Hello..
( if i'm in the wrong Forum, please delete)

I'll like to ask you (Linux users) a few things..
well, i'll be installing Linux (suse 9.1 ) this weekend and i'll get rid of my old
systemm, saying that i must admit that i'm a bit nervous and unsure about it, 'cos
someone told me "Don't do that, nothing will work, etc", well i know that many
of you are very expirienced Linux users, that's why i like to ask you a few
questions ( hope you don't mind)

1) Is it difficult to install ?

2) Is everything going to funktion like before. ?

3) Do i have to take special care about something.?

4) Are Windows and other programms going to funktion.?

I know that someone will laugh about this silly questions, but to be
honest i have very little expirience in this field.
Anyway, I do hope, i'll be doing the "right thing"..

Any tips, will be much appreciated..

cheers

hughs

As a windows user, but with some experience in linux i'll try to answer the questions.

1) No, but the level of difficulty depends on the distro you install. Suse has a rather nice install understandable for windows users. I asume Suse has the option for easy or advanced install, I suggest you do take advanced so you'll only install the things you need. This will make it easier to learn to get to know the system

2) What is everything? unless you use something like an emulator no windows programs will function, but linux can do everything windows can (and more).

3) Yes, not getting rid of your windows install yet. Make seperate partition for linux. You'll need some time to get used to linux. Don't trow away windows, it will be your save place untill you know your way around in linux.

4) First, Windows is not a program, it's an OS (operating system). When you install linux on partition Windows will still work. As for the programs: No, not in linux, unless you use an emulator. But for every windows program you use there are several programs available for linux that can do the same.

Hope this is a little usefull

For what purpose are you going to use LINUX?
For a web server? Desktop ? (Desktop-if so, you can have both of them on one harddrive! YOu can test LInux and if you don't like it, delete it.)

It is a great system but you will have to learn planty of things, it is way different.
1. it is easy to install, easier then windoze (suse 9.1)

2. what everything, don't know what you want

3. ...like what??

4. Windows programs don't work under LINUX as a native app, though you can use emulator - wine - I wouldn't do that. There are planty of similar programs to windoze on linux.

Hi:
Thank you ! for your answers, as you might guess, i'm not very expirienced.
I'll be using Linux only as Desktop.
On Question 2 i mean Printer, scanner, web-cam etc, will i get the drivers for all that.?
On Question 3: a mean other programms like FTP, PS 6.0 etc.
I'll take your advise, and i'll not get rid of windows untill i get use to it.

hughs

For most hardware drivers are available, I wouldn't worry about that. But keep in mind that (although this is changing) a lot of drivers haven't been created by the hardware builders themselfs but by the linux community.

As for the programs, there really is plenty available for linux. Most distro's have programs like a FTP server/client included. Usually you have the choise to install this during install.