I too, would like to learn/switch to Linux for the same reason - Windows intrusiveness. I have three primary concerns:
1. RELIABLE, SAFE access to my current files (can their formats be converted? on a dual boot, can the same files be accessed by Windows AND ALSO by Linux?).
2. Future access to files created by Quicken (for tax purposes)
3. The operation/drivers for my peripherals....
(Epson Scanner, HP Printer - although I could switch my printer since I don't like it, I like my scanner very much and tried many before choosing it (I do NOT want a "combo").)
Oh, and one other pretty big issue, considering the way I work....
4. I have every window remember it's own settings and position, so that "My Computer" always comes up in the same size and position on my screen, set to the "list" format, sorted by filename; while another folder comes up in it's own size and position, perhaps set to "detail" format showing only the date column and sorted by date. Can you do this with Linux?
Anyone have knowledge of any of these issues with Linux?
Thanks,
Anna Summers
----- Original Message -----
From: David Gillett
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 5:32 PM
Subject: Re: Learning Linux
On 14 Oct 2009 at 21:09, Loy Pressley wrote:
> Good morning,
>
> I want to learn to use Linux. MS Windows is becoming more and more
> trouble and much more intrusive. Learning and using the Linux
> operating system is a way to begin weaning myself from Windows. I have
> an old Dell 800MHz computer on my home network. The hard drive in it
> is one of a number of backup locations for my data files. Turning it
> into a Linux based machine would help me to learn the operating
> system.
>
> The Dell currently has WinXP Home as the operating system, 512K of
> ram, and lots of empty disk space. Should I format the hard drive and
> install Linux on it? Would it be better to dual boot and install and
> run Linux in a separate partition on the machine? How do I install
> Linux and set it up to dual boot with Linux and WinXP? Will I loose
> connectivity with my home network if I install Linux on the Dell
> computer?
>
> Thanks in advance for the help and guidance.
>
> Loy
I've recently put Ubuntu Linux on my Acer AspireOne netwbook,
dual boot with the Windows XP Home that came on the machine. It
was refreshingly easy!
BUT...
1) You need to be able to boot to an installation volume. It was
surprisingly easy to format and rewrite a USB stick for this
purpose, and boot from it; your machine is old enough that
booting from a USB device might not be an option. You might
have to download an image and burn an install CD/DVD....
2) There are a number of "live" Linux CD images available, which
let you boot from the CD/DVD and run Linux without ever
installing it to the hard drive. You might want to play with
two or three of those while planning how you will install it.
The "live" version is also a good chance to make sure all your
crucial hardware is supported. For instance, the built-in
Ethernet port on my netbook has no Linux driver, so I've
invested $15 in a USB Ethernet adapter that Linux will support.
(Linux does support the built in wireless adapter.)
David Gillett
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