UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Windows blows. I'm poor so unix is looking like a great alterative (expecially after my former roommate showed me most of the things it can do). Right now I'm looking at Debian or some other Unix kernel that would run nicley on my computer.

But the problem we had with installing it while he was gone was that my computer has alot of Nvidia hardware inside of it and for the guys I'm asking this to you probobly know that this presents some difficulties.

I actually have a few questions being a realative Unix noob.

1: What would be the easiest way of installing a Unix OS on my computer and how would I go about doing so?
2: My former roommate (big unix fan nerd) had a badass kernel which he said was still in development. But it did have multiple 3D desktop which he could just grab and move over. But like he said, was still in the development process.
3: He also had another one where he organized his tasks by scrolling the mouse wheel. So he would scroll it and "Media" in white text in the center of the screen would show up for a second and all his current running media programs would be in there.
(what would the last two be called?)

As it is right now. I still need Windows but only for PC titles like Battlefield, Unreal Tournament and certain programs that I need for school. Any and all help would be apprectiated seeing as how I don't have alot of time to research this between class's and work. Thanks in advance.

Ubuntu is vary easy to install. Debian is harder. Both will support your hardware if it has been around for more than say six months.

Don't use experimental kernels until you learn how to do backups and restores.

Ubuntu will ask if you want to dual boot - meaning you keep windows. You will need to create a partition large enough for ubuntu (or debian or whatever distro you choose). Then you can install and boot either to Windows or Ubuntu.

The only reason I mention Ubuntu is that it (and probably Knoppix ) is the easiest to install and get running. It's meant for Windows users. Knoppix will run from a cd, without ever installing anything. This is ultra-safe, and also pretty limited.

Please get out and read a lot before you do something you may not like.
Before you do anything, create a full backup.
Try http://www.ubuntu.com/ to start with.

People looking for FreeWindows XP tend to be disappointed; UNIX is not Windows. Be warned. You will need to do things differently. There are myriad differences that not even Ubuntu can hide -- and I'm not exactly for hiding these differences anyway, why obliterate indispensable features just to ape an OS everyone hates?

Re: #1, you can download a Knoppix livecd to boot on your computer. This can run a full Linux desktop without installing anything on your computer, good for trying things out. For a full installation, I won't even get into that argument since most seem to hate my distro of choice.

Re: #2, the desktop is not the kernel. It's just a program. In Windows they are inseperable, but UNIX is not Windows. You may have seen Sun's experimental 3D window manager, which might be a cool toy, but probably needs a high-powered video card, and likely isn't too stable besides. Get your system working first is my advice, then worry about cool toys.

Re: #3, difficult to say without knowing what window manager he was using; There's no "standard" Linux desktop environment. There's some popular ones, but if he's using that 3D window manager there's no telling what other bizzare things he's got running.

If you're limited in time and need to run windows programs for school and games, skip it and come back to it when you've got time to learn how to use your computer from scratch. Otherwise you'll just end up an irrational linux hater like I did. I eventually converted for the same reason as you, cost, and have discovered many reasons to stay, but spent weeks in "wonder what this button does" mode.

I second Jim on this one. You can also try out Ubuntu in LiveCD mode if you're not sure you want to install it.
As for the cool graphics your friend is describing, I think he's referring to XGL/Compiz.