switching from XP to Linux & Compiz

[old-guy]

I want to switch to Linux/Compiz Fusion, I think. I don't want to spend my days trying to write code, but like tweaking and exploring. I have XP now. I feel it's inevitable so why get Vista and get used to that. I have a second computer I can use while I'm learning.

I'm in need of advise on where to get started. Good sites that will assume nothing and give me the knowledge I need to work with/on a Linux base system, with out going over board.

As well as recommendations on what to use ubunto, xubunto, kubunto. What's the difference's. Will all my old software work?

Real green and willing to but the time in, but would like a little guidance so I can hopefully avoid some wasted time searching.

Thanks

[some-guy]

Currently, Ubuntu is very easy to learn and simplified, in linux, there is no 'official' GUI environment, rather just an interface, other projects develop those environments, which are known as 'Desktop Environments' or DEs. Ubuntu only officially includes Gnome, Kubuntu uses KDE, Xubuntu uses Xfce, most others are customized gnome.

As for the software, most have linux-equivalents, but the ones that don't might work with wine.

I would recommend you try wubi, it installs ubuntu from windows, and it is easy to install and uninstall, all the main variants can be installed as well, no partitioning needed or anything, just a few files that are installed in windows.

I would recommend the development version, It seems to have less flaws than the release (both are stable though)

To install it

Download Wubi: http://www.wubi-installer.org/devel/minefield/Wubi-8.04-alpha-rev455.exe
Download Ubuntu 8.04 pre-release: http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/daily-live/current/hardy-desktop-i386.iso

put them in the same folder, run, reboot and you have ubuntu!

(EDIT: lol some-guy is replying to old-guy ;) )

[delfick]

hello

linux comes as what's called "distros".

Each Distro will differ slightly in how they do things, and before you ask, there is no "best distro" :)

it's a matter of taste, so trying different distros is the only way to find out which one you prefer.

Having said that, ubuntu is supposedly designed for new users to linux, and is fairly easy to use. (personally I haven't actually used anything else, except for an early fedora release, so I don't really know)

what I suggest you do is wait for the next release of ubuntu (24th April) and install that.

however if you feel like it, you can install the beta version http://www.ubuntu.com/testing/hardy/beta

just download the iso (you'll probably want the i386 Desktop cd found here http://releases.ubuntu.com/releases/8.04/), then burn it to a cd using this guide here https://wiki.ubuntu.com/BurningIsoHowto

then put it in your computer and reboot. The cd is what's called a "live cd" basically you can boot linux off the cd and use it without changing anything on your computer's harddrive. From there, there is an "install" icon on the desktop which will take you through a few steps to install ubuntu.

(you can make it so that you have a dualboot situation where you have both windows and ubuntu on your computer and you just choose which to boot into when you turn on the computer)

just a little warning though, before you install another operating system, make sure you have backups of anything important on your computer (good practise anyways :)) just incase something goes wrong (unlikely to happen, but it's possible)

then if you have further questions about ubuntu, the ubuntu forums at www.ubuntuforums.org is a really good place to ask questions and get answers...

good luck :)

(also, I've moved this thread to linux/computer talk section of the forum)

what to use ubuntu, xubuntu, kubuntu. What's the difference

these are all the same distro, except for the fact they come with different default desktop environment by default. Ubuntu uses gnome by default, xubuntu uses xfce by default, and kubunut uses kde by default.
Note that whichever one you choose to install first, it is very easy to install the desktop environments installed by default on the other ones.
(wikipedia has explanations of what a desktop environment is and what gnome, xfce and kde are)

Will all my old software work?

depends on which software you mean :)
some software have linux versions to them, which you can use.
others don't, but there is likely to be an alternative (http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Alternatives)

[plun]

This article is maybe worth reading about Wubi

http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=1570

I also recommends a Windows clean up before install.

Error check
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B315265&x=11&y=16

Defrag
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B314848&x=17&y=12

Error check and defrag takes some time but mostly all Windows PCs are
rather messed up.

The help file within Ubuntu (menu System) is a great start.