I want to migrate to Linux, Susi, Mandrake or Red Hot. I'm tired of
Windows lockups, error messages, crashes, etc. etc. Inspite of Norton
Systems Works  extensive use, every Winter or so I have to do a clean
intall of Win98 to remove all the OS decay.
I use my PC for email, Browsing the Internet(broadband cable modem).
My daughter uses for Schoolwork w/ MS Word, Internet, and
downloads/creates CD's from mp3's
and emails too.
My computer is a Dell Dimension XPS T800, 384MB, 30GBHD, CD-RW, ZIP
Drive, ect. etc.
Can I do the samethings with a Linux OS or do I need a dual boot
system?
I heard Linux does not need powerful systems as Windows does? 
Does Linux perfoms well in a high end system? If a
second computer is in other, should I it buy it in a kit , build it
myself or have it Linux ready/configured from a PC company?
They tell me $1200.00 should be more that enough. 

Thanks:

TEVA

Hello,

Thanks for your question, Teva.  Your system is more than adaquete to
run any distribution of the Linux software, including the ones you
mentioned.  Linux can do all of the things you mentioned, and much
more.  It is a full featured operating system comparable to the
Windows OS's in virtually every way.  However, though there have been
many inroads in the past few years to make it very user friendly, it
is not for the faint of heart.  The inner workings of it are
different, and require for the most part at least an intermediate
understanding of computers.  Thankfully, most distributions, like the
ones you mentioned, have extensive end user support to get you through
any issue you may encounter.  Problems you may encounter are mostly
support for the hardware and software that you use.  Most commercial
software is written for the Windows platform, so, for instance,
applications like MS Word and other Microsoft Office software may not
work on your Linux distribution.  As a side note to your question, I
feel I should mention that WindowsXP is a dramatic improvement over
all previous Windows versions.  In my personal experience, I have been
using WindowsXP for about 6 months now without a single crash. 
Another advantage to WindowsXP is that you can leave it running for
days without any performance degredation.  I am what you would call a
power user, and I have really put this machine through the paces, so I
can really say that I am wholly satisified with it.

I think your best bet would be to buy a kit from any one of the
companies you mentioned, and install into a dual boot configuration. 
This way, if you find you do not like it, you will still have Windows
to fall back unto.  It would be difficult to provide the specifics of
this without any context, so I would recommend you call Suse,
Mandrake, and Red Hat and talk to their Customer Service departments
to get started.  Here are some links:

Mandrake
http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/

Red Hat
http://www.redhat.com/software/linux/personal/

Suse
http://www.suse.com/us/private/products/suse_linux/index.html

I have heard that Suse is one of the most user friendly distributions,
so you might want to try that first.  I hope this helps.

watershed-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by watershed-ga on 04 Mar 2003 20:59 PST

To finish this off, I will mention that www.linuxhelp.net is a good
source of information about all things Linux.  You will find that
members of the Linux community are very knowledgable and helpful. 
Good luck!

Search Term Used:  Linux
Search Method:  www.google.com

watershed-ga

---

Request for Answer Clarification by teva-ga on 05 Mar 2003 08:33 PST

watershed-ga

Sounds like a answer in favor of Wind0000ws, not what I was hopping
for. How/Hwo  is chosen to anwser a question?
If my system is more than adequate, shouldn't be easier/less costly to
set it up into a dual boot system, to see what is all about first, see
if I like?

TEVA

---

Clarification of Answer by watershed-ga on 05 Mar 2003 13:18 PST

I wouldn't say my answer is in favor of Windows.  It's just that I
realize the unique challenges that Linux can offer, especially to
someone who has never used it before.  Going the WindowsXP route is
recommended for anyone who just wants everything to "work" with as
little hassle as possible.  However, part of the allure of Linux is
the ability to customize it in almost any way imaginable.  Far more
than you could ever customize a Windows platform.  Of course, with
more choices, comes more responsibility for managing the system, which
is not always such an easy thing, no matter how user friendly it is. 
Linux is not a magic bullet solution;  far from it.  If you want to
learn more about computers and ultimately have more control, choose
Linux.  If you just want to use your computer for the things you
listed above, I think WindowsXP would be a better solution for you.  
To address your question, installing into a dual boot configuration on
that system is actually what I recommended in my answer, so I am not
sure what you're asking.  It would definitely be easier and less
costly to go that route.  I hope this helps.

watershed-ga

I still believe watershed-ga's anwser was Window's bias.
TEVA

watershed provides a good answer, I just wanted to throw my two cents
in. As was said, Linux (or any other OS in that family) can definitely
do anything Windows can. Sometimes, though, you'll rely on an open
source program, not a commercial product, to get it done; this is part
of the appeal for many, although some feel less confident about the
quality or even safety of such programs. One example is AbiWord ([
http://librenix.com/?inode=747 ]), a free open-source MS Word-like
program available for Linux.

Here's a reference that may help you through out the whole process of
installing Linux:

[ http://en.tldp.org/HOWTO/Installation-HOWTO/ ]

jdog-ga:

Thanks for the links, are very usefull

TEVA

As "romantic" the idea of getting away from a Microsoft
operating system might seem, I (as a user of Linux for
over 5 years, etc.) don't think you really want to go
the Linux route.

Even though you can get lots done in it, it just isn't
Windows.  I would strongly suggest you check out the far
more stable Windows XP.  Your computer should handle it
with no problem and you (and especially your child) will
appreciate the far larger software base and support for
XP versus Linux.

At least go the dual boot route at first, to allow some
time to check out Linux fully.

denco-ga:

thank you for the dual boot suggestion. 

TEVA