Top 5 Tips for Migrating from Windows to Linux

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Hey those are my tips :)

Here’s a little post I wrote re: switching to Ubuntu:

http://terrainnova.org/blog/index.php/2007/10/03/switch-to-ubuntu-success/

Given that I’m not a novice, I noticed a couple of more issues that a beginner might come up against. So far I’ve been very content with it though.

Mac is the best OS ( Fact ), Windows is good, I’m using it but eeeh, Linux is ok in some areas but definitely not good for a common user.

1. community support argument BS. ( you named redhat so you know its bs ), the redhat support is CHEAP compared to what i pay for windows support. ( 250 dollars a question ).
2. package manager argement is BS because there is something called apt-get.
3. configure make make install was that so hard ?
4. read linux != windows please.

5. you’re on a mac and you talk about the importants off opensource, or do you mean the fact that jobs downloads a bsd puts a mach kernel under it a new gui and calls it macosx ? ( thats not opensource that ripping of code).
6. apple is microsoft whit a smaller marked share.
7. apple lies to its customer do you know the reason they dropped powerpc in reality ?
so please next to do you’re home work.

[...] network, and was fascinated by its function. When it works, it works well. Cris Pirillo gives the Top Five Tips for Migrating from Windows to Linux. I highly recommend these tips as well. For the record, I did test my wireless with Live CD, and it [...]

although linux is good, i’ve had countless problems with it. and i’ve tried just about every major distribution there is. from suse to ubuntu to sabayon to debian to freespire to pclinuxos and a few more, they just didn’t work. and my computer represents about the average person’s computer. i have a 3 year old dell desktop, and it just doesn’t work with ubuntu. it still needs alot of work. and my number one concern is the difficulty of installing software.

I,ve started useing fedora 7 now 2 months i love it and I finally said goodbye to Windows Xp.
Try it maybe it will work for you.

i think i will try that :)

Get the alternate install CD for Ubuntu or Kubuntu. It worked with my computer and it is 4 years old.

The worst thing about linux is the lack of hardware support, apart from that it’s easy and above all, free.

I think the blog post and video were right on. I think it take a different type of computer user to truly appreciate the Linux OS. I tried Fedora for two months before buying another (new) computer with Windows Vista. I needed another computer anyway, due for an upgrade so I installed Fedora. It was a great experience; however, I like Windoze a whole lot better. great points from both sides were brought up as usual with these types of discussions.

I think the 5 tips are fine, but some of the stuff in the video (callers?) are just downright wrong.

For one, using Microsoft Virtual PC is a horrendous way to install Linux.

I would make the following 2 essential suggestions (for Windows XP users):

1. Learn how to fix your MBR (master boot record) in case things go sour with your dual-boot installation. It’s VERY simple, in case you get in a bind and just want to return safely to Win XP land. Basically, learn how to completely uninstall Linux… sounds ironic, but it frees you to try and try at your own pace.

2. Install it in a dual-boot arrangement. There’s really no other way to give it a real try. Sure try a live CD if you want to I guess, but you’re not going to get a real feel for it until you install it and work out all of the kinks.

They’re really interconnected steps (1 and 2 here). Learn the installation process and the uninstall process. Just use a fancy version of Linux that will install a boot loader by default, and give Linux 20GB of harddrive space or the default value if you don’t know how to change the value.

As an alternaive, break out an old harddrive or buy a new one specifically for Linux… what is that, like $60 ? No big deal.

Sadly, I think trying out Linux and expecting too much will only renew most people’s wedding vows with Microsoft. It is vastly less inviting. But this will change. I think rather than going into Linux with the mentality that you’re going to love it and replace Windows… it’s better to try it as a hobby, because it is a great hobby making that stuff work, and once you’re so good at your Linux hobby you’ll know when and if you’re ready to switch.

I think it’s a more useful hobby than say… playing computer games, and it can be just as fun. Yes, I wear a pocket protector.

Linux —–> OpenOffice, Firefox (or others), Gimp, Adobe Reader, VLC player, etc.

Windows -> MS Office, MS Internet Explorer, Photoshop, Adobe, MS Media Player, Apple quicktime, iTunes, etc.

There are just about no propietay apps on Linux, that means no Apple, no Adobe (except for Adobe Reader THANK GOD), no Microsoft, no Valve games, … splotchy driver support for printers (my Canon Pixma just won’t print REALLY nice like it does elsewhere… it’ll print, but not very impressive at all).

