, into Linux.

So I only need Linux for housekeeping and internetting, as eventually my XP won't be able to browse, send email, etc.

So which version of Linux will be easiest to use, for the business owner who doesn't want to become an IT person? Seems to be, Ubuntu? Thank you for any time you spend, in reply!

I know this wasn't directed at me, but for a newcomer my recommendations would be 1. Linux Mint and 2. Ubuntu in that order. They will do what you need them to do and will help introduce you to the world of Linux as painlessly as possible. Also, they are good at detecting and configuring hardware so you don't have to worry about that so much, and they are good at automatically setting up networking including wireless.

Thank you. Why Mint first? What makes it preferable?

To an average user the GUI shell and the logo would be the only noticeable differences. Look at their websites and choose the one that looks nicest.
http://linuxmint.com/
http://www.ubuntu.com/

(I use neither of these outside virtual machines, so I'm a bit more objective and a bit less knowledgeable on these distros than the many fanboys that will try to flood this thread with reasons why *their* system is obviously better than that Other Thing.)

Thank you!

Please do not hijack other peoples threads with your own questions: create your own thread instead.

As a user of Debian with long experience with Ubuntu and having Linux Mint Debian Edition installed on my box, I think that the use of Linux Mint would be the best choice for you.

I would recommend taking a look at LMDE too.

The best thing you can do is get Live CD/DVDs of several different distros and try them out in a Live Session. This will have no effect on your computer. The live session will run from your ram and the Live Media.

You should also try out different Desktop Environments. If you get LM, LMDE or Ubuntu in their main (default) offering you will be getting a Gnome environment. There are other Desktop Environments out there and one may fit you and your needs better.

The DE (Desktop Environment) is what you see when you boot up. You are probably aware that a Mac does not look or behave like a MS box. Different DE.

In Linux there are a lot of DEs. There are 3 that are the most used. Gnome, KDE and Xfce.

With Ubuntu you will get Gnome, Kubuntu is KDE and Xubuntu is Xfce. Xubuntu and Kubuntu are Ubuntu family members and the Live CD/DVDs are available from the Ubuntu site.
http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/kubuntu/releases/12.04/
http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/xubuntu/releases/12.04/

Those links are for 12.04 LTS. Long Term Service (LTS) releases are built for more stability and are supported longer than the other releases.

Linux Mint has Gnome, KDE and Xfce install disks available.
http://linuxmint.com/

LMDE has Gnome and Xfce install disks available.
http://www.linuxmint.com/download_lmde.php/

Gnome is going through some major changes right now. Ubuntu has their own DE that runs on Gnome-Unity. The Gnome folks have a different DE-Gnome Shell. LM and LMDE have their own too, 2 of them, Mate and Cinnamon.

Mate and Cinnamon are both trying to give the look and feel of the old style Gnome DE. I have not used either but have looked at them and they appear to work. Mate, I have played with more, looks very good and is what I would prefer, you may like something else.

KDE you will have to look at as it is used by many people. I, personally, do not like it a bit. Many others, however, think it is the only way to go.

I use and recommend Xfce.

Give the live sessions a whack. You can boot them from a usb stick and I think that may be faster than running off a CD/DVD but I use the disks so I don't know. Directions are available for putting the image on a stick.

If you is DVD-RW you can reuse them and all of the ISOs (the file you download for the OS) will fit on them.

If you think you like one keep a disk and try all the rest, keeping any that look promising. Choose one and istall it on a computer. Try it there. I would do this with all that you liked in live session. Doesn't take long and you can get a better feel for it.

A separate drive would be best as if you go with one drive the Grub bootloader will over write the MBR. If you decide Linux is not what you want then you will have to restore the MS bootloader to the MBR. Grub will boot MS fine but having it on a separate drive and booting it from there is a good way to really check the system out.

Have FUN.

Mint comes with all the codecs for playing music and videos out of the box. This is not to say that it's difficult to get them in Ubuntu, but sometimes it's nice to just have them available right away. Secondly, Ubuntu has the Unity desktop environment which takes some getting used to, and is NOT like Windows at all. Mint has Mate and Cinnamon which many people prefer.

But other than that, Ubuntu is a good distribution for beginners. And if you can get Kubuntu, you won't have the problem with the Unity desktop environment because it has KDE which is preferable to some people.

There really is no right or wrong answer. They are both good for beginners, but I think that Mint has a slight edge because of the above.

What are you talking about? No hijacking is going on here. Or at least, I don't see how. Thank you.

Thank you!

---------- Post added 08-15-12 at 14:52 ----------

Thank you!

You tacked your question on to somebody elses thread.
I moved your post and replies to your own thread.

GNU/Linux presents the user with a lot of choices and for some people, accustomed to the world of proprietary OS where the choices are mostly made for you, this can be somewhat bewildering. The best thing you can do is have a look at distrowatch and just find a distro or two, burn some CDs and try it out. If you can set up a virtual machine you can install any number of distros to find one that best suits you before committing to installing on real hardware.