Sorry, I can't use Linux for my main OS. I'm a fan of Linux, just can't use it. Why? I wrote about that.

http://kona0197.wordpress.com/2011/10/10/linux-the-reasons-why-it-will-never-work-for-me/

Apart the point appearence i can understand it. Linux is themeable. And the theme files are as easy as the ones from window blinds. You just have to learn how to theme without having a nice gui frontend, with .png bmp/tga  input.

Then Try Vista ! Xp is to insecure.

Yeah, I know that, but I want to run a solely Linux machine with various Distros to experiment with.   True, VMware saves having to dual boot, but I understand that 'virtual OSes' cannot/do not access the full power of the CPU and RAM, and I want to see how well they can perform on the hardware I've allocated. 

I plan to dual or triple boot Distros of interest at a time to assess and compare which ones I like best, etc, then decide which ones I will keep running on that rig.  So yeah, it's an experimental exercise that gives me something to do, uses a machine that'd otherwise be just collecting dust, and at the same time keeps me off the street.

Then add  slitaz to your testing list. really small, sometimes outdated, but fast and not umaintained. Good for seeing what linux is and learning without downloading much or the need to install it for testing purposes. VMS are slow on some pcs i do agree....

With VMware, you can easily assign any number of cores, and max out the ram.

With Windows 8.1, VM, I am able to have six core CPU with 8 GB ram (probably more, if I wanted.) and run a different dream on each of six monitors all at once and still be able to use my host OS.

But I suppose the host does use some of the resources, so I see your point. But all in all, who needs 6 cores and 8 GB ram for Linux?

I think the idea for me is to play around with the various Linux flavours to see how they perform on the assigned hardware. It gives me an excuse to use a [almost] spare machine without going to great an expense OS-wise.  At a later date, when I've decided on which distros I prefer, like best, I may in fact run them in Win 8.1 using VMware.  By then Win 9 could be out, and I'll likely have a spare Win 8.1 to run on the Linux box as the host.  For the time being, though, it's more of a bit of fun to keep me off the streets... er, occupied. 

Having so much less to do with a smaller house and yard than before, I'm finding that I have alot more time on my hands and need something of interest to do/occupy my mind, and what better than messing with puters!!!

Every time I've dabbled with Linux....or BeOS....or just about anything...I still end up back with Windows.....probably because I need to do 'stuff' ....

Jafo

reply 37

Every time I've dabbled with Linux....or BeOS....or just about anything...I still end up back with Windows.....probably because I need to do 'stuff' ....

That's right, Windows has the greater software compatibility, but there are Linux distros which run Windows proggies, so the gap is gradually closing. Anyway, I will still keep Windows as my primary OS while I 'dabble' with Linux... and if one or two of the distros happen to suit my non-Windows needs then I shall see whether I run them in VMware within Win 8 or 9, or just keep them on the designated Linux rig when it's complete. 

Seems I can pick up a mobo to go with the AMD x6 1100T for about 90 bucks.  It wouldn't be top of the range stuff at that price, but it would be sufficient.  I just need to put a few pennies away for a few weeks and save for it.

Jafo

reply 37

Every time I've dabbled with Linux....or BeOS....or just about anything...I still end up back with Windows.....probably because I need to do 'stuff' ....

lol 

I found it easy and that's saying a lot. If I can do it, any one can.

I used EASEUS Partition Manager to re-size my Windows Partition.

I absolutely backed up everything and anything I did not want to lose onto an external hard-drive.

The only thing that could complicate it is if you are trying to install it on a secondary hard-drive and do a dual boot that way. Windows 7 , for whatever reason, will no longer see that second hard drive. THere is a program called EASYBCD that is supposed to help with that but I had no luck with it.

I chose to resize my Windows Partition. 

Here is a link that is for installing Zorin8 that I used. http://www.everydaylinuxuser.com/2014/02/zorin-os-8-more-like-windows-7-than.html

I cannot find the link to the page that explained how to resize my Windows Partition, but I recall it was very easy and the program does it for you taking out the guess work. It told you the maximum space you needed to for the Windows PArtition, than I went ahaead and made my Zorin partition leaving anough space for a storage partition. http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2004816/shrink-windows-partition-losing-data.html  A lot really depends on how much stuff you have on your PC to begin with.

I have 320GB HD. I kept 120GB for Windows 7, 37GB of which is still free. Then my partitions are as follows

11.7GB (My Windows recovery partition)

83.8 GB (Zorin 9) which is MORE than plenty. YOu only need 5GB for the OS, the rest is gravy. You WILL BE ABLE to mount your Windows partition as a drive and access everything on it from Zorin. (Music, videos, etc.)

44.9GB for whatever.

I will look and see if I can find the stuff I followed. I am usually a bookmark-aholoic, but for some reason either forgot to save it or can't remember where I saved it.

The scariest part for me was condensing the Windows PArtition and reading threads like the one you found. That one is almost 3 years old and the installation has become easier and less complicated since then. I'll get back in a day or two or sooner when I find the info. If you look at the that first link, it's easy. There are also quite a few videos on youtube as well.

blah blah

found my bookmarks.

Use EASEUS Partition Manager to create your partitions if you want to make partitions pre-install of Zorin. I have to thank Seth for that one. It's a great program.

Here is the Zorin site instructions. Very basic. http://zorin-os.com/installguide.html

Here are the ones I followed. http://zoringroup.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6075

It even has a link to a video the guy made which I watched while doing the install.

It really is not as complicated as it seems. It's just scary when you start pressing that 'enter' button and letting the programs do things to your hard drive and all. Thats why you back up your important stuff.

I got it on the first try and lost nothing. I've had ZERO issues and I can't say that for ANY other linux OS I have tried and I have tried a few. (From ubuntu to one called Sleazstack Puppy or something that was supposed to be fool proof and small enough to run on your little brothers etch-a-sketch) 

I even found a program that I could put on a CD that would trick my DELL 2650 into booting from the USB to install Zorin Lite on that and had no issues (that was the one I had tried to install the Sleazstackpuppy thing on).

THAT'S the one I tried. I really liked it but a bitch of a time finding a a wireless usb or card that worked with it. I am stuck with a Belkin N150 Wireless USB adapter because of that. It's is a great OS for linux beginners but I could only use it if I used the ethernet on my laptop.

My Zorin desktop. Between Dropbox and other software now made with linux in mind and Google apps like Google Drive, Hangouts, etc., I can even link/sync with my Droid, I don't miss much. It comes withLibre Office but I use Google Docs, Sheets, etc.  It's got to be one of the user friendliest versions of linux available.

I find it funny that some had to use a third party partition resize program when almost every Linux distro out there will do that for you and it's built in.