Linux only?

[Reedimus]

I'm going to be replacing my computer and selling this one and I'm thinking about running Linux as the only operating system. specifically, mandrake's powerpack. I've never used linux before, but I really don't feel like paying hundreds of dollars to get microsoft windows and office again. my question is this: is it an inconvenience to use linux as your only OS? Anyone who has used Linux alone ever wish they had windows for anything? just want to get some input before I cut myself off from microsoft for the next couple years at least. also, how does the performance compare to windows xp?

thanks in advance for any replies

[DrZaius]

Hi Reedimus,

Quitting Windows cold turkey will certainly be tough. I always suggest dual booting Windows and Linux for the first time so that you can still use Windows while you are learning to use Linux, and then eventually delete Windows all together. It will be a little difficult at first getting all the drivers and such installed, and until you can find Linux substitutes for all of your favorite Windows programs you'll be stuck doing basic tasks. Linux has a steeper learning curve so you'll need a good book and net access to ask questions and find drivers and such. Once you get used to it though, I'm sure you'll be happy knowing that all updates for Linux are free, so you're set for the future! Hope that helps.

[OOPS!]

Hi,

DrZais is right. Going cold turkey is possible but difficult without prior *nix expirince. Dual booting is a good way to get your feet wet. "Using" a Linux distro isn't hard. With the GUI desktops and windowmanagers it is point and click. There are many free/opensource programs to accomplish your tasks, from office suites to CAD to scientific software. So finding software to do your work isn't a problem.

What is difficult for newbies to learn is how to be an Admin for a Linux box. For all the GUI goodness that there is, somethings are still best done at the CLI. So you need to learn a new set of commands, (the syntax is a bit different). Installing software is differnt,(Dealing with dependencies can drive you to drink once in a while). Some hardware isn't supported well or at all, (not all manufacturers care to release drivers or specs so someone else can write them). Hardware is getting much better though. Newer stuff is well supported. Over all the learning curve is a bit steep but very do-able.

I haven't used XP myself, but from what I've read MS is finally starting to catch up a little to Linux as far as being stable. And crashing a program no longer means taking down the whole OS. So if you have the hardware, (i.e. latest and greatest) it might be a wash between the two. I'm MS free for the last 2 months mtself. And I'm not missing it any.

OOPS!

[Reedimus]

Thanks a lot for the input. I'm going to get linux today and dual boot with this computer until I get the hang of it. Then I'll go linux only when I upgrade it beyond recognition.

[nimril]

Hi folks,

Been thinking of also using Linux with WIndows XP. THis way I can have the best of both worlds. I've heard that WindowsXP stores unaccessable data permanently on my HD, therefore using XP as a program within Linux is what I've been thinking about through VMWare or Win4linux (though I have heard this reduces performance in high processing programs when using XP this way - solution being to reboot directly into XP (if such can be done)).
Is Dual Booting when 2 partitions or HDD booting together? Wouldn't this take up excessive Ram/power? I'm new to the technical side of computers and would very much appreciate details

Nimril

[calypso]

dual booting is when you use a boot manager to select which operating system you want to boot at startup