[codenoid]

I always wanted to use linux on my pc, but never just did it. Running windows all my life, and I dont know anyone that personally use linux, does anyone use it and how long would it take to adapt from windows to linux?

 

[TemtnF8]

I run both windows and Linux. Right now if you're interested in trying it I'd recommend Fedora since it's pretty easy to set up and has an attractive GUI interface. In fact, it looks a LOT like MacOS. You can get it at http://fedora.redhat.com

As far as making the change... Well, Linux is a pretty steep learning curve. a LOT of OS operations are done from the command line, including installing/removing applications. Unlike windows with most unix/linux apps you can't just download and run an executable.

My advice would be to install it on an older/spare PC and try learning your way around, or running a dual boot configuration (both linux and windows) until you can figure a few things out.

 

[bush]

I don't recommend Fedora. The later releases are cobbled together to the point where it's not as functional (or easy) as it should be.

Try Ubuntu. It's available free, like most other distros, and comes either as an install cd, or a livecd. It's not nearly as confusing as a lot of other flavors of Linux.

http://www.ubuntu.com

It's based on Debian, my distro of choice, and has excellent package mangement. Much better than Fedora's RPMs. The transition time depends on how much you use it. I've used Debian for almost 3 years now, and I'm at the point where I'm more comfortable using it than I am Windows.

If you're in the IT industry, linux and unix knowledge always helps, but don't make it your bread and butter. A diversified portfolio of Linux and Windows knowledge goes a lot farther.

 

[codenoid]

I'm just a student, but it seems Windows has become an operating system for computer illiterate users. My computer is a couple years old, but now I am really having trouble keeping it clean from spyware/adware. Is Linux much less prone to these problems?

 

[bush]

Is Linux much less prone to these problems?

It's not even a concern. The spyware you get on a Windows PC won't even run in a POSIX environment. So it's moot. The only thing you have to worry about is popups once in a while, but that can be avoided most of the time with Firefox.

Get the Ubuntu livecd, put it in your CDROM, and reboot. You'll be using it in a matter of minutes, and when you reboot, you can go right back to using Windows. That will give you a taste of what it's like.

And I wouldn't say Windows is for the computer illiterate. It has its applications, but when it comes down to personal preference, I'd take BSD anyday :dblthumb

 

[ASCI_Blue]

Gentoo > *. This assumes you can read, type, and have a LOT of time on your hands.

 

[codenoid]

Gentoo > *. This assumes you can read, type, and have a LOT of time on your hands.

Huh?

 

[cbcinnovations]

I like CentOS and Gentoo.

 

[deathdealer]

Check out Xandros: http://www.xandros.com/ I've found its easy for windows users to to operate Xandros.

 

[dayid]

After having used: Debian, Gentoo, Redhat, Fedora, Mandrake, Slackware, DamnSmall, Ubuntu, Libranet, BBC, Knoppix, Kubuntu, SuSe, and a few other randoms throughout the past few years...

I use Ubuntu on my laptops, Fedora on the desktops, and FreeBSD/Fedora on the production machines. (FreeBSD being on the "frontline" machines - with Fedora on the "backup" machines).

If you are "starting" - I would recommend either Fedora or Ubuntu just for the ease of use- but PLEASE - set up a dual-boot configuration - because there're some things you will still want to use your windows for - and it's a shame to wipe out Linux just to "go back" to Windows.

If you actually want to learn and set up a machine that'll run forever amen - take the time to learn Gentoo or FreeBSD and use those. Feel free to IM w/ any additional questions.

 

[Oni]

If you're willing to learn more in and outs with Linux you might like Slackware. Ubuntu/Kubuntu are very easy to work with.

 

[mikem317]

I'm just a student, but it seems Windows has become an operating system for computer illiterate users. My computer is a couple years old, but now I am really having trouble keeping it clean from spyware/adware. Is Linux much less prone to these problems?

Just don't use IE. I've run Windows on all my machines and have had one virus over 20 years of computing (since Windows 3.1). Consider an alternative browser like Mozilla's Firefox. www.firefox.com

I'm a Linux fan too. I've only had limited experience with SuSe and Red Hat. I hope to install Fedora soon on a dual boot or an entirely other disk and just swap when I need to.

 

[codenoid]

I tried the ubuntu livecd, but everytime I try to boot it freezes and never gets through the loading process.

What are some good livecd's I could try out and mess around with?

 

[codenoid]

Just don't use IE. I've run Windows on all my machines and have had one virus over 20 years of computing (since Windows 3.1). Consider an alternative browser like Mozilla's Firefox. www.firefox.com

I'm a Linux fan too. I've only had limited experience with SuSe and Red Hat. I hope to install Fedora soon on a dual boot or an entirely other disk and just swap when I need to.

Thanks, I need to backup and wipe my computer clean, but I'm gonna try Firefox now..

 

[Hagios]

If you want to learn Linux/Unix in general, try a wonderful program called Cooperative Linux/Usermode Linux.
As far as Unix OSs go, frankly, if you want a GUI Unix OS, get a Mac. If you want something that is a kickass server, go BSD on beefy hardware. Linux is mediocre at everything, and that makes it hard for me to respect it, from a Unix sysadmin's point of view.

But seriously, trust me on the CoLinux bit. You can install and run linux from inside windows. Just no graphics adaptor support, yet.

 

[codenoid]

I'm running Slackware livecd now, I really like it much better than Windows. I havent been able to get the ubuntu or knoppix livecds to work. Is there a way with slackware to run the livecd, but have some settings stored on the harddrive to make it more permanent?

 

[Hagios]

Sure, just create an e2fs part on your hdd, and save shit there. Write a quick and dirty shell script to restore your settings, and just run that script whenever you boot.

 

[codenoid]

Sure, just create an e2fs part on your hdd, and save shit there. Write a quick and dirty shell script to restore your settings, and just run that script whenever you boot.

Did I mention I was kind of new to the setting up linux process?

 

[ubernoob]

i'm a damn small linux addict, its 50mbs and runs from a cd, perfect for turning my old 233mhz, 1gb hd, 64mb ram (sdram at that) system into something usuable...

i'm trying out ubuntu right now on a newer laptop, but am unsure if it will recognize my nic (3c905c)

 

[Hagios]

The 3c905 arch has been supported since 2.2 days.