You may be asking yourself, well… what DO you get with LINUX? You get a ton of open-source stuff that works in interesting ways. Frankly I don’t think it competes… but at that price… meaning FREE… it offers nice alternatives. The main advantage though is that it is UNIX like. UNIX with pretty stuff layered on is all the rage these days (Mac OS).

Another way to go about considering Linux is to try everything about Linux except Linux. Meaning, try those apps as replacements to your current Windows apps. Use Firefox (and JUST firefox), try OpenOffice on Windows, can you let go of iTunes? Try VLC as your one and only video player (it’s a great player! It compliments proprietary stuff nicely).

Can you live withou your Windows apps?

I’ve been a Linux user since 1997 and although it’s certainly gotten easier to use and install, it hasn’t evolved as quickly as I hoped it would have.

The appeal of Linux to me is that it provides unlimited freedom. Instead of relying on one company (Microsoft or Apple) for support, users can choose from literally 100’s of vendors with distributions to meet their specific needs. Having so much variability does pose its own set of problems and I think developers should start recommending and adhering to standards (packages, locations of files, merging the api’s for gnome and kde, etc.).

Operating systems seem to follow the law of diminishing returns and I feel like Linux has a good shot at catching up as we see its “competitors” begin to stagnate.

i know this comment will be downrated like you’re live depends on it i will give you 3 reason why you would never see me on a mac:
1. Vendor lockin.
2. The Gui SUCKS having the dam bar @ the top is just bad.
3. hardware lockin

um.. I want to use sabayon on my pc, but I do not have a 64/86 system.. could you tell me if sabayon is compatible with my system? i think mine is 32. I am currently running freespire linux on my pc on live cd.

ubuntu rulze

So what are the benefits of linux?

i have XP. why change. Is there something that you have to have in lunux, dont sound like it. I wont change from XP. If someone said try thing on the a dif Pc fair enough, but at the moment, i dont see it

desktop effects don’t work on( my comp. I cant live without the eye candy.
ALso, i don’t like the way you install apps.

all those facts are right but I have been useing suse, Ubuntu, Sabyon and fedora linux for the past 5 years and I do not have any problems, I still have a copy of xp though on my computer for dual booting and playing games

its because Linux has less commurical suppot then microshit or apple

Linux owns

no virsus, better running programs, cleaner layout and you can program and mod stuff easier.

I tried ubuntu, but I don’t know how to install stuff. It’s so different lol. And i heard you cant play games.

can can play games if you run them through wine and cedega, but installing stuff can be though exe. unless your running wine, it has to be through deb.

I heard of wine but i dont know how to install it. deb? whats that lol

I love Ubuntu I am using it right now!

If XP is doing what you need, then stick with it. But if Microsoft keep flogging the dead horse that Windows is in years to come, you may have to switch to the MAC or Linux. For now though, just enjoy the ride with XP :)

Blade, thats because they use skype and skype is pretty dire cos i have tried it. it’s always like that, its not Chris or anyone else. it’s the software thats the problem

Out of all these live broadcasts i have watched with Chris, he seems like an extremely frustrated person. Relax Man!!.. :)

It would nice too if you could let your callers actually finish what they are saying and not talk over them. I sense a bit of ego and creeping in, but you are perfectly correct when it comes to Linux. As i have already mentioned, i do use it 95% of the time, but i do not think it will replace Windows. RPM’s, Number of Distro, Lack of a standardized user interface. All those points couldn’t be further from the truth.

Actually no, i didn’t mention that i use Linux previously now did I :). And 17 years later i still play around with Workbench too on my Amiga 1200 ( nothing like a bit of nostalgia ).

If XP is doing what you need, then stick with it. But if Microsoft keep flogging the dead horse that Windows is in years to come, you may have to switch to the MAC or Linux. For now though, just enjoy the ride with XP :)

Blade, thats because they use skype and skype is pretty dire cos i have tried it. it’s always like that, its not Chris or anyone else. it’s the software thats the problem

you can also use ‘Wubi’ which lets you dual boot XP with Ubuntu, instead of getting the Ubuntu live CD, you don’t need to partition your hard drive. I’ve tried it and it works great. It uses about 12gb of my drive.

you can also use ‘Wubi’ which lets you dual boot XP with Ubuntu, instead of getting the Ubuntu live CD, you don’t need to partition your hard drive. I’ve tried it and it works great. It uses about 12gb of my drive.

