Thinking of installing Linux

[7llusion]

I have had Vista(30 days essay) for quite a while, and even if I know that I can crack Vista to be able to use it forever,
I'm thinking of using Linux instead, everybody thinks its so wonderful.
So this is what I want to know,
What distribution should I use and, will my hardware have drivers for linux.
I have:
-A dualcore computer for x86 and x64(only tried a Vista beta x64 to see if x64 was supported, installation failed) Intel Pentium D
-A 3com 3CRWE254G72 wireless adapter(usb) >> Linux driver?
-A Sony DVD writer.
So with a suitable Linux distribution, will I be able to:
-surf the internet
-download torrents with utorrent(WINE?)
-use my microsd card reader
-burn .iso wii backups
-Play games
Can all of you point me out for all of these things

Illusion
Edit:Will I be able to use photoshop or any other powerful image prog?

 

[Azimuth]

-dual core x86 and 64 will work
-wireless might be a problem, google search to see if theres a native driver, if not you can use the windows driver + ndiswrapper.
-External card reader will work
-Burning wii games is just as easy as on windows
-Ktorrent = utorrent + more awesomeness
-For games you either get native linux games(very few, Darwinia is great though) or use wine, search on their webpage on the apps list for the particular games you have.
-GIMP is a photoshop alternative that supports lots of plugins and scripts

 

[7llusion]

What distribution do you think is the best or will any of these ones work:
-ubuntu
-fedora
-opensuse
-mandrive
-redhat
-pionneer
Illusion

 

[Azimuth]

As always, i would advise you to get ubuntu, the new version Feisty Fawn is coming out in a month or two, so i suggest you wait a while, if you cant just get edgy.

 

[Sinkhead]

I like Fedora but if you're a beginner I would recommend Ubuntu.

- Sam

 

[dtjesus]

Yep, Ubuntu too.

 

[moshii]

What distribution do you think is the best or will any of these ones work:
-ubuntu
-fedora
-opensuse
-mandrive
-redhat
-pionneer
Illusion

Use Debian, all the rest are gay. That said all the free UNIX clones are basically the same once you have them installed.. you just have to find a comfort zone. I prefer NetBSD over anything Linux based but hardware support is a problem.

 

[fischju_original]

you cant just jump into linux like that, I suggest you dual boot vista and ubuntu

 

[Strider]

I encourage you to try Debian or Ubuntu (which is also based on Debian) while Ubuntu is easier for total Linux newbies.

Besides the (Windows?) games I see nothing which should pose much of a problem, and why would you use utorrent when there are so many cross-platform filesharing applications.

I also recommend dual-booting first to get everything going. Tell us how you're doing!

 

[mthrnite]

I just installed Xubuntu in an old PII laptop last night. Painless except for one easily fixed hiccup.
I haven't messed with Linux in a while, but I have to say, I'm impressed. I may have a hard sell convincing the lady I'm fixing the laptop for, she wanted XP, but it was way too slow on this ancient machine. Linux has certainly come a long way in ease of use. I just may set up a machine for myself. I've got a lot of old hardware lying around.

I'm having a lot of fun in The Gimp too! lol

 

[Azimuth]

yup dual booting is essential, ohh and debian=broken repos
arch for life

 

[7llusion]

Since I can't use Vista at all, I can't see the use of dual booting, I'll leave Vista, and if I find the drivers etc... for unbuntu, I'll uninstall vista.
Illusion
PS:Should I get this:
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

 

[Azimuth]

yup 6.10 standard, you should re-consider the dual boot thing, install xp then install linux dual boot

 

[moshii]

debian=broken repos

Broken, how? I work on this policy "If you have an opinion you have an explanation for it".

The only problem I have with Debian at the moment is the dunktank crap. Debian is not Ubuntu, we actually have morals. The sooner Anthony Towns is ousted the better.

 

[Azimuth]

debian=broken repos



Broken, how? I work on this policy "If you have an opinion you have an explanation for it".

The only problem I have with Debian at the moment is the dunktank crap. Debian is not Ubuntu, we actually have morals. The sooner Anthony Towns is ousted the better.

chill out, i was just kidding.
As for debian, its way better than most distros out there, but sometimes the package management can get out of hand, especially if your on the bleeding edge.
debian = configurable
Ubuntu = umm, hmm, mediocre but easy linux distro?

 

[moshii]

chill out, i was just kidding.

Wasn't going for you man, I was going to file an RC bug for you.

In the freesoftware world if you have a problem you have to report it through the right channels otherwise it will *never* get fixed. reportbug is included in Debian for this exact reason.

Ubuntu isn't bad itself except that Mark Shuttleworth is a donkey, why create a fork of Debian when he could have just worked within Debian?
Sigh.

 

[skullstatue]

Ubuntu is very good for people new to Linux, but as you move up you should get something like SUSE 11 or Redhat. I feel like Ubuntu is very minimal and clean, whereas SUSE is extremely feature rich and complex (don't forget pain in the ass, but it gets better as you get better). So for a first timer try Slackware or Ubuntu, but once you start getting better give Redhat or SUSE a try.......

 

[Azimuth]

slackware is pretty hard to install, no GUI, add to that the pain in the ass package management and you have a pretty un-newbie friendly distro. I agree about moving on though, start on ubuntu then move to something different, just to experience the vastness that is linux(or OSS)

@Moshil, your absolutely right, Shuttleworth is an egomaniac f**ck face, i mean paying 20 million to go to space means you have some serious issues. He has done some good, Ubuntu has attracted a lot of media attention to linux, he has also contributed millions to FOSS which is never a bad thing. Criticizing linux is what makes it great, theres always something to improve. So if someone insults a distro dont take it as an insult take it as a challenge.

And why do all these FOSS guys look like freaks, anthony town + shuttleworth = abomination of God

 

[moshii]

And why do all these FOSS guys look like freaks, anthony town + shuttleworth = abomination of God

Eric Raymond is the real freak. Fruitcake to the max.

 

[Azimuth]

And why do all these FOSS guys look like freaks, anthony town + shuttleworth = abomination of God

Eric Raymond is the real freak. Fruitcake to the max.

ohh my god! im blind!

we have totally hijacked this thread

eric raymond is a complete bigot, his hate towards gays, blacks and other cultures is a disgrace to the open source world