Windows vs Linux v2.1

[Boriyako]

I recently posted a comment about Microsoft in this forum. Wrong place!

I got a response from Ethel which, notwithstanding the patronising tone, has made me "look into the mirror"!!

I would like to partition my hdd (I will have to keep windows for various programmes) and run my wordprocessing, ppoint and spreadsheet apps on Linux with OOffice. I have bought a copy of OOffice bundled with a "dummies guide to" for �5.00!!! Unreal!!!

Any suggestions on where I can find out how to do this (the partition)? Also, does anyone have any recommendations as to the most simple
distribution of Linux which won't need "tickling" or fiddling with to make it work?. I heard Red Hat is pretty good.

Does it matter which kernel version is used?

I heard that there are CDs available which allow you to try before you buy?

Thanks in anticipation

PS Thanks Ethel

[markysngc]

to repartition your hard drive with out losing your data you will need someting like partition magic, and even then there is a risk that it will go wrong and wipe you drive, for the price you can get hard drives for now I would say stick another hard drive in the computer if you have room in the case

I use a distro called MEPIS on my desktop, which I am on now, it's setup and install is painless and pretty much works with most stuff "out of the box". If you have a decent internet connection it can be downloaded for free from http://www.mepis.org (it's about 680Mb) the download includes open office so you won't need your copy, but �5 for the book is worth it. there is also a very good and active community on the MEPIS site that will be happy to assist with any question you have.



Once you have burnt the MEPIS cd from the ISO you downloaded you can boot your computer from it and run the OS from the CD so you can see what it is like, these are known as live CD's. bear in mind though it will run a lot slower from a CD than it would from your hard drive.

the chances are that you will come across a couple of slight problems, probably largely due to being used to windows but I wish you luck with your first steps into linux.

Mark

[Ethel]

There is a free application - Virtualbox - that allows you to download linux seperately on your pc:

http://tinyurl.com/3d6nzw

http://tinyurl.com/ywnst7

I like Ubuntu version of Linux. This is an excellent book and helps you run Ubuntu directly from the included pc if you are unsure about installing it permanently on your hard drive

http://tinyurl.com/2r5fzs


Sorry for patronising. :|

[Ethel]

"included cd, not pc.

[markysngc]

he he, now an included pc would be a good deal

just spotted that the MEPIS installation will allow you to resize your partition, however resizing a partition will always carry a risk

I have also heard good things about ubuntu but have never used it my self

have a look at
http://distrowatch.com

for information and links to reviews about pretty much any flavour of linux out there

[dabees]

After a disagreement with Microsoft regarding installing XP on my desktop (Laptop with the original XP OS died and they wouldn't let me install it on another computer) I decided to give Ubuntu a try, i ordered a copy from a Linux site, i only paid �2.50 to cover postage and the CD itself.

I installed it with a partition on my Win98 pc, the Ubuntu disk did all the partitioning for me. I didn't need to use another program, the install was a breeze.

I enjoyed using Ubuntu at first but got a little disalusioned at not being able to get it how i wanted it (my fault, not Ubuntus) I was then given this book for my birthday.

That was the end of windows for me, once i'd learnt the Linux basics, i reinstalled Ubuntu without the partition and have now got the OS i always wanted, and for free.

[sparko33]

All you need in two free links.

http://apcmag.com/the_definitive_dualbooting_g uide_linux_vista_and_xp_stepbystep.htm

http://www.mininova.org/tor/707115

Happy booting.
Colin.

[markysngc]

slightly off subject but if anyone reading this wants to install windows onto another computer don't tell microsoft you are putting it on a different computer just tell them you had either a hard drive failure or mothboard fault and had to replace whatever part, and as both of these would require a reinstall they will just revalidate it.

It is a nice feeling when you first get a linux system running just as you want it and you know that you can use a computer without lining microsofts already overfull pockets... though having said that I have just brought myself a Xbox360 so i'm still throwing cash their way!!

I will have to give ubuntu a go myself soon, I keep hearing it's very good, i'll stick it on a spare box sometime

[rojash]

About 5 years ago, I bought Red Hat Linux. It came with two alternative desktops and no advice on which to use. It took hours to install, nothing worked properly, Red Hat wanted me to purchase an upgrade within a week, whic would have made my outlay fro a "free" operating system more than double what it was for Windows. I struggled with it for a few weeks and gave up.

Today I downloaded the Ubuntu Live CD, double clicked the ISO file, burned it to a CD and rebooted.

I haven't installed it and it's not made any changes to my system. It booted to a nice clean desktop, I clicked the Firefox icon, logged into AB, and here I am, running Linux!

It takes a few minutes to boot from CD (but compare that to a few hours installing Windows), I've also downloaded VirtualBox, so later today I will probably try installing that and then installing Ubuntu - or I may just install Ubuntu as a dual boot.

The fact is, I am incredibly impressed!

[rojash]

Wow! I am soooo impressed. the thing recognized all my external drives, my printer, network card, etc.
I went to make a change to the desktop settings, and it asked me if I wanted to install the latest NVIDAI drivers - I said yes, they were downloaded, installed and running in seconds: It even recognized my dual monitor setup.

And I've just realised that it includes OpenOffice 2.3 which is installed automatically.

[Ethel]

That is fabby, Rojash. :)

[Boriyako]

Thanks to all for the comments and advice.

I am going to save all my data onto an external hard drive and give it a go with ubuntu (I like that.....comes from my home country!! Some info - ubuntu means community - loosely used to describe the principle that without others we are nothing on our own)

Got all excited when I read ethels comments about the free pc!!

Thanks again
Cheers
Miles

[Boriyako]

If you're interested in seeing Nelson Mandela explaining the concept of Ubuntu.....

http://www.easy-ubuntu-linux.com/ubuntu-africa n-word.html

I'm so bloody lazy that I haven't even learnt how to hyperlink something like this!!!!!!!

Cheers

[beso]

When you want a program installed on Debian you just pick it from a list of available applications. The OS does the download and completes the installation of any modules required to run it.

[ACtheTROLL]

Heretics!!!! ..... all of you !!!!! heretics!!!! :-)

for installing on good old windows virtualpc 2007 is another freebie
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.asp x?********=04D26402-3199-48A3-AFA2-2DC0B40A73B 6&displaylang=en

alternatively on linux
http://www.vmware.com/download/
to run windows.

and the Knoppix distro also has a dual boot install option which - so far has worked everytime

[markysngc]

also on linux you can install wine which will let you run most windows apps under linux

http://www.autohotkey.com/