Good alternative to windowsxp?

[gizbug]

Thinking of a dual boot on my laptop, and looking at linux. Any suggestions to which type I could co-run with windows xp for surfing the net, and basic applications?
Redhat?

 

[ndruw]

ubuntu - never, ever use red hat...plus, ubuntu is free

 

[gizbug]

I take it most users dont run ONLY Linux and not windows (due to linux not handling games and not fully compatible with all software that windows is)...correct?

 

[leglez]

Debian is my favorite

 

[nweaver]

I use linux as a primary OS. I run windows only when requried by work (and even then, just barely, usually rdestop to my XP machine from my linux laptop)

 

[Brazen]

Ubuntu looks to me like the most noob-friendly and easy to use. I like Fedora myself, though largely because I've been using Redhat since the 90s and already know it pretty well. I've been dabling with Debian/Ubuntu though, just because I don't like Redhat's new business model.

 

[gizbug]

If I use the dvd to install ubuntu, and already have windowxp on my laptop, will it make its own partition of my c drive for linux? Or will I have to whipe everything off the computer??

Also, how much of a basic background or understanding do you need of Linux prior to installing the OS? I am not familar with the code or what not. I know with windows its just pick up and go, learn on the way (not much to learn). Should one have this basic understanding prior to installing linux?

 

[P0ldy]

Ubuntu or most Linux distros will be able to partition out space. But, if you have no available (note: unpartitioned) space and one partition you'll have to use something like Partition Magic to shrink C: for space (dangerous to use programs like that, but usually it works) if you don't want to wipe out C:.

Installing Linux is no big deal. Anyone can do it... it's pretty self-explanatory and holds your hand throughout. That said, ANY basic understanding will always be invaluable. Peruse ubuntuforums.org and just read posts.

Edit: speaking of which, digg gives you :

http://www.digg.com/linux_unix/Official...ux)_is_easier_to_install_than_Windows_

 

[Brazen]

You can use GParted to shrink your Windows partition and make room for Ubuntu. Google for GParted LiveCD.

 

[Noema]

I had never used Lynux before installing Ubuntu on my desktop and I haven't had any problems with it.

Plus, it uses Grub to automatically setup dual-booting options if it detects WinXP installed on your system.

 

[gizbug]

Got ubuntu installed. Quick question, I have an ASUS v6j laptop, with a Intel PROSet Wireless builtin network adapter. Is there drivers for this for linux? If so, how do I download them in windows, and move them to a linux partition so I can install the driverS?

 

[SleepWalkerX]

The drivers for that card should already be included in your current kernel. Intel's wireless chipset drivers are open-source afaik. Does it not list in your Network Connections ( or whatever the network hardware in Gnome is)?

 

[Nothinman]

I take it most users dont run ONLY Linux and not windows (due to linux not handling games and not fully compatible with all software that windows is)...correct?

Depends on who you poll. Me and several people I know that run Linux only run Linux, we don't game on our PCs and there's no incompatibilities with Windows in anything else that affects us.

Technically I do run XP for work, but that's by choice just to be consistent with the rest of the company. I still do just about everything except read work email in CoLinux on that machine.

Got ubuntu installed. Quick question, I have an ASUS v6j laptop, with a Intel PROSet Wireless builtin network adapter. Is there drivers for this for linux? If so, how do I download them in windows, and move them to a linux partition so I can install the driverS?

Type 'sudo iwconfig' in Linux and make sure it's really not working already. If not, you may just have to download the firmware from http://ipw2200.sourceforge.net/firmware.php and place it in /lib/hotpug/firmware, but I'm not 100% sure since I haven't setup one of those cards in a while.

 

[Brazen]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

I take it most users dont run ONLY Linux and not windows (due to linux not handling games and not fully compatible with all software that windows is)...correct?

Depends on who you poll. Me and several people I know that run Linux only run Linux, we don't game on our PCs and there's no incompatibilities with Windows in anything else that affects us.

Technically I do run XP for work, but that's by choice just to be consistent with the rest of the company. I still do just about everything except read work email in CoLinux on that machine.

Got ubuntu installed. Quick question, I have an ASUS v6j laptop, with a Intel PROSet Wireless builtin network adapter. Is there drivers for this for linux? If so, how do I download them in windows, and move them to a linux partition so I can install the driverS?

Type 'sudo iwconfig' in Linux and make sure it's really not working already. If not, you may just have to download the firmware from http://ipw2200.sourceforge.net/firmware.php and place it in /lib/hotpug/firmware, but I'm not 100% sure since I haven't setup one of those cards in a while.

and it's small enough you should be able to transfer it by floppy disk.

 

[halfadder]

For the majority of people on Anandtech, the best alternatives to WinXP would be Win2K or Vista.....

If you're more of a power user, then maybe a Linux distro. Burn a Knoppix CD and give linux a try before you ditch Windows.

If you do a lot of "home" grade digital photos / digital home videos sort of work, then maybe a Mac with the bundled iLife suite. Consider an Intel iMac so you can dual boot back to Windows for the latest games or run Windows inside Mac OS X at native speeds with a VM that supports the Intel VT-x extensions, like the free beta of Parallels.

 

[darkdemyze]

Originally posted by: ndruw
ubuntu - never, ever use red hat...plus, ubuntu is free

Red hat is free too, I use FC4 and it didn't cost me a penny.

EDIT: Er, excluding the cost of the DVD-R that I burned the boot disk on.. :roll:

 

[sourceninja]

I used to run only gentoo linux, then oblivion came out, now I have a windows partition.

Damn you oblivion, damn you.