Main OS Ubuntu 9.10
Windows7 in VirtualBox, on an extra partition and at work.
I love Ubuntu, very userfriendly and fast after set up properly.
For some things you need a Windows and I think Win7 is really accaptable.
(and I dont like MacOS because I dont like Apple, they are doing everythin wrong what Microsoft did in the past)
For any Linux noobs interested in giving it a serious look, I would recommend running Wubi if you're a Windows user. It is a Windows program. You run it from Windows & it sets you up to dual-boot to Ubuntu. You can even uninstall it from Windows if you don't like it. Very cool!
If you want to try other versions of Linux (distros), you can create Live CDs. But my favorite method is to use the free VMWare Player. There are lots of free "appliances" for it where you get just download a file, open it in VMWare Player, and just as easy as that you're running Linux as a virtual machine within Windows (or whatever).
If anyone is seriously considering migrating to Linux from Windows, I recommend that you start by switching to apps that run not just under Windows but under Windows and Linux both. For example, Firefox for browsing not IE, OpenOffice.org for office stuff (or Google Docs or AbiWord & Gnumeric) not MS Office, etc. Then, when you run Linux, instead of saying "Wha? Where are my apps?", you'll feel much more at home.
Also, note that some Windows programs can be run within Linux using Wine. I think that's how Google created its Linux version of Picasa.
There are also lots of "Windows to Linux" migration resources on the web, like the "Going Linux" site / podcast.
Meant to add that this summer I want to make my own linux desktop and learn each piece. Its my understanding that the kernel can be built with different "modules". So I'm going to look into learning what modules there are, what they do, and build my own kernel. Installing JUST a kernel gives you a terminal, right? Cuz I want to start barebones and install an XServer, then play around with different window managers and choose which one I like and basically build it from the ground up. I'm sure my disdain for linux will only be increased but I want to try this.
For people in your situation, I have heard Gentoo recommended most frequently.
W7 Ultimate x64 on the desktop and W7 Ultimate x86 on the lappie, cos the poor little chip can only process 32bit info.... Maybe ketchup would help - you know, grease those 64bit chunks up so they could pass through more easily?
Can't really be running anything else as my lady and nipper don't know anything other than windows. The shift from XP to W7 terrified them enough, I can't traumatise them any more with a command line interface.
Besides. I love W7. It's preeeeeeetty.....
Wrong answer: your "lady and nipper" probably only use the browser to check their email and facebook. Do you honestly believe that Linux would require you to use the CLI for that?
SimplyMepis. Using version 8.0 with default KDE on my main desktop but have added LXDE for use with the lower powered (Sub 1ghz) machines I've got. Mrs. C has a vista laptop. Urgh.
had ubuntu, but never managed to do anything useful with it... Seemed to me that I was going backwards.. from GUI(win) to Command line(xterm for everything)..
