Can you run multiple operating systems on one machine? For example I would like to switch to Linux without completly droping windows XP. (I realize this isn't exactly a LW problem, so I will delete this post after a few days or after I get a reply.) And since I have never used Linux I need to know what version is the best and how I can get it. Thanks.

deepblue

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"THEY WHO WOULD GIVE UP AN ESSENTIAL LIBERTY FOR TEMPORARY SECURITY, DESERVE NEITHER LIBERTY OR SECURITY."
--Benjamin Franklin

Yes.

For beginners I'd recommend a "commerial" distribution like SuSE (www.suse.com) or RedHat (www.redhat.com) as they come with a handbook. Well, if you think you can manage it without a handbook then you can get the ISOs here (or try LW):

http://www.linuxiso.org

Some people say Gentoo Linux is quite good (www.gentoo.org).

Are you a Linux user, rkapsi? I followed your links and all of the software seems good but I know one is better than another for what I want to do with it. I just want to use it for standard personal tasks. Thanks for your reply.

deepblue

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"THEY WHO WOULD GIVE UP AN ESSENTIAL LIBERTY FOR TEMPORARY SECURITY, DESERVE NEITHER LIBERTY OR SECURITY."
--Benjamin Franklin

Yes for beginners is Suse recommended. The installation is easy, you need a free partition and Suse will install it in free section. You also have the choice if you want to use the MBR (Master boot record used by Windows) or the Lilo (Linux loder).

If you need more help with Linux:

http://www.pctechtalk.com/forums/index.php?s=

And you don´t need to delete it, we have enough off topic threads here... I moved it to the Tipp & Tricks section.

Morgwen

Thanks for your reply Morgwen (Sorry for the off topic post too). I'm going to look a little more but since I really want to get away from Windows I'll probably buy it. Thanks again.

deepblue

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"THEY WHO WOULD GIVE UP AN ESSENTIAL LIBERTY FOR TEMPORARY SECURITY, DESERVE NEITHER LIBERTY OR SECURITY."
--Benjamin Franklin

You know that the software itself is free (you pay only for the hardware, book Cds)? You should only buy it if you want the documentation, if you don´t need the documentation and have a high speed connection download it from the web - usually you will find fast university servers which offer the newest version.

For help you always will find tutorials and other help in the web.

Morgwen

OK then where con I get the free version of Linux SUSE 9.0. The site above says that its 40.00 dollars (US). I can't download it because I just have a dial-up connection. Thanks.

deepblue

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"THEY WHO WOULD GIVE UP AN ESSENTIAL LIBERTY FOR TEMPORARY SECURITY, DESERVE NEITHER LIBERTY OR SECURITY."
--Benjamin Franklin

Well, you need somebody who can download and burn it for you. But note that the whole SuSE Linux distrubution has 8-10 CDs or 2-3 DVDs. ~5 bucks per CD ain't bad.

Rkapsi, I don't mind supporting Linux. In the link you gave me does the personal package come with the 8-10 cd's (can't use DVD's)? And is that all I will need to get started? Thanks.

deepblue

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"THEY WHO WOULD GIVE UP AN ESSENTIAL LIBERTY FOR TEMPORARY SECURITY, DESERVE NEITHER LIBERTY OR SECURITY."
--Benjamin Franklin

Sorry, SuSE Linux 9.0 Personal has 3 CDs and Professional 5 CDs+DVD.

Yes that's all you need to get started. On the first CD is Linux and on the others a lot of Software.

Here's a list:

http://www.suse.com/us/private/produ...dex_group.html