Thinking of Installing Linux

[kturcotte]

I've always used Windows (Currently running the RC of Windows 7) but I'm thinking about transitioning to Linux. I'm pretty set on Ubuntu. I do have some questions though, about software, and drivers, and where to get them.
I'm wondering if there are Linux alternatives for everything I'm running? This is what I'm running:

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro
ATI Radeon X700 Pro Video Card (PCI-Express)
Samsung SH-S183L DVD Burner
Asus VK266H Monitor
Intel Intel PWLA8391GT NIC
HP Memory Card Reader (Part # 5069-669
HP Keyboard (Part # 5187-5998 Model 5219URF 2+)
Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer 2.0 (Model 1007)
Gamemon Controller to USB Converter (Model FT8D91)
Firefox 3.5 Beta
Rainlender
Adobe Flash
Adobe Reader
Any Video Converter (Free)
Audio Converter (Free)
Audio Grabber
Avira Anti-Virus (Free)
DoxBox
DFend Reloaded
Gmail Notifier
IMG Burn
Java
JNes (Nintendo Emulator)
MozBackup
Project 64 (Nintendo 64 Emulator)
Spybot Search and Destory
Spyware Blaster
Stella (Atari Emulator)
Threatfire
uTorrent
VColeco (Coleco Vision Emulator)
Visual Boy Advance (Game Boy Advance Emulator)
VLC Media Player
Windows Media Player 11
ZSNes (Super Nintendo Emulator)
Calculator
Chess
Solitaire

Is it going to be possible to transition?

[bigtomrodney]

The good news is most of what you're asking for is available natively

• Firefox 3.5 Beta - Native
• Rainlender - platform independent
• Adobe Flash - Native or alternatives such as swfdec, gnash
• Adobe Reader - Native or Evince, Kpdf, Okular
• Any Video Converter (Free) - Plenty available in the Ubuntu repos
• Audio Converter (Free) - Plenty available in the Ubuntu repos
• Audio Grabber - Sound-Juicer or Grip are both great, Sound-Juicer is a bit faster
• Avira Anti-Virus (Free) - not needed (really)
• DoxBox - Assuming DosBox, native and available from the repos
• DFend Reloaded - There may be a DosBox frontend available, not sure.
• Gmail Notifier - Plenty available for Firefox, also some native.
• IMG Burn - K3b or Brasero will take care of this with ease.
• Java - native
• MozBackup - not sure, but all config directories are easy to backup...settings are more straightforward in Linux
• Spybot Search and Destory - not needed
• Spyware Blaster - not needed
• Threatfire - not needed
• uTorrent - Try Ktorrent, Transmission or Azureus. Transmission doesn't support DHT but looks nice, Ktorrent is probably the closest.
• VLC Media Player - available natively but I recommend just installing ubuntu-restricted-extras and any player will be as good or better

Hardware-wise you look pretty good but you should be able to tell once you boot the livecd. I see you run a lot of antivirus/anti-malware. You seem like you'll be much happier in the Linux safetynet

[kturcotte]

I see you run a lot of antivirus/anti-malware. You seem like you'll be much happier in the Linux safetynet

Part of the reason I'd like to switch. Should I be running ANY security software? What about a firewall?
Also, there is one thing I forgot. My computer came with a remote (HP) and remote receiver (HP) that allows me to control Windows Media Player away from the computer. My keyboard also has keys for this. I did try Foobar at one point, and these never worked on it. Is there something that will allow these to work?
And I've Azureus before and don't like it, since it hogs up an AWFUL lot of memory, compared to uTorrent.
And I don't use the Gmail Notifier add on for Firefox. This is an actual program from Google, completely independent of Firefox.

[oz]

Part of the reason I'd like to switch. Should I be running ANY security software? What about a firewall?

Welcome to the forums!

Check this short guide to security to help you decide what security apps you might want if any:

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/lin...-security.html

[kturcotte]

How do I manually backup EVERYTHING (Cookies, password, etc.) in Firefox?

[bigtomrodney]

Yeah it's mostly the Javathe chews memory but I agree with what you're saying. I'd definitely check out Ktorrent but Transmission is included by default.

Microsoft-style remotes are detected, configured and active automatically. Failing that the keyboard shortcut tool does a good job of letting you set up remotes. That guide ozar has linked is pretty good for getting you started. I will say this however: Ubuntu doesn't ship with a running firewall (or at least hasn't traditionally) as there are no listening services on a fresh install. With no listening services there is nothing to mask with a firewall. That in mind, IPTables is on of the best firewalls you'll find and it's in the kernel. You can install ufw (Ubuntu Firewall) to configure it. If you're behind a NAT router you're pretty safe anyway but a firewall is never a bad idea.

Download the Ubuntu disc which is also a livecd. It'll give you a chance to have a dig and see what you like/dislike and also let you see what kind of hardware support you have. Remember two key things

• You don't want to be root unless you're making a system-wide change
• Always install your software via Synaptic Package Manager if at all possible.

Sticking to your package manager will not only keep you out of trouble, it'll make things easier than you've ever had it in Windows. Good luck with the install and just shout if you need any help

[bigtomrodney]

How do I manually backup EVERYTHING (Cookies, password, etc.) in Firefox?

You can check here to get you started

Profiles

I think it's simply a matter of dropping your profile into ~/.mozilla/firefox/ directory, which is the hidden mozilla directory in your home.

[MikeTbob]

How do I manually backup EVERYTHING (Cookies, password, etc.) in Firefox?

Profiles
Try copying your profile somewhere safe, I'm not sure this works on cookies though.

EDIT: HaHA, you got fast fingers BTR!

[kturcotte]

What about my USB to Controller Converter? And what about Sound Blaster? Are drivers already built in?

[MikeTbob]

The truth is, there are so many different types of hardware made by so many different companies.....we really don't know if it will work or not. BUT it would never hurt to pop a LiveCD in that sucker and see what happens. You already know where to go if/when you run into trouble. Keep in mind also, just because one distro does not work on your machine does not mean the other 5000 distros won't work. You might have to "Distro-slut" around for a little while until you find the one you like the most, but you'll enjoy the ride for sure.
Enjoy Linux!