Noob wanting to get into Linux

youtin · 02-22-2008, 04:17 AM

> Sharing the PC with my Dad and having to use darned USB flash drives has
> given my new computer a host of viruses from who knows where and errors in
> less than a couple of months. I decided to try Linux because trying to
> maintain a communal PC virus and spyware free is driving me up the wall.
>
> Before that, I'd like to get my facts straight, so here are some questions:
>
> 1) Could I dual-boot XP and Linux? (I have a dedicated 25GB partition I plan
> to use for the Linux install).
> 2) When using Linux, can I access the other partitions I made when I
> installed XP? Does the partition have to be a certain format? (FAT32/NTFS)
> 3) How safe is Linux from spyware/adware? Do I need an
> anti-virus/anti-spyware?
> 4) Do you think it's safe to plug in USB flash disks and memory cards
> knowing full well that they contain Windows viruses? Won't the Windows
> viruses have some effect on the Linux install?
> 5) I need Japanese input capabilities (IME). Is there an easy way to do this
> in Linux?
> 6) Does Linux support plug-and-play?
>
> I've downloaded the most recent version of Ubuntu (7.10 I think). Do you
> think this is good for a noob like me?
>
> Thanks a lot in advance!

Kesava · 02-22-2008, 04:38 AM

> 1) Could I dual-boot XP and Linux? (I have a dedicated 25GB partition I plan
> to use for the Linux install).
yes its not hard to do
> 2) When using Linux, can I access the other partitions I made when I
> installed XP?
i think you can. like cant open the apps usually.. but yes you should be able to.
Does the partition have to be a certain format? (FAT32/NTFS)
you mean the partition you want to access from linux? no
> 3) How safe is Linux from spyware/adware? Do I need an
> anti-virus/anti-spyware?
no you dont. its very safe.
> 4) Do you think it's safe to plug in USB flash disks and memory cards
> knowing full well that they contain Windows viruses? Won't the Windows
> viruses have some effect on the Linux install?
i would think not. but i could be would be possible i suppose... maybe

> I've downloaded the most recent version of Ubuntu (7.10 I think). Do you
> think this is good for a noob like me?
yeah ubuntu is the best

easy to use

BluePlum · 02-22-2008, 04:39 AM

Linux Is safe ( full stop ) .

voyagerfan99 · 02-22-2008, 04:44 AM

1: Yes. You can dual-boot linux and XP. 25GB should be pretty fine for normal usage. I however, don't know how to do it.

2: Yes. You can access the other partitions. They do not need to be any specific format. However, I do not believe you can make changes to the other partitions. (I have only really toyed with SLAX live CD and am always unable to make any changes to another partition except my flashdrive)

3:Since the majority of computer users use Linux/Mac, you don't have to worry about getting attacked. Linux, for the most part, is immune to such things; though not totally.

4:I don't think the windows virus' will have an effect on the linux installation. Note, they are windows virus'

5:No idea

6:I believe they do; though for what you want it for, I'd need more information.

Ubuntu is very easy for first-time Linux users

02-22-2008, 04:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
youtin Gold Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: somewhere in Asia... Posts: 257	Noob wanting to get into Linux > Sharing the PC with my Dad and having to use darned USB flash drives has > given my new computer a host of viruses from who knows where and errors in > less than a couple of months. I decided to try Linux because trying to > maintain a communal PC virus and spyware free is driving me up the wall. > > Before that, I'd like to get my facts straight, so here are some questions: > > 1) Could I dual-boot XP and Linux? (I have a dedicated 25GB partition I plan > to use for the Linux install). > 2) When using Linux, can I access the other partitions I made when I > installed XP? Does the partition have to be a certain format? (FAT32/NTFS) > 3) How safe is Linux from spyware/adware? Do I need an > anti-virus/anti-spyware? > 4) Do you think it's safe to plug in USB flash disks and memory cards > knowing full well that they contain Windows viruses? Won't the Windows > viruses have some effect on the Linux install? > 5) I need Japanese input capabilities (IME). Is there an easy way to do this > in Linux? > 6) Does Linux support plug-and-play? > > I've downloaded the most recent version of Ubuntu (7.10 I think). Do you > think this is good for a noob like me? > > Thanks a lot in advance! __________________ My Laptop's name is AKIRA　＝アキラ＝ Sony VAIO VGN-K30B Intel Celeron 2.50 GHz / 704 MB of RAM 40 Gig Hard Drive / 8x DVD±RW Drive ♥♥♥　with a PURIKURA of Yosuke and me ♥♥♥

02-22-2008, 04:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
Kesava Diamond Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: India Age: 18 Posts: 3,771	> 1) Could I dual-boot XP and Linux? (I have a dedicated 25GB partition I plan > to use for the Linux install). yes its not hard to do > 2) When using Linux, can I access the other partitions I made when I > installed XP? i think you can. like cant open the apps usually.. but yes you should be able to. Does the partition have to be a certain format? (FAT32/NTFS) you mean the partition you want to access from linux? no > 3) How safe is Linux from spyware/adware? Do I need an > anti-virus/anti-spyware? no you dont. its very safe. > 4) Do you think it's safe to plug in USB flash disks and memory cards > knowing full well that they contain Windows viruses? Won't the Windows > viruses have some effect on the Linux install? i would think not. but i could be would be possible i suppose... maybe > I've downloaded the most recent version of Ubuntu (7.10 I think). Do you > think this is good for a noob like me? yeah ubuntu is the best easy to use __________________ Cpu:Q6600 2.4Ghz @ 3.4Ghz Ram:4GB Kingston 800Mhz Mobo:Gigabyte P31-DS3L HD:Seagate 360GB/ OS:Windows XP SP3 Display:Viewsonic 19"/Samsung 17" Email/MSN:kesava23@gmail.com Last edited by Kesava; 02-22-2008 at 04:40 AM.

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02-22-2008, 04:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
BluePlum banned Join Date: Nov 2007 Age: 15 Posts: 1,481	Linux Is safe ( full stop ) .

02-22-2008, 04:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
voyagerfan99 Diamond Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Connecticut/New Jersey, USA Age: 18 Posts: 3,712	1: Yes. You can dual-boot linux and XP. 25GB should be pretty fine for normal usage. I however, don't know how to do it. 2: Yes. You can access the other partitions. They do not need to be any specific format. However, I do not believe you can make changes to the other partitions. (I have only really toyed with SLAX live CD and am always unable to make any changes to another partition except my flashdrive) 3:Since the majority of computer users use Linux/Mac, you don't have to worry about getting attacked. Linux, for the most part, is immune to such things; though not totally. 4:I don't think the windows virus' will have an effect on the linux installation. Note, they are windows virus' 5:No idea 6:I believe they do; though for what you want it for, I'd need more information. Ubuntu is very easy for first-time Linux users