G
Gene E. Bloch
To add some info: VMware Player is the free version; the current
version can create virtual machines (a fact I learned on this NG,
IIRC), as well as run pre-existing ones.
<SNIP>
version can create virtual machines (a fact I learned on this NG,
IIRC), as well as run pre-existing ones.
<SNIP>
P
Pulse
If you install a Linux distro onto the same harddrive as your Windows, in
all likelihood the Linux install routine will overwrite your MBR & your
ntldr or screw your bootmgr with the Grub bootloader. In other words, it
will screw up your Windows in as much as if you ever want to revert, you
will have to repair your Windows installation with the repair tools on the
Windows DVD. There is a workaround but it calls for Windows XP and a utility
named bootpart, but ...
Quite frankly, I would leave well enough alone and either 1. forget Linux or
2. run it in a virtual machine or 3. swap out the harddrive for another and
install Linux on this other harddrive. Should you want to return to Windows
just swap back in the Windows harddrive. There's also a linux CD you can
use to try Linux - you run linux off the CD - so you don't have to install
anything to your harddrives. Be careful not to run any linux utility that
will screw up your NTFS formatted harddrive partitions.
What you will find with Linux:
A few programs that work "OK" but have the look and feel of stuff from the
late 90's or year 2000.
An "OK" desktop and taskbar, somewhat customizable (and maybe even tricked
out with an effect) but sort of outdated anyway with a late 90's look and
feel.
Gigabytes of software, all very difficult to access or even discover, all of
alpha grade quality with incomplete menus and spotty performance (if they
even work at all) - and all of questionable security status.
There are thousands of inconsistent config files placed everywhere on the
system. Often manually editing these files is the only way to change many
system configuration settings. Quagmire.
Incompatibility with, well, just about everything.
An outdated difficult inconsistent command-shell system that you absolutely
must learn to work with the operating system if you want to do more than
surf the web. Honestly, you'd be better of spending your time learning the
Windows Cmd command-line or even better, how to learning how to work with
the Windows Powershell command-line. Then at least you'd be working with
stuff from this century.
In the end you will conclude that Linux is only passable as a backroom file
server or website server, but even then it's well surpassed by Windows
Server 2008 / 2008 R2. If you are working in an environment of politically
correct types with their tortuous opinions on everything - such as in a
university setting - you might consider linux to get along with these snooty
uptight self fawning divas sometimes mistaken for men. Be prepared for when
they demand that you say you think female bosses are great. Well, at least
linux is not all bad there because when these erudites are coming on to you
at least you can distract them with some config file complexity and save
your sorry ar^se. Suchly is life while enjoying all the difficulties of the
arcane outmoded convoluted pile of sh*tbits called a linux distro.
Have a nice week, Mr. Hatch.
all likelihood the Linux install routine will overwrite your MBR & your
ntldr or screw your bootmgr with the Grub bootloader. In other words, it
will screw up your Windows in as much as if you ever want to revert, you
will have to repair your Windows installation with the repair tools on the
Windows DVD. There is a workaround but it calls for Windows XP and a utility
named bootpart, but ...
Quite frankly, I would leave well enough alone and either 1. forget Linux or
2. run it in a virtual machine or 3. swap out the harddrive for another and
install Linux on this other harddrive. Should you want to return to Windows
just swap back in the Windows harddrive. There's also a linux CD you can
use to try Linux - you run linux off the CD - so you don't have to install
anything to your harddrives. Be careful not to run any linux utility that
will screw up your NTFS formatted harddrive partitions.
What you will find with Linux:
A few programs that work "OK" but have the look and feel of stuff from the
late 90's or year 2000.
An "OK" desktop and taskbar, somewhat customizable (and maybe even tricked
out with an effect) but sort of outdated anyway with a late 90's look and
feel.
Gigabytes of software, all very difficult to access or even discover, all of
alpha grade quality with incomplete menus and spotty performance (if they
even work at all) - and all of questionable security status.
There are thousands of inconsistent config files placed everywhere on the
system. Often manually editing these files is the only way to change many
system configuration settings. Quagmire.
Incompatibility with, well, just about everything.
An outdated difficult inconsistent command-shell system that you absolutely
must learn to work with the operating system if you want to do more than
surf the web. Honestly, you'd be better of spending your time learning the
Windows Cmd command-line or even better, how to learning how to work with
the Windows Powershell command-line. Then at least you'd be working with
stuff from this century.
In the end you will conclude that Linux is only passable as a backroom file
server or website server, but even then it's well surpassed by Windows
Server 2008 / 2008 R2. If you are working in an environment of politically
correct types with their tortuous opinions on everything - such as in a
university setting - you might consider linux to get along with these snooty
uptight self fawning divas sometimes mistaken for men. Be prepared for when
they demand that you say you think female bosses are great. Well, at least
linux is not all bad there because when these erudites are coming on to you
at least you can distract them with some config file complexity and save
your sorry ar^se. Suchly is life while enjoying all the difficulties of the
arcane outmoded convoluted pile of sh*tbits called a linux distro.
Have a nice week, Mr. Hatch.
E
Eric Allen
or have a second machine. that's what I do to keep my Win7 from gettingPulse said:
pooched.
P
Pulse
And you can be pretty certain linux will pooch it. Linux's Grub is nasty and
sometimes takes a zero fill to be rid of it.
sometimes takes a zero fill to be rid of it.
E
Eric Allen
Pulse said:And you can be pretty certain linux will pooch it. Linux's Grub is nasty
and sometimes takes a zero fill to be rid of it.
I learned the *HARD* way my first try.Eric Allen said:So I have my Win7 machine, a
WinXP machine, and a DOS7 machine.
J
Jan Alter
Just wanted to thank you Andrew and others for your suggestion to useAndrew said:
vmware. It's quite an amazing piece of software and free. Easy to install
along with the vmware tools, and it allowed me to install both Ubuntu 8.04
and XP Prof on a Win 7 laptop with ease. What's more important is that it
avoids creating additional partitions, no need for a boot menu, and allows
me to try other programs without messing up the Win 7 partition, and
treating each virtual machine as a single file. Amazing!
Z
Zootal
If you like vmware, you will love virtual box. I used vmware for a while,
but kept bumping into annoying limitations. I abandoned VirtualPC in
disgust. Found VirtualBox, and have used it and loved it since.
http://www.virtualbox.org/
B
Bob Hatch
Well, I've messed around with ubuntu and kubuntu. I tried them in WVM
and Sun. My assessment after a few hours of experimentation is pretty
much in agreement with yours. To put it into fewer words I would say
it's junk. :-(
--
"Never argue with an idiot, they will knock you
down to their level and beat you with experience."
Unknown
http://www.bobhatch.com
http://www.tdsrvresort.com
J
Jan Alter
Thanks. I'll give it a try as well.Zootal said: