Would it be a good idea to change to Linux?

[Tsutaebanashi]

I have Windows Vista Home Basic, and want to try out Linux. Would it be smart to change?

System:
Windows Vista Home Basic
Service Pack 1
Manufacturer : Dell
Model : Inspiron 1525
Processor : Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual T3200 @ 2.00GHz 2.00 GHz
RAM : 2.00 GB
32-bit Operating System

I still have the CD for my Vista OS, so if I ever need to reinstall Vista, I can.

What should I do?
I want Linux, isn't sure if it is the best idea to switch.

I am worried about the programs that I won't be able to run on Linux...

[kiraes]

Do you need Linux? What programs do you run often?

[Bolweevil]

The programs you have will not natively run on Linux, because Linux is not Windows. You will want to use Linux applications if you intend on using Linux.

If you want to continue to us Windows applications stay with Windows.

If you want to learn how to use Linux, there is no harm in trying. Just be sure to back up your data before formatting your machine and installing another OS.

But if you're expecting it to work like Windows, you'll be disappointed, and quickly become frustrated with it. Linux is a completely different OS, with it's own distinct differences and quirks.

[XXL E D G E N D A R YXX]

i say upgrade to windows 7.

[Super Dragonite]

If you are switching from Windows to Linux, I would suggest Ubuntu, or even Linux Mint, which is Ubuntu-based but much more user-friendly in its graphical user interface. I suggest these for two reasons:
1) Ubuntu is the most common Linux distribution for average users. (And Linux Mint is Ubuntu-based.)
2) Both Ubuntu and Linux Mint can be installed without having to change partitions, Windows or anything. This is more for trying than for being a permanent installation, but it can help you test to see if you like/want Ubuntu/Linux Mint and if the Linux distribution of your choise will be able to use all of your hardware.

I suggest Linux Mint because, for one, I switched from Ubuntu to Linux Mint, and two, its interface is like a combination between Ubuntu and Windows, so you will probably be more comfortable with it because you are switching from Windows (not to mention that Linux Mint's interface is absolutely beautiful yet simplistic). And Linux Mint is basically the same thing as Ubuntu with a changed interface. Linux Mint also comes with flash, java, etc. already set up, which is something you have to do manually with Ubuntu. And because Linux Mint is Ubuntu-based, it is compatible with all software for Ubuntu, and pretty much all software with a Linux version has an Ubuntu version. 3nodding

To give some more information:
I mentioned being able to install these operating systems without touching Windows. How this works is you can install Ubuntu/Linux Mint from within Windows. It will create a file called a virtual hard drive, which works as a hard drive. It will also create an uninstaller, so if you choose to uninstall Ubuntu/Linux Mint, you can just uninstall it from Add/Remove Programs. However, you do not run Ubuntu/Linux Mint within Windows. You actually have to boot into it (you will be given a choice when you turn on your computer).
If you wish to do this with Ubuntu, go to http://www.ubuntu.com/, download an ISO (I suggest x64 because you have a dual-core processor). Then download Wubi (http://wubi-installer.org/), make sure the ISO and Wubi are in the same directory and run Wubi. It's pretty straightforward from there.
If you wish to do this with Linux Mint, I have found to be safe you need to take an extra step (sometimes Mint's version of Wubi doesn't work with an ISO). Go to http://www.linuxmint.com/ and download an ISO (once again I suggest x64). Now you have to burn the ISO to a CD-Rom. (I'd just use a CD-RW so you don't waste a CD-R, and you can rewrite over it.) After you've done that, go into the CD (you may just be able to autorun the CD but I can't remember) and open mint4win. From there it should be straightforward.

Be aware, should you choose to make the switch from Windows to Linux or choose to dual boot, which is what I do, if you are going to permanently have Linux, you need to give it a dedicated partition (or hard drive). This is because a virtual disk is not as stable as a dedicated partition and so your Linux distribution could miserably crash one day. This will especially happen if you do a hard reboot (use the power button instead of shutdown option in Linux). It's just an instability issue with a virtual hard disk, though. I've been running Linux Mint for a while (beside Windows) and haven't had any problems like that.

Once again, I suggest Linux Mint, but you could really try out either through this method.

[Tsutaebanashi]

I am very flexible as far as adaptation to new things/OS.

The programs that I use often are:

Winamp
Gimp
Firefox
CD Art Display
Rainmeter
MSN
Skype

[Super Dragonite]

Tsutaebanashi

I am very flexible as far as adaptation to new things/OS.

