Re: Considering switching to Linux -- need advice

From: Kurt von Finck (root_at_localhost.localdomain)
Date: 11/04/05 

Date: Thu, 03 Nov 2005 15:04:08 -0800

On Thu, 03 Nov 2005 13:57:57 -0800, Rex Eastbourne wrote:

> I'm currently running Windows XP on an IBM T42 laptop. I've been
> gradually realizing that I don't really need anything that Windows has
> to offer, and that running Linux/Unix would make a lot of my work
> easier. (I'm a college student who does a lot of programming.)
>
> So far I've read several different things on the internet. I'd like to
> know if you could add to this list, or which of these is the best
> choice for me.
>
> (1) Get rid of Windows completely and install a Linux distro (Ubuntu
> and Debian are the ones I hear the most about).
>
> (2) Double-boot my laptop (it only has a 20G hard drive, although I
> could get a bigger hard drive)
>
> (3) Download VMware or Xen, or some other virtual machine software. I
> am very confused about what a "virtual machine" this means, and whether
> it is what I am looking for.
>
> What would be the easiest or best thing for me to do with my laptop?
> Any other ideas than what's on this list?

1). Ubuntu is probably the best choice for someone new to Linux. It's easy
to setup and administer, and there is a vibrant and helpful user community.

http://www.ubuntulix.org
http://www.ubuntuforums.org

2). You will either have to shave space off the unused NTFS partition to
allow space for Linux, or do a clean install of both OSes. You might try
the free System Rescue CD to see if you can resize partitions without
losing data.

http://www.sysresccd.org

3). A virtual machine allows you to run one OS inside another. Since tyou
want to dual-boot, this is unnecessarily redundant.

I would encourage you to download the Ubuntu Live CD for your
architecture, and run Linux off that for a few days. It will allow you to
ensure your hardware is supported, and also acclimate you to Linux without
having to touch your hard drive. If after using that you enjoy the Linux
experience and want to take the plunge, you may then actually install it
from a separate install CD.

./k

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