\n\tThis is leads to a second point about Linux. You don't just go to the Linux website and download a copy of 'Linux'. Lots of different versions of Linux are available – these are known as 'distributions' or 'distros.' These can be downloaded and installed for various internet sites. I chose to use Ubuntu<\/a> as that seemed to be the distribution of choice for the Linux virgin. Other distros include Debian<\/a> and Mint<\/a>. Magazines such as Linux Format<\/a> often come with a disk with a particular distribution on.\n<\/p>\n \n\tI'll tell you how it did it as I'm sure that there are other, possibly better or more expert ways. I had my two PCs next to each other. I got on my new PC (pretty high spec) running Windows 8.1 and I went to the ubuntu website and burned a copy of Ubuntu 14.04 onto a blank DVD<\/a> (it has to be a DVD, it won't fit on a CD). I made sure everything that was on my old PC has been transferred to the new PC (a process beyond the scope of this blog post). I put the Ubuntu DVD into the DVD drive of the old PC and followed the instructions. I opted to allow the installation to delete my Windows 7 installation though it appears you can run Ubuntu alongside Windows 7 without major problems (but alongside Windows 8 is another matter apparently).\n<\/p>\n \n\tI won't go through the installation process in detail, but it was pretty straightforward.\n<\/p>\n \n\t \n\tThe Ubuntu distro comes with some software pre-installed. This includes the Office suite LibreOffice (which can also run on Windows as a free alternative to MS Office) and the familiar browser Mozilla Firefox. It also comes with software to play CDs and DVDs.\n<\/p>\n \n\tNot all software is available for Linux, at least not officially. My eldest son is something of a Minecraft enthusiast, and although apparently possible to run Minecraft on Linux I have yet to get it working. Most familiar Windows software has its Linux 'equivalents' though they may not look exactly the same. Programs like Skype have Linux versions.\n<\/p>\n \n\tInstalling software (including updates) is the thing that is most different and I'll save the details for another post (though there's plenty of information online).\n<\/p>\n \n\t \n<\/p>\n \n\tApart from the learning curve I wish I could say there were not problems. However, I did experience problems with the system crashing. This was solved by installing the GNOME desktop. Basically, from what I understand, some old graphics cards cannot cope with the latest versions of the Ubuntu desktop. I don't know the spec of my old PC graphics card, but it was second hand and only cost me £10. It coped with running Windows 7, but Ubuntu 14.04 was too much for it.\n<\/p>\n \n\tI don't like Windows 8 at all. It's not as bad as Vista and had it not been for Windows 7 I might have tried Linux a few years back. However, Windows is too familiar to give up and I'm yet to feel confident enough to rely on Linux for everything. I use software such as Minitab and Nvivio which I don't believe work in Linux. There is however WINE<\/a> (which stands for WINE is not an emulator) which can be used for running Windows software though I've yet to try it.\n<\/p>\n \n\t* Steep learning curve, especially the command line\n<\/p>\n \n\t* Some software difficult (or impossible) to run.\n<\/p>\n \n\t* Above mentioned problem with my graphics card.\n<\/p>\n \n\t* Fast. It runs as quickly on my old 4GB of RAM PC as Windows 8.1 on my new 16GB PC.\n<\/p>\n \n\t* Free. Nothing to lose if it I can't get on with it.\n<\/p>\n \n\t* Ubuntu comes with Libre Office, Firefox and some other software pre-installed so you can get going straight away.\n<\/p>\n \n\t* So far I have solved most of my problems by looking online e.g.on the Ubuntu website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n Introduction I'd be meaning to give Linux a try for the past couple of years. I recently bought a new PC installed with Windows 8.1, so decided to give Linux a try on the old PC. This post documents my experience for the Linux-curious than giving actual instructions on how to get started. It is … Continue reading First experiences of a Linux (Ubuntu) virgin<\/span> \n\tHow do I install it?
\n<\/h2>\n\n\tIs it basically free Windows?
\n<\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/johncanning.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Screenshot-from-2015-04-06-205404-300x240.png\" "\\"\\"")
\n\t
![\"The](\"http:\/\/johncanning.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Screenshot-from-2015-04-06-221246-300x201.png\" "\\"\\"")
\n<\/h2>\n\n\tWhat about software?
\n<\/h2>\n\n\tWhere their any teething problems?
\n<\/h2>\n\n\tWill I be giving up Windows 8.1?
\n<\/h2>\n\n\tDownsides to Linux Ubuntu
\n<\/h3>\n\n\tUpsides
\n<\/h3>\n\n
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