|
  |
|
|
Trying out an Alternative to Windows
By Avery Parker
Many people do not realize, but it is possible to use an operating system other than what came with their computer. Most people have bought a personal computer with Microsoft Windows preinstalled, but it's possible to use Linux as an operating instead. Many people have found linux to be leaner than recent versions of Windows meaning that it's possible to run the newest version even on older hardware. This is a good thing because you can get longer life out of perfectly good computer equipment and save money and natural resources as well. Linux is an operating system that is freely available and redistributable. What this means is that any can take the essential parts of the operating system and customize and give them away however they see fit. This has given rise to many different "distributions" of Linux. What this means is someone or a group of people have pieced together the operating system in a specific way that they think is best. One of the current popular distributions is called Ubuntu and is considered a good distribution of Linux for desktop use. It's possible to download a copy of Ubuntu linux from their website. The downloads are cd images and in order to install from the CD you will have to use a CD burning program to write the image to disc in the correct way. It's also possible to request a physical disc in the mail. Ubuntu's ship it program distributes free cds on request. Once you have your CD you can insert it in the drive and with Ubuntu's CD there will be some instructions and information pop up about the disc if you have autorun enabled and are in Windows. In order to run directly from the CD you will need to reboot your PC and you may need to set the machine to boot from the CD drive. Ubuntu's install CD also acts as what is called a Live CD. A live cd is an operating environment that runs from the disc and allows you to try out programs and the desktop and see how the system would work. In many cases there is software installed such as office software and a web browser and email program. Depending on how much memory you have in your system it may even be possible to install extra software during your live cd session. Then reboot and take the disc out and your back to your familiar Windows desktop. Live cds are a great way to try out the operating system with your hardware to make sure that your system is compatible with Linux. Most PCs made over the last 10 years or so should be able to run Linux. Of course, the more memory you have in a system the better, 256MB of memory should be a bare minimum and 512 MB of memory would be more comfortable. After you've tested out the live cd all you would need to do to install Ubuntu Linux is to click on the desktop option to Install and follow through the quick wizard. It will ask if you want to replace the current installation of Windows or if you want to try to use the available free space on your hard drive. For many people the safe option is to use the available space so you can go back and access Windows again. If however, you have decided that you are using this machine for Linux only, you can safely let it use the entire hard drive and leave Windows behind to move to your brand new Linux desktop. Linux can be a great way to breath new life in an old machine that otherwise wouldn't have the horsepower for the latest greatest offering from Microsoft. |
Ubuntu
| Request Ubuntu CD
| Page on my site about Ubuntu Linux
PLEASE VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S WEBSITE
No reactions yet.
Please login or sign up to rate this intel.
Please login or sign up to add a comment.
The copyright for this content entitled "Trying out an Alternative to Windows" has been specified by the contributor as:
All Rights Reserved
This content may not be copied, distributed or adapted by anyone under any circumstances.
|
 |
May, 2012
2008
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2009
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2010
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2011
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2012
January, February, March, April, May
|
|
Not a member yet?
Qondio is a powerful network for making it online. If you have a website to
promote, we can help.
Sign up and get in on the action.
|
|
Welcome to Qondio! Discover the awesome power this network can deliver by going to our About page. Or you could skip straight to the Sign Up form.
|
|
