To linux or not to linux?
Hey,
I think I have finally lost all patience with vista. each new version of windows seems to get progressivly worse! arggghh!
anyway, ive decided that ive had enough and i think linux (prob ubuntu) may be the way forward…
id get a mac, but sadly im not made of money 
Is linux easy to install and opperate for a modern (but not especially "techie") person such as myself?
also, for third party commercial software - is wine a good system for installation?
thoughts appreciated
cheers!
Tagged with: cheers • commercial software • linux • money • new version of windows • patience • third party • ubuntu • wine
Filed under: All Things Wine
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Wubi installer allows you to install Ubuntu 9.04 within Windows without the need to download the ISO. image and create a LiveCD http://wubi-installer.org/
You keep Windows as it is, Wubi only adds an extra option to boot into Ubuntu. Wubi does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.
Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.
Installing Ubuntu From A Windows System With Wubi
http://www.howtoforge.com/wubi_ubuntu_on_windows
Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope) User Guide
http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Jaunty
RECOMMENDATION
I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 7 Main Edition which is Ubuntu 9.04 based. Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled
Linux Mint has a feature called mint4win based on the Wubi installer (Ubuntu) http://wubi-installer.org/ which enables you to install Linux Mint within windows
You keep Windows as it is, mint4win only adds an extra option to boot into Linux Mint. mint4win does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.
mint4win like Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.
Linux Mint 7 Download
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=38
Linux Mint 7 Release notes
http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_gloria_whatsnew.php
You download the iso. image of Linux Mint then you need to create a Bootable LiveCD
Boot in to windows insert the LiveCD you have just created and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where mint4win comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Linux Mint (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.
Once Linux Mint is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Linux Mint.
Linux Mint can also be run direct from the LiveCD from Booting up without touching your Hard Drive
WORTH CONSIDERING LINUX MINT 6 (also incudes mint4win)
Linux Mint 6 Download
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=31
Linux Mint 6 Release notes
http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_felicia_whatsnew.php
CURRENT SESSION
Linux Mint 7 ext4 (GRUB 2) with Compiz 0.8.2
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=38
http://wiki.compiz-fusion.org/
LUg.
Yeah, you don’t have to know a thing about linux to be able to use Ubuntu effectively. Conversely, if you’re a linux guru you can still tweak it out how you like.
Linux is easy to install and use if you read the instructions and documentation. It is different from windows so it will take some getting used to. The first 3 links should help.
Wine can be installed in ubuntu and is used to run SOME windows software/games. The next 2 links explain how to install wine and programs in general in ubuntu.
Have fun
If you go for Linux, try to use one you will feel comfortable with. For dedicated Windows user this choice would be a version with the KDE desktop environment. Kubuntu, PCLinuxOS KDE and other choices that can run as a LiveCD so you can check them out before making a decision. I recommend to go with dual boot and keep Windows around for things Linux can’t at the present time. Ubuntu is the most recommended by other Linux Users, but you will probably find Kubuntu a little easier since it is similar to Windows in looks.
Don’t be disappointed at first, it takes getting use to how some things work and how software is installed with it’s program manager. Most Linux users are willing to help, some, not many tend to insult someone trying to install it or work with it. Windows people tend to be the same way from time to time. Best of luck.