Am interested in Linux ... do you need an OS and then an additional GUI.  I sort of remember seeing it years ago where I had RedHat 6.something installed and then had KDE/Gnome (are they two different GUIs) installed.  I have been pointed in the direction of Ubuntu ... is this what the majority go for.  Whats the difference between Unix and Lunix?

Sorry, this is probably a total spaz question(s) (not used that word in years! he he!!!)  But hey, youve gotta start somewhere.  

Am not expecting a reply until wednesday given the bbc weather site is showing the sun icon for every day of a 5 day forecast ... yippee!!

Cheers guys!

just download ubuntu and install. Everything you need is installed automatically. Just like windows.

Id even go so far as to say try PCLinuxOS, I dont like it as much as Ubuntu for my desktop, but its really to rock out of the box. Suse, Fedora (red hat), and a few more are good, but PCLOS and Ubuntu have the best forums on the web.

Both PCLOS and Ubuntu are live CDs so you can check your hardware before you install.

Superb ... that was my ideal scenario answer.

Any pointers for recommend apps ... something like Photoshop would be ace.   Any other cool apps would also be useful.

Cheers

How would I go about setting up a dual-boot machine?  I mean in terms of partitioning?  Do I wipe my current XP Pro setup.  Its 40GB so was thinking of creating a 20GB partition for XP Pro and then leaving 20GB unallocated for Ubuntu?  How would the startup work in terms of switching around?

Quote from: mrtHow would I go about setting up a dual-boot machine?  I mean in terms of partitioning?  Do I wipe my current XP Pro setup.  Its 40GB so was thinking of creating a 20GB partition for XP Pro and then leaving 20GB unallocated for Ubuntu?  How would the startup work in terms of switching around?

Some of the better distros will set up Grub(a bootloader) for you.  I know that SuSe will from the web install, and Ubuntu will from the live CD IIRC.

Whatever you pick out make sure you are patient.  It takes a few weeks to get up to speed in any way like youll be with windows.  

Quote from: mrtHow would I go about setting up a dual-boot machine?  I mean in terms of partitioning?  Do I wipe my current XP Pro setup.  Its 40GB so was thinking of creating a 20GB partition for XP Pro and then leaving 20GB unallocated for Ubuntu?  How would the startup work in terms of switching around?

Defrag XP, back up important files, then do your Linux install. Pay attention and youll be fine. During the partitioning stage you can shrink your NTFS partition.

Quote from: maximusotter

Quote from: mrtHow would I go about setting up a dual-boot machine?  I mean in terms of partitioning?  Do I wipe my current XP Pro setup.  Its 40GB so was thinking of creating a 20GB partition for XP Pro and then leaving 20GB unallocated for Ubuntu?  How would the startup work in terms of switching around?

Defrag XP, back up important files, then do your Linux install. Pay attention and youll be fine. During the partitioning stage you can shrink your NTFS partition.

Cheers fella!!  Will give that a try.

Sorry to hijhack, but can anyone tell me how Id go about removing a linux installation and getting rid of grub so that it boots me into windows by default instead of Ubuntu?  Ubuntu doesnt support my Wifi usb adapter so I cant use it at home or uni.  Next term Ill have LAN so I could give it a go, but I figure its better to start afresh with the latest distro.

Quote from: funkychicken9000Sorry to hijhack, but can anyone tell me how Id go about removing a linux installation and getting rid of grub so that it boots me into windows by default instead of Ubuntu?  Ubuntu doesnt support my Wifi usb adapter so I cant use it at home or uni.  Next term Ill have LAN so I could give it a go, but I figure its better to start afresh with the latest distro.

use the windows disk

boot into the recovery console then:

fixmbr

fixboot

Then reboot the machine

mrt, let me catch you right there and ask that you try FreeBSD instead of linux !

www.freebsd.org

^^ ^^

Why dont you start a BSD thread instead of spamming every single linux thread with it? If you think its so dang good, then make an argument why, in its own special thread. Ive not heard a convincing argument for it yet. Not saying that its a bad OS, just has no palpable benefits for most desktop users.

Quote from: BXGTi16Vmrt, let me catch you right there and ask that you try FreeBSD instead of linux !

www.freebsd.org

If hes a noob why go for BSD? is there a distro which is as friendly to new comers as SuSE or Ubuntu? if not, its pointless...

Its sort of like a former Swede friend of my moms who is now naturalized and a huge Bush supporter--when asked for advice on what new car to buy, he said that the only real safe choice is a Toyota 4Runner. Just because he wanted one. Right, real practical choice for a city dweller. And not all that safe either, compared to a proper passenger car with side air curtains. The perception of safety isnt going to help in a crash.

Quote from: maximusotter^^ ^^

Why dont you start a BSD thread instead of spamming every single linux thread with it? If you think its so dang good, then make an argument why, in its own special thread. Ive not heard a convincing argument for it yet. Not saying that its a bad OS, just has no palpable benefits for most desktop users.

no it doesnt have any great advantages over Linux on the desktop, but for laptop and wireless users it beats the hell out of Linux.  Im typing this from my linux box, and the laptop sat next to me is getting FreeBSD on it because the wireless support is flawless, and the ATi support is much much better.