Windows XP vs. Linux Part 1 - Why Switching is Stupid

I know what you're saying... Yeah. I don't care. Switching from Windows XP (or even Vista) to any version of Linux, Unix, FreeBSD, or anything likewise is moronic. At least as far as I can tell.

This wil hopefully be a great series on introducing you to the pros and cons of Linux. The versions of Linux that I will be referring to are:

Ubuntu (Hardy Heron)

Linux Mint

TinyMe

They are wonderful alternatives to Windows, but you keep hearing that same old tune, "You should switch".

No, you should not switch.





Well what's the big deal then? I'll tell you. If you bought a computer with Windows XP (or Vista) installed and chose to keep it up till now, you've paid for it. It cost you money.
But Windows sucks, right? Well, yeah, it does. You know that and so does everyone else who's ever owned a computer whether they'd like to admit it or not. Is Linux better? In a lot of ways, yes.

Here's the reason you shouldn't switch: Dual Booting

Why dual booting? Face it, Windows ain't perfect. Linux ain't either. Together, however, you can have total harmony, or something like that.


Here's what you do in an extreme nutshell.

Download the LiveCD of either of the three Linux Distros that I have aforementioned. Burn it to CD (use ISORecorder, my favorite ISO burning app). Then take Linux for a long drive. Install programs. Get used to the way things are set up. See how it works on different systems you own. Google resources you might need later. And so on.

Now the fun begins, the install.

It's always best to get exact instructions from somewhere first, HowToForge is a great place (they helped me set up Fedora 7) and follow the instructions as best you can.

Partition your drives, install the OS and everything should run as intended.

Wait! What about Windows? Windows is still there, in fact, after the Linux installation there should be a new screen when you boot up asking what OS you want to boot. This is called GRUB, in case you need to know that.

If Linux is so great, why not just get rid of Windows altogether? Three reasons here.

1. You paid for Windows. There's no sense in just getting rid of something you've spent money on. It didn't "just come" with your computer, you paid extra for it when you bought the machine. Whether you know that or not.

2. There will be software, games, and peripherals (printers, scanners, etc.) that may not work or be available for one OS but will be with another (I'm pointing at you, Vista!). No sense in just throwing things out, which is the subset of this post.

3. If something happens to one OS (and it will), you can use the other to fix the problem. This has come in handy too many times.

Now, I've installed Linux in a dual boot format a generous number of times with no complication whatsoever. That doesn't mean something won't go wrong for you. BE SMART! Back up your stuff to an external hard drive.

Once you boot into your new OS, get to know it. Love it, be spontaneous, and eventually... hate it.