Real dummy question(s)

Okay,

So after using Linux about 10 years ago when I was at Uni and having pretty much stopped playing any games now I'm thinking about installing Linux on my home laptop and giving that a spin, there are several things I dislike about Microsoft, but with the introduction of Vista I'm just not sure I want to continue down that road.

Okay, so first question, is there a "good" version of Linux for someone with little experience to start with, I do know a fair bit about computers (I've been using them since Dos 3 or so... well that was when I started to really use them) I'm fairly good at command lines, even remember a few basic linux commands.

Also, how possible is it to run Windows software under Linux? There are two main programs that I use right now, one is Paint Shop Pro X, the other is Sony Vegas 6, these are both my replacement for games (love playing with underwater photos and video) so obviously losing all access to both of these would kind of suck, I'm wondering if I just need to install a Windows partition and a Linux Partition for everything else, but then if I do that I'm not sure how much I'd end up using the Linux partition (making any sense?)

 

www.ubuntu.com or www.kubuntu.com

You should barely need to use the command line, but it's definitely available. You can use wine, which runs many Windows programs fairly well, but it's not a guarantee or anything specific working. You might look into the Gimp as a replacement for PSPX, but it has a steep learning curve (but I love it's interface. Screw MDI applications, give me real, separate windows). I don't know what Vegas 6 is, but there are video editors like Kino and Cinelerra, which are pretty beefy and run natively in Linux.

You may need a Windows partition, and I definitely wouldn't quit cold-turkey, but if you work a bit and get so you can do 90% of what you want in Linux, I think you'll find yourself booting into Windows less and less, especially since you don't play games.

 

Thanks for the Link, going to give it a try (hopefully maybe this weekend) Need to make sure I have my Ghost images done first and that I can revert to my old setup.

 

Try partition magic if you want to "carve" out a space for a linux install on your current windows drive. But a backup is still a good idea.

 

Feh... I spit on your software you have to pay for!!!

Live_CD partition is my friend...

Seriously though, I agree, I will probably carve something out (once I've tried the boot CD out) but after I've made sure that I've got a good clean (working) backup of my current C Drive just to be sure I can restore to how I'm setup now.