Just wondering what 'tired of XP' means? Using Linux as your sole OS can be bit trying. You could probably find software for Linux to do most of the stuff you want, but it is not the same 'experience' as the Windows world and it can be frustrating, expecially if you've never touched a Unix-like OS before. To do a lot of things in Linux requires going to the command-line and either modifying config files by hand or execute commands manually. Installing software can be a nightmare unless your particular distro has a package for that software.

If you can get your hands on another machine or have a spare box lying around, you might want to give it a try before you leap. A lot of distros can run with minimal hardware, so its doesn't take a real high end box.

You said games, so that pretty much rules out Linux as your OS.

if the games are in the caliber of Warcraft, then no.
if they are in the caliber of solitaire, minesweeper,chess, there are linux versions.

I would just like to try something new...

I was thinking of doing a dual boot just to try it out. The distro i was thinking of using is Ubuntu. I figure if I dual boot I can keep XP and see what I think of Linux before I make a permanent/full on switch.

I don't hate XP, I would just like a change of pace...I love computers and I love trying new stuff, so that's pretty much why I'd like to give it a go.

:)

By all means give it a go!

BUT first, back your hard drive up.

that was my first thought! lol

I agree with Hugh ... give it a go and have some fun!

I sure other linux experts (eg stampered) will give you a hand and perhaps suggest some distros that are easier for 1st time users.

Almost all user software is avaliable under linux for office, web browsing, e-mail, etc.

Also, please report back as to ease of installing, use, functionality, etc that you have found making the transition.

I've installed various versions of Linux on various occassions. My experience has always been poor or mediocre but others love it so why not try it!

Ubuntu is a good choice for a linux beginner. It comes with a liveCD so you can test it on your rig without ever touching your hard drive. If everything works, then you can install it onto your HD and the installation only takes about 20 minutes (and you only have to sit there for the first couple of minutes to answer easy questions).

Ubuntu has a huge software repository, so virtually do not need to do any entries from the command line unless you want to do some tweeking.

I have XP, Vista, and 4 different linux distros on my rig right now and I almost never use Windows anymore.

I've merged the newer thread into this one that already covers the topic and has some great info for videotape74.

As for the claims about difficulty, gaming, and useability of Linux, please read this thread from post #1 and you'll probably be surprised to learn how far some of Linux's consumer desktop and/or server capabilities have come, especially in early 2007.

Let's be realistic. I've had my share of problems with Linux and I'm an expert, so I'm also stating here that I've had many, many troubles with Windows over the years so if you're migrating from one to the other, don't expect miracles. The least problematic consumer OS out there, by far, is Mac OS X, but since most of us hobbyists/enthusiasts/gamers have PC gear available, we use Windows and Linux, and even some other OSes like Solaris and *BSD Unix too.

I may not always agree with folks regarding their OSes, but I respect peoples' choices. :)

I'm having a ton o' fun with PCLinuxOS. IMHO, it's a terrific Linux distro for the desktop. Useable, user-friendly, and has a friendly bunch of users who contribute vastly on the PCLos forums. For the "usual-suspects" software, you will rarely, if ever, need to touch a console/command-line. More complex software may find you doing a tweak to a .conf file, but not often.

If someone is considering a migration to Linux, or running it as alternate OS, I would suggest test-driving the LiveCD version of PCLinuxOS.

http://www.pclinuxos.com/

Having a 2nd computer,PIII, 500 I thought I 'd try out Linux as I didn't feel like re-installing Win 98 ..( My newer one has XP Pro. ) I downloaded the Ubuntu disc and burned it and tried to get it to run on my PIII...no joy.. Unknown disc message. Do I need to acquire an installer disc / software like a boot up disc to make Ubuntu run and install..??
Any help Greatly Appreciated..

Is the floppy disk drive light staying lit on bootup? If so the BIOS is set to boot from floppy and maybe not to boot up from the CD or DVD player.

Is the Ubuntu download a CD .iso file, or a DVD .iso? DId you use a program that burns iso files to disk? The problem might be a mismatch between your actual disk media and the player on that PC, such as a DVD+R in a DVD-R drive, etc. etc.

Am a noob to all this, and need some detail steps on how to go about this please. So is Kubuntu better for newbies then?

So is Kubuntu better for newbies then?Kubuntu is not better than ubuntu, it is just different. It is more of a personal preference thing. Try them both! I prefer the gnome interface better myself (ubuntu).

I thought about that, the bios was switched to "Boot from CD". I used a CD-R. O I did the checksum after to make sure all was good with the download. I'll try another down load. It is a CD, I do get a .iso file, but I still get unknown disc error...I'll see if I can sort it out some how, it may mean I have to do some reading...Yikes !!! Thanks for the suggestions though. It's probably something silly or maybe I kickstarted the machine once too often with my size 9 combat boot :D

If the checksum passed you do not need to re-download the iso image.

It could simply be the brand of CD-R blank you are using not playing nice with your CD drive. Stranger things have happened! :)

Quick and funny too... a librarian videos her conversion of 2 library PCs from Windows to Ubuntu Linux:

http://www.librarian.net/stax/2042/do-you-ubuntu/

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to migrate from Windows to Ubuntu Linux:Migrating to Ubuntu Linux from Microsoft Windows
Is it Ready Yet?

By Tsu Dho Nimh
Published May 14, 2007

I think Ubuntu Linux is definitely ready for almost anyone with a Windows system who is tired of having their computer infested with spyware and viruses. It is also a way to avoid Microsoft's "activation" demands. It's free! It's good! It works!http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/233123/migrating_to_ubuntu_linux_from_microsoft.html

If you switch to Ubuntu, can you use windows based software ?

noah