Linux

I want to get away from Windows... Is Linux free and is there a version that has a windows type GUI.... because I dont wanna learn something new... IM lazy

 

Some distros of Linux are free, but to get support you will have to buy it. And they are GUI based just a little differnt than windows. But you wont be able to use some of your same programs that you have now, unless of course you use an emulator.

 

Yeah i just talked to buddy of mine... I think IM going to stick with windows... I have a new PC and I kkep everything up to date... I should be okay... right?

 

Yea, you could also dual boot windows and linux. It will ask you which OS you want to load when you start your machine, choose which one you want to mess with.

Or you can buy one on ebay real cheap and play with it to see if you want to make you another comuter with just linux on it.

 

if you want to try out linux without making a installation commitment you can try what are called "live cds" these run linux from the cd. How you can do it is to download an iso image of the distrobution(type of linux) and burn it to disk, put it in and restart windows. It will look like it is installing but it isnt...just wait it out and you should start out in linux. Check out these distros below.

try knoppix (very user friendly)

 

I used Linux once, I didnt think much of it.. but its supposed to be good for running servers.

 

a lot of people will tell you not to go with it...but i suggest you forget them and try it out yourself...

 

GNU you said try knoppix, well a friend of mine told me I should try using Linspire or Lindows. Any comments on those 2?

Hydrogen - IF I dual boot do I have to backup anything on my PC. i.e. burn all my stuff to disc?

 

I use it all the time.

 

I personally prefer windows cuz i tryed linux and it didnt go all that well...

 

If your just considering moving i would suggest mandrake as its user-friendly then move onto the gd distros once you know what your doing.

 

what put's a lot of people off linux is that it's not so easy as windows ( cd in drive progi /driver install and it works)..

but linux is a lot more stable and safer as windows..

 

Linux is good all round in my opinion might not be sutiable for your grandma but atleast that you know she isn't going to beable to screw your box up

 

That's what I do, but I use my oh so much better mac more.

 

hey flamey...if you just want to try out linspire or lindows there live cd's are free...but if you want to install them you have to pay like 100 or 200 dollars for the install disk(which you buy at a software store like bestbuy) actually i have a few recommendations....knoppix(free and is user friendly), simplymepis(free and is like windows), ubuntu (free and is like a mac)....

here is what you can do if you dont want to burn any iso's...go to a local bookstore and look for any mag with linux in the title...they will come with live cd's to try...make sure they are live cd's or else if they are install disks than they will ya know...install...make sure you try out linux via live cd first...

and after you try out a few live cd's let us know which one you like...and we can point you in the right direction