My mother who is retired uses Ubuntu and I get far less calls compared to when she used Windows 98. I am using OpenSuse 10.3 that has a lot of great Desktop stuff. You know if Microsoft just made applications instead of OSes it would be better. How about Microsoft Linux. Vista is a disaster compared to XP

My mother who is retired uses Ubuntu and I get far less calls compared to when she used Windows 98. I am using OpenSuse 10.3 that has a lot of great Desktop stuff. You know if Microsoft just made applications instead of OSes it would be better. How about Microsoft Linux. Vista is a disaster compared to XP

I like OpenSuse with KDE (it’s more like Windows classic GUI) most.

I like OpenSuse with KDE (it’s more like Windows classic GUI) most.

I want to build my computer so it can run games to the highest Performance, highest graphics, I dont care about price. I know I need a 768mb graphics card, and at least 2gb of ram. But how about Processor, Dose a Processor have anything to do with the performance of a game? And if so what is the top of the line best Processor for a playing games? Also dose the motherboard have anything to do with performance? Or anything else? And what is an Optical Drive, and hard disc?

If someone can help me out I would Appreciate it.

If anyone thinks Linux is difficult to use, ask my 8 year old autistic nephew about it. He uses my Ubuntu computer every weekend to surf the net and watch youtube videos and he has never had issues with the basics. In fact it’s great that he uses it because I have yet to have to worry about a virus like I did with my windows pc.Yes it’s different than other Os’s and you do have to read up on it a bit, but I bet you had to do the same when you used Windows for the first time

jeeus chris let the guy talk. frickin idiot

surem loading up the browser and browsing the internet is simple. that requires no experience other than knowing how to move the mouse and what the firefox icon looks like. I think anybody who says linux is not more difficult to use than windows, either a. has not used it for anything more than internet/email, or b. is trying to make themselves look “smart” or something. (cont)

I consider myself a nerd and im that guy that everyone goes to for computer stuff. recently i switched my primary os to linux and i have had many headaches with random, stupid issues (example, my package manager did some software updates. I restarted, and suddenly several programs are broke from issues with modules and dependancies. an hour of headache later, i got it running again — having to do things any normal computer user would interpret as trying to learn chinese. (cont)

(continues from 2 previous posts) i love linux for a few reasons, but i would not reccomend it to anybody that is new to computers and not willing to go through the trouble of learning more lower-level stuff.

on linux, using the synaptic manager installation is like.. ticking and applying.

If anyone wants to move to Linux I would recommend to start with programs first. So replace your IE with Firefox or Opera, Outlook Express/Windows Mail with Thunderbird, MS Office -> OpenOffice etc.

Only then start to play with liveCDs.

Pirillo mixes up user friendliness with _beginner_ friendliness.

Every time I reinstall Linux or move to another distro, it takes no more than 3 hours to have system up and running. And I mean WHOLE system patched up and configured like it was, all programs installed, patched up AND configured. I mean everything just like it was.

Every time I try to do the same with Windows, it’s at least 3 days(!) of manual hard labor.

Takes me 20 minutes both ways, its not hard with the GUI now day :D

Hi Chris. Good tutorials. However I think you are totally biased in favour of Mac. Ubuntu is definitely suitable for the average user. I am now using Ubuntu for a month and am amazed by how good it is. I rarely use Xp now. In comparison to Ubuntu, Windows is garbage. If people open their minds and try Ubuntu or any other Linux distro they will love it.

how did u get that banner above the video descriptioin because i need one

use wubi

I mailed Chris about it and he said you need to be a Youtube partner to get an adveritsiment option

You have to be a YouTube Partner.

linux will prob take windows out but not osx.

tumbs down, linux will take over, give it time, word is spreading, once windows work out how to stop pirates running it for free, once they solve that, people will go to linux

Linux for now is a system that is mostly easy to try, to install and to work with, but it is not easy to configure and mantain.

If you came from Windows and if you would configure and mantain it, you have to brake a lot of old habbits and you have a lot to learn.

Ok. At the beginning Linux mainly has just terminal”command prompt” after then graphical user interface”GUI” Xwindow, people said ok but look at the Vistas 3D GUI. Yeah look at the compiz fusion much better. So Linux always try to be there they try to do things on cheaper hardware also. I know more difficult to handle for beginners because of the difference between them. Linux needs time,Linux doing things without company supports(drivers) thats hard enough. But they doing it.