[tylerhach]

I've been a Windows user for years now, and from what I've seen with vista, i feel that it isn't living up to the hype it once had, being that when i go to (art)college in the fall i will be buying a mac book pro, i suddenly have this new found interest in new operating systems, and would like to give Linux a shot.

Honestly i know very little about Linux other than this:
-it has many versions
-it can be very useful for things like media and music
-it is different than windows ...lol
-its not windows or mac osx ...lol again

I'm not happy at all about my very limited knowledge of operating system and hope that someone can help me.

here are my questions about Linux:

-What would be the best version for someone who just wants the general idea of Linux, like one that lets me do everything i normally would, only under a new operating system? (ex: video games, photoshop, listening to music, aim, ventrilo)
-How exactly do i install this new operating system? Will it delete my current one?
-where do i even start? the linux.org site is so confusing.
-would 17 gigs be enough to put Linux on? or should i go and delete more stuff off my 120gig hard drive?
-can you install Linux on macs?

Thats all i can think of for now, thank you to anyone who trys to help me!

[Officer Dibble]

I've tried a few and personally absolutely love Ubuntu.

The Linux community doesn't look at the different distributions (distro's) in the sense of competitiveness, but rather like a box of chocolates. Generally speaking you like them all because of what they are, tasty, but you will have your favourite(s) for specific reasons.

I dual boot XP and Ubuntu, and you can dual boot Vista and Ubuntu too if you like - there are loads of easy how-to's out their. I keep XP as my little toy box for games, etc, and Ubuntu (Linux) as my means for grown-up computing. Surfing the net securely, work, mailing, and all the more common stuff such as music and video are quite happily enjoyed in Ubuntu.

Ubuntu has the best Linux support forums on the 'net, it has a definite development path, and is very much a pleasure to use. (For example of it being a pleasure to use do a search on You Tube for "Compiz Fusion")

What are your system specs? (CPU, RAM, Video card?)


Hope this helps.

[tylerhach]

so its Ubuntu huh, ok, i'll start doin some research on it, thanks

specs are:
-OS: Win XP
-CPU: AMD Athlon XP 2600 2.08ghz
-RAM: 1.5gigs
-VC: NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS

can Ubuntu run iTunes? just curious

[tylerhach]

i already have a better idea of what this all is...

what about SUSE? what is that known to be good in? i hear its a good starter because its only requires one disk, although a 2+ disk installation doesn't sound that much more confusing.

it also looks very appealing to the eye lol

[Officer Dibble]

Originally Posted by tylerhach

can Ubuntu run iTunes? just curious

Ubuntu will love your system... as for iTunes, preliminary research indicates that it is doable, but as with all these things - you learn volumes by making it work.

"Making it work", sounds unusual to say this about an OS and an application doesn't it? But that's the way it is with Linux on occasion - it's a voyage of adventures and discovery. I think "innovative" is the word I am looking for.

[tylerhach]

i think im gonna download Kubuntu

do i just pop in the cd it is burned on to, and boot from cd?

this wont delete anything, especially on windows right???

and will i have to re install all my applications i want to use?

also do i need to install my drivers? like for graphics and motherboard?

[RootbeaR]

PCLinuxOS is the one to start with coming from windows in my opinion. It has a tutorial on desktop of LiveCd for installation. I have used it for over a year now without the need for a command line to accomplish anything. To add a printer, click "Add Printer."

Devices are automatically detected and mounted. Cameras, video and still, MP3 players etc..
Video capture/editing is a snap.

You get software from the repository, not by searching for an app on the internet.

Try the LiveCD first. This will give you an idea of what it does, how it will run on your system and if you may have trouble with any drivers. Just remember it will be much faster and easier to use once installed. Nor will you need to configure everything all the time.

After that, you will be addicted and won't be able to decide "which distro to boot today?"
Then, when/if that novelty wears off, you boot default unless you decide on another flavour that day.

I disconnect cable from router and boot windows to play games. Haven't had a problem with MS since then. XPSP2 works great "unplugged."
Everything else is done on Linux.

Good luck and have fun, with any and all distros you choose.
RootbeaR

[CouchMaster]

PC Linux is less work, all restricted packages are enabled by default. On Ubuntu you have to enable the restricted repositories, then DL and install the packages --- it's no big deal just extra things you must do.
If you like the gnome desktop then use PC Linux gnome instead of the KDE desktop.
Simply Mepis is almost identical to PC Linux and just as good.
Ubuntu has the largest support forum in the world and comes in many flavors - Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Kubuntu and many more. If you add them all together they surpass all other distros in popularity.

[in2media]

having tried many linux distros mainly the more popular ones i feel ubuntu the more noob friendly, and the guys at http://ubuntuforums.org/ are more then willing to help and advice the noob with even the silliest questions ( theres no such a thing as a silly question if someone is learning)
theres also linux distros that are more windows like then windows for the noob ( linux xp, pc linux os,) to name a couple.
but that said my opinion is try ubuntu i have it on one of my machine dual booting with xp
i also have mandriva dual boot with 98
hope it helps

[absolutezero1287]

I'm on Ubuntu right now and I have no complaints.
I have tried OpenSuse, Puppy Linux, Belenix, GoblinX, Sabayon, and many others. Ubuntu is still my favorite. What I would not recommend is BSD. I couldn't get it to start from the LiveCD at all. Pretty difficult to work with, from my experience.

-What would be the best version for someone who just wants the general idea of Linux, like one that lets me do everything i normally would, only under a new operating system? (ex: video games, photoshop, listening to music, aim, ventrilo)
That would be Ubuntu!

-How exactly do i install this new operating system? Will it delete my current one?
It will not delete the current one if you decide to dual boot them. Dual booting allows you to use two operating systems.

-where do i even start? the linux.org site is so confusing.
Try these sites:
http://distrowatch.com/
http://www.ubuntu.com/
Google also works wonders

-would 17 gigs be enough to put Linux on? or should i go and delete more stuff off my 120gig hard drive?
Yes.

-can you install Linux on macs?
Yes, Linux runs internet servers, cell phones, PDAs, MP3 players...you get the idea.