Ultimate Guide How to Replace Lame Windows with Kick Ass Linux
March 23, 2009 at 05:03:04 AM, by Blair Mathis
Linux is the upcoming operating system working it's way into the average consumer household. First used by only the geekiest of the geeks, it can now be found on many laptops and desktops at colleges, Linux, once exclusive only to geeks, is now the must-have operating system for the average laptop user.
Pick a Distro
Unlike Windows, Linux comes in many different flavors known as distros. These distros may seem very similar visually, but they are different when you peel the skin away. Basically, a distro is the entire operating system, whereas Linux is the core of that operating system: think of it as a small kernel that is Linux, and then everything built on top of that kernel is what makes it a unique distro.
There are several to choose from (more then several, actually), and that might seem overwhelming at first--don't panic. If you're completely new to Linux, it would probably be best to start with Ubuntu. I say this for several reasons: there are many programs that run beautifully on it; there is a massive community; most Linux tutorials are aimed at Ubuntu specifically; it is sophisticated and robust; it is regularly updated, maintained, and released.
For the purpose of this article, I'm going to assume you're using Ubuntu; if you are not, that's okay--the article will still apply to whatever distro you choose with perhaps a few exceptions.
Make a List of Required Apps
Get a pen and paper and write down all the software you want and need; it's amazing how hard it is to remember everything you need until you don't have it, so a list will make it easier to get your new system configured.
Move Your Data
You will need to transfer your data off your current computer before you can reload the system or you'll lose it all. To do this, you will need an external hard drive will a good amount of free storage space. If you do not have an external hard drive, you can purchase one from any electronics store or online at places like Newegg.
Plug the external hard drive into your computer and begin transferring all your files off--pictures, videos, documents, email, passwords, and anything else you have on the hard drive. Once you reload your computer with Linux, there will be no way to get any of this data back, so check every folder thrice and be certain you have found everything before continuing.
Install Linux
Burn the copy of Linux you downloaded to a blank DVD at the slowest speed using whatever burning software you have. Many Windows systems have Nero and Roxio on them--if you don't have any burning software, you can use Deep Burner or ImgBurn. It's important to burn the disc slowly to avoid any errors during the installation process.
Once the disc is finished, insert it into your optical drive and restart your computer. When the computer logo appears, press the system button to enter BIOS--it's usually ESC, but may also be F1 or F2; it should say in the upper right/left corner of the screen.
Within BIOS, choose Boot Sequence and change it so that CD is above Internal HDD. Save and Exit.
The system will automatically restart and you will see a menu appear with the Ubuntu logo. Choose "Start Ubuntu" or something similar to that depending on the version you have downloaded. The operating system will appear and you'll be able able to navigate the menus, use the programs, even use the Internet (assuming your wifi works). It may look installed, but it is not.
On the desktop will be an icon labeled "INSTALL"--double-click to begin the installation. Remember! Once you do this, Windows, along with everything else on the computer, will be gone forever.
An installation wizard will appear. Follow the directions, it's not complicated. Choose your time zone, keyboard layout, username and password, and choose "Use Entire Disc" when prompted to choose how much hard drive space to devote to Ubuntu. Now sit back and wait--if will take 10-15 minutes on a modern system to install, longer on an older computer.
Once finished, it will reboot and prompt you to remove the CD. Login with the username/password combo you chose. It will login and you'll be presented with your beautiful new system.
Correct the Resolution
Though this no longer a big issue, you may discover that your resolution is incorrect. To fix that, navigate to System > Preferences > Screen Resolution and choose the correct settings. If you make a mistake and the resolution becomes messed up, you can correct it by following this:
1. Reboot
2. At the GRUB menu, press ESC
3. Scroll down the menu that appears and choose "Recovery Mode".
4. In the new menu that appears, choose "Fix X Server".
5. Wait for it to reboot and log back in. The resolution should be correct.
>h3>Update the System
Everything is up and running, but it is still in it's baby stage. The first thing you should do is install the available updates. You will find these by clicking the small red notification icon in the upper right-hand menu at the top of your screen. Simply choose to install all the available updates. Since this is the first time you're running the updates, it may take awhile.
Enable Repositories
Repositories are basically the awesomeness that will keep your applications up-to-date; think of them as four virtual rooms where a bunch of software is searched to make sure it is Ubuntu-ready and then archived. Not only does it make it easy to install software (sudo apt-get install xxxx), but makes it very easy to keep all of your programs updated and organized. If that sounds complicated, don't sweat it--just follow this simple step to enable to extra repos and then forget about it. Once you grow more comfortable with the system, you'll realize why they are so special.
To enable all the repos in Ubuntu, navigate to System > Admin > Synaptic. In the dialog that appears, choose Settings > Repositories. Check all the boxes in the dialog that appears.
Install Media Codecs
If you want to be able to play DVDs, watch videos, and listen to music, you will need some codecs. To download these, open Add/Remove Apps by navigating to Applications > Add/Remove. Select the drop-down box next to the search field and choose "All Available Apps". In the search field, type "codec" and search. Two results should appear listing all the file codecs it installs--install both.
