So I want too learn all about Linux I have a good Windows 7 system already what do you think should I build a new system with a KVM Switch not looking on spending a fortune or buy another SSD and dual boot? any advice would be a great help Thanks.
New Linux System or Dual Boot?
- Thread starter 8BaLL
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If you're simply looking to learn about linux in the first instance, I'd suggest installing Virtualbox on your windows machine and then running linux in Virtualbox.
It depends what you're doing. VirtualBox won't be so good if you plan on trying gaming or anything resource intensive, if you just want to try Linux to see what it's like then VirtualBox is the way to go. That said, dual booting isn't particularly difficult to set up.
Definitely, a whole new system is overkill if you're just trying to learn about the OS.
Definitely, a whole new system is overkill if you're just trying to learn about the OS.
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I prefer a whole system just because I always end up hogging one OS on a dual boot and then start resenting the space taken up by the other, but thats just me. I'd opt for a dual boot first over a VM in your situation though, thats for sure. Better to get the full feel of a distro.
So this weekend I am going to sort Linux out I have been thinking about what a friend suggested on just buying a cheap laptop like a thinkpad second hand I have fixed these in the past and found them sluggish but I have been comparing these to my old laptop which was running on a i5 processor but Linux is much more lightweight what do you think on this idea? It will not be replacing my Desktop so it does not need to be top of the range just good enough for what is needed Thanks.
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Get it on a Live disc and just boot from CD. This way you can try out loads of distros (without effecting your existing OS) and when you find one you like setup dual boot after.
I find old laptops good for learning Linux, with one caveat - support the wireless adapters is often patchy. Although you could consider that part of the experience, which is slightly harsh but true.
Virtual machines, although they do work, just isn't quite the same as running it on the metal in my opinion.
Virtual machines, although they do work, just isn't quite the same as running it on the metal in my opinion.
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Live USB and the discs with the major Linux magazines are the way I learnt. It is a great way of experimenting.
This
Live USB stick with Ubuntu on and a persistent drive.
If you can get yourself a decent SD card it will run great. I carry a 45mb/s Sandisk Extreme card which i plug in a few machines.
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1) Install virtualbox - Run and install a Linux distro on a virtual machine. I think that will is a good starting point for anyone purely because, it will give you a feel for the distro that you potentially will be installing, and also give you a feel for the installation process.
It may be that someone install's Linux and hates it! It could be that someone has never really ran though an installation process before. Granted, the new Ubuntu/Linux Mint distro installation process has been designed pretty well for newbies to Linux.
2) You mention your reasons for wanting to learn Linux and I think that it is going to be well worth your while spending a couple of quid and either dualbooting as per JCR's reply below...
...or getting a total separate machine. If you are looking at security/ethical hacking then a laptop would be a better choice over a desktop machine.
As for which distro? I used to be a massive Ubuntu fan (not since the move to Unity). I do really like Linux Mint. However I do have a majority of my Linux boxes running CentOS and RHEL as this is what I use for my work.
For yourself I would potentially look at Backtrack or Kali Linux as they are distro that have been designed and optimised for security purposes.
Would be good to here how you get on and what distro you choose.
It may be that someone install's Linux and hates it! It could be that someone has never really ran though an installation process before. Granted, the new Ubuntu/Linux Mint distro installation process has been designed pretty well for newbies to Linux.
2) You mention your reasons for wanting to learn Linux and I think that it is going to be well worth your while spending a couple of quid and either dualbooting as per JCR's reply below...
...or getting a total separate machine. If you are looking at security/ethical hacking then a laptop would be a better choice over a desktop machine.
As for which distro? I used to be a massive Ubuntu fan (not since the move to Unity). I do really like Linux Mint. However I do have a majority of my Linux boxes running CentOS and RHEL as this is what I use for my work.
For yourself I would potentially look at Backtrack or Kali Linux as they are distro that have been designed and optimised for security purposes.
Would be good to here how you get on and what distro you choose.
Well a lot has happened since my last post I jumped straight in the deep end with kali linux and loved it I was running on VM ware so I decided to go out and buy a Laptop specifically for Linux the Lenovo T410 excellent laptop for Linux works straight out the box now I am dual booting Ubuntu and Ka;i I have much to learn but I am enjoying the journey.
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VM's are nice... but a physical machine is always best to learn on..... you can see and touch the problem.... worst case scenario ... you can throw it at the........
lol
