Dual boot Linux

[docwebster]

So what I'm looking for here is two things - a Linux distro good for we poor schlubs whose acquaintance with Linux is nodding at best, and a kind of Dual Booting For The Compleat Idiot so I can dual boot with XP.

Comments

[midnightmadness.livejournal.com]

Look around distrowatch.com , check out the different distros and sites. There are links to all of the free download locations as well.

My personal favorite is the Mepis Distro. Maybe because it's the closest the the Windows feel for me. I like Ubuntu as well - it's definitely the most masses friendly distro and the one that's most likely to be recommended to you often. Both Mepis and Ubuntu will allow themselves to be run as a "live" CD first for you to try them out and see if you live before you commit to a HD install, and they will also install to a dual boot system if you like. I also use SUSE for server work, but SUSE is not really a beginners distro, even at the desktop level.

Do be a slight bit careful though if you're installing on a comp that has XP on it. Linux doesn't play completely well with the NFTS files system on XP/Vista, and while it usually isn't a problem to install a dual boot on an already existing comp, some people have reported toasting some of all of their Windows install. I'd back up anything you want to keep for sure first.

Also a caveat too, there isn't a completely Windows like Linux distro just yet. There are going to be some things you'll have to learn Linux wise in the long run (plus when you figure out the power and versatility of the Linux system, you'll like WANT to learn to play). You probably won't be doing your own build anytime soon, but you'll probably want to dive into some of the meatier stuff in the long run.