Topic: Windows Vista vs. Linux: Why Vista Might Lose the Battle

[sam]

Very interesting article and heck it is not just a pro linux from the start... LINK

[GillE]

Having just lost my backup computer tonight because of a virus (I was using Avast! - in future it'll be AVG  :x ) and failed to reinstall the manufacturer's version of Windows XP (serves me right for having shopped at PC World a few years ago), I was in the market for a new operating system and was seriously considering Linux.  Then I started looking at the various websites that exhort its virtues and proclaim its simplicity.

Simple and user-friendly it is not!  Perhaps it might be to computer afficionados, but until it can be installed as simply as a Microsoft OS it will always be for those who like dabbling in the esoteric.  So many people find the familiarity of Microsoft products reassuring that Linux will have to do much more than simply compete with it on a technical level - it will have to take users by the hand from installation to operation.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a downloadable version that gives me this sort of confidence.  It leads me to believe that Linux is still not a realistic contender for the Microsoft crown.

Now, Sam, can you rise to the challenge and find me a downloadable version of Linux that I can use to get my poorly pooter up and running again ?

[sam]

well yes. linux can be installed just like windows. you may need to understand a few things ontop of windows, but its simple enough to pick up via the user support websites... I post a few contenders to you in a bit.

[sam]

Gill....

I'd suggest Ubuntu would be a good starting point. Now there may be a few issues that you have to address before you can do anything else (e.g. make sure that you computer boots from cd) but basically everything you should need for the installation procedure is HERE.. though this is assuming you dont have a 64bit processor. Anyway you can get a downloadable copy from: http://www.ubuntu.com/download  you maybe encounter a problem, cause the website listing of what to download is a mess. So choose: UK, then: ubuntu-6.06-desktop-i386.iso (direct LINK). This should now allow you to install it.. if you cant be arsed with the download you can always order a cd. They also have a LiveCD available that allows you to just run of a cd, without installing. Much more about the os can be found.. here

Anyway if you need more help at any point just ask... oh and remember when you install linux you can install everything you need in one go... no having to install office later, you do it when you install your os.

[sam]

or for the download... probably a better place to go: http://releases.ubuntu.com/6.06/

[Simon]

Oh, you've started him off now, Gill!   Enter the Linux forums at your peril!  :roll:  :wink:  

[GillE]

Just in time, I've managed to restore my XP OS.  Phew! that was a close call.

Many thanks for the pointers Sam. I did try to download a bootable CD from Ubuntu but I didn't have any joy.  There's a part of me that's very tempted to dabble in Linux, just to see what it's like.  However, there's a stronger part that's insisting I should be cautious and stick to the OS I'm familiar with.

Gill

[mistybear]

Hope you installed the latest version.

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/winrg.php

[Clive]

I think that's the version I must have!  

[sam]

Hope you installed the latest version.

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/winrg.php

lol!!! I really like that. i think that says it all... move to linux! :-)

[sam]

Just in time, I've managed to restore my XP OS.  Phew! that was a close call.

Many thanks for the pointers Sam. I did try to download a bootable CD from Ubuntu but I didn't have any joy.  There's a part of me that's very tempted to dabble in Linux, just to see what it's like.  However, there's a stronger part that's insisting I should be cautious and stick to the OS I'm familiar with.

Gill

ok... well the boot cd should be nice and simple. Try this https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LiveCD
 
and another one that is similar to ubuntu is knoppix -  LIVE version

Or for a really cool graphically one try LINK

and the beauty of live cd's is they dont do anything to your computer, though note that they will take much longer than normal to boot. If windows takes 1 minute on your desktop to boot then linux will take about the same, but a live cd can take 5 - 10 mins.

I really think that LiveCDs are the best thing to do until you are confident with Linux. Oh and btw you can normally pic up a copy of Linux Format (DVD version) and it will have loads of live cds on it.

[davy51]

Mandriva linux is another good one

mandriva

[sam]

yes its not a bad one - I personally hated mandrake (the old name) and so have never given mandriva my full attention

[davy51]

ive used it it seeems more user friendly