Yeah, I know there is a subforum on Linux, but having gone thru it, i didn't see much action on it and no direct answers to the following concerns.

my pc use is mostly emails, surfing/research, and torrent downloading and I've had some issues with my pirate xp that came with the notebook I just bought. I do have a legal version of xp64 on my pc and am happy with it for the most part, but this pirate xp has been lots of problems with updating various software.

Would I be better off using linux??

and I should mention that I am not an expert/geek and have barely mastered windows XP. Is linux any more dummie friendly?? or would it give me more headaches??

Would