New To Linux. Shall I Upgrade? Will My Aircard Work?

[uk_falang]

I have a new laptop and want to change to linux.

I will need to use some windows apps, how can i run windows in linux? Or is it better to have a dual boot. I am not a games player.

Is redhat the way forward? I need to run a CDMA aircard.

Any advice for newbies please

[Gumballl]

Consider installing Ubuntu. It has the easier interface for linux newbies.

Once Ubuntu is installed, you can opt to install VMWare Server, and once that is installed, you can install Windows within it.

Concerning your CDMA Aircard, if it is manufactured by Sierra, then here is a "helpful" link to some installation documentation: http://www.sierrawireless.com/faq/ShowFAQ.aspx?ID=608

Good luck with everything. Please post any questions concerning Linux in the appropriate forum.

[canadiangirl]

I have a new laptop and want to change to linux.

I will need to use some windows apps, how can i run windows in linux? Or is it better to have a dual boot. I am not a games player.

Is redhat the way forward? I need to run a CDMA aircard.

Any advice for newbies please

Hi uk_falang,

I'm sure you realize Linux is not the easiest thing to use! Not to discourage you, but just expect that things might not go smoothly all the time, there's definitely a learning curve. If you want to see if it works with your particular aircard, do a google with the specifics of your card, and "linux" -- see if the card is supported. Anything run-of-the-mill and/or older tends to be fine, but sometimes you can run into problems with the newer stuff.

As another poster said, a lot of people like Ubuntu. You can use vmware or also wine (which does windows emulation) to run some windows programs, but it doesn't work flawlessly. I myself am trying to get the Rosetta Stone "learning Thai" program to work under linux by running it under wine, and so far, no go. If it's not too hard, it might be simpler just to have a dual boot. Again, you can check if other people have gotten the windows programs you need to work under vmware/wine, by google.

good luck!

[jackk]

You should better use dual boot. Running native Windows apps on Linux is something I never understood (unless you want to bring win32 virus to your Linux box as well )

You can also try to find the equivalent Linux applications. Distros like Ubuntu have over 20,000 packages available, hoepefully that should be enough to find what you need.