The programs that I use often are:

Winamp
Gimp
Firefox
CD Art Display
Rainmeter
MSN
Skype

I don't think there is a Winamp for Linux, but there are plenty of other great media players for Linux.
Gimp is a native-Linux program, so no worries there.
Pretty much all Linux distributions come with Firefox.
CD Art Display doesn't have a Linux version, and I don't know of any alternatives, but I'm sure you could find one.
There are Rainmeter equivalents for Linux.
There is an MSN client for Linux (called Emesene).
There is a Skype client for Linux.

http://alternativeto.net is a great website. Search a program and it will tell you what platforms are supported and also a list of alternatives.

[Kouyoukujin]

Why not download an Ubuntu LiveCD and see if it's to your liking? If you don't like it, no problem.

[Super Dragonite]

kouyoukujin

Why not download an Ubuntu LiveCD and see if it's to your liking? If you don't like it, no problem.

I don't like the idea of testing an OS with a Live CD because Live CDs don't represent how it will actually run on your computer at all. They are so slow and don't use graphics cards. gonk
I use Virtual Box for trying out, but if you are thinking of actually doing a switch, it's not that useful for testing hardware because Virtual Box takes care of all the drivers and such for you.

[Tsutaebanashi]

Thanks a bunch Dragonite!

If I choose to have Linux permanently on my Hard Drive, do I burn it to a CD and install that way?
if so, once I start to install it, is it going to erase Vista and all my files off the Hard Drive?

[Super Dragonite]

Tsutaebanashi

Thanks a bunch Dragonite!

If I choose to have Linux permanently on my Hard Drive, do I burn it to a CD and install that way?
if so, once I start to install it, is it going to erase Vista and all my files off the Hard Drive?

1) Yes. If you understand what I mean by ISO, then that shouldn't be a problem. (If you don't then just tell me and I'll tell you what it is and how to burn it properly.) You have to do that because you have to be able to boot from the CD.

2) It depends on how you choose to install it. I dual-boot, which means I have Windows running beside Linux and Linux has its own dedicated partition (3 technically, but we don't need to get into that now). Right now you don't need to worry about that, since I'm guessing you're going to try it out with the virtual disk installation. But when you do it, what I'd suggest is defragment your hard drive on Windows (I suggest Defraggler). Then go into Computer Management. To do this, you just search "Computer Management" on the start menu and open it. (You have to specifically search it for Windows to let you see it.) Then click on "Disk Management." Try to shrink your Windows partition. Sometimes you can't, because there are files at the end of the partition and defragmenting the disk just wouldn't move them. Windows will not let you force the files to be moved for some annoying reason.
If this happens, you have to get risky. First, backup everything you don't want to lose. I was able to do this without killing Windows, but whenever you play with partitions outside of Windows' own client, you need to backup. Now boot into your Linux CD. From there you'll just follow the instructions until you get to the partition decider. Choose "run Linux next to Windows" or whatever. Don't choose "use entire hard drive." Don't choose "do custom," because at this point you probably won't know enough about how Linux works to create the right partitions. Now just move the slider down to steal however much space from Windows that you want to give Linux. (I gave my Linux Mint like 70 GB but really it only need 10-15 GB.) Now just go through the rest and let it install.
IMPORTANT: If the power is cut while editing partitions, you will most likely lose all data on the hard drive. (If that sadly happens, luckily you backed everything up, right?)

Now you should be able to use Linux.

When you go back to Windows, it will most likely do a disk check (unless you were able to edit the partition within Windows). Let it do this. If you are lucky (like me), Windows will boot normally after the check and everything will be fine. If you are unlucky, Windows will just not boot. Then you will either have to recover it with installation CDs or reinstall Windows.
Note that I did find that Windows booted a bit slower after doing this. Then when I upgraded to Windows 7, it was happy again.

Another note: If you were able to shrink the Windows partition within Windows then when you run the installation for Linux, just select the option, "Use most contiguous free space" or something like that. It will automatically just take the empty space.

