Making the switch from Microsoft Windows or Apple’s OS X to Linux can be a daunting proposition for most people. There are a lot of negative myths, half truths and misinformation out there that scare many people off. Fortunately there are several ways to experiment with, and get to know, Linux that will not change your system as it is now.

Method 1 – LiveCD
The easiest way to try Linux without making the full commitment is via LiveCDs. Many Linux distributions make available a LiveCD version of their product. A LiveCD is a bootable CD that boots your computer into a fully functional Linux environment, including applications and network access. The entire system runs off the CD and does not touch your hard drive. Once done, you remove the CD and reboot your system normally.

To create a LiveCD, download the appropriate ISO image from your distribution of choice and use your CD burning application to create the disc. That’s it…no muss, no fuss.

Method 2 – Virtualization
The next step up the ladder in complexity is virtualization…think of it as a computer inside a computer. Installing and running Linux in a virtual machine within your regular Operating System. There are several Virtual Machine hosts available such as VMware and VirtualBox. Both are great but I prefer VirtualBox from Sun Microsystems for it’s simplicity.

Once you install the Virtual host, you use it to create and install a virtual Linux install that runs within your Windows or OS X environment like any other application. Doing so does install Linux to your hard drive but it is isolated from the rest of your system. It can also be removed easily without damaging your host OS. Do note that you still need to download the Linux install CDs as virtual hosts do not provide this as part of their package.

Method 3 – Wubi
The third method of painlessly trying Linux is Wubi. This is an Ubuntu specific product that is more or less a mix of virtualization and dual-booting. In a nutshell Wubi is an application that you run within Windows that will install Ubuntu (or Kubuntu or Xubuntu) to dual-boot on your system without the need to worry about partitioning your hard drive. It uses existing free space on your drive. To remove it, if so desired, you just deinstall Wubi from Window’s Add/Remove Programs.

Limitations
While all three methods work well, there are certain limitations with each. For example, with the LiveCD method, nothing is saved to your hard drive. Any files you create or changes you make will be lost when you reboot.

With the virtualization method, you can save data and make changes which will save. However, because it is running within Windows or OS X, it will use up system resources and may affect performance on weaker computers. You can also run into certain issues with Linux detecting and installing drivers for the virtual “hardware” of the host.

Finally, with Wubi, though the closest to a full fledged dual boot or native install, you are limited to a Linux install of 30GB max…though in most situations this is plenty.

Conclusion
Linux need not be the scary beast. It can be fun and educational. It also does not mean you need to give up the Operating Systems you know and tolerate. In the world of Linux all are friends and we know how to play with others.

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