WHY? Well, I do this sort of stuff regularly as part of a masochistic learning process.
Why keep Windoze(sic) you ask
Well I am a Windows software and web developer and there are advantages to both. Generally the critics get used to one way of doing stuff and stick to it. Well I am awkward and like to do both. I like to have my cake and icing sugar on it too.
My hardware
No not a Cray 3 supercomputer. A simple home built in 2007 AMD 4200+ 64 bit twin processor (2.2Ghz), 4Ghz of DDR3 ram, two hard drives 160GB each, one Sata, one IDE (£5 on eBay thanks) all multiple partitioned, DVD rewriter that struggles to open its door unless you smack it, cheap case and PSU. 19" Asus monitor and 40" Samsung TV via DVI->HDMI and a big 5.1 HiFi system. MS cordless keyboard and mouse. 50Mb unlimited broadband by Virgin clocked at 55Mb download, 3Mb upload. I am in a city, that helps.
Advantages of Windows Vista
Yeah I know people hate it, but its not so bad really. Windows 7 is better I did have a preview copy. But Vista can be made to behave and learning how to is half the fun as you know how to use it in future. have written a How-to reinstall Vista properly.
Disadvantages of Windows, based on Vista but still applies to all
- Anything after Windows 7 does not use the same software
- Continuous updates and security loopholes
- Takes up to 5 minutes to start
- Most updates need a restart
- You have to use antivirus and internet security software
- Security Software slows your PC down massively
- Software costs money
- Free software in normally toxic, check my blog for stuff that isn't
So Why Linux?
Why go abroad for your Holidays, why buy a foreign car, or eat foreign food?
Because different can be better.
Advantages of Linux
- It is Free forever
- It is supported by a massive community and forums of very technically competent people
- The Chinese government trust Microsoft so much that http://www.theinquirer.net/
- It does not have to be updated every few minutes before you can install software
- The majority of software for domestic use is free
- There is a massive choice of Distro's (Distribution Packages) http://distrowatch.com/
- You SKY/Satellite TV or Cable box runs on
- Android phones use software based on Linux
- You can install it and update it and be working in an hour!
- Starts to desktop in under a minute
- Minimal need for antivirus/security software
For beginners I would recommend either Ubuntu, made by Canonical a major software company, or Mint Linux, which is much better than it sounds! It is slightly less resource heavy and better for older PCs.
You do not need to use an Old Version of Linux just because you have an old PC mine I built in 2008 and I am using the very latest Linux OS and software.
I could write a whole blog on partitioning for Linux, (and Windows for that matter) here is the short answer:
- Try to keep valuable data on it's own partition either fat32 or NTFS as Windows gets pissy about reading none-windows partitions
- NTFS for Windowns
- EXT3/4 for Linux
- If you have room make a swap partition 1.5 times the size of ram, 2gb ram 3 gb swap partition, you do not format swap partitions for Linux.
- You need to mount a / (root) partition of at least 8Gb
- You may choose partitions for /home (documents) of at least 8Gb
- You may choose a /Boot partition (~200Mb)
- A pro or server may have up to 8 partitions! 3 will be plenty
So assuming you have a spare hard drive or a spare partition of at least 15Gb
/boot - 200MB
/ - root 8GB or more note it is /, NOT /root!
/home - 8GB or more
You can test Linux from a DVD called a Live DVD to make sure your hardware will work, or you can stick it in a Windows partition, it will work but it will be painfully slow, but that way it is easy to remove SAFELY it if you are not a partitioning God like me!
Favourite Software
Firefox browser, with synch enabled between Windows, Linux and Android mobile - cool,
SEO plugins, multiple profiles set up.
Thunderbird email, address book plugin, use multiple email accounts and TBird copes well but won't do multiple Gmail accounts. I use private email and Gmail and Outlook accounst simulatenously.
LibreOffice - How much is MS Office and only lasts 3 years, no thanks. LibreOffice or OpenOffice do all most people need and you can save in MS Formats, but ODF is actually the ratified document standard, but MS conveniently forget this.
Chromium Browser - Has drag and drop for Google Docs and Gdrive, Linux does struggle here, I suspect Google is preventing anyone releasing appls as there were many clones for Gdrive, (GRIVE)
Scribus - MS Publisher clone at http://www.scribus.net/canvas/Scribus
The Gimp - gimp.org great graphics package, weird and clunky interface, DO NOT DOWNLOAD THE GIMPSHOP ALTERNATIVE http://www.gimpshop.com it is riddled with spyware!
Spotify - yes you can have spotify on your desktop, its works through a 32 bit patch on 64 systems but it does work! https://www.spotify.com/uk/download/previews/ Free music all day and night I love it!
There is plenty more really good software available and it is pretty safe just to Google Mint Linux *** software for what you need, just check reviews and if it comes with a .deb package installer, or use 'apt-get install somesoftware' in the terminal or use the package manager or synaptic, it is pretty hard to screw Linux up, I have managed it but you can rebuild it in an hour or so.
Ideally be able to search forums on another pc or mobile. Do join forums and learn which to trust. Mint Linux and Ubuntu are massive resources and what works in one normally works in the other.
Security
Now there is a school of thought that says as you cannot work as /root you can never install bad soiftware, bullshit! Sure IT Pros can smell a rat at 20 paces, but I bet you can't and its too late when you are locked out of your life's work. They are not going to come and fix it if they are wrong, secure it and be safe!
Comodo antivirus and the built in Firewall configured to deny incoming connections should be enough for most people. Unless you remote access into your machine, if you do remote access in then have a look for a secure package not just the one that Network Admins use at work. It will not be good enough, they work on closed systems behind Firewalls that cost over £3000 look up Sonic Wall Pro 4600 if you want to see a proper firewall.
Do not expect Linux to look or feel like Windows, they have taken a few liberties to make you feel at home but it is not the same. You can add repositories for additional software and customize it within an inch of it's life, check out desktops at DeviantARt to see what I mean.
Oh and if you think its looks like an Apple Mac, they are both derived from Unix, the stuff of legend and a zillion stable mainframes since the 70's, remember them?
