Linux is becoming a VERY
popular alternative to MS Windows! Dell recently jumped on the band
wagon by offering to install a version of Linux on some of their computers
(the "Kubunto" version)!!
Most versions of popular Linux
distributions are available on what are called "Live CD's", that is they
will run completely from the CD so you can try before loading on your machine.
They also offer the option of doing a dual boot - boot from Linux, or your
old Windows system!! That is how my main computer is set up.
A particular "FLAVOR" of Linux, say "gNewSense",
"Kill Bill", "Ubunto",
"Kubunto", "Xubunto",
"Blag", "Slax",
"Slackware", etc, are called a
"Distribution", and are normally provided by the group espousing that particular
flavor. This is a GREAT way to find the version of linux that is
right for you. Just start downloading, or buy pre-recorded CD/DVDs
at VERY low cost, usually just the price to duplicate, and start checking
them out. The "LIVE CD" versions run completely from CD, and will
give you a complete idea of what they are capable of!
I recently jumped to Linux for
my old Sony Vaio laptop that had become virtually useless as a windows
machine. With only 256MB of memory,
it had simply slowed down so far it was useless - and XP would not even
install on it! With a fresh version of Linux gNewSense
installed (free by the way!!)
it boots faster than my 4ghz main machine!! And is quite happy with
only 256mb memory!! And using the included software, there isn't
much I can't do on that old machine.
