[Demosthenes72]

I currently run some older version of XP on my rather useless Dell Laptop. I don't store anything of value on the laptop, I just use it to get on the internet, watch DVDs and type up word documents. I store everything useful on a WD external Hard Drive. I have ancient virus software and I'm probably not going to ever update it b/c whenever i get viruses, I can easily reformat all my drives (the reason I don't store useful stuff on this computer. Anyway, I've been toying with the idea of switching form windows to Linux. I have no idea how to do this, or what Linux is like, I've just heard good things about it. How smooth is Linux? Would I be able to reinstall my old drivers and software? What kind of software might i get with Linux as my OS? How uniform are Linux updates and how easily would I be able to get help with my Linux related Problems? These are the kinds of things that I want to know before I even try to replace windows which although somewhat dull, if certainly effective. This thread is my request for your experiences, insights and general advice concerning Linux. Of course I want advice of the for or against sort, but I'd also like stories and tidbits about Linux including any caveats or praises, even if they aren't part of a definite yes or no argument. Thanks for your help.

[CouchMaster]

It's hard to say because you didn't list your Computer specs. But, if it runs XP it will probably run all versions of Linux. Ram is very important and from my experience 512+mb is the sweet spot. Just put a Linux CD in and reboot the Computer - read carefully and follow on-screen directions. They are all free so get two or three different ones to play with. They run from the CD so you can try before you install. find one you like, that works with your Computer and then install it.

[DoubleHelix]

You wouldn't be able to install any Windows software or drivers, only Linux software and drivers. Most of the popular versions of Linux include OpenOffice which would provide a word processing program similar to Microsoft Word.

I'm not sure about watching DVDs. I don't know if Linux now supports that or not.

[TerryNet]

I've been playing with Ubuntu 8.04 for a couple weeks. Stuck in a DVD+RW on which I had recorded TV shows and it started playing.

Note that with Ubuntu/Kubuntu/Xubuntu you can now get Wubi, which is a small program that you run in Windows. It creates a large (Windows) file and installs Linux there and sets up for a dual boot without the need for partitioning. If you don't like it use Add/Remove Programs (or the Vista equivalent) and it's gone in seconds.

This has been very convenient for me, even more convenient than the live CDs. Also note that Linux can access your Windows file system so it's easy to see what it can do with your existing documents/pictures/music/etc.

Xubuntu is for memory challenged computers; I may be trying it on 128 meg in a week or two.

[saikee]

Why not just get a extenernal hard disk or a USB memory drive and put as many Linux as you like on it? You can arrange the PC boot to the Linux in the external device when plug in or WIndows when it is not.

Linux can co-exist with any operating system and there is no law against you having as many OSes on a PC. You can arrange Linux in the same hard disk too.

Booting with Linux is easiest among all OSes.

There is absolutely no need to switch. Just add as many systems as you like and select any one to use to suit your mood. You can mount WIndows partitions in Linux or vice versa so all your personal MP3, photos, Word docuemnts, spreadsheels, video files in standard formats are all playable between systems.