Should I use Ubuntu? I'd like to teach myself to use Linux.

[bluehorizon]

Just as a change of pace. I've never used Linux before, but I'd like to learn it. Will Windows applications work with Linux? Most importantly, will Macromedia Studio MX 2004 work with Ubuntu?

Would it be possible, with a pair of raptor 74gs, do install XP on one drive and Linux on another and duel boot, or would I just be able to stick with Linux?

 

[Nothinman]

It's possible to run some Windows apps in Linux, but it's really, really, really not recommended. It's just better to find a native alternative.

Grab a copy of Knoppix (based of base Debian) or Gnoppix (based off of Ubuntun which is in turn based of base Debian) and see if you like it before actually installing it.

 

[Nithin]

also i believe ubuntu has a live-cd version.

 

[Nonsequitur]

to expand on what nothinman has stated,

when one says that it's possible to run a windows app in linux, but that is isn't recommended, one means that while it may be possible for some windows apps to run in linux, there is no guarantee that all windows apps will work in linux.

the analogy is not that of getting an app designed in windows95 to run in windowsxp, the analogy is more like getting a macintosh app to run on windows xp.

there's a project, wine, that mimics windows api's and generally enables simple applications to run in *nix. there's a commercial version of wine offered through codeweavers that works well, but there are caveats, such as a list of compatible programs, of which dreamweavermx is not one of.

so if dreamweaver is your killer-must-have-app, then i'm afraid you are out of luck. you can always dualboot and load whichever operating system strikes your fancy.

 

[Nothinman]

when one says that it's possible to run a windows app in linux, but that is isn't recommended, one means that while it may be possible for some windows apps to run in linux, there is no guarantee that all windows apps will work in linux.

Even if the app works perfectly it's a bad idea because you won't get any support, future patches will probably break things, etc. Spend a little time learning a native alternative, you'll be thankful you did.

 

[cleverhandle]

Originally posted by: bluehorizon
Most importantly, will Macromedia Studio MX 2004 work with Ubuntu?

Last I looked, even Crossover Office couldn't run anything from the MX2004 series. Dreamweaver was close (just some copy-protection issue, IIRC) but the others were further behind. So if Studio MX 2004 is a must-have app, don't waste your time.

edit: But to follow Nothinman's comment, there are native alternatives that are different but also good. Once I got it set up and working, I found that I preferred Quanta to Dreamweaver for HTML/PHP. But I don't think there's much of anything for the Flash/Fireworks stuff though.