Hi, I'm a full time Windows user and I'm currently on high school and I want to start programming and start experimenting with Linux and it's huge freedom it offers. But my school relies heavily on the windows ecosystem (skype, word, excel, powerpoint, outlook, etc...), but I really want to start learning into Linux and what you can do on it. If you can help me find a way to install Linux without losing the programs I need from Windows I will highly appreciate it.
Thanks in advance.
Well most people in this situation would duel boot there machines. I would buy a second drive preferable an ssd to run Linux on and then just boot whichever operating system on start-up from the boot menu. When I go about the instillation processes I would usually take out the windows drive just to be safe. I found however after a wile this was a hastle so I just ended up using Linux as my main os and vitalized windows in Virtualbox. Now another option since we are on the subject of virtualization is you could start learning by virtulizing a Linux disto in virtual box just to get the hang of it. Ether way would be a good way to start your learning process.
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Thanks for the info, I think I will start with your suggestion of virtualizing a linux distro to start getting the hang of it then I will make the choice of switching or not. Thanks again.
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When I was looking into switching between operating systems, I'd try programs that existed across both platforms first to see if they'd suit my needs. For instance, if you have a reliance on Word and Powerpoint, try downloading LibreOffice, use it on Windows, and see if it's possible to use it in its place first.
Thankfully, a lot of software for Linux has a Windows version.
If you are looking to experiment, then you want to run Linux in a virtual machine.
That way you can setup and try different distros, even side by side, and tinker, destroy, whatever your VMs to your heats content.
Once you are really satisfied, you can switch to a Linux full time scenario, but I'd give it a while. You'll probably be much more familiar with Windows for a long time even after messing with Linux VMs.
I've been using Linux on my various laptops I've inherited over the years. I just recently switched over and started using it on my desktop. No killer hangups yet, and when you switch full time you learn a hell of a lot more about linux which is a really nice feeling. I've started to get "enthused" and will probably tackle a Ubuntu Server and possibly a pfsense box in a few months.
Everyone here says to ease into Linux which in itself is good advice but I say jump into Linux and do not look back. If you want to embrace another OS then you have to commit. Outside a few programs and the different way to install some applications there really is not much to learn nowadays. Not one person that I have switched over to Linux Mint has asked me to reload Windows for them.
I am not here to persuade you to switch but if you want to run Linux then just do it. I did years ago and it is a decision I have never regretted.
No more dealing with stupid Keys and reloading the OS, if needed ,only takes minutes. Try that with Microsoft. Although in all my years of running Linux I have never had to reload the OS because of a borked system. Plus you never have to buy an OS again.
Uhh, no. It's not in the same league
Mine did two.
Two things help with this. outlook.com and google drive. Libreoffice works well with the docx format but cant get it right all the time (this is becuase Microsoft alter how Word adheres to the doxc standard (hint, it doesnt)), I used google docs and libreoffice a lot to draft up documents then just gave them a final tweak on a school computer with word, this usualy want always just a few formatting bits.
One of the other things you can do is see if you can submit in other formats, pdf being the best option, it will keep the format you give it regardless of where your lecturer opens it. This worked for me.
outlook.com has skype, theres also a linux client i think still.
powerpoint i mainly used google docs or libreoffice, again, you can output to different formats.
I agree with @eastexas actually the best option might be to just jump in. Get some bits set up, like using google docs or checking if you can submit in pdf and jump in full swing. Stick with it for a month and learn how to use it, youll find it works well for almost everything.
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You're right here, but I'll point out that most companies now actually have an O365 subscription which means you can log into outlook.office365.com for email and while it's still not Outlook, it is pretty damn powerful.
I did this when Windows 10 released... I lost the image of my Laptop running Win8.1, and did not like the new policy M$ was coming up with on the new release. I jumped into Linux, My Laptop ran great then I destroyed my desktop, then reinstalled. Destroyed my desktop again with a network issue... Reinstalled a second time. Learning the CLI got me through and showed me how much there was to learn and how powerful the user is in Linux. I grew up, left Mint for Fedora23 and really haven't looked back. It's been a great experience in learning and even picked up some programming along the way.
What a story
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Learn sudo and stick to mint or ubuntu.
Thanks for the tip. I have, slowly switching to open source software and I have to say that is been pretty good so far.
Thanks again @Phoenixan