Some Questions about Linux

Hi, new member here so I have some questions. I've read through the guide but still have some questions.

1. I'm buying a notebook (probably a Dell but I came on the forum to find out whats best) soon. Do I just make sure it comes without an OS or do I ask the computer tech at the store to make sure it has Linux on it? I don't want to have to pay for say Vista if I'm not going to use it.

2. The guide suggested OpenOffice but I'm not really a fan as the school has issues with the converted files. Will the Corel Suite work with Linux?

3. I plan on using Firefox and GIMP. Is that a good idea?

4. Anything else I might need to be aware of, get knowlegde of... please mention it.

Just have to say that the amount of stuff I learned in one day is amazing. I used to work quite a bit with computers (figuring out new software programs for the school) but gave up everything down to weekly e-mail checks until last fall. Now I'm starting to get back into it (bookkeeping for the farm, oh what fun). Thanks for all your help!

 

It's basically impossible to find a computer without Windows preloaded at a store. There are some that come with Linux but they are less and less popular, harder and harder to find

Wow, this got me all nostalgic... Corel?! Sure, according to Wikipedia they still exist, and make a Linux version of their office suite.

Yes. They work fine for me

There are tons of resources... here are some places to start:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux
http://www.linuxnewbieguide.org/content/overview-chapters
http://tldp.org/FAQ/Linux-FAQ/general.html
https://help.ubuntu.com/9.04/newtoubuntu/C/index.html

Hope this helps

 

If you're buying online, then Dell has systems with Ubuntu on them. Xotic PC also has OSless laptops, if you're buying in store you'll have a harder time finding them. If you're going Linux then make sure it comes with either no OS or Ubuntu and buying online will be a great help to you.

 

Hi,

If you are going to need microsoft word for school just get a computer with home premium on it. Most of the laptops come preconfigured with it. If you want to use ubuntu you can shrink your windows partition and then dual boot. If you have never used linux before, dual booting is a really good idea while you are learning. I still use both, even though I have been playing with ubuntu for over a year.

Firefox and gimp both come as a default in ubuntu and work well. Open office is the default office suite. Microsoft office will not work with ubuntu and I don't know about corel.

 

Thanks for all the help. I'm going into the store sometime next week. The store I'm going to is a small town techie store where I'm told they usually custom put together the notebook you want.

Corel is what we use in school. I can convert files and as of next year the school has to accept OpenOffice docs. We'll see.

 

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/linux_3x?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
There is Dell's Ubuntu computers.
You should have no trouble switching, Ubuntu has excellent documentation.

 

Wow... thanks Thomas. I was on Dell Canada and they only offered Ubuntu on a Mini. The upgrade options are less but still looks good.

Linux just seems to be something I'd like. I have Vista right now but the computer freezes often and I have dozens of unwanted program stuff installed. I just hope FirstClass works.

By the way, how does Thunderbird 2 work? Is it its own email or is it like Outlook?

Thanks for everything, this site has been the best I've found in a long time.

 

Yeah if you can get it from Dell USA that's the way to do it. The 15n is pretty good. I haven't tried Thunderbird 2 and I've never really used Outlook, so I can't comment much on that.

 

These guys do Ubuntu pre-configured notebooks and seem to come recommended over at my other hang-out, Ubuntu Forums

http://www.system76.com/

 

Thanks everyone. I've told my dad and now that I've explained it all, he's all go for it.

So if I can't get it preinstalled, and get something OS-less where do I learn how to upload. The Dell notebooks only come with Ubuntu 8.01. Is it possible to upgrade? I hear Ubuntu has newer versions.

I never knew that there were so many OS available. I can't seem to master Mac and I've always been at war with Windows (Vista eats my pdfs and then spits them out in some symbols that I did not start with).

 

Yes, it is possible to upgrade or you can simply do a fresh install.
Installing Ubuntu is pretty easy and if you have any trouble with upgrading or a fresh install, there are plenty folks here who can give you tips.

An easy way to prepare your new notebook for future upgrades/installs is to use multiple partitions, that way you can have your Ubuntu OS and other programs on a different partition then all your documents, mp3, movies etc.
Here you can find the Ubuntu documentation on partitioning.
Official Ubuntu install guide and Youtube video can be found here and here.
Cheers and have fun.

 

Thanks, I'll look into it as soon as I finish my exams. Everyone is just so helpful on here.

 

I buy from powernotebooks.com who, like xotic, will build you a custom laptop with the option of ditching windows. Justin from xotic and donald from pnotebooks both participate on these forums...great guys to work with.

Yeah, you can just download an .iso image, burn it to a cd and install your own linux operating system. Ubuntu is a great one to start with.

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Jaunty

 

I definately want Ubuntu Jaunty Jackal. I like the System76 notebooks posted, very easy to customize. I'm totally excited now. So its now either Dell or System76. I'll keep ^link above in mind too.