Is Linux Easy?

[KarlOldman]

Hi, I have used Windows with my Dad for ages now, I have only used mac on my sisters Laptop, but becuase we have upgraded a lot, i have my own P3 500 with ATI Rage 128 and SB Live!, and instead of Windows, im getting Linux, is this OS Easy? better? more stable? im hopefully getting RedHat 7.1 with 7CDs from eBay (http://ebay.co.uk) for £8. I havnt got a clue how to install it or anything.

Ps has anyone got any screenshots?

[mrBen]

Easier - debatable, but many people say no.
Better - 'most everyone here would say yes
More Stable - Yup.

Screenshots - hmmm, have a look round at themes.org (http://www.themes.org) which has screenies for all sorts of window managers.

Let us know how you get on. And come back for help, of course :)

[Evil Jeff]

I think many linuxes (ie mandrake and rh) are probably just as easy as windows for a newbie to computers. But if you have been using windows, linux is something entirely new. It doesn't function at all like windows, and you will have to learn it. Prepare to do some reading :)

But linux is much more stable and fast, as well and also gives you more control over your computer. You will learn how to use windows better too. And if you go back to windows you will cry at it's limited multitasking abilities.

[dvdnut]

what attracted me a lot to linux, other than the fact that its "free" :

1. the support
2. the different flavours
3. varying amount of display managers
4. customisable
5. not be chased by fast or fact

[inkedmn]

the first thing i would do if i were you would be to go to www.bookpool.com (http://www.bookpool.com) and order "Running Linux" from O'Reilly publishers. a great book to get you acquainted with the ins and outs of linux.

[MandK_10]

If you first unlearn windows, Linux will be easy.

There are probably more things to learn to be efficient in linux than in windows, but it is in no way difficult.

Most newbies are scared away by the CLI (command line interface) kinda like working in dos. The CLI in Linux is "MUCH" more powerful than dos. With power comes learning.

Go to www.redhat.com (http://www.redhat.com) and download the installation guide. This will help a whole lot. I also recommend their Configuration Guide. This will show you how to get your sound, printer, and other things going.

If you read, read, read, before you even start the install you will be sooooo much better off.

I use RedHat 7.1, I dont have any screen shots of my desktops. Both Gnome and KDE will be enough like windows that you won't be entirely lost. It is not too bad to set up, especially if you are familiar with the setup program. And it configures pretty easily too.

One last thing, then I will let you go. If you have a winModem, you will probably not be able to use it. There are sites that will tell you if your winmodem will work, but if you can find a hardware modem get it.

Mike

[Necro Lin]

I got Linux out of curiosity a couple of months ago. At first I didn't think too much of it because there were a lot of things that I couldn't do....it took me like an hour to find my a: drive! After a week I stoped using Windows for anything except games. Linux is amazing!

A) It is way more stable
B) It looks way better (not that that's the most important reason for switching but..)
C) The price is good
D) It's not hard, but you will need to do your reading cuz it is way different from Windows.
E) I'm positive that if you give Linux a chance you will not be disapointed. Linux Rocks. ;)