Windows vs Linux

dorkz

Hi fellas. I wondered if anbody could help me with some college work or provide some links.

I have to make comparisons between Linux and MS Windows. Document configuration changes that I would/could make to a desktop environment within Linux.

Show changes that you can make to Linux to improve its performance, and methods of benchmarking the performance before and after the changes have been made.

Thanks in advance guys.

dorkz

plz someone?

Oblivious

Erm. I think that is a strange question to ask: Linux doesn't really have a desktop environment. Are you sure you didn't mean something else? Maybe you were refering to Xfree86? ( Or maybe I am missing the point? )

No_Style

How to make Linux at runlevel 5? Hmm.. Basically, less graphics = more performance.

dorkz

Nope I mean a desktop environment. I've to make comparisons between the two OS - Linux and Windows(XP) and contrasts - features etc.

The_Neon_Cowboy

wouldn't this belong in the linux forums?

No_Style

I was going to post it at first..but I didn't fully comprehend the question LOL Here it is anyways. It's a little broad, but it shows what Linux needs to be a better Desktop/Mainstream OS.

Can Linux Make It Mainstream?

EDIT: Link Fixed

tek

Once I have to format again I will be partitioning my 60GB HDD into two, 40GB for Windows, and 20GB for Linux - I really want to try Mandrake Linux and screw around with it... cant wait

The_Neon_Cowboy

linux never likes my hardware it useally take a dump right away..(with in first 3 days). madrake last version took an instant dump... the os just doesn't like me or something rofl

PangingJr

you can try Linux now if you like, use partition magic to resize the XP partition and then create a primary partition and a swap file partition for the Linux, make sure to install the LiLo to its own partition and Not on the MBR. you can use BootMagic from the partition magic package as boot manager for your system.
if you dont have partition magic you can also use BootIt NG, its free to use for 30 days.

No_Style

You can try playing with Linux on a Virtual Machine using VMWare. For those of you who don't know what VMWare is, it is a program which simulates a PC. Everything is simulated from the HDD, to even the POST. You can create a virtual hard drive which doesn't effect ANYTHING on your PC. So yes, you're running Windows XP and in a window you're running Fedora Core 1 or any other Linux Distro. It's an excellent way to experiment with OSes without having to use your actual hardware which could lead to incompatibilities.

The cons about using VMware is..the actual fact, that you're not using your "real" hardware..so the performance is reduced. I suggest having well over a 512 MB of RAM before using VMWare. (Although, Linux text based only needs 64 MB RAM).

BTW, VMWare is quiet expensive for a 25 MB program. I suggest you download the trial or obtain a copy of it through means which I am not allowed to utter in these forums It's truly an educational tool that beginners and experts alike must try~

I use it for college. Instead of installing Linux on our machines have pooploads of installation issues with WinNT4, XP and Linux..we just use VMware to simulate NT4 and Linux. Another plus about this is, you can copy the actual Virtual Machine to another computer without compromising the "Guest OS's" configuration. IE: I copy my Fedora Virtual machine from my Laptop to my Home PC and sometimes to my School PC. (3 different machines, but the Virtual Machine is exactly the same)
I also use VMware for testing out my Unattended XP CD. It sure beats installing from CD to HDD (So much faster when mounting an image and installing from it)

merry

Alternatively, the GRUB boot-manager is free and works well. There is one little thing to observe: the eventuality of reinstalling Windows. Explained on this page, paragraphs 3.2 and 3.3. Note that GRUB is installed in the MBR.

This is my exact setup: Win98/WinXP/Linux, all in primary partitions, with a small /boot being the primary Linux partition; and a plethora of logical partitions including linuxswap, /, various FAT32 partitions with mp3 and such, all in the extended partition.

GRUB comes with RedHat Linux (don't know about fedora).

The full HOWTO (tar.gz)

To be honest, I think one should be comfortable with Linux before messing around with GRUB (or at least have the Partition Magic floppies handy, which is my case ).

PangingJr

there're many ways for playing with multi-Boot/OSes on the same machine.
No_Style and Merry you both have quite experiences of your own, VMWare and GRUB are both very good and it's a way to do it. Thanks for sharing with us.

like to stretch out over this abit..,
the reason for use primary partition is you can have both boot and system files on the same partition and when you like to remove any OS from the machine then it wont be any prob or conflict to the others whatsoever. things you need to do before adding a new OS onto the machine are.. make sure that the only show partition is the one to be use as a new OS installation and its set 'Active' you can also show the extended partitions(logical drive), But you must 'Hide' every partitions that has an OS already installed before starting the OS installation.... all can be done using any partition manager. so every new OSes will always have C: as its boot/system drive(s), and it wont be any wrong partition installations either.

i dont like to install any program on the MBR eventho i have many Windows OSes and Linux on the same machine. for me, there will be no boot manager when booting, once i get into any windows partition i can pick out what's my next boot will be..., you can do this by copying the PQBoot for windows files.. "pqbw.exe" and "pqbw.rtc" (files are located in the partition magic program files) and put it in its own folder, then create a shortcut to the pqbw.exe. this for using in windows only and you'll need to have this on every windows partitions. for booting Linux i'll use BootMagic boot floppy, it'll do at the first step without loading any drivers so its fast enough..
for partition manager, i've partition magic made out on floppy disks, never use or work on it within windows, nor keep it as a program installed on windows. and lately i've found BootIT NG is also work very well.

D4rkz, sorry man, i dont have any info at all to help you..

Edit-- more info