Jumping from Windows 7 to Linux: Home user

[riahc3]

Hello

As a learning experience, I want to jump from Windows 7 to Linux full time on my laptop. This isn't because of some antiWindows redactedor because its free or anything like that. I just want to learn the ins and outs of Linux like I pretty much know on Windows.

First off, compatibility. I do need that all my hardware on my laptop be compatible. From shortcut keys to wifi. This is not a brand new laptop so there shouldn't be any problems. Its a Dell Vostro 1510.

Next, software. Basically on this laptop software I use in and out: uTorrent, Teamviewer, WMP, mIRC, Skype, vSphere Client, Microsoft Office......That's pretty much it IMO. Also Facebook and YouTube (Flash) are a must. I will run all this software in WINE. I don't want (most) of the Linux ports.

Next, virtualization. Due to some things (like Office) cannot be ran in Linux, I use a VM. VMWare with its unity feature pretty much gives me what I want.

Next, streaming. I need to be able to stream media from a WS2012R2 to this Linux installation. Special setup?

Anything that is blowing over me, please mention.



No profanity outside of the social forums.


esquared
Anandtech Forum Director

 

[gmaster456]

You seem to have everything figured out. I don't see any glaring issues. Especially if you're gonna have Windows running in a VM. I usually do the same thing and install a new version of linux every few versions just to try things out.

 

[Jodell88]

Linux has plenty of torrent clients, media players and irc clients.

There's Teamviewer and Skype for Linux.

Not sure about vSphere but I believe you may be able to use WINE for office.

Streaming should not be a problem either.

 

[glazer1972]

I had some trouble with my old Win 7 Laptop so I bought a new to me Lenovo T420 that had Win 7 Pro loaded on a MSata drive on it. I removed that MSata and installed another that I then loaded Linux Mint 17 on. It has done everything that I have needed to do so far. Give it a try.

 

[riahc3]

Linux has plenty of torrent clients, media players and irc clients.

I perfer using uTorrent, WMP, and mIRC. Im not looking to replace programs I like and use daily. Just looking to replace the operating system.

There's Teamviewer and Skype for Linux.

Teamviewer for Linux is just running on WINE. Skype I am not sure.

Not sure about vSphere but I believe you may be able to use WINE for office.

Office on WINE??? Really? I thought Office was unrunable like Internet Explorer (which I also use but I know it is impossible to run)

Streaming should not be a problem either.

Yup, I dont think streaming will have a huge problem either.


BTW, distro? Im goingo to plan with Ubuntu because of wide support but....

 

[riahc3]

I thank everyone for their help but I feel that the generic answers some of you have given me don't help me much out with the transition as most I knew. This isnt a insult or anything and really I expected most of this help but...

 

[PingSpike]

If its just for a learning experience and you don't want to switch away from any of your fairly extensive list of windows only applications (I can't really blame you, you said they were working for you after all) I think I'd just run Linux inside a VM instead trying to run a bunch of windows applications inside WINE on linux personally.

Linux flash is stuck at version 11.2 unless you use Chrome with its pepperflash plugin. I believe uTorrent is only windows.

 

[lxskllr]

I thank everyone for their help but I feel that the generic answers some of you have given me don't help me much out with the transition as most I knew. This isnt a insult or anything and really I expected most of this help but...

A lot of your "requirements" are unreasonable. You want to run software on a foreign system that it isn't meant to run. If one isn't willing to have flexibility with something as trivial as a torrent client(an adware client at that), using a totally different O/S will result in failure.

If one wants to run Windows software, they should run Windows. There's lots of good reasons to use GNU/Linux, but running proprietary Windows software isn't one of them.

 

[ArisVer]

I will also suggest that you run native Linux applications and not Windows programs with wine, for instance, Transmission torrent client is much better than any Windows derivative (just my opinion). In case there is a program that you really like the Windows version, go for wine, if it works (wine is something I have never tried). You will need some time getting used to Linux and you may find things that you will not like. For easier transition I recommend Linux Mint. Or try some distros in a VM environment and make your choice.

Edit. Really, what's the point of running wine to run teamviewer (or skype) since they exist as native Linux programs?

 

[Maximilian]

A lot of your "requirements" are unreasonable. You want to run software on a foreign system that it isn't meant to run. If one isn't willing to have flexibility with something as trivial as a torrent client(an adware client at that), using a totally different O/S will result in failure.

If one wants to run Windows software, they should run Windows. There's lots of good reasons to use GNU/Linux, but running proprietary Windows software isn't one of them.

Exactly, this.

Stick with windows or deal with some changes. Why you want to change the operating system but you are completely against using some different programs is beyond me. I mean uTorrent? Really? The last good version of that was 2.2.1, try transmission its just as good.

 

[Skaendo]

A lot of your "requirements" are unreasonable. You want to run software on a foreign system that it isn't meant to run. If one isn't willing to have flexibility with something as trivial as a torrent client(an adware client at that), using a totally different O/S will result in failure.

If one wants to run Windows software, they should run Windows. There's lots of good reasons to use GNU/Linux, but running proprietary Windows software isn't one of them.

:thumbsup: You'll be a lot happier if you stick with Windows.

 

[bbhaag]

A lot of your "requirements" are unreasonable. You want to run software on a foreign system that it isn't meant to run. If one isn't willing to have flexibility with something as trivial as a torrent client(an adware client at that), using a totally different O/S will result in failure.

If one wants to run Windows software, they should run Windows. There's lots of good reasons to use GNU/Linux, but running proprietary Windows software isn't one of them.

