[CharlesM]

So I am a bit pissed at Windows.

And I want to use something else, something free as I have no money to be purchasing a new OS.

So I was thinking about Linux but my wireless card, for my laptop, is a Linksys which isn't compatible with Linux.

I did a little research and I found that there is a module called Wine for Linux that enables Windows programs to be able to be run on a Linux OS.

Well if that will enable me to use my wireless, then I am thrilled - but if not then I'm right back where I started from.

Also, this is an older laptop and it has a 5gb hard drive so I'm looking for a lightweight distribution to add on - any suggestions? (I don't just want a prompt, I need something with a GUI interface.)

[happyrck]

for liteweight linux get puppy linux

http://www.puppylinux.org/user/viewpage.php?page_id=1


it has a nice GUI and you can run it completely in ram without putting it on the harddrive
go to the link to read about and download if you chose

[CouchMaster]

You can try all of the many FREE Live Linux CDs to see if they will find and work with your computer. Reserve judgment on the linksys wireless card until you have tried a few distros - then tell us - does it, or doesn't it (linksys) work.

[fenderfreek]

If you want something that's user friendly, includes a live CD, and has some wifi drivers included, try Ubuntu. I have quite a few copies and I'd be glad to send you one if you like.

[uhaligani]

You will get a host of different views on Linux distibutions. These are not neccessarily "free" as constantly touted, but probably work out a little cheaper than an MS dprogram. I have been a Linux experimenter for some time. I seem to mess up after a short while and wipe my installation. So far I have found nothing that comes close to Windows XP! I use a Linksys and have not had a problem with it in ANY distribution. As another poster suggests, try some of the live cd,s. My personal favourite is Xandros. This installs and runs with simplicity. It normally comes with two disks, one has a mass of software on it. After the install, which is easier and quicker that Xp, it automatically offers the option to go to its Web page where there are a huge number of software items. You merely click those you want and it installs them for you! You can then do the same with the extar disk. If you want the whole lot, be prpared to sit at your computer for a while and have about 12 gigs of HD ready. The "purists" will say that Xandros is too much like Windows after installation. ?? The only problem I have had is with my motherboard sound (Soundmax) when using sound on the Interenet,

[rob.rice]

a full install of slackware is a little over 3 Gb
http://slackware.com
wine dosen't run windows drivers it's a windows API
that runs on linux