Moving onto Linux

[Will]

A week ago, I thought about moving onto linux. I was troubled with virus and spyware that somehow got through my updated comodo antivirus and firewall, and adaware and spybot didn't do apsolutely anything. My ISP blocked my account for a day, threatening that they will permanently ban me if I istributed more malware... no comments on that.

Anyway, I know FLAB is a linux user, and so are some others here, and since I'm familiar with you guys, could you answer me some questions.

What distro should I use?
From the looks and comments, I prefer ubuntu, and I'm probably gonna use it, but just for the sake of it...

What desktop enviroment?
GNOME, KDE or something less known...

and lastly, do you have any experiences with the latest ntfs filesystem support?
I have loads of data on my hdd, and I'd want to preserve it. Should I opt for ext filesystem instead? And I could find it anywhere, can ubuntu be installed on a ntfs partition or does it have to be the native linux filesystem?

I plan on dual booting with windows xp, just so I could play a game or two, or use a couple of programs that I need for my school (so 4 aplications in total). I plan keeping it simple and clean, without taking up too much space.

Thanks in advance, an I would be grateful if flab answered some of this

[a-4-year-old]

absolutely dual boot. Ubuntu was really good and it has an assload of support, which for someone new is probably a big plus.

[Sethamundo]

Off the top of my head, I know that FLAB, jrgp, Yes, Smegma, and I are Linux users.  So ask us questions whenever.  Also, I don't have much time to post, so more later.  But I'll say this tip for the minute I have to post; don't stress too much over an environment right now.  Pick one that appeals to you the most, you can switch between whichever ones you want when after you install them.  Also, look around a bit, GNOME and KDE are nice, but there are others as well.  A bit of searching around on Google for a desktop endowment that appeals to you the most can do wonders.  Basically, try whatever you want, you're options are limitless, it's all preference.  More from me later when I have time to get into more detail.

[Psycho]

Why didnt you just use a good antivirus in the first place. Commodo? like what the feck is that.
Anyway, it seems like linux users are happy with their choice, and like Sethamundo says, there are nice people on the forum to help you with it too.

[jrgp]

Here's a few useful tips:

Linux is extremely more secure and safe than windows in terms of viruses. In fact, there have been less than 4 known successful linux viruses, and they were all from a few years back. So you really don't need to worry about that.

Linux almost never needs to be rebooted. Unlike with windows, with the majority of all the programs that you install or update, you never have to reboot. In fact, the only time where it is absolutely necesary to reboot is when the kernel gets upgraded.

Ubuntu cannot be installed to ntfs partitions, but it can read them. When you have it set up to dual boot, ubuntu makes your ntfs partition smaller than creates a partition for it (ext3) and another partition  which is really small, usually only a gig for swap space (uses the hard drive for ram when the normal ram runs out).

Something that confuses the hell out of new Linux users is the Linux file structure. Notice how all versions of Linux don't use drive letters for hard drive partitions. eg, there is no "drive C". It's all organized in one huge tree starting with /. Look here for more info on that. Reading this will make you comfortable with it much more.

I don't have time to think of anything else to tell you atm, but feel free to ask me any questions via soldatforums PM, email, or msn / aim / yim / icq whenever I'm online.

[mar77a]

If you get past the install, then you're all set. Watch out for that partitioning

[a-4-year-old]

Yes, defrag before you partition.

[Smegma]

I'd suggest going to Ubuntu first, especially if you just plan on using it for desktop purposes (mostly what I do). Doesn't mean you can't learn a bit on the way and while you use it, I'd encourage it.

However, Ubuntu has been the easiest for me to adjust/set up. If you want to move on, you can later.

I prefer a Gnome or Enlightenment personally, but once again, I don't probably use any thing to its full potential.

[FliesLikeABrick]

Yes, defrag before you partition.

You don't need to do this with any modern installation tool.  I don't know why the fuck so many people say you still need to do this.

The Ubuntu installer and any other partitioning tool automatically moves all data out of the part of the filesystem being truncated, so no data is ever lost.  You only had to defrag with old techniques of shrinking partitions/filesystems 4-5 years ago.  This is not the case anymore.

I'd say if you're new to Linux, start out with Ubuntu's default GNOME setup.  you can always install KDE or anything else you want as well afterwards, but start out with the default GNOME configuration.

Create a new partition and dual boot.  Don't use any of the "install in windows" options that the new version of ubuntu is going to offer.  I don't know how that works, won't be able to help you with it as much, and don't know if you'll get the full experience.  From what I understand, you would take a huge performance hit by using that.

Use the ubuntu installer to dual boot.  Just go through the installer, read what it says, and you'll end up fine.  Use the new version that is in beta right now, not the last one.  The installer is better.  Either use the beta installer, or wait 2 weeks for it to be released normally.

[Yes]

absolutely dual boot. Ubuntu was really good and it has an assload of support, which for someone new is probably a big plus.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS UBUNTUUUUUUUU and yeah dual boot unless your going to use it for general stuff like me. But if your gonna be play craploads of games dual boot. One hard drive linux, one windows. O' yeah once you get ubuntu, learn more about ubuntu's GUI features and how to enable them. you will love it. Heres something for you to look forward to.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EjQ4Nza34ak

[Will]

Hmm, I seem to be having some problems connecting to the internet, just tried running without the instalation just to checkl out if I can connect, and I can't

[FliesLikeABrick]

Hmm, I seem to be having some problems connecting to the internet, just tried running without the instalation just to checkl out if I can connect, and I can't

Tell us more about how you connect to the Internet now

[Will]

adsl modem (PPPoE, not usb). No router or anything

[FliesLikeABrick]

adsl modem (PPPoE, not usb). No router or anything

So do you have to configure a username/password in Windows to get your DSL working?

Unfortunately this is one of the few things in Linux that I really have never had to touch (configuring authentication for a DSL connection).  If this turns out to be what you need, I'm sure I can dig up some information for you

[Will]

Wow...

I am astounded. The first thing I did was consult the integrated help, chose internet, setting up a connection. I did what it said and guess what, it works! Unlike the lousy windows help you get. Everything works fine, I never have to see the username and password screen again, it's just so nice. I just noticed that some apps tend to load slower, but those are some like add/remove and preferences, administration stuff.
I won't be touching XP anytime soon now...
thanks for all the help I got here people

[Xaero]

Well it helped me too. I'm setting up a second computer and I'd like to use Ubuntu.
Thanks

[Will]

hehe, I figured some people could be convinced to try ubuntu too

[Sethamundo]

Just throwing this out there.  Ubuntu/Kubuntu is excellent, but don't throw out any old low end computers you have.  Putting things like Puppy Linux or Damn Small Linux on them is a fun project and you'll be amazed how they can breathe new life into old machines and make them into fully functional computers again.

[FliesLikeABrick]

Just throwing this out there.  Ubuntu/Kubuntu is excellent, but don't throw out any old low end computers you have.  Putting things like Puppy Linux or Damn Small Linux on them is a fun project and you'll be amazed how they can breathe new life into old machines and make them into fully functional computers again.

This is a thread about beginners to Linux, Puppy/DSL isn't really appropriate here.

[Sethamundo]

Just throwing this out there.  Ubuntu/Kubuntu is excellent, but don't throw out any old low end computers you have.  Putting things like Puppy Linux or Damn Small Linux on them is a fun project and you'll be amazed how they can breathe new life into old machines and make them into fully functional computers again.

This is a thread about beginners to Linux, Puppy/DSL isn't really appropriate here.

Yes yes, of course.  Just a simple suggestion to not throw out old computers though.  When he's experienced enough he can give it a whirl if he chooses.  Until then, don't give up with any frustrations you may have about Ubuntu, that was my first Linux distro and I know that there were some things that frustrated me.  Once you overcome those things, you'll be glad you made the Linux switch.