Excellent post. If the OP is unwilling to budge on little things like torrent and IRC clients he should reconsider trying Linux.

FWIW riahc3 there are many programs available. I use hexchat to connect to IRC. It's a nice gui based client that it very similar to mIRC. Also qBittorrent it a user friendly torrent client that is cross platform.

Part of learning a new OS is dealing with the changes that come along with it. That includes software.

 

[riahc3]

If its just for a learning experience and you don't want to switch away from any of your fairly extensive list of windows only applications (I can't really blame you, you said they were working for you after all) I think I'd just run Linux inside a VM instead trying to run a bunch of windows applications inside WINE on linux personally.

Linux flash is stuck at version 11.2 unless you use Chrome with its pepperflash plugin. I believe uTorrent is only windows.

In a VM, it isn't the same. You don't have driver problems, tweaks, etc...Plus you are FORCED to use it once it is installed natively.

I will also suggest that you run native Linux applications and not Windows programs with wine, for instance, Transmission torrent client is much better than any Windows derivative (just my opinion). In case there is a program that you really like the Windows version, go for wine, if it works (wine is something I have never tried). You will need some time getting used to Linux and you may find things that you will not like. For easier transition I recommend Linux Mint. Or try some distros in a VM environment and make your choice.

Edit. Really, what's the point of running wine to run teamviewer (or skype) since they exist as native Linux programs?

Teamviewer does not exist as a native Linux program. When you install the deb, it simply gets installed in a WINE wrapper.

 

[Skaendo]

If you really want to try Linux distros the best thing I could suggest is get a cheap laptop off eBay and install the Linux flavor of your choice and run native Linux apps in it. Running Windows programs in Linux can be a headache, and kind of defeats the purpose.

 

[dbcooper1]

For your use, it seems like you might be better off reversing which is the host and which is the VM O/S.

 

[Sequences]

If you're looking for the same Windows experience but in Linux, the only thing you're going to learn is that there is less compatibility.

 

[escrow4]

Why? Windows seems to work well, so you decide to murder it and jump into a completely different environment you have no experience in but still want windows apps. ?

 

[inf1nity]

I perfer using uTorrent, WMP, and mIRC. Im not looking to replace programs I like and use daily. Just looking to replace the operating system.

Unless you like seeing ads on the sidebar, I see no reason to insist using uTorrent. There are so many good options available. Deluge, Transmission, Vuze.

I personally use qBittorrent. Its a good client, and available for Linux. Look into it.

BTW, distro? Im goingo to plan with Ubuntu because of wide support but....

Get Mint. Its internals are like Ubuntu, but has a better interface.

 

[inf1nity]

Why? Windows seems to work well, so you decide to murder it and jump into a completely different environment you have no experience in but still want windows apps. ?

He said in post#1 that he wants a "learning experience". Many people switch to Linux just to see what its like. I did that 2 years ago, and while wasn't a good experience, it taught me a lot.

I agree with you that his insistence at using Windows software is a bit strange.

 

[ArisVer]

If you're looking for the same Windows experience but in Linux, the only thing you're going to learn is that there is less compatibility.

Can you be more specific?

 

[riahc3]

For your use, it seems like you might be better off reversing which is the host and which is the VM O/S.

Im done with Windows native and Linux virtualized. I want the opposite.

Why? Windows seems to work well, so you decide to murder it and jump into a completely different environment you have no experience in but still want windows apps. ?

What a disrespectful thing to say.

I have more experience in command line in a Linux embedded environment than I do in Windows. There are a few system that are Linux only but I do not work on them every single day.

Unless you like seeing ads on the sidebar, I see no reason to insist using uTorrent. There are so many good options available. Deluge, Transmission, Vuze.

Vuze is written in a virus called Java. Sorry I don't do viruses.
Transmission last time I checked needed Cygwin? Im not sure if that has changed though.
For Deluge, I see it uses GTK+/Python. Not bad.

Anyways, uTorrent works perfectly. The only reason anyone really bitches about it is that since it was bought by BitTorrent (the company) everyone things they give a redactedwhat you download when they couldn't care less. Im sticking with uTorrent.

Get Mint. Its internals are like Ubuntu, but has a better interface.

Heard about Mint. Not sure as it strays too far from GNU+Linux IMO.




No profanity outside of the social forums.


esquared
Anandtech Forum Director

 

[drum]

Mint seems like a logical starting point. Linux is not Windows. It isn't supposed to be.

 

[hasu]

If you want to learn Linux, then you should stick with programs that run natively in Linux. Don't try to bend Linux to make Windows out of it. Same should be true with any OS. Once you start using Linux, you will be forced to call up command line more often than you would on Windows. Even though I am not against Wine, using wine to run __all__ your favorite Windows programs on Linux is lame (Wine has its place on Linux just as Cygwin on Windows). You should rather stick with Windows. Overall Windows may be more user friendly than Linux, I think.

Instead of Wine, I use a VirtualBox running Windows for some of my needs. You might want to take a look at LinuxMint (Mate) or Zorin that has a Windows like interface.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Vuze is written in a virus called Java. Sorry I don't do viruses.

People find it hard to take you seriously, when you make troll comments like that.

Heard about Mint. Not sure as it strays too far from GNU+Linux IMO.

I'm not quite sure how it "strays". Unless you are some kind of "One True Distro" believer, and all other distros are "impure" or "fakes".
(There's even a rolling Mint distro based on Debian. Is Debian "straying too far" from GNU/Linux?)

 

[Sequences]

A GNU purist who is willing to spin up MS Office in a VM and calls a language a virus. Nice.