Rixta, breathe, child! It's all good. You are in the right place.
Rixta, this is a long reply. Get your coffee. There are website resources at the end. There will be a quiz later.
To address your specific concerns:
"I am so new to Linux that..."
I myself am only 2 weeks old in the Linux world. I run dual boot XP with Debian, so that I can explore Debian without losing the comfort of XP. Each day, I notice myself using Linux more and more. Experience. Also, my box is a 2001, Compaq Pre-sorry-o, with 1100MHz, 512k RAM, 20GB for both OSs, and a slave 60GB for storage. My box is very meager, modest, old. It does run, very much, noticably more efficient with Linux. Your computer is fine. Don't be compelled by TV commercials to run out and buy, buy, buy. Although TigerDirect.
"...but so far I have felt overwhelmed by the amount of technical talk. Directories, extensions and loads of words I have never even heard of."
Keep reading. The other day, you never heard of those directories, extensions, words. You were innocently ignorant of it. Today, you have knowledge, because you read and learn. You have started off right, by reading, and now asking questions. Keep it up!
"I had been told that nowadays Linux is actually very user friendly..."
Correct! I must admit, it is confusing at first, because it is different. How could it be better if it were the same?
"...is Linux indeed quite easy to learn, or should I get discouraged.
Linux IS easy, only challenging at first because it is different. Embrace it and you will LOVE it! As far as technical talk, don't let that discourage you. You ARE a technical-talking person. I know that because you said you are good with computers, Winderz. You just don't realize how intelligent you are, because Mickey$oft has been pumped into your veins all your life. Understandably, it is a part of all of us.
"...Ubuntu. Easy to use, but with fewer options than the Windows versions."
If you are indeed well versed in computers, and if you are like me and must have option, options, options, then you can easily turn that Ubuntu into Kubuntu. Ubuntu is a Gnome desktop, simpler, easier to kickstart out-of-the-box. Kubuntu, my personal choice, is a KDE desktop, meaning that it is highly configurable, lots of options, and extreemly eye-candy.
"I have also looked around for programs that are important to me, but most of them don't seem to run under Linux: firewall, anti-spam, anti-adware, pop-up blocker, photo-programs etc."
As far as photo programs, etc, there are so many it is not even funny. Not to mention the fact that there is something called WINE, which allows you to "hibridize" the Winderz program on Linux. Bad explanation, just go read about WINE. Now, listen. This might make you head spin and spit pea soup: you do not need "firewall, anti-spam, anti-adware, pop-up blocker, etc" in Linux. You just simply do not need it.
Somebody out there correct me if I am wrong.
Running Linux, you should never have those problems ever again.
"I hate the idea of paying Microsoft...
We all do too. That is one of many reasons we have Linux. That billionaire is not going to get another cent from my shallow pockets.
By the way, there are some kick-ass computers from reputable dealers out there, already with pre-installed Linux on them, and not one mention of Mickey$oft.
And remember, you are no longer a customer. You are a member of a sweet community now. Don't give up.
Very important introduction:
http://linux.
Very important, helpful forums (you can find me there):
LinuxQuestions.
UbuntuForums.
Distrowatch.
Linux.org
Buy computers, pre-installed Linux:
http://www.linux.
http://www.linux.
http://www.amazon.
Without Linux:
TigerDirect.
QVC.com
____________
From: Rixta Francis <rixta.francis@
To: LINUX_Newbies@
Sent: Sun, December 6, 2009 1:54:42 PM
Subject: [LINUX_Newbies] questions from a real newbie
Hello everyone,
I am so new to Linux that I don't even have it as my OS, though I do have Ubuntu, which I have tried a few times. But I can't really figure out what it is, as it seems to have only a few options. Anyway, my computer is more than seven years old, gets very slow and it's really time to get a new one. As I'm sick and tired of Microsoft I seriously consider Linux, but I don't know much about it. Which is the reason why I joined this group, hoping I would get more information, so that I can make an informed choice about whether or not to change to Linux.
This group is called Linux Newbies, but so far I have felt overwhelmed by the amount of technical talk. Directories, extensions and loads of words I have never even heard of. I had been told that nowadays Linux is actually very user friendly and a good alternative to Windows for the experienced computer user. I am experienced and good with computers, but not an expert.
So one of my questions is: is Linux indeed quite easy to learn, or should I get discouraged by all the technical talk and forget about it? I understood that Linux is in a way a bit a simpler version of Windows, which I have noticed with the e-mail program and browser from Ubuntu. Easy to use, but with fewer options than the Windows versions.
I have also looked around for programs that are important to me, but most of them don't seem to run under Linux: firewall, anti-spam, anti-adware, pop-up blocker, photo-programs etc. Are there acceptable alternatives for all these programs that do run under Linux? I don't need to know the names yet, but I really can't do without any of these programs, as I use them a lot.
Well, these are my questions so far. I hope that you can help me figure out what would be the best option for me. I hate the idea of paying Microsoft again, but if Linux is still mainly for techies, then I better stay away from it.
Thanks for the help!
Cheers,
Rixta Francis
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