jkcampbell730

I've recently been thinking about installing Linux Ubuntu on my new HDD that I will be getting soon and then installing a Virtual PC type product to run Windows XP on.

What are the advantages of using Linux and why is it such a rave?

Should I Install WinXP as my main and use virtual PC to use Linux Ubuntu?

I know Linux is a very popular free OS, but I want to know why people choose it and love it so much.

__________________
abit IP35 Pro LGA 775
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0 @ 3.26
EVGA GeForce 8800GTS SSC 640MB
G.Skill (2 X 1GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
Samsung 21.6" SyncMaster 2253LW

I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
Ecclesiastes 3:10-11

imsati

Take your time and soak your feet in the shallow end before diving into Linux. While Ubuntu is very new-user-friendly, it's still based on a completely different set of rules Windows is; some things will work the same, others will be completely different. If you have a good understanding of how OS's work and a good sense of viewing things from different angles to troubleshoot problems, it will be a bit easier, but there will still be some rocky patches here and there. Don't jump in and expect a perfect working setup the very first time - you may go through a few reinstalls.

As for advantages...(gods I hope this doesn't start a flame war)...it's much more stable and secure than Windows based on the way the software is built (this is a fact, not a random opinion). I won't go into details unless asked to, but there are countless Threads on CF about the differences between the two, and if you want to know about the security aspects, I'm sure a search for 'linux root' on Yahoo or Google will yield thousands of websites.

As far as keeping XP as your primary OS, yes, I'd recommend it for the time-being (refer to the first paragraph). Instead of a VM, you could also partition your HDD to allow for a dual-boot. If you've never partitioned a HDD before, it's a lot easier than it looks; just be sure you know what all the terms mean.

As far as why I chose it...well, it started as a whim a while back. I was tired of being locked into Windows for everything and figured I'd give it a shot. Curiosity turned to obsession and I found myself learning all I could about it. Because of my career, I'm forced to be a heavy Windows user for business purposes, but for personal use, I use Linux whenever possible.

__________________
--Jay
Gigabyte EP31-DS3L | E4500 | Masscool HSF paired with AS-5
80 GB SATA2 x 2 | e-GeForce 7100 GS | CM Elite 330 (gorgeous!)
Triple Boot: Ubuntu 7.10/XP Home/Kubuntu 7.10

You do realize that everytime PC eye Posts, God kicks a puppy, and every time someone takes his advice, He smothers a kitten in front of a child, right?
http://www.computerforum.com/114761-...tml#post922619

jkcampbell730

Thanks for the post, it was very thorough and informative. I really appreciate it.

__________________
abit IP35 Pro LGA 775
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0 @ 3.26
EVGA GeForce 8800GTS SSC 640MB
G.Skill (2 X 1GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
Samsung 21.6" SyncMaster 2253LW

I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
Ecclesiastes 3:10-11