Another another note: wink If you end up having to reinstall Windows (or if you upgrade Windows or whatever), Windows will overwrite the MBR (basically this just defines where the bootloader is located). This will make you unable to get to Linux. This is because, as you will find, when you install Linux on a dedicated partition, it will install a special bootloader (called GRUB) which will let you choose your operating system. You will have to reinstall GRUB through a Live CD (this is booting a demo of the operating system with your installation CD). This isn't difficult and there are guides to it in the forums of Ubuntu and Linux Mint. Just wanted to tell you that if you freak out because it automatically boots into Windows.
Kind of the same thing, if you give Linux a dedicated partition and later decide you don't want it and just want Windows, you will first need to put in your Windows CD and say "repair Windows boot files" so that when you delete the Linux partitions in Windows and give the space back to Linux, your computer isn't looking for GRUB and can't find it since GRUB is part of Linux.

[KorruptedKore]

Get a Live-CD version of Linux, and play around with it. A Live-CD distribution will run considerably slower than a native install, so don't let the performance of it sway you. It should however give you an idea if Linux is the right choice for your particular computer use habits without having to destroy your current OS installation. If it seems like a good fit, go ahead and install it to the hard drive. Another thing is, if you want to use windows applications and you can not find a good Linux alternative to them, pop over to winehq and check the compatibility lists. They should list which windows programs run under Wine ( Windows Emulator ) and how well the perform along with any caveats you may run into. Emulation isn't perfect for all applications, but it may be for the ones you use. You could also try dual-booting windows and Linux so that you can have both OS's on the same machine, requiring a reboot to switch between, or you can run either Linux or Windows within a VM (virtual machine) depending on which one you find yourself using more, in order to avoid the problems that come with emulation layers. If you do the VM method, make sure your machine has plenty of memory, you will need enough to support the simultaneous operation of both systems for it to be comfortably useable. If you choose to dual boot, install windows first, as it will overwrite the MBR rendering the linux install unloadable, however the linux bootloader ( either lilo or grub depending on the distro ) will load windows or linux just fine.

Hope that helps you make a decision. Oh, don't forget, always perform complete back-ups.

[JUGGAL021]

nah i suggest u stick to windows

[LilPinkCandy]

Tsutaebanashi

I am very flexible as far as adaptation to new things/OS.

The programs that I use often are:

Winamp
Gimp
Firefox
CD Art Display
Rainmeter
MSN
Skype

I tried Ubuntu and i did not like it at all. The minute i wanted to change anything, it was a hassle to do so. That is my experience though. However, should you switch instead of using Winamp which is incompatible with Linux, you can use Amarok. Amarok has a cleaner and much nicer display and is much nicer than Winamp. I do not know if there is another compatible music program as I have only used Amarok while using Ubuntu but i'm sure the links above that the other posters posted could help more so you can choose the best program for you.
MSN: Pidgin. You can plug in all other clients to is as well such as AIM and Yahoo if you use them. If not, then someone already mentioned an MSN program. Those are the ones i know about and i hope it helped.
However, I cannot tell you which one to switch to because I only used Ubuntu.
Linux is not for you if you use exclusive-windows applications daily. For example, i play maple story which is incompatible.
I suggest you research the linux programs and see if you like them before switching. You can dual-boot to see if you like it.

[Super Dragonite]

LilPinkCandy

Tsutaebanashi

I am very flexible as far as adaptation to new things/OS.

The programs that I use often are:

Winamp
Gimp
Firefox
CD Art Display
Rainmeter
MSN
Skype

I tried Ubuntu and i did not like it at all. The minute i wanted to change anything, it was a hassle to do so. That is my experience though. However, should you switch instead of using Winamp which is incompatible with Linux, you can use Amarok. Amarok has a cleaner and much nicer display and is much nicer than Winamp. I do not know if there is another compatible music program as I have only used Amarok while using Ubuntu but i'm sure the links above that the other posters posted could help more so you can choose the best program for you.
MSN: Pidgin. You can plug in all other clients to is as well such as AIM and Yahoo if you use them. If not, then someone already mentioned an MSN program. Those are the ones i know about and i hope it helped.
However, I cannot tell you which one to switch to because I only used Ubuntu.
Linux is not for you if you use exclusive-windows applications daily. For example, i play maple story which is incompatible.
I suggest you research the linux programs and see if you like them before switching. You can dual-boot to see if you like it.

Wine allows you to run many Windows programs. Check http://www.winehq.com/ to see if those Windows-only programs run well on Wine.
But it is true, Linux is not for everyone and there are Windows-only programs that are just easier in Windows.
I know many people who dual-boot Windows and Linux and use Windows for all of their gaming and Linux for everything else.
But just trying Linux out first has already been suggested.