Linux, Yes or No?

Hi, I've been thinking about switching from vista to linux. I know Linux isn't such a memory hog like vista is but by how much? I would be running this on my lap top. (presario: 1gb ram, 128mb video card, 80gb HD, 1.6gHZ AMD) What performance gains would I see, if any? I don't care about the prettyness of vista(I turned most features off to make my comp. run more efficient including aero) I'm just tired of wasting all my money on windows which is really restrictive. My computer knowledge is intermediate to a little advanced, long time windows user and never used any other operating systems, and I would also like to learn c++. What else should I know about linux? Where can I get a copy and what software do you recommend with it? Any input appreciated. Thanks.

Linux, Yes or No?
you can find information on linux distrobutions from www.distrowatch.com


distros such as ubuntu and pclinuxos are for beginners to linux. the ubuntu forums are an excellent source of information if you choose to go with ubuntu.


there are links on distrowatch to download the distros.


if you are a gamer, then you might have some trouble converting to linux completely but there are ways to run games and other windows programs on linux through WINE, a windows emulator.





any version of linux should run quite comfortably on that laptop. you might have some trouble with the wireless, especially if the wifi card is a broadcom.
Reply:yes...
Reply:i tried that but was so confused i switched back.





you could try a diffrent kind of linux to see what it's like, it dosnt install but can run off of a cd or USB device.





http://www.hungrypenguin.net/downloads.h...





try one from the mini or live section. or the full versions if you want.
Reply:Yes
Reply:go to your computer manufactures web site and look there.


once on the website search for linux,





Dell, HP, Compaq all support linux, and do install it. only if you ask for linux


Dell support Ubuntu Linux


Compaq I think support Red Hat Linux





so you will need to ask what version of linux do they support...





Never the less you can run most versions of linux from the CD ROM before you decide to install it,,





it will find all your hardware.if there is problems loading the live version then it will not run. if that happens then you don't install it... you know there is a problem
Reply:I think you'll notice a performance difference. How to quantify it I'm not sure. I would suggest giving Ubuntu a try, www.unbuntu.com. There is a link from there to download the most recent version. You'll then have to burn an iso of the downloaded file and then install it. After that you can get whatever software you want for it, for free. You'll need to check around to make sure but I think that gcc (a compliler) is not included in the default install and you'll want to get that after you've installed the OS if you want to learn about c++. There is a very easy to use GUI package installer included and you can download free software for just about anything.





If you don't want to download the iso image and burn it you can also buy a CD from them for a few bucks and have them send it to you.
Reply:yes try linux


and dell sells linux


http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segto...
Reply:Yes or No... as long as its not windows vista
Reply:I use Freespire and Ubuntu They Are the two best linux distros available go to www.freespire.org and also you can check out all of the different flavors of linux all free at www.linux.org good luck and welcome to the fun and exciting virus free world of linux