Linux?

Fedora is a Linux that comes with the GRUB bootloader (a multi bootloader that is the first software that runs when you start your computer) and you first install Windows on half the hard drive, or another hard drive (this option is best; it's much easier, and installing Fedora becomes much easier too) and before Fedora even starts installing itself, it will ask what order the bootloader should take up (and what the names of the OS's are). Also, you can try a LiveCD if you still are a little afraid of doing something wrong.

Fedora can be found at: http://fedoraproject.org/

The Fedora community is found at http://fedoraforums.org 

Firefox is pre-installed with Fedora, so no worries there :D (So is Thunderbird, if you like that too.)

 Another option is to get PortableApps found at http://portableapps.com and install WINE on Fedora. With portableapps, you can install programs on to a jump drive, and carry it between computers, or OS's.

Lastly, if you like to switch from Windows to Linux or have information on your computer that is still needed, you can run an emulator with Linux to just try it out, or get whoever else that uses your computer accustomed to it, then all agree to switch to Linux (Fedora and Ubuntu are pretty user friendly.)

 

I would try Ubuntu 7.04 as your first distro. Yes there is always a chance when partitioning your disk that something will go wrong but that chance has been getting smaller and smaller as Linux becomes more advanced.

I believe Ubuntu is the best distro simply because the official community is so amazing, www.ubuntuforums.org is just excelent, without them I would probably still be using Windows today, but now I've switched full time to Linux and OS X. Also, personally I dislike OpenSuse because the package manager is just so slow it's unbelievable. 

If you notice this notice then you will notice that this notice is not worth noticing.

Your case sounds perfect for trying Wubi, an Ubuntu installer that integrates well with Windows:

http://wubi-installer.org/

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Wubi is an unofficial Ubuntu installer for Windows users that will bring you into the Linux world with a single click. Wubi allows you to install and uninstall Ubuntu as any other application. If you heard about Linux and Ubuntu, if you wanted to try them but you were afraid, this is for you.

* Wubi is Safe

It does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader.

* Wubi is Simple

Just run the installer, no need to burn a CD.

* Wubi is Discrete

Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and If you do not like, you can simply uninstall it.

* Wubi is Free

Wubi (like Ubuntu) is free as in beer and as in freedom. You will get this part later on, the important thing now is that it cost absolutely nothing, it is our gift to you...
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I've not used Wubi myself (I fully transitioned to Ubuntu before it became available), but I've read good things about it and in retrospect, if it had been available I probably would have been using it instead of dual-booting.

See also http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=234

BTW, your interest in Linux after using Firefox mirrors my history; I started using FF at 0.8 (mid-2004), tried Ubuntu at 4.10 (early-2005), dual-booted for a while and finally dumped Windows outright a year ago. I can't say I miss it in the least :)

I don't suggest Ubuntu.  It erased my friends harddisk once.  Plus, why should the user have to defrag their disk.  The installer should do it for them.

Use openSuSE.  It automatically detects windows partitions, resizes them and is extremely easy to install.  It's designed by Novell, and it's made for people not experienced with Linux.  However if you think you need support, it's best to buy SuSE, instead of downloading openSuSE, as SuSE comes with 24/7 support, and openSuSE is only community support.

 P.S.  When installing openSuSE, edit the package selection, and remove "Enterprise Package Management".  It's been found that this can cause slowdown, and there's no use for it in openSuSE.

Yes it is easy... but why the need for two os's... well i don have much of a experience in dual os's but as my little experience tells me it is not preferable to use two os's at the same time... bcoz it might hinder with each other perfomances.... thats what i think....

as for your ques is concerned it is easy n user frielndly but i recommend you windows+firefox... n if u can get a macintosh+firefox it will really be good... i don know about linux  

rohit kaveeshwar

Setting up a dual booting Windows/Linux computer is really strait forward. If you would like to see how to go it with SuSE Linux see here. Good luck.

Kim Harding

Ecologist and Web developer?

http://kimharding.net/blog/

First view Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty in action

Download Ubuntu Desktop iso from:
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

and make a CD from the iso downloaded image.

Check and defrag your Windows partition.
Make sure to have more 5giga of free space on  Windows partitition...

Boot from Ubuntu cd:

1) - From main menu start:
System->Administration-> GNOME Partition Editor
and use it to  resize the Win partition, make free space for ext3 filesystem of Ubuntu (5 giga are enought).
(gparted with Win-ntfs partition 30giga + Ubuntu ext3  partition 45 Giga + Swap 635Mb. on a 80 giga hard-disk)

2) -  Once Win partition is resized, click on install desktop icon: when requested from install process  answer to use all free space and you are ok.

Be patient during install, sometimes all seems freezed...

After reboot you have a dual Sytem PC Linux+Win and you can access from Ubuntu to the Win partition

Enjoy...

elart.it Install Ubuntu Gnu Linux on the same Windows pc (italian little howto)

Yes, it is possible to use dualboot system between Windows/Linux. And yes it is possible to uninstall it. I suggest that you try Ubuntu, because it has a very good community and help section to get you started.

If you are new to Linux, read this first:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwitchingToUbuntu/FromWindows

You might want to try the Live-CD first, as it gives you an alternative to test Linux, without installing anything on your computer. It is about 100-1000 times slower than hard driver version, and you can't upgrade or install software. But you can have a look at it. Live-CD is also good to have if you encounter problems, as you gives you easy access to Internet, if your hard drive doesn't work.

Here's something about dual boot:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsDualBoot

Ask more info and/or better installation instruction from the Ubuntu-forums:
http://ubuntuforums.org/

The worst thing you can do is not to ask help. Linux is very easy to use, but it requires new way of thinking. So without asking for help, you will probably end up wasting days wondering solutions to your problems.

Oh, and as much as like Linux and helping you with this subject. Please use the ubuntuforums if you have any further questions. This site is for Firefox marketing only.