big post but would really appreciate some help

I guess I'm part of this new flux of people who've heard about Ubuntu and are considering transferring over to Linux. Actually, I've been thinking about it for a couple of years-- it just so happens that right now I'm set up to clear my hard drive due to a "C:\$SECURE corrupt" error and I've gotten fed up with Windows in a way that reminds me of how I got fed up of and ditched AOL years back.

I've read over the Major Attitude's FAQ, I've browsed through Wikipedia's Linux article and their list of distributions, and I've done a little bit of Googling. Still, I've got a few questions and I could really use some help.

Question #1: Is there a guide somewhere that can really, really, really help in picking a distribution? Or some kind of quiz that determines what kind of a user you are and then recommends a distribution? Also, is there a Linux-Beginner's forum or something that someone can recommend?

I mostly use my computer for document formatting and web design-- I'm a philosophy student and I keep a lot of documents, notes, images, and so on. I'm also an organization freak and I try to keep my folder structure tightly organized, I use Outlook a lot for tasks, e-mails and calendar. I prioritize performance over quality, and my GUIs are simple/non-flashy but usually heavily customized... for example hardly any delay in opening up menu's, etc. I'd keep more widgets on my PC if it weren't for the resource usage... I like everything to be accessible and fast. I multitask like crazy...

Question #2: What distribution is ideal for me? I guess at least judging from what I've written above. I'd like something that starts off easy but does allow for much customization, and eventually as much freedom as possible in configuration. I hardly know any programming: 1 year C++, 1 year Java (both years ago) stuff that doesn't count like Basic and HTML/CSS/PHP. But if it's well documented, I'm sure I can pick up a bit of Unix or whatever it is that I'll need.

Question #3: Should I still keep a version of Windows XP as a dual boot on my computer (I'm the sole user)? I do use things like Photoshop, Outlook, Frontpage... are there equivalent Linux apps?

Question #4: I've got a HP Pavillion zd8000, 512 RAM, 60Gb hard disk, P4 ~2.6 Ghz, RADEON Mobility X600 (I think) 128 Mb... are these requirements OK? Will things like the graphics card and the digital media reader continue to work after installation/is it hard to find drivers? what about for wireless and lan (drivers for the network card)? will I still be able to use the wireless network here even though every other computer is windows? what about at college?

That's that. I'd really, really, really, really appreciate any help with this-- I'd love to get this done before I have to get back to college (I'll be too busy then). Any help at all or pointing me to a good website or forum would be awesome!
-DWRZ

 

Well.....
#1 For the beginner I would recommend either ubuntu or freespire as these two distros are fairly straight forward for the uninitiated user.
Both of these have excellent community support-help is but a google search with your distro(ie:how to install software in ubuntu) or try a few different live cds.

#2 Starts of easy and is completely customizable---Hmm.. mabye suse 10.2 or fedora 6--you have experience in programming so your transition to linux will be alot smoother than a normal windoze users.

#3 Yes, you can run a dual boot -ubuntu and other distros have a partitioner built in the setup that allows you to shrink your windows partition and install your flavor of linux----there are not only replacments they are free! For programs like photo shop=the gimp outlook express-=open office frontpage=seamonkey and many many others.

#4 wireless config along with dvd decoders etc are usually not included in the main distro and must be d/l from a software source of your choice.(this can be a pain until you understand what your doing )

a few links

http://www.control-escape.com/linux/lx-hwcompat.html
http://www.linux.org/


afreshlymintedpenguin

 

Hey petaluma, thanks for the answers.

I've already ordered the ubuntu CD... would you recommend also ordering Fedora 6?

regarding #4, should I check in advance that all the hardware I'm using has available linux drivers?

finally... i know that windows can be dual booted along with linux... but is it recommended? on the one hand i feel like i might be playing it safe, but on the other, i feel like it'd just be a waste of space...

thanks again!

 

Hi DWRZ, Here is a link to Linux Distribution Chooser quiz.
I took the quiz & it picked out Ubuntu for me. That link above will take you to a page called "Choosing a desktop Linux distro", The actual quiz link is towards the bottom of the page.

 

awesome. i just took it and it gave me linspire as #1 and ubuntu as #2... since i've ordered ubuntu already i'll check out linspire in the morning (just hit midnight here on the east coast), as well as fedora 6.

thanks again! :cool

 

The DesktopLinux.com Forum has several different topic boards. The WINDOWS-to-LINUX MIGRATION has answers to just about any question for the new linux user.

 

Over on Amazon you can find a book called Point and Click Linux. It is a Debian version called Mepis. There is a used copy for $1.71. I have considered ordering to simply have the book for a reference.

They took a group of school children and allowed them to use GIMP and Photoshop. The children found GIMP easier to use and they retained more.

For your question about hardware, the new distros have a Linux kernel that has plugin support for the media cards and even usb sticks.

 

thanks again for all the help, please keep it coming if you can... i checked out linspire and it seems good except for the price. browsed and bookmarked forums as well...

regarding GIMP, i've read up on it, and it's good except for all the features they lack from photoshop :\. i guess i'll be keeping a dual boot of XP...

new question: can i install Ubuntu on my external hard drive, run it from there, and then just take my OS with me, so if i go to a friend's house, just have his PC boot from the external?

again, really appreciate all the advice i've been getting here

 

There is a distro called Damn Small Linux that will allow a full Linux drive with Firefox from a thumb Drive. :major

 

sweet. but about ubuntu? could i put that up on my external and boot from there?

 

It has been done successfully before, check out the link below for more details.
http://www.ubuntuswitch.com/2006/08/01/installing-ubuntu-on-an-external-usb-hard-drive/

I was curious myself and did a search on google as booting ubuntu linux from external hard drive and it turned up numerous links.

:major

 

Awesome. :cool Thanks again rayzur for all the help, I'm really starting to get my bearings on this deal finally.