To Linux or not to Linux that is the Question

bootneck02 · #11 (**permalink**) 20-09-2008, 11:35 PM

Oh to Kaistar there is no fear about spyware or viruses as all the software for the Linux OS is done directly through the open source organisation.

Kaistar · #12 (**permalink**) 21-09-2008, 04:45 AM

I'm gonna squeal like a bimbo now y'all...

Oh.My.GOD.

YOU CAN RUNE iTUNES ON LINUX?!

Forgive me for being such a dummy but well Linux has always been a very scary prospect to me so I never dug up much about it. And when I met a guy using it and he told me (in a gloomy doomsday voice) that games, Microsoft Office and iTunes does not run on it... It kinda scared the crap outta me.

Is the leap from Office XP to Linux tough? Is Linux easily skinnable (I'm a windowblinds etc junkie)? Would it be wise for a general gamer & surfer with a laptop meant for college usage to jump into Linux?

Last but not least, should I open a new thread? lol...

Seriously... no malware and ****... Wow man...

rokytnji · #13 (**permalink**) 21-09-2008, 06:17 AM

Kaister , this is what I had to say to Johanus in another thread,

If you want to run Linux in Windows, (which is kinda cool), go here Wubi - Ubuntu Installer for Windows It runs linux inside of Windows but is still a seperate operating system. If you get good at linux later and want to free up the space on your hardrive in Windows just go to the Ubuntu folder in Start>Explore and click on the uninstaller icon in the file and boom, linux is gone.

If you go the wubi route Ubuntu will be added to your Windows bootloader and when you start up your computer you will get the Bootscreen from Windows with Windows XP on top and Ubuntu underneath so you can pick which system you want to boot. I think on the Wubi install you can pick from a 8gig install to a 30gig install. Its a neat way to play with Linux in my opinion. Read the whole page on the Wubi link to get a idea what I am talking about. I also recommend the Ubuntu install,Not the Xubuntu one. Just make sure you remember user name and password (write it down) as it is important because you log in every time you boot up linux,(because you are admin.)

Kaistar · #14 (**permalink**) 21-09-2008, 06:21 AM

What's the difference with Ubuntu and Xubuntu? Is Wubi better than running Linux on a VM? I just did some reading on VMware and Virtual Machine PC but they both seem quite demanding...

I have only 1 partition (aka no partition?) on my HDD, would it be dangerous to install Wubi? I've read the page but am still a little unsure. I'm quite worried it might screw up my pc lol. And what's the difference between the installation sizes?

Thanks Roky =)

rokytnji · #15 (**permalink**) 21-09-2008, 06:31 AM

Wubi install of Linux is like any exe. install on Windows. I aint sure how it will interact with your Gforce card, I haven't googled Dell Vostro yet and Ubuntu to see what is up. Can't say it is safe or dangerous yet. I gota look first. I wouldn't run it yet till I do some research first.

Kaistar · #16 (**permalink**) 21-09-2008, 06:47 AM

Oh so you'll be helping me google up on Wubi and Vostro? Thanks man. I'm not running the original nVidia driver either to top it off. I've been reading the WubiGuide but not in detail as I'm rushing out lol. Thanks for the help anyway. I'll have to check the forums when I get back =)

rokytnji · #17 (**permalink**) 21-09-2008, 06:57 AM

Here is what I have got so far
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=396526
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.p...ht=Dell+Vostro

I didn't see much in anybody having any problems, maybe you might have to work a little at getting wireless to work. I would to be on the safe side, hook up a cable when in linux to download updates and such and if you get stuck on something you can always boot into windows to get answers to questions. You'll have to google" Linux Wine" to see what games work in Wine and what ones don't.

rokytnji · #18 (**permalink**) 21-09-2008, 07:01 AM

What the hell, I click on my links to check them and I get a server down message. Sorry Kaister.

rokytnji · #19 (**permalink**) 21-09-2008, 08:35 AM

It looks like the links are good, the problem is with the Ubuntu forums server right now. Maybe they will work tomorrow. Found this blog herehttp://vostrolinux.blogspot.com/search/label/1500
Dual Boot Ubuntu XP Dell Vostro Simply Seth’s Weblog
Here is what another guy said about Wubi install on Dell Vostro !500

I also tried out the WUBI install from inside Windows and I'm happy to say it worked like a charm too, but I wanted to have Ubuntu on it's on REAL partition.

Here is his specs

Dell Vostro 1500 - Dual Boot - Windows Vista Ultimate || Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron
Core 2 Duo 2.2ghz - 2gb RAM - geForce 8600m GT

bootneck02 · #20 (**permalink**) 21-09-2008, 11:54 AM

I have noticed in the Linux comunity that many start off by dual booting until they master the new OS then ether move away completely from MS

or keep running XP just for their games but use Linux OS for their main OS. The Linux comunity is very helpful to new users and of course there is a Linux magazine here sold at most newsagents and supermarkets £6-49 here in the UK called Linux Format (Linux Format :: The website of the UK's best-selling Linux magazine) which comes with a DVD with many distro's and a good read and very informative for the new and experienced user.