Earlier today, we received an email from an individual that expressed great interest in switching to Linux. Normally, I would be thrilled, except that in the same email, this person expressed that he was happy with how his current OS install is currently working.

Now I am not someone who is comfortable with recommending a switch to Linux when they appear to be generally happy with their current installation of Windows, but only wish to explore new software. The Gnomie’s desire to switch seems to relate to the applications available on the Linux platform for working with photos. So I suggest the following: Since this is someone looking to dual-boot with Windows 2000 Pro, I think that he should take the following approach.

First, don’t dual-boot unless you have to. Unless you are extremely familiar with the process (with any OS) or at the very least, have nothing on the existing partition that is that important should it be lost. Instead, stick with the installation of the OS that is working for you and use the following programs: GIMPShop (similar to GIMP) and even look into Paint.NET.

Now, assuming they are serious about taking the leap, I would suggest burning ISOs of Ubuntu, kubuntu and Freespire. Boot to each of the Live CDs to see which one does the best with detecting your hardware and just “feels right” to you.

Then to really play it safe, I would use something like Acronis OS selector. I believe this is the safest method for trying a dual-boot for the first time. Why use this method?

“You can boot an OS from any partition on any hard disk or have several multiboot systems on the same partition.”

I think I have made my case. If you are a newbie, and insist on using your daily use PC to install Linux, please, please use this product. This saves me from reading emails later on about how you lost partitions in some sort of mishap.

Oh, and I would point out something else, too. Do not expect Linux distributions to look and act like Windows. They share some similarities in GUI, but the backend is 100% different.

[tags]partition,booting,windows,linux,ubuntu,Acronis[/tags]