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Hi everyone, After a bit of reading many of my questions are answered, but not all. My intentions are to see if I can procure a live version of Linux via Linux mag or have a friend dl an iso for me so I can play around with the OS and we can become friends. Since I'm planning on getting a larger hard drive I'll have my currant 320G to run *gag* vista on... will a dual OS work okay if the OS's are on seperate drives? I can't check on my BIOS and see (at least I don't think so) till I get a second drive. The only thing that bums me is all the software I've accumulated... Some is not going to be easily replaced so dual OS is te only way for me to go Then there is all my music and other files... can I access say the same mp3's from both OS's? or do all my files that I want available to Linux have to be duplicated? and there is the compiler question... If I understand correctl Linux is written in several differant languages. I take it I can't use something like MS Visual Suite Express to compile it. I like the idea of being able to look at the source code (well parts of it, it would be tough to look at millions of lines of code) and see how it works. btw- no I'm not an experianced programer just was cracking the door on that and that led to more homework on how OS's work which introduced me to Linux and here I am. I use Linux @ work but all I can do is log on and run the apps I'm allowed to run. and for the record I have a year old machine with a Intel E4500 duo core processer and I haven't looked up all my hardware as of yet also I live out in the willy wacks of New Hampshire with no high speed Internet connection so d/l is an issue... lol some day I may learn not to pull @ loose threads, just keep my head down and walk... computers, programming, Linux what the heck was I thinking :P Thanks for your time

Hi, to answer your questions: -- will a dual OS work okay if the OS's are on seperate drives? Yes, and very well, if you install linux, at boot you will see a menu with the choice to boot from windows or linux. -- can I access say the same mp3's from both OS's? Yes, most modern linux installer will recognize your windows disk/partition and let you access it like another file folder. -- Some is not going to be easily replaced so dual OS is te only way for me to go.. Have you considered virtual machines?. There are several software available that would allow to create a virtual machine so you can run windows inside linux or visceversa, most are free (try vmware). -- I take it I can't use something like MS Visual Suite Express to compile it. Linux usually comes already compiled and ready to use, but you can get the source and see it, and then recompile it if you like, the kernel es basically c,c++ i think and from there up there are other many other scripting languages indeed. To get your feet wet with linux source look for "Linux from scratch" and Gentoo projects. -- I have a year old machine with a Intel E4500 duo core processer and I haven't looked up all my hardware as of yet . Then I would say that you can test linux with any live cd you can get, but once you decide wich one you like then get a DVD distribution so you will get most of the software you will need. I recommend Mandriva, you can get the live cd (Mandriva One) and then the DVD (Mandriva Free or Powerpack). Good luck

[quote=rokytnji]Living in the sticks gets your mind to wandering, huh? Don't know what your question/rant/thoughts really are, but if you are curious and have some free time out in the sticks, burn some Live CD's and get your feet wet.[/quote] lol - yes indeed there's plenty to be done out here but the work leaves the mind free to wander... thanks I am going to do the live trial but I'll have to order a cd, a 700 meg d/l would tie my phone up for weeks @ raluxs- Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions [quote]Then I would say that you can test linux with any live cd you can get, but once you decide wich one you like then get a DVD distribution so you will get most of the software you will need. I recommend Mandriva, you can get the live cd (Mandriva One) and then the DVD (Mandriva Free or Powerpack). Good luck[/quote] well then we'll stroll over and read up on Mandriva and see about getting a cd... having to wait a bit will be good it will give me time to read :), I hate getting a new toy and not knowing how to play with it. Are there "Bibles" for the various flavors of Linux? Thanks to both of you @ Vu - good luck

Forgot to include this also. It has alot of what you are looking for to. http://www.linuxedit.com/ And here is the table of equivalents. http://www.linuxrsp.ru/win-lin-soft/table-eng.html [Modified by: rokytnji on October 16, 2008 12:42 AM]

left ya a private message.