Here are two good linux releases that I have always used:
Ubuntu [ubuntu.com] - this is my current choice because of stability, compatability, and simplicity to use and install
PC Linux OS [pclinuxos.com] - If you love the eye candy and effects of linux, choose pclinuxos. There is a new OS version coming out called the E-17 which will blow any linux lover away with its graphic joy.
Q: What makes linux look so powerful? A: A nice little program called compiz-fusion, downloadable from the package manager after you install your graphics driver.
Q: Why linux? A: If you are a programmer, or just like to mess around on computers, Linux is the OS for you. Linux contains many main programming languages, which you can use to write and build programs right in the system. After you create a program, you can upload it to the web as a package for other people to download and test.
Q: Can I run windows programs in linux? A: YES, through a program called Wine, http://www.winehq.org/, this is possible.
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Windows 7, although not quite as free and visual as Linux-based systems, is well worth the money. If you are looking for a powerful computing platform for gaming or business programs, Windows is the OS for you.
Windows OS's are very good at performing large scale operations at a fast speed.
I personally recommend Windows 7 Home Premium, as it has all the functions you would use daily, and professional/ultimate editions are twice as expensive with only a few more programs
Linux, on the other hand, performs fast on any computer, but when a large-scale windows program is running through Wine, Linux does tend to slow down a lot more than windows. But this is understandable as the OS wasn't meant for that level of performance.
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So, which do I recommend? Both
You can download an ISO and dual boot both operating systems, from which you can run any OS on startup through the GRUB bootloader that comes with the linux image
Ubuntu can be installed very easily from within a windows installation through http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download-wubi.
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some linux classics-
you can also make a window wall and other window selectors based upon the amount of desktops you wish to use. For this cube, I use 4 desktops. There is also a sphere/cylinder view for more desktop access.
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some linux themes-
many of these themes require you to turn to the KDE desktop in ubuntu or install the KDE version of PCLinuxOS: (KDE looks more like windows themes)
With the gnome theme + a free linux dock (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/CairoDock is a good one), you can recreate an utterly beautiful and customizable mac theme for linux!
