Try Ubuntu Without Uninstalling Windows

One reason more Windows users are giving Linux a try is Ubuntu. Ubuntu is free and has all the features of Microsoft Windows without all of the problems. Flexibility, detailed online manuals, enhanced resistance to viruses, and a huge community of supporters makes Ubuntu a tough operating system to beat.

That being said, it’s still scary to switch to a new operating system. Here are a few tips to help make your transition into the world of Linux a bit smoother.

• Before trying or switching to Linux do a bit of research. Most Linux distributions have forums and guides for beginners. For example, Ubuntu has very detailed online documentation to help you learn more about Ubuntu and Linux in general.
• Support for DVDs, MP3s and other codecs are not installed by default in Ubuntu and many other Linux distributions. However, it’s easy to add this functionality in Ubuntu by installing “ubuntu-restricted-extras” through the Synaptic package manager. Check out Ubuntu’s restricted format documentation for more information.
• One of the amazing things about Linux is “live” CDs. Put a live CD in your optical drive, reboot your computer, and a fully functional operating system will be running in minutes. When you’re finished simply reboot, remove the CD and you’ll be back in Windows.
• Download the latest version of Ubuntu, burn it on a CD, then boot into the operating system without installing it on your hard drive. If you don’t want to burn a CD, Ubuntu will send you a live CD for free (imagine Microsoft doing that). Create an account, order a CD, and it will be mailed to you in 4-6 weeks.
• Unfortunately, running an operating system from your optical drive will be slower than when installed on your hard drive. Some older computers may not respond well to a live operating system. Check out Ubuntu’s system requirements to make sure your computer can run a live CD.
• After you’ve tried a live CD and learned a bit about Linux, the next step is to partition your hard drive so you can dual boot from either Windows or Linux. While running the Ubuntu live CD, click on the “Install” icon to start the process. Follow the prompts to install Ubuntu on your hard drive.

Give Ubuntu a try

With both Windows and Linux installed on your computer you can play in your new Linux partition and Windows will still be there if you mess something up. Sometimes you break things, but sometimes you learn a really cool trick! The wonderful thing about Linux is it allows computer users to finally break free from their addiction to Microsoft.

About the Author

Kim Linton is a freelance writer who covers a wide variety of topics including Christianity, technology and industry trends. Her work has been featured on major news outlets including The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, and has been published on a variety of niche sites including Woman's Day and Intel.