ubuntu/Linux newbie ahoy...

[mctiny]

Hello, good evening and welcome...

After many many years of being somewhat of a windows sheep, I've decided that it is about time I subjected myself/PC to the world of Linux, Ubuntu is the flavour of the day for me.

So here is where the my quest begins:

I've installed VMware to get a feel for Ubuntu,before I wipe my drive clean and fully convert myself, thats where the easy part seems to end right now.

I'm looking for a full set of Ubuntu/Linux programs to replace the ones I use in Windows, Now I do not play games on my pc at all but I do use these

1. Outlook
2. Firefox
3. Real media alternative
4. Quicktime alternative
5. MSN messenger
6. Winamp
7. Avast antivirus
8. Winrar
9. Canon zoombrowser ( digital camera software)
10. DVD shrink
11. Nero
12. Daemon tools
13. Photoshop cs2
14. Google earth (not that important)
15. Audio and VIdeos codecs.

Is any of these possible?
I've started to hunt around for Ubuntu/Linux versions of these softwares and will update the list as I find them.

I'm sure all my hardware will be ok to find drivers for, But I will need some guides on how to install drivers or software?

And last but no means least:
Is there any basic and simple guides to using Ubuntu/Linux out there, I'm talking the full on "linux for dummies" kind of thing.

Ubunt/Linux virgin

 

[mctiny]

Thanks guys and gals, I feel a little overwhelmed with all thats info, Alas I'll process the info and get cracking, top work folks.

I just had a thought, what about things like Flash? does it work naturally ?

 

[mctiny]

Yeah there are flash plugins for firefox etc... If you get automatix it can handle all this stuff for you. Your best off booting the livecd to test by the way. vm hardware is different.

I know about the VMware hardware thing, but it was to get a feel of how it looks and operates too start with, i'll try the livecd next.