For DVD playback, you're going to need a different codec. For legal reasons you have to find it yourself on Google. Type: "libdvdcss deb download" and download the deb file. Double-click the file and package installer will appear. Just choose the 'Install' button in the right corner to install.
Install Flash and Java
If you spend any amount of time on the Internet, you'll need Flash and Java. To download Flash, simply go to Adobe's website and download the .deb version. Double-click to install.
To download Java, open Add/Remove and search "Sun Java"--check the result and install.
Install Software
As programs are the substance of any system, you'll want to start downloading. You can browse many programs in Add/Remove Apps. To install them, place a check mark next to the app and press the Apply button. This is vastly different then installing on Windows, and I think you'll discover that this method is much easier and far more enjoyable.
As a general idea of what to download, here are some popular apps and their Windows equivalent:
Internet Explorer > Firefox
AIM > Pidgin
Photoshop > GIMP
Outlook > Evolution/Thunderbird
Microsoft Word > Open Office/Abiword
Image Viewer > gThumb Viewer
Media Player > VLC
VMWare > Virtual Box
Audio ripper > Sound Juicer
DVD ripper > Handbrake/Acidrip/DVD::RIP/k9copy/Thoggen/OGMrip
Adobe Illustrator > Inkscape
Microsoft Publisher > Scribus
Adobe Reader > xPDF
AutoCAD > QCaD
Animation > Blender
Roxio > Brasero
iTunes > Rhythmbox/Amarok
Sound Recorder > Audacity
Video Editing > Avidemux
Add Themes
By this point you're probably growing weary of the standard brown/white theme of Ubuntu. To change that theme, head over to Gnome-Look.org and find a theme you like. GTK themes will give the color scheme/menus a different look. Download to your desktop, then open the Appearance box by navigating to System > Preferences > Appearance. Under theme tab, choose "Install" and navigate to the theme file you saved. It will install and be activated.
Follow the same steps to install an icon package.
If you want a dock like in Mac, open the Terminal and type sudo apt-get install cairo dock to install the dock. You can change it's actions/look by right-clicking and choosing "preferences".
If you want widgets, open the Terminal and type sudo apt-get install screenlets - screenlets can be downloaded from Gnome-Look.org.
Finally, you can change the layout of the panels in Gnome; be creative. You can delete/edit/add to a panel by right-clicking and selecting off the menu. Some users have only icons in the center of a panel, make the background invisible, effectively creating a minimalist setting. Others add many launchers and menus to their panels--it is a way to truly make your system unique.
Conclusion
At this point, your system is ready to go--it is a nice, clean install and has been fully updated. All the software you need is installed, the codecs needed for general use are added, and the system has been tailored to your personal tastes. If you happen to run into a snafu while installing, there are many tutorials available online, as well as help atUbuntu Forums.
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Comments
DelacruzLeanna at 01:44, August 22, 2010
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Jer at 15:55, April 01, 2009
I like Linux a lot. I got Ubuntu as a LiveCD and I've also used Fedora KDE. They are both cool. I like them both. I would recommend Linux to anyone honestly, but first you'd want to run it "live" and get familiar with it. I still haven't completely weaned myself off of Windows XP yet though. Soon though hopefully.
Jer at 15:55, April 01, 2009
I like Linux a lot. I got Ubuntu as a LiveCD and I've also used Fedora KDE. They are both cool. I like them both. I would recommend Linux to anyone honestly, but first you'd want to run it "live" and get familiar with it. I still haven't completely weaned myself off of Windows XP yet though. Soon though hopefully.
Boo Radley at 10:50, April 01, 2009
Just a couple comments, as far as codecs, Flash, et al... just look for "Ubuntu Restricted Extras" in the add/remove and you should be good to go... And as for installing programs, you should mention that Ubuntu, and most other Linux distros, already come with an assortment of software preinstalled...
Carlos at 18:00, March 27, 2009
I'm using suse, with gnome, it installed and configurated the wifi from the install without problems or to mess in the terminal.I use an acer 5315 , celeron 1.73ghz and 1GB ram.
Blair M at 19:01, March 24, 2009
The beginning of the article states that it will focus on Ubuntu. There are too many distros to write an article universally applicable, and since the intended audience is beginners, it's usually safe to assume Ubuntu is their distro of choice.
Ken in Vegas at 11:21, March 23, 2009
"working it's way." No apostrophe, Blair: "working its way." :>
peterGraha at 11:19, March 23, 2009
You first mention 'Linux distros' then suddenly assume everyone has chosen Ubuntu. Linux is not Ubuntu.
peterGraha at 11:19, March 23, 2009
You first mention 'Linux distros' then suddenly assume everyone has chosen Ubuntu. Linux is not Ubuntu.
Ann Ahl at 09:23, March 23, 2009
Linux kicks ass...