Bored of windows

[Eklipze3k]

Hardly ever play games on my PC nowadays, pretty much just use it for web, e-mail, music and videos.

Vista has now been installed for god knows how long and tbh is starting to get on my tits.

What I'd like is a small, quick and simple Linux distro which is noob friendly and doesn't require a lot of faff, especially when it comes to setting up networks etc as I also need to be able to share files with my bro on XP.

Anyone any suggestions? Recommendations? Preferences? Ones to steer clear of?

 

[mehstg]

Hardly ever play games on my PC nowadays, pretty much just use it for web, e-mail, music and videos.

Vista has now been installed for god knows how long and tbh is starting to get on my tits.

What I'd like is a small, quick and simple Linux distro which is noob friendly and doesn't require a lot of faff, especially when it comes to setting up networks etc as I also need to be able to share files with my bro on XP.

Anyone any suggestions? Recommendations? Preferences? Ones to steer clear of?

I have found Ubuntu to be the most polished of the Linux distros. Will easily do everything you wanted there

 

[Eklipze3k]

I have found Ubuntu to be the most polished of the Linux distros. Will easily do everything you wanted there

I assume it's free, I forgot to mention that little detail

 

[udtrev]

I assume it's free, I forgot to mention that little detail

Yep

Here you go - http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

Or wait a few weeks and order the free CD


Trev

 

[Eklipze3k]

Thanks chaps

 

[Eklipze3k]

While that's downloading, is there any software - like Trillian - that will allow me to use MSN/AIM/Yahoo etc?

 

[udtrev]

While that's downloading, is there any software - like Trillian - that will allow me to use MSN/AIM/Yahoo etc?

Yep, there pidgin (also available for widows) for one, there's also Gaim.


Trev

 

[colin79666]

While that's downloading, is there any software - like Trillian - that will allow me to use MSN/AIM/Yahoo etc?

yup and its built in as standard as part of the distro, as is firefox and a good itunes stylee program

 

[Ucof]

ubuntu is awesome.

Good choice.

I have XP Pro and Ubuntu dual booting on both my laptop and my desktop.

Make sure any files you need are backed up just in case it goes tits up.

 

[Hellcat]

My motherboard has a built in USB stick allowing boot into Expressgate - A tiny linux distro with firefox, pigin a video/photo viewer and skype. Boots in about 8 seconds.

http://www.liliputing.com/2008/10/how-to-install-expressgate-instant-on-software-on-a-usb-stick.html

 

[Eklipze3k]

My motherboard has a built in USB stick allowing boot into Expressgate - A tiny linux distro with firefox, pigin a video/photo viewer and skype. Boots in about 8 seconds.

http://www.liliputing.com/2008/10/how-to-install-expressgate-instant-on-software-on-a-usb-stick.html

Now that's what I'm talking about! lol

 

[herpsuk]

Now that's what I'm talking about! lol

I also have ubuntu on a pen drive, get your self a large i.e. 8gb drive, install it on it with the ability to save settings and files and so on and its an awesome tool

 

[smokeyjoe03]

Dual boot is great, I have ubuntu on my machines too, and our uni runs ubuntu and xp.

so powerful and probably TEH best distro out there for Windows Experienced users.

I agree that pidgin and the other programs included are awsome, GIMP being my favourite, basically a free version of photoshop. But its the ability to add and remove programs that I find the best.

Just searching through a list of programs, checking a box and clicking "GO" is so much easier than any windows installation ever