User-friendly Linux

[demolaynyc 0]

HI, I'm currently a windows user hoping to move to linux. The problem is that I don''t know which one to pick. Also, I'm not a fan of using OS command lines to install softwares, configure settings, etc. I would like to have a linux that's mostly done through GUI. Is there such linux that fits my standards?

[foolakadugie 0]

I would recommend one of the Unbuntu projects (ubuntu, kubuntu,xubuntu). They are made to be very user friendly. They have added a graphical installer and they have very good hardware support. Their apt -get front end makes program installations and upgrades very quick and easy. There are forums and wiki pages available to help with any problems and questions. The package comes with a whole suite of useful software, too.

[Trippin 0]

Hey I know this topic is pretty old but I found something called Wubi. What it does is install your flavor of choice of Ubuntu (Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Edubuntu, etc) along side windows. You install in inside of windows, and you can uninstall it from the Add/Remove programs inside windows. I'm using it right now because i've always managed to mess up installing linux (regular installs and dual boot with windows). Granted I've only been using it for about a week its been great. What foolakadugie said about the graphical installer is true. It comes with a list of programs to install including alot of things (or alternatives for) things I was already using in windows. I had installed Windows Vista and was getting tired of so many programs not working right with it (including the new aim completely disabling my internet ... Just give it a try and it can't hurt because you can just uninstall it if you want.

Read the FAQ on the website to learn about how it installs inside of windows and more about the project. (oh and nothing in the ubuntu installation is branded with wubi. Wubi is basically just the installation program for inside windows.

https://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop

(I hope this can help other people also!)

[Markymark2 0]

I like the look of that WUBI software! I love the programs that people are coming up with to make it easier and easier to have a trouble free install and dual boot with windows pc.I would move over to Linux full time in a flash..IF.. and here is the BIG IF word that most users talk about, I could run all my crucial windows apps nativly and not in some really slow virtual machine.Do you know if any of the copies of linux it installs is a 64bit version?

[FirefoxRocks 0]

I know that I like GUI also, I don't like command-line interfaces. I've tried WUBI, I didn't like it a lot. I prefer install Ubuntu through the Ubuntu installer, no command-line involved.As for running Windows applications, you can use the WINE software for Linux. It can run almost any Windows application, except for Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer (but you have OpenOffice and Firefox, so that doesn't matter).Try it and see, I am constantly learning new things in Ubuntu to improve my skills.

[xboxrulz1405241485 0]

Thing people need to do if they want to commit over to Linux is to ditch the software they use if there's an alternative on Linux. I can only think of one situation it wouldn't work out and that's if they are gaming. Else, WINE would make do. If you really need the programs, just use a virtual machine. Linux offers a lot more than what Windows will ever, so why not switch. If not, I highly recommend MacOS X .Now I sound like a salesperson .xboxrulz

[ChrisAF071405241549 0]

Instead of Ubuntu I would recommend Linux Mint or Simply Mepis. Both of these are based on Ubuntu. However, if you are willing to put forth just a little bit more effort, I do think Fedora is worth a try. It too is quite easy and has an easy to use graphical installer.

Edited November 3, 2007 by ChrisAF07 (see edit history)

[takerraj 0]

Ubuntu is the easier of many linux distibutions and the distributions derived from ubuntu are much more easier. Perhaps LinuxMint might be the best one to start with.

[dougeg 0]

i agree Ubuntu is better it work and look like windows and fells like what you need is all there it installs most drivers and will work on most computers its easy to use and setup and most part yes you do have to make a choice if you like visa stay in vista but if you want to cross over to Ubuntu then you have to put all your programs to Ubuntu format take care

[iGuest 3]

Software/Hardware CompatibilityUser-friendly Linux

Dear Friends,

I used Ubuntu and liked its `beautiful colourful graphics a lot. Yes, it is user friendly, indeed. Then I used Mandriva and I found even easier/user friendlier than Ubuntu, especially when you use Wine application. One problem I couldn't solve is, almost none of the Linux distros I have ever tried recognized my DVD-Rom drive! When I tried to back up my DVD movies by using  DVDFab software, the result was fiasco because the software never could find neither DVD (movie) nor the DVD drive!

When I tried to burn .Iso format files so as to create bootable CDs/DVDs, the very same fiasco. Any thoughts/ideas?

Thanks,

-reply by Serdal