I'm thinking of making the switch to linux....?

Question

I'm thinking of making the switch to linux, but i am scared i will ruin my computer and that if i dont like it, i can't switch back to windows, as i dont have a windows xp disk. can someone tell me what the pros/cons of having linux, and which in your opinion is better?

Answer 1

There are a few things you can do. One is put Linux in a different partition, and then you can boot up your machine as either Linux or Windows. I don't know if XP will let you create a new partition without reloading, if it does or if you are installed with 2 partitions already you can do this.



Another thing you can do is use cygwin. It lets you run a Linux environment under Windows, so you can get used to Linux while keeping your Windows environment.



Or, you could get a cheap used computer. Linux hardware requirements are much lower than Windows. An older machine with 128MB memory and maybe 8 GB disk would be plenty large and fast enough to run Linux, and old computers are very cheap.



By the way, I think getting experience on a different OS is a valuable skill, whether you need it or not. You will understand Windows much better after getting a different perspective on the OS through Linux. Go for it.

Answer 2

When changing from one OS to another (Linux, MAC), I always ask "Is there friends using (Linux,Mac) Usually when you run into trouble you ask your friends for help right??



You can dual partition/boot Linux for Lerning purpose but I would reccomend 1 step further....



Get a removable harddrive kit (less than $20) get another harddrive (not too big) and load linux on it.



That way, you'll still have a completly safe windows XP Harddrive and a linux harddrive you do what you please and no worry about affecting Windows XP..



It's acouple of bucks more, but you gain security by KNOWING you won't hurt your XP and still be learning about Linux and when ready make the complete jump to linux/Mac..



Pros/Cons of linux depends on what you intent to use it for. When making the jump, look into software available for linux.. does the game you like come in Linux? applications you use??

Driver support for devices??



Do some homework and see if it fits for you...



Anywho hope this helps

Answer 3

If the instructor stated Mint Linux 9, you could practically confirm it is what the instructor will be utilising for the type. twin boot with domicile windows is rally a good determination because you'll secure the finest of both structures. once you take advantage of Linux lengthy sufficient domicile windows will grow to be a lot less significant than it became in the previous. you genuinely go with domicile windows when you're into gaming.

Answer 4

Windows is better. Why, cause right now your computer and programs work. Before installing Linux make sure all your hardware, graphics card, sound card, etc will work with Linux. Most if not all of your Windows software will not work with Linux. The pros, because you will have very little software on the Linux OS, it will be fast. It's pretty secure. You will probably be pretty bored if you're favorite game or program doesn't work on Linux. I have Linux at work. Your choice, it's a free country. Chow

Answer 5

Ubuntu is a very high quality linux distribution. You can dual-boot windows and linux without losing data during the install by resizing you windows "partition" or section of the disk.



If you need a tutorial to look up how to do stuff or install programs and features check out http://www.ubuntuguide.org



and ask any Ubuntu specific help questions at http://www.ubuntuforums.org



I've been running Ubuntu for 8 months and I love. Very stable and no problems.

Answer 6

Great! Then don't "switch to Linux"! INSTEAD, run Linux in the CDrom, whenever you want, like you would run a CDrom or a movie!



I really like Kubuntu, the Ubuntu that comes with KDE desktop instead of Gnome desktop! They are available as LiveCDroms, also! They'll mail you them, or you can DL.



Hey, GNU/Linux is all about the CHOICE of over 134,000 FREE games, programs, apps., science programs, Office Suites that read/write ALL Microsoft files back to 1986, and convert them to and from hundreds of file types! 1400 games, can run, as shown at http://transgaming.org/gamesdb



So, DO NOT INSTALL Linux, just run it in the CDROM!



I actually prefer http://pclinuxos.com because:

Like all the 'Nix OSes, it is IMMUNE to the "114,000 Microsoft Virus Definitions"! AND:



1. PCLOS can boot in the CD, run in RAM disc, with 1900 games, programs, apps.



2. PCLOS is a genuine concurrent multi-processing, multi-tasking Operating System. Imagine 4,000 parallel turnstiles in the Subway, letting people surge straight onto the trains.



3. PCLOS gives you the standard of 20 individual and separate desktops with up to 200 windows open in each one, all 4,000 running and processing at THE SAME TIME!!!



Check email while you play Atlantik (networked monopoly!) and play kRISK against the computer, while your firefox browser is letting a search conclude on Desktop # 7, and a VOIP phone call is working on Desk #8.



4. Full docs come with it, and, when you are ready, and have read them, an INSTALL will give you the FULL repository of games, programs, applications! Install typically takes 20-40 minutes and any Pentium with 128 Mb of RAM, and 6Gb of drive space, will do it. ALL DRIVERS are automatically included.



If you need help, the Forums are FREE!



Remember Microsoft? All the Microsoft products, like XP, Vista, run consecutively, one bit through the single turnstile at a time. If you are on a multi-core processor, then you get to run two turnstiles at intervals set by each clock tick. Whoop-de-doo!

Remember, all 500+ Unix clones, like GNU/Linx and *BSD, run 4,000 parallel 'turnstiles', and the workload is divided in half, when multi-cores are available!



Benchmark testing proves that the 'Nix OS processes upto 50 times faster than Microsoft on the same machine!



Oh, about all the windows lusers above this post who advised you to 'Run and Hide' from Linux, well, they aren't half as bright as my 2nd grade students at Eastbrook Elementary School!

Oops! That makes them seem like they have IQ's of 40! I am sure they aren't that stupid, just ignorant... hope they can read!

Answer 7

Linux is for "powerusers". No offense intended, but if really don't know anything about computers (as your question implies), then linux is obviously not for you. Stick with windows for now; try and gain some knowledge about the basic workings of computers, then consider switching to linux. When you buy your next computer, GET A MAC! They are superior to PCs in sooooo many ways. And, you won't need to worry about Linux, because Mac OS is based on Unix, the base for Linux. Mac OS X is like Linux's friendly, easy-to-use brother.

Answer 8

windows is more user friendly, linux is really awesome (especially red-hat and slackware) but it takes a bit more computer know how.



if you really wan't to know though you should download a live-cd which allows you to boot the entire operating system off the cd



meaning it doesn't effect your hard drive. once you take out the cd and reboot windows is back and everythings normal

Answer 9

You are perfectly right to think the way you did! Not a wise plan!