XP and Linux, together again
So, I’ve been considering wiping my home laptop entirely and reinstalling Windows XP SP1, right? It’s been acting slow and jenky, the small C: partition was a bad idea (I love you, picasa, but fuck your immovable thumbnail temp folder), and I’m sure my OS is littered with bits and pieces of software I’ve tried over the years since it was last reloaded.
I’ve also been considering playing around with a dual-boot of XP and Ubuntu Linux. See, while its lack of support for current Adobe products (CS3, specifically) means it isn’t exclusively right for me… I’m more and more a-feared of the ways that Windows has been taking over my access rights. As an end user, I’m philosophically opposed to my OS telling me what I should and should not be installing and using when I have Admin rights, so I’m considering my next long-term shift.
Now, I haven’t installed or used linux in a looong time (ah, Red Hat) – frankly, beyond the basics of FTP/shell access, I’m back to n00b status, which has me afeared for putting myself in the position of a prompt with no idea how to proceed.
I’ve just read some really great stuff about the latest version of Ubuntu (Hardy Heron, heh): “There is a new installation option for Windows users. Wubi allows users to install and uninstall Ubuntu like any other Windows application. It does not require a dedicated partition, nor does it affect the existing bootloader, yet users can experience a dual-boot setup almost identical to a full installation. … A full installation within a dedicated partition is still recommended, but Wubi is a great way to try Ubuntu for a few days and weeks before committing dedicated disk resources.”
How sweet is that? It looks like the easiest thing in the world, based on the screen shots.
I don’t know when I’ll be willing to take the time for a total wipe and reload, but maybe I can, at least, repartition and reload XP in time for PenguiCon, and convince one of the amazing linux gurus there to walk me through a dual-boot install.
On a side note, I think it is hilarious that the thing that’s shoving me away from a MS operating system is, essentially Digital Rights Management and their heavy-handed anti-piracy tactics, considering I have been sliding further and further into open source software’s arms.
The last straw, for me, was when I assented to some update I can’t recall, and now EVERY SINGLE TIME I OPEN A VIDEO FILE, it fucking warns me that it may be unsafe. I can uncheck a box so it won’t warn me for that specific file again, but I have been through knowledge base after search engine, and I continue to come up empty-handed on how to turn that fucking message off.
It wastes time, and it treats me like a moron, and that’s the last thing I want from my computer.
(unrelated fun with a drive-thru window, for those who find OS talk mystifying)
Don’t do SP1. It’s kinda crap. Do SP2; that’s where the firewall came in, and a bunch of other good security-related fixes.
That would be a good idea, but SP1 is the version that came with my laptop. SP2 costs money, doesn’t it?
No, Microsoft service packs have never cost money. Just go download it. It’ll be in Windows Update after installing, anyway.
Gotcha.
Gotcha.
No, Microsoft service packs have never cost money. Just go download it. It’ll be in Windows Update after installing, anyway.
That would be a good idea, but SP1 is the version that came with my laptop. SP2 costs money, doesn’t it?
Don’t do SP1. It’s kinda crap. Do SP2; that’s where the firewall came in, and a bunch of other good security-related fixes.
which has me afeared for putting myself in the position of a prompt with no idea how to proceed.
I’m sure I know less about it than you do, and Ubuntu has never put me in this position. Seriously, try it out and dispel those fears.
which has me afeared for putting myself in the position of a prompt with no idea how to proceed.
I’m sure I know less about it than you do, and Ubuntu has never put me in this position. Seriously, try it out and dispel those fears.
Hahaha, dude, give Vista a try someday. It gives you that little “potentially unsafe action!” warning pop-up box if you even LOOK at the computer in a vaguely threatening manner.
My head hurts just thinking about that. I’d feel really bad if I ended up smashing my laptop.
My head hurts just thinking about that. I’d feel really bad if I ended up smashing my laptop.
Hahaha, dude, give Vista a try someday. It gives you that little “potentially unsafe action!” warning pop-up box if you even LOOK at the computer in a vaguely threatening manner.