What Linux distro to download for maximum Windows software compatibility and feel?
Q. Hello all. I’m a Windows user, but I’d like to try out a Linux distro. I’m looking for an OS that has a similar GUI to windows and similar applications, with high compatibility with Windows programs. I was thinking of Ubuntu. Do you guys have any better suggestions? Thanks.
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If you want a similar GUI, go with a KDE based distro such as Kubuntu (a variant of Ubuntu). Then, install Wine once you get in. Wine is a program that works with almost all Unix variants (Linux, Mac OS X, BSD, and more) and that reimplements all the things Windows programs need to run. You’ll still be better off learning the Linux equivalents (use GIMP instead of Photoshop, or OpenOffice instead of MS Office) but it will give you that crutch of thousands Windows programs if you really need to run them.
Wine was designed to be compatible with most windows applications. Brand new programs might have compatibility issues, but for most others they work just fine with a little tweaking found through google.
Ubuntu ? are you insane lol. A long time linux user and we have it in our company your best bet is… yes I know you get what you paid for is a paid linux top of the line linux.
Suse Linux Entreprise Desktop is your best choice using the (optimized and beautiful Gnome interface) with many compatiblilites with Windows support of Microsoft exchange, micosoft files for about 99$
http://www.novell.com/linux/
Also support mp3 playing with bashee as well as coding in MP3.
To add full compatibility you can add a full fledged legal dvd player like fluendo:
http://www.fluendo.com/shop/product/fluendo-dvd-player/
There you will have a beautiful super secure Linux with maximum compatiblity with Windows and capable of reading encoding mp3s music, full word processing office compatibility and top notch dvd player. You can also install some kde (Interface) programs like k3b super dvd burner.
Yes it cost a little money but I hope u dont belong to those who will gladly pay 5000$ for windows but not 40 cents for linux.
Ubuntu haha lol welcome to the world of trouble and not for beginners. all open source no mp3 compatiblitites no dvd playback lol doesn not read or import Microsoft fonts correctly… please give us a break.
Good luck and u can try Suse Entreprise linux for free before you buy.
Enjoy your top linux!
RICK
I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 8 Main Edition which is built upon Ubuntu 9.10 Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled
Linux Mint 8 Download
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=44
The Perfect Desktop – Linux Mint 8 (Helena)
http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-8-helena
You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 8 then you need to create a Bootable LiveCD for installation
Linux Mint 8 can also be run direct from the LiveCD from Booting up without touching your Hard Drive
INSTALL LINUX MINT WITHIN WINDOWS (not currently available for Linux Mint
To install Linux Mint within windows you will need the earlier release Linux Mint 7 which is built upon Ubuntu 9.04
Linux Mint 7 Download
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=38
Linux Mint 7 has a feature called mint4win based on the Wubi installer (Ubuntu) which enables you to install Linux Mint within windows (Windows 7 run Wubi/mint4win in vista compatability mode)
Mint4Win – A Wubi based Installer for Linux Mint
http://duncsweb.com/2009/09/27/mint4win-a-wubi-based-installer-of-linux-mint/
Installing Ubuntu as a dual-boot with Windows without partitioning
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi
You keep Windows as it is, mint4win only adds an extra option to boot into Linux Mint. mint4win does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.
mint4win like Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.
Boot in to windows insert the LiveCD you have just created and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where mint4win comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Linux Mint (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.
Once Linux Mint 7 is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Linux Mint
CURRENT SESSION
Linux Mint 6 custom LiveDVD with switchable Beryl 0.2.1* and Compiz 0.7.2**
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=31
http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-6-felicia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryl_(window_manager)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compiz
*Beryl 0.2.1 sourced from Ubuntu 7.04 repositories
**Compiz 0.7.2 sourced from Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (Alpha 5) repositories
LUg.
To rick: Ubuntu can do all the stuff that SUSE can if you can type a line in the terminal. Why would you want to pay 99$ for open source linux? The guy wants to try out linux, not invest in another OS. If you try ubuntu, and aren’t too lazy, type the following in the terminal:
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras
you will have all the codecs, java, flash, mscorefonts, and much more….
Or if too lazy to type one line in terminal, download Mint.
This one http://www.linux-xp.com I’ve personally used it and it’s GREAT for Windoze lovers.
Like you, I’m a long-time Windows user on a quest for a Windows-like distro. For what it’s worth I’ve been using PCLinuxOS (the KDE Desktop option) for several months and it’s been good so far (pclinusos.com). It comes with TONS of software (ironically the 2010 version has a download link instead of actual OpenOffice apps) but right away you can go to Youtube, play mp3s, play audio CDs, etc. etc. etc. Just another suggestion.
When it comes to functionality and stability, so far I’m finding that ANY distro of Linux is absolutely rock-solid in comparison to Windows. (Be careful logging in as root until you get familiar.) Ubuntu is supposed to be the most popular, but each distro seems to have loyalists who’ll insist theirs is the only one. Just find one you’re comfortable using! I’ve tried several. Nearly all have a live CD mode so you can try it out before installing… highly HIGHLY recommended. The next distro I was planning to try was Mint.
Most of the popular games are for Windows and I have a separate Windows machine. But dual-boot is an option and responses to your question offered some good ideas. I still want to try the Wine app eventually. Also after reading responses to your question, I’m visiting some other websites and looking to test-drive Linux-XP right away. Anyway, I try to keep an open mind.
Please post a follow-up about your experiences. I’m sure there are other Windows users that’ll appreciate your feedback. Best of luck.