Spice up Windows - replace it! [with Linux]; part 4

In my few previous posts I've stated that I'd like to help people to spice their system and move from Windows to Linux. But we all know that it cannot be done in an instant. I started to explain the process in last posts. I hope that to this point you got used to those applications I've suggested before. If not, just have another week or two using them, until you're comfortable enough with them.

This time I will explain the 4th step: Spicing up Windows!

This would include the following:

• Backing up all you useful data (such as movies, music, family photos and those other photos).
  
• Choosing Linux distribution.
  
• Installing Linux distribution.
  
• Back to work.
  

NOTE: this step will be much easier if some member of your family (or a friend) who actually familiar with computers will be around helping. He or she can save a great deal of time, effort and negative emotions by helping to do all this.

Here we go:

1. In first step, you should definitely back up your stuff. Stuff includes documents, music, video, photos and all sorts of other things we always forget about (such as contacts, bookmarks and other settings which just the way we work - not the real information). I can't say where is this stuff of yours on your computer (except maybe Firefox bookmarks), but computer-literate people can always locate it pretty fast for ya. That's where that nephew of yours becomes handy and should repay for all those candy you've invested in him. You do get candies, toy cars and soldiers for him, right?

2. Choosing the distribution. Oh boy, this is so interesting step. By browsing multitudes of sites, you can find that there are several hundreds(!) distributions in the existence, while one or two more are created each day. So how should you choose? Well, the fact is (and I'm sure many disagree), it doesn't matter! There are only 2 major differences between them all:

• They use different package manager (package is like installation file for a program)
  
• They have different set of chosen defaults for applications, settings and environments.
  

So, anyway, how should you choose? I suggest the following:

1. Choose the one that can easily be installed.
   
2. Use it for a while
   
3. Either stay with it if it fulfills your need, or try another.
   

I'm going to recommend using one of the following for beginners:

• Ubuntu Linux (of course)
  
• Fedora (yes, another 'of course')
  

As I've never used anything remotely as much as I have used Gentoo Linux (not recommended for beginners, but it is the one I use on my systems), I won't suggest anything else. I hope that commenters will suggest other distributions and I will update the post :-)

Another suggestion, is to use Wubi project, which intends to make the installation of Ubuntu Linux much easier for Windows users. (this one thanks to an anonymous commenter on my blog).

3. After (or during) installing Linux, make sure that all the applications I suggested before are installed. Just to make it quick reminder, here's the list:

• Firefox
  
• Thunderbird
  
• Pidgin
  
• Xchat
  
• eMule
  
• Azureus
  
• Skype
  
• Gizmo Project
  
• VLC Player
  
• Picasa
  
• Jajuk
  
• Songbird
  
• Open Office
  
• AbiWord
  
• GnuCash
  
• Grisibi
  

So now, what you're left to do is transfer you stuff to a new shiny Linux computer and get back to work. Using the same application will (supposedly) have no effect whatsoever on your productivity or entertainment.

I hope that these instructions cover the basics. If it doesn't, let me know and I will help you find information you need.

Next time I will explain when will you feel the change and what can be done with it.

Have fun!

Feedback is greatly appreciated.

-A.

Technorati : Gentoo, Linux, Ubuntu, gentoo, technology, windows