One of the members on this group, Greg, asked about dual-booting as a
way to learn Linux. If you're just learning linux, I would use a Live
CD before doing a dual boot. Not only can you learn Linux this way, you
can explore many different distributions, and find which you like. A
live CD (sometimes called a Live EVAL) is a CD image that you download
and burn to CD. You can then boot your computer off of the CD (you
might have to configure your BOOT CMOS settings to do this, although
many modern computers will do this automagically). You will boot into
Linux, and can explore to your hearts content.
The Live CD will NOT allow you to change ANYTHING permanently on your
hard drive, so you have no danger of accidentally hosing your system.
(There are ways to override this, but to do so, you'd have to already
know what you're doing, so no danger there.) To go back to windows,
simply shut down Linux, pop out the CD, and reboot - you're back in windows.
A LOT of people like Ubuntu, which I can't stand. I like Knoppix,
because it detects virtually ALL hardware correctly, and has a pretty
good package. PuppyOs is nice, and only 200MB as well. Definitely try
a few each of Gnome (Ubuntu) and KDE (Knoppix) desktops , as desktop
choice is very important. People who like Gnome usually can't stand
KDE, and vice versa (I like KDE). Interestingly, the reason I ended up
installing Suse was because they were one of the first to have a Live
Eval, and I got to play with it and liked it. They no longer seem to
have a live eval, unless I'm mistaken.
You can get a list of current Linux distros, with WAY more info then you
want on each, and an idea of their popularity at: http://distrowatch.com/
One of the lists of Live CDs is at:
http://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.php (Currently they are
listing 310 different distros! You do have some choices. :-)
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