Linux

Hello, I have found that many computer builders give you the option of not buying an OS...so I was curious about Linux.

I know very little about Linux and was hoping to get a general overview so I can have a more focused research of it.

Do you have to buy specific Linux software?

Do windows programs work w/ Linux?

I want to buy a computer for moderate gaming, use with Finale and other music recording, and also general internet, word processing, etc.

And lastly, what kind of hardware setup do I have to have for linux(processor, graphics card, etc.)

I appreciate it alot!

 

if you're a n00b and want to play games and use proprietary software, then linux is not for you. if you really want to use it, dual boot your rig and get used to it, then once you're comfortable configuring drivers, etc., you can make the switch.

 

I would also recommend getting Windows, and then dual booting with Linux. My guess is that most of the stuff you want to work in Linux probably wouldn't (at least not with some tweaking), so it'd suck to be stuck with it alone. Dual booting allows you to have an operating system you are familiar with, as well as something you can play around with and take time getting to know....

 

If you wanna give linux a try you'd better start with the simplest of them all and least troublesome, no driver problems.

You can get:
http://www.ubuntu.com/
OR
http://www.kubuntu.org/

Both are the same core, just one uses gnome and the other KDE shell.

Get the live CD, for either. They run fully of the CD (no need to install and you can get a feel for it). It's really not advisable to dive into linux without some basic knowledge of how things work in it.