[faizankhan666]

I am currently using vista. I have never used any other OS other than windows. Now I want to install ubuntu (you already know why). I want to ask few questions:
1) Is linux "user friendly" (just like windows or more than windows)
2) How long will it take me to get familiar with linux basics? I actually run the "live cd" for ubuntu and I saw a window named "Terminal window", where you need to type few commands from which I am not familiar with yet. Why is this window used for? Do I have to use it for installing and opening applications?How often I need to enter commands through "terminal window"?
3) I just need a short view about the user interface.

I hope I will get help on this...Vista sucks and it keeps sucking as Windows 7 is coming next year.

[arochester]

1) Is linux "user friendly" (just like windows or more than windows)

There are different versions of Linux, called distros or distributions and some are more user friendly than others. I use Kubuntu, the KDE vesion of Ubuntu. Ubuntu is reckoned to be quite "easy".

2) How long will it take me to get familiar with linux basics?

That's not easy for me to say. How long did it take you to get used to Windows basics? Some of the principles e.g cut, copy and paste are just the same.

Why is this (the Terminal) window used for?

I'm not sure about Vista but XP can drop to the (DOS) Command Prompt. It can be more powerful but it is not always necessary.

Do I have to use it for installing and opening applications?How often I need to enter commands through "terminal window"?

You can use it, but often there are other ways. One of the first books about Linux I looked at (now out of date) was called "Point and Click Linux". It can be that easy...

[TerryNet]

With Ubuntu you need not use the Terminal for installing or opening applications. There's a package manager and either Ubuntu or Kubuntu even has a Add/Remove application for installing programs.

If you stay at the GUI level there's not really a lot of difference in the experience of using Windows or Linux. But the command line commands in Linux are, I think, much more powerful than MS-DOS (at least the subset available in the XP or Vista Command Prompt).