For Windows users (XP, Vista etc) I thoroughly recommend trying out one of the newest flavours of Linux, Linux Mint 6. I’ve been a fan of Linux Mint for a while now and find I can use it practically out of the box, so to speak. In fact the install takes a lot less time than a windows install yet practically all the software I need is there from the outset instead of me having to install CD after CD. Even adding some peripherals, like printers, is now even easier than with a Windows based system as the software will detect your printer and take it through an install wizard where it configures the correct drivers. You won’t even need the software CD that came with your printer. Same for wireless network cards. Like most Linux operating system distributions it comes packed with Open Source (free or donate) software equivalent to Windows applications including full office suite, instant messenger, mail client etc, media player and much, much more. And of course it’s much less likely to fall foul to the ever increasing malware out there predominantly aimed at Windows based PCs.
Best of all though is the fact that you can now very simply install it side by side on your XP or Vista machine without it overwriting anything and have access to all your files and folders you currently have access to. When installed at boot you get asked which operating system you want to use, Windows or Linux Mint. If you don’t want to keep Linux Mint you can just uninstall it without affecting your Windows installation by removing it in your XP/Vista control panel. Painless.
Linux Mint constantly informs you of all security and software upgrades and a slick upgrade process means all your software, not just your operating system as with a Windows based machine, is updated to the latest stable version automatically. The newest Mint operating system is also upgraded (free or donate) every 6 months or so. You read that right. Every 6 months. It’s constantly being updated and improved. Install it on as many PCs as you want.
Don’t take my word for it. Download it (Main Edition). Install it. Try it. You’ve nothing to lose.
Good to know that drivers are not a big issue. I will install this on one of my machines and try it out. Thanks for the tip.
I just like the way you sound when you get all technical and stuff.
Laoch, good luck. Most things work straight away. If you’re unlucky you might need to do some tinkering but there are very helpful user guides and forums for Mint.
terri, every new post will be techy. You’ll be putty in my hands…
I have linux mint but when i installs it , it shows some error.
After completing checksum operation and image making operation , in the end of image making operation it shows “Linux mint can not access cd , make sure cd is in and any other application is not using it”.
Please help me to come out from this problem.
Manjit, I haven’t seen that problem before. Ask some of the more knowledgeable folk on the Linux Mint forums.