Help a noob

[confusedxx]

I am going to buy a new machine next month and want to potentially turn my old one into a linux box (server). I plan on using the old one for MT4 applications which have difficulty on Linux and other small things (file server, surfing internet, etc).

I know NOTHING about linux but did do a unix course about 14 years ago. I am now the typical windows Gui user and have lost all skills

I guess I need a couple things as I am considering this decision and need to have MT4 running on the box. It is either go with Linux or build the box as a XP Pro box and I figure it might be worth learning some Linux at the same time.

1. Does any Linux installation have a GUI front end and can I use it without command prompt codes?

2. Which Linux OS best supports Windows applications (games, applications, etc)

3. Which Linux OS is best for a noob like me?

4. What are the advantages of Linux compared to XP as an OS for the common user?

5. Is there anything that cannot be done in Linux but can be done in Win XP from the applications, networking, USB, etc side?

[techieMoe]

1. Does any Linux installation have a GUI front end and can I use it without command prompt codes?

These days you'd be hard pressed to find a Linux distribution that doesn't have a GUI front end. All of the top ten most popular distributions on DistroWatch.com have them. If you *want* a text install, you can find those too.

2. Which Linux OS best supports Windows applications (games, applications, etc)

None of them do. Linux is different from Microsoft Windows. See the link below under "Linux is not Microsoft Windows."

3. Which Linux OS is best for a noob like me?

See the link below under "Which distro?" The short answer is we can't tell you any more than we can tell you which flavor of ice cream will be your favorite. It's a very subjective thing.

4. What are the advantages of Linux compared to XP as an OS for the common user?

That's up to you. There are security benefits, stability benefits, freedom benefits. Take your pick.

5. Is there anything that cannot be done in Linux but can be done in Win XP from the applications, networking, USB, etc side?

You're going to have to be more specific there. Linux is a full operating system. Generally speaking you can do absolutely everything with your computer in Linux as you can in Microsoft Windows.

The difference lies in how it does those things. If all you do on your computer is run Photoshop or play Halo, then no. Photoshop and Halo will not run in Linux without some special third-party software and a lot of luck. If however you surf the internet, work with Office documents, write software, or any number of other things, Linux will run those tasks just fine.

We have a special collection of reading material for new users like yourself. Over the years we've compiled some of the more popular questions and answers. It can be found here:

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/lin...ead-first.html