Okay so maybe Im cheating but Im using UBUNTU live cd but this is the first time my pc wand linux just...works. Though i guess that the point of a live cd took a LONG time to boot up but im impressed I think i could easily switch to this from windows. Its surprisingly easy to use (compared to my past Linux experiences). Going to have a poke around Ill inform you all about it later. EDIT: Woah my drives are mounted is that a live cd thing or what?
Nics tried to switch before but couldn't do it. I have never have had to mount my drives before, Mandriva/DSL/Vector have all done it auto. Even if it wasn't its easy to mount. My 25 ubuntu cds should have come today, but i was out walking the pennines and need to collect it.
Ubuntu is really good! Kubuntu even better (KDE :swear: rocks!!!) But I have to say that Mandriva makes moving from windows a lot easier. Many things are automated which make life a bit easier. If you cannot be bothered to get the DVD image, there is a 3 CD set.
In my experience (there isn't much of it ), most hard drives, CD-ROMs and floppies mount automatically. The only issues i've had is trying to mount USB pen drives A distro like SuSE will auto-mount them, but others such as VectorLinux will not. And bugger me if I know how to do it I made a full switch to Linux only at the start of this week. I haven't looked back since
Nic I really don't think you can manage without the tools you have in windows. I'd be willing to make a bet, good if you do but I doubt it. I know you, and yo'll probably end up installing windows on a small partition so you can use "dvd copying tools" etc...
[ot] I think the way to manipulate USB devices mounting is to open /etc/fstab as root while the USB device is connected. That is if the USB device has been recognised and is present in fstab. But what you actualy put in there is something I have not got a clue about. It is actulay a new thread I will soon post. I am still having problem working with my MP3 player and Mandriva.... [/ot]
On this PC that I use theres no way at this moment in time I could switch. I have too many files that just won't work in Linux. I said I could switch...and I could easily...and be impressed but before a full switch Id have to look into an alternative for all the files I depend on. Think Ill get a new box and put a distro on that see how I survive without certain programs and see what im deffinately going to have an alternative to. Instead of having a full switch immediately.
You sound nearlly appologetic and it is a shame as switching OS's should really be something you want or need not 'forced' to do. If you are happy with Windows, stick with it. On the other hand your approach is logical, try first then make your mind up...
Are you sure about that? There a plenty of Windows programs that have equivalents in Linux. Amorak - mp3, ogg, wav, ra, wma.... Kaffiene - mpeg, mpg, wmv, avi, mov.... Open Office - Doc & all popular office program documents.... K3B - ISO etc.... Ark - RAR, Zip, Ace, 7zip....
Its soemthing Ive wanted to do for a long time. For the learning curve rather than the actual security benefits or whatever. As for the files I have softaware for my camcorder, video editors and absolutely tons of random small programs.
I heard blaster was famous for its ruthless efficiency so I got a copy from a friend running windows. But for some reason even after using wine it still didn't work. The main programs like media players, office tools, download programs like BT or Limewire are available in Linux. But its the things that really aren't important and pretty much a useless widget that you often can't find alternatives for. E.g. camtasia
Camtasia is hardly a program Im bothered about keeping. yeh its cool to show people exactly how to do things but deffinately not on my essentials list.
