Windows to Linux

[ikermalli]

Hello,

I am a windows user at the moment and I want to switch over to Linux. How would I be able to get linux and install it on my hard drive?

[yancek]

Here are two links you can go to get information and other links to download various Linux distributions. You can dowload as Live CD which you can run in RAM without installing to your hard drive to test them to see what you like.

Linux Online - Distributions and FTP Sites
DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD.

[Kerapunaka]

I would start out by reading the information at the newbie section of the site, http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/linux-newbie/. I would especially read the first sticky about starting with Linux and getting help at this forum, http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/lin...ead-first.html. There's also a lot of great information about Linux at Linux Online - Getting Started with Linux - Introduction.

You first have to choose a distribution of Linux, commonly known as a 'distro'. Since you posted this in the SUSE linux forum, I'm assuming you want SUSE linux. This is a pretty good choice for a beginner, SUSE and ubuntu are the two big beginner distros. I would still look around and read up on each distro at distrowatch.org before you make a decision. How good do you consider yourself with computers? Different distros fit different people, some are meant for people who just want their email and word processor while others are for programmers. Once you have chosen your distro (SUSE or whatever) let us know, and we can help you with installing it.

[Kerapunaka]

Also, I should mention that Linux is not exactly like windows, the difference is as great, if not greater, than switching between windows and mac. Of course, you still have your folders, mouse pointer, and menus, but be prepared to re-learn a lot of basic stuff. It's actually pretty fun once you get to doing it, I felt like a kid exploring . It can be frustrating, but we're here to help, as well as the countless forums and IRC groups. Linux users are pretty kind to newbies, I'm still learning a lot and not once have been scolded or mocked when I get help. Just don't be afraid to ask

[lsatenstein]

Do not go fishing and download multiple linux distributions. All that will do is leave you trying each one and leaving it a hard decision on which to chose.
Why not start with one of the three UBUNTU, PCLINUXOS and Susie.

Google to find the website and then download the live cd. Each of these distributions provides one.

Start with PCLINUXOS, which is excellent, and often overlooked by people accustomed to UBUNTU.

Suppose however you have chosen UBUNTU, as it is very popular, and hence any questions you have will have some very good answers from talented users.

With the liveCD, we usually want to ensure that if your computer has built-in wireless, that it works. Wireless works with some manufacturers, and not with others. (It depends on the chip in the wireless card).

If everything appears to work, then click on the icon to proceed to the installation. The distributions will ask you for the amount of space to use for linux, and I would chose some value between 30 and 50 gigs. If you are not going to save music files, or large photo libiraries, then you can even go with 20 gigs.

Start the installation. A software will move stuff away from the hard disk location to where it wants to install the number of gigs you requested. This task can take a long time, even half a day if you have many files that are going to be moved.

Evenually, when that part is finished, the system will commence the installation. You will be prompted for a regular user and for a password. You will also be prompted for assigning other users and their passwords

When all is done, remove the CD or DVD, and reboot.

Linux will be presented as a menu choice, along with XP your previous operating system.

After that, do explore, and do it with interest. Do not rush, as rushing will test your short term memory, and not your understanding of the menu system. Later on, search for books at the library, bookstore or on-line.
If you do as I suggest, you will be an expert within a month of having installed your chosen distribution.