Forums » Linux
The fun thing is, you can use linux on any computer. Get a laptop according to mom and get linux afterward :)
Even better, get a liveCD to learn and don't wipe your windows installation until you're confident with your linux skill.
Ubuntu is a liveCD, you boot off the cd/dvd and it's usable as-is, you don't have to install it. There are plenty of liveCD around. Try as many as you want :)
Even better, get a liveCD to learn and don't wipe your windows installation until you're confident with your linux skill.
Ubuntu is a liveCD, you boot off the cd/dvd and it's usable as-is, you don't have to install it. There are plenty of liveCD around. Try as many as you want :)
I have yet to hear of a school supporting Linux. Many support people working for schools/universities have never even heard of it. That does not mean you can not run it... just may get into some trouble. For example my ex was running a Ubuntu system at Oxford, and her network card died. Support services refused to replace it as they blamed Linux for not detecting it, and forced a Windows install before she was let back onto the campus network. Now she runs dual-boot.
Also you may be left a bit on your own at connecting the computer to the network, setting default gateway and dns servers. Most of that stuff is quite trivial though and distros like Ubuntu allegedly even have GUI tools to do that nowdays.
Of course if your course requires you to work with Word/Excel files and use Exchange for email you need some sort of Windows install. I had a virtual Windows installed in VMWare when I was at uni, it worked pretty well for all my Windows needs. It can be a bit tricky to set up though, so this may not be a preferred thing for you.
If you are sticking with Windows for now, but are interested in Linux, give Cygwin a go. It offers you a UNIX-like command set, so you can get used to the tools before making the switch.
Also you may be left a bit on your own at connecting the computer to the network, setting default gateway and dns servers. Most of that stuff is quite trivial though and distros like Ubuntu allegedly even have GUI tools to do that nowdays.
Of course if your course requires you to work with Word/Excel files and use Exchange for email you need some sort of Windows install. I had a virtual Windows installed in VMWare when I was at uni, it worked pretty well for all my Windows needs. It can be a bit tricky to set up though, so this may not be a preferred thing for you.
If you are sticking with Windows for now, but are interested in Linux, give Cygwin a go. It offers you a UNIX-like command set, so you can get used to the tools before making the switch.