I’ve been interested in Linux since the late 1990’s, but have not had much success with it until recently. After frustrating experiences with Explorer and MS Word, I began using Firefox and Open Office on my PC. With the success of those experiences, I decided to take the plunge and install Linux on my home computer.
My first successful Linux installation came in the form of a USB drive. Puppy Linux is so small that you can load the entire OS on a 128M USB drive. Though fast and light, I found it limited in usability. Still, if you want an introduction to some of the neat things Linux can do on an older machine, you need to try it out. You can use it as a “live” version that does not require formal installation.
My next Linux project was an installation of Xandros. I used the open version that came with Linux Made Easy, which I orderred from Amazon.com. Installation was simple, and the interface was similiar to Windows, so it was an easy transition. If you are ready to install a version of Linux on your hard drive, this is a good one to start with. If you don’t mind spending a little money, you can order upgraded versions that come with some really nice features. Xandros also allows you to create a “dual-boot” machine. Your hard drive is basically divided in half, and you get to choose which OS you want to use (Linux or Windows) when you boot your computer.
The “free” version of Xandros did not come with a fire wall, so I next tried Mepis. This is another nice distro (common abbreviation for “distrobution”), but I needed to download some drivers for periphial devices. This was also true with Xandros.
After doing some more research on the internet, I decided to go with Ubuntu. It is currently the most popular (in terms of downlaods) distro. It has great driver support (I did not have to download any drivers). It is “free.” And with the Automatix program you can download some nice multi-media software.
One of the fun things about Ubuntu is that it comes in different packages. Kubuntu features the KDE graphical interface, while Ubuntu uses Gnome. The basic difference sit that KDE allows users near infinite control over their desktop, while Gnome is simpler (but not simplistic). I enjoy using Gnome because I don’t want to spend all day teaking how many seconds pass before my desktop menu turns transparent. The Edubuntu package is designed for families with young children, and provides some resources for teachers as well. Links to all three packages can be found at the Ubuntu homepage.
For new users (“newbies”), I highly recommend the online magazine Tux. Using Linux is like driving a stick-shift car: the learning curve is steep at the beginning, but as you gain confidence you also gain a greater since of control over your computer. Tux will assist you with the learning curve. The magazine deals with issues confronting desktop computer users, and I find at least one helpful article per issue. Originally a free online subscription, it is now switching to a paid subscription.
