Ubuntu Linux

One of the reasons Linux has been gaining popularity is the immense failure of Vista, which continues to be riddled with bugs, security vulnerabilities and annoying hardware compatibility issues. Even with Windows 7 on the scene, many people are ready to try something new.

Another reason more people are giving Linux a try is Ubuntu. Ubuntu is free and has all the features of Vista without all of the problems. Flexibility, detailed online manuals, enhanced resistance to viruses, and a huge community of supporters makes Ubuntu a tough operating system to beat. That being said, it’s still scary to switch to a new operating system. Here are a few tips to help make your transition into the world of Linux a bit smoother.

Learn about Linux

Before trying or switching to Linux do a bit of research. Most Linux distributions have forums and guides for beginners. For example, Ubuntu has very detailed online documentation to help you learn more about Ubuntu and Linux in general.

DVD and MP3 support

Keep in mind support for DVDs, MP3s and other codecs are not installed by default in Ubuntu and many other Linux distributions. It’s easy to add this functionality in Ubuntu by installing “ubuntu-restricted-extras” through the Synaptic package manager. Check out Ubuntu’s restricted format documentation for more information.

Linux live CDs

One of the amazing things about Linux is live CDs. Put a live CD in your optical drive, reboot your computer, and a fully functional operating system will be running in minutes. When you’re finished simply reboot, remove the CD, and you’ll be back in Windows.

Get Ubuntu

Download the latest version of Ubuntu, burn it on a CD, then boot into the operating system without installing it on your hard drive. If you don’t want to burn a CD, Ubuntu will send you a live CD for free (imagine Microsoft doing that). Create an account, order a CD, and it will be mailed to you in 4-6 weeks.

For old computers

Running an operating system from your optical drive will be slower than when installed on your hard drive. Some older computers may not respond well to a live operating system. Check out Ubuntu’s system requirements to make sure your computer can run a live CD.

Dual boot Windows and Linux

Once you’ve learned a bit about Linux, and tried a live CD, the next step is to partition your hard drive so you can dual boot from either Windows or Linux. While running the Ubuntu live CD, click on the “Install” icon to start the process.

Experiment with Linux

Once you have both Windows and Linux installed on your computer you can play in your new Linux partition and Windows will still be there if you mess something up. Sometimes you break things, but sometimes you learn a really cool trick!

The wonderful thing about Linux is it gives you the freedom to turn it into whatever you want it to be.

Sources:
Ubuntu, http://www.ubuntu.com/