Im using Windows but Interested in finding out about Linux. What is the best Distro?
This is the most important question a Windows user will ask the first time around.
It is very very easy with GnuLinux to start downloading and installing different distributions, but the more you download and test the more confused you will become. I know because I have been there myself when I first started out. You can easily spend a good 5-6 hours messing around and achieve nothing apart from a sore head.
All distros work the same, but some have a different way of doing things according to the goal. This is a good thing, but it can also be a bad thing if you are just starting out.
The most important thing to remember is that is not Windows. This is a totally different Operating system. You will have to expect changes. It will never be like Windows, and no one wants it to be like Windows.
Ok so what Distribution should I use?
There are hundreds of different distributions to download. The distributions can range from difficult to easy. You can see how many different distros there are by going to http://shots.osdir.com/
Without a doubt if I had to pick one GnuLinux Distribution I would choose Ubuntu.
You have probably heard people talking about Ubuntu, and there is good reason for this
They have a very large online community and I mean large who are willing to help you. At the last count the Ubuntu forum was up to 252,101 members and more by the time you read this.
All your problems can be solved via the the forums. There are also packages available that will allow you to set your machine with the proper codecs, graphics card drivers and popular software in about 20 minutes which will take out the headache of setting up a GnuLinux machine from scratch, which is one reason in my opinion why newbies give up.
This Ubuntu sounds interesting, how do I get it?
Please visit http://www.ubuntu.com/download
If you are going to use or test , the first thing you will need to do is download an .iso file from their website depending on your machine architecture. Once you have downloaded the .iso file you will need to burn this to CD or DVD. Nero burning rom has an option to burn .iso images to CD or DVD.
Once you have done this all you have to do is pop the CD or DVD in your machine, restart Windows and Ubuntu will run a LiveCD for you without disturbing your existing Windows setup. This way you can give Ubuntu a spin. If you are happy, you can then install this along side Windows on your hard drive from the live CD.
Once you have installed , the LiveCD will create a boot menu for you, so when you start your machine you will have a choice between Ubuntu or Windows.
Will all my hardware work?
The only way to find out is to download and see if things are detected in the live demo. From my experience if a piece of hardware does not work i.e. your sound card then there are ways of sorting it. Someone will have an answer for you in the forums.
Hardware detection in GnuLinux improves everyday. It is sometimes the case where GnuLinux detects your hardware, yet on Windows you need to find the driver to get it working.
It's very easy to point the blame directly at GnuLinux when a piece of hardware does not work for you. However you need to remember that this is the manufacturers fault for not supporting GnuLinux. It all boils down to money, however many large companies like Dell & HP, Nvidia & ATI are starting to sit up and listen. Like I say most hardware is detected these days.
What about games I want to play games?
Games on GnuLinux are a sticky issue. It is possible to run some games through programmes like Cadega. The reason for this is because games in Windows use DirectX, and DirectX is Microsoft's own technology.
Games in GnuLinux use OpenGL. Games manufacturers will still not commit to GnuLinux because they make too much money selling Windows games. However in the future this may change. If you want to persevere do it.
GnuLinux does have native games like Doom, Quake, Unreal Tournament to download, they also run better than they do in Windows. However most GnuLinux users have a dual boot machine or console, so when they want to play their favourite game they just boot back in to Windows. Trust me this is the easiest solution in my opinion and it's simple.
I'm a webdesigner can GnuLinux work for me?
You can run Dreamweaver MX or Photoshop 7 without any problems whatsoever. These programmes run as well as they do in Windows by using a programme called Crossover office.
I used these programmes successfully for 6 months but was forced to go back to Windows due to work issues.
I don't know if newer versions of Dreamweaver or Photoshop work with Crossover office, it's best to to pop over to their website and see if they do. Each version of Crossover office improves on the last.
So what other solutions do they have in GnuLinux for webdesign?
If you like hard coding of webpages their is a programme called Bluefish or Quanta. There are also hundreds of other editors available to download for free. Again in my opinion nothing beats Dreamweaver for ease of use and quality.
If you like design GnuLinux does have a Photoshop alternative called GIMP. Personally it's not my cup of tea as I have used photoshop for many years and nothing comes close in my eyes.
What about Microsoft Office will these work in GnuLinux?
Microsoft Word XP and Outlook run without any problems using Crossover office. Again I am not too sure about newer versions of Office.
So what is GnuLinux good for?
If you want a free operating system with good principles, you want a safe working environment without the risk of viruses, spyware and trojans GnuLinux is the way to go.
If you want your family to stop calling you with computer problems install GnuLinux for them. Most of the problems people get with Windows are Internet related. Most family members do nothing more than surfing the web, read email, download pictures from their digital camera or download tunes from their IPOD.
If you want to run a server download Apache, PHP and MySQL in seconds and start running your own server. It costs nothing to deploy a server. Just your time.
If you are fed up with Microsoft, don't really fancy Apple, GnuLinux is a great in between OS.
How come it's free to download and use?
As you know nothing in life is free without their being a catch somewhere along the line. However due to GPL licencing GnuLinux is free to use, modify and distribute which is what makes GnuLinux totally unique.
All that is required from you is some appreciation and time and most importantly no winging that it is not like Windows.
What is most exciting about GnuLinux is that everyday something new is introduced to improve it for you the user. Where else could you get all of this for free. If you are a programmer or designer there are many oppurtunities around to help you get invloved with projects to make GnuLinux better.
The community grows everyday, it's now at the point where there are so many people involved companies like Microsoft & Apple cannot keep up with GnuLinux's progression. |
