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Posted on 04/21/2014 6:10:17 AM PDT by ShadowAce
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For the last year, every time I see a Linux post I would think about downloading it.
I just downloaded Mint 15 Mate last week, I really like it but there is; what is for me a steep learning curve, but I’m getting it, I dedicated 25 Gigs for Mint, switching between Mint and Windows just requires a restart from Mint, there is also on Mint a Windows recovery app in case Windows blows up.
I would recommend it to everyone, no fear, no worries, if you have been thinking about it just do it, once I’ve learned the ins and outs of Linux, I can see a time when I will never need windows again, and that’s a very good thing.
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BUMP/bfl
This may not be possible but I’m wondering; is it possible to start Linux operating system from a USB drive after the computer already has Windows running? And would the USB drive be swappable so that it could be used on different computers?
It sounds good - load up the USB stick and “try it out” but to me it’s more sophism than anything else. It would be a bit like saying you could sit in an auto showroom and go “vroom vroom” to figure out if you like a car or not. Until you use a computer all day every day, to surf the web, answer your email, make a presentation for your job, download your photos from your camera - you’ll never know if you “like” a computer or an OS imho.
The “try it and see if you like it” sounds really good but I just don’t think real life works that way.
An operating system controls the hardware on a computer. It provides the interface between software and hardware. Windows is an OS, and Linux is an OS. You cannot have two competing interfaces for the same hardware.
However, you can run Linux in a virtual machine on Windows. You can run Windows on a virtual machine under Linux. But you have to get the virtual machine up and running first.
And would the USB drive be swappable so that it could be used on different computers?
Yes.
IIRC ASUS boards will automatically move the other drives down the boot order list if you change the boot order to load from the USB. MSI boards make you change each drive individually in the boot order if you change it. Kind of a pain.
I created a Linux Mint VM and that is how I get internet access while keeping WinXP from accessing the internet. Just make sure to set up the VM with a bridged NIC connection.
I have full use of my XP as a utility for all the applications I love and Linux for internet access and email.
You can even import your Firefox profile and bookmarks to the VM easily.
“Here is the entry for pcAnywhere. it’s pretty old, but it should work.”
I have found a far better solution for remote control of another computer. Visit the TeamViewer website at http://www.teamviewer.com and download the program. Although it is a commercial program, it is free for private use. When you start TeamViewer, always choose the option to run, rather than install. Versions are available for Windows, Linux, and even iPhone/iPad. You can control a Windows machine from a Linux machine, and other combinations like that. It does not support dial-up, only connections via the Internet. I love it.
“is there a listing somewhere?
critical for me are pcAnywhere, and a DOS app that runs in a window on XP”
You can download a free Linux app from the Linux repositories called “DOSBOX” that may be able to run your DOS program. DOSBOX is mainly used for playing DOS games, but it will run some general DOS programs as well. I don’t think DOSBOX supports printers however.
thank you!
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