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eric on Feb 28th 2008 at 9:00 am Geeky Things

Ubuntu and no more dual-booting… and yet there’s still Windoze!

Sometimes I just like to change things up. And for awhile now I’ve been running Ubuntu Linux and Windows XP on the same laptop. When you start the laptop, you get the choice – do you want Ubuntu or XP? 99 times out of 100, I’d choose Ubuntu.

Well, yesterday, I saved everything I needed to save and reinstalled Ubuntu over the entire harddrive. Yep, installed it over XP. I always kept XP as a safety net, but never really needed it, except for two programs: Microsoft Streets and Trips and Bhaktivedanta Vedabse. Oh, and I also used it to view some TV shows on ABC.com and Fox.com – you have to have Windows running to access those sites (which is incredibly lame).

Anyway, I saved everything, reinstalled Ubuntu and am now single booting the Gutsy Gibbon.

So, what about the Streets and Trips? What about Vedabase? And what of those TV shows that I just can’t live without? Yes, what?!

Take a look-see (click on it to see it bigger, ok?):

screenshot.png

Yep, that’s Ubuntu running in the background and XP running within it’s own little window. Aww, how cute! It’s reduced Windows to the crappy little program that it really is!

How is this amazing feat accomplished? Simple! I downloaded a program for Ubuntu called VirtualBox. That program allows you to “virtually install” other operating systems on your computer. It’s not just for Linux. Many Windows folks have Ubuntu as their virtual OS. I don’t really see the point in that, but whatever.

I’m fairly happy with this. I’m fully running Ubuntu and can also run the very small handful of Windows-based programs when I need to. And, I don’t have to miss even one episode of House or Lost!

So do I whole-heartedly recommend that you switch over to Ubuntu? Yeah, pretty much. For most of us, Ubuntu can do everything that Windows can AND it does it for free.

You can even try it out for free by downloading their LiveCD. The LiveCD allows you to temporarily boot up to Ubuntu – however, the whole thing is contained on your CD-ROM drive. Yeah, that makes it a bit slow and clunky, but it gives you a good opportunity to try it out.

And if you don’t think you’re computer savvy enough to pull it off, I knew nothing of Linux when I tried it. Sure, there’s a learning curve, but the jump from Windows XP to Windows Vista was much harder for me than from XP to Ubuntu. And if you still need help, there’s a ridiculous amount of help out there.

Woo!



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18 responses so far

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18 Comments

Comment by CourtneyNo Gravatar
2008-02-28 12:48:35

Not that this is the point…but I’d be so disappointed if you had to miss one second of House.

Comment by ericNo Gravatar
2008-02-28 21:43:42

too true!

Hugh Laurie.. *sigh*

right?

 
 
Comment by jagannathaNo Gravatar
2008-02-28 13:18:52

yeah!!!
My computer has exactly the same thing, almost not use XP, and my boyfriend install Ubuntu, ubuntu have a messenger too. Before I did not like, but now I like a lot, is very good .. . welcome to the world of free software.
This is the Free Software Song:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_jMH_WRwOWs

Comment by ericNo Gravatar
2008-02-28 21:43:11

what a freaky video! He *does* make us all look insane!!

Comment by jagannathaNo Gravatar
2008-02-29 11:23:05

ha ha ha, is a very funny video ha ha ha, you be freeeee, ha ha ha

 
 
 
Comment by Hrisikesa DasNo Gravatar
2008-02-28 14:07:28

I use Ubuntu Ultimate Edition! Ubuntu rocks!

 
Comment by NandaNo Gravatar
2008-02-28 18:20:30

well done, linux is definitely the way to go. For those tv shows you might want to try http://www.hulu.com, that has a lot for free and will work on linux (its flash based), if you need an invite for the beta I can send you one.

Also people may want to try out Linux Mint, its based on ubuntu and is compatible with it, but has all multimedia codecs, dvd playback and some other cool stuff included by default.

 
Comment by NandaNo Gravatar
2008-02-28 18:20:54

well done, linux is definitely the way to go. For those tv shows you might want to try http://www.hulu.com, that has a lot for free and will work on linux (its flash based), if you need an invite for the beta I can send you one.

Also people may want to try out Linux Mint, its based on ubuntu and is compatible with it, but has all multimedia codecs, dvd playback and some other cool stuff included by default

Comment by ericNo Gravatar
2008-02-28 21:45:39

I was just looking at hulu yesterday. I’d love an invite!

I was also checking out Linux Mint and I think it would probably be better for those just entering into it (since you don’t have to download the DVD and MP3 codecs, etc.).

But either way, folks should definitely give Ubuntu/Linux a shot.

Comment by NandaNo Gravatar
2008-03-02 09:41:47

Sorry for the delay, I forgot to check back and see if you wanted it. I’ve sent the invite now to: eric “at” sitproperly “dot” com

 
 
 
Comment by PanduNo Gravatar
2008-02-29 12:28:23

I wonder how many years it would take to download an operating system with a 26.4kbps dialup connection.

Hopefully there’s a way to mailorder a CD. (I haven’t checked yet.) I run Vista at home. It’s pretty cool, but a little buggy, as expected.

I only see TV about once a year when visiting relatives, so I don’t know what those shows are.

Comment by ericNo Gravatar
2008-02-29 12:45:11

Wow. That would take a long time.

Luckily for you, you can have the discs sent to you for free. I believe it takes a little while, but it’s free.

You can also buy a book about Ubuntu at pretty much any bookstore. All the books that I’ve seen come bundled with an Ubuntu disc. Plus, I highly suggest getting a book about it.

Comment by PanduNo Gravatar
2008-02-29 16:35:54

Thanks for the info. I’ll have to try it.

Hare Krishna.

P.S. The law says they have to provide broadband access on our road by 2013. I get much better Internet on my phone, except that downloads are limited to 5 MB. Even regular-speed dialup would be a treat.

Comment by NandaNo Gravatar
2008-03-02 09:39:04

A cheaper option than the book is to look for a Linux magazine, they often give distros for free on the covers.

 
 
 
 
Comment by MandyNo Gravatar
2008-03-01 20:54:43

Missing House is just unacceptable….

Your geekiness is lovely.

Comment by ericNo Gravatar
2008-03-01 23:18:26

awww you’re too kind! or insane. but thanks!

 
 
Comment by urukramaNo Gravatar
2008-03-02 10:23:42

Eric, you can run the Vedabase fine through Wine on Ubuntu, so you don’t need Windows for that. I sent you a pm on the ubuntuforums about this ages ago (since you asked about it there).

Pandu, you can order Ubuntu CDs from Shipit (https://shipit.ubuntu.com/). It takes a couple of weeks for the CDs to reach you, but if you are not in a hurry and don’t want to spend money on it, it is great.

urukrama

Comment by ericNo Gravatar
2008-03-02 10:25:04

Yep, and try as I might, I just couldn’t get it to work. But I’m betting it will work on the virtual machine. I don’t have my copy of Vedabase with me, unfortunately.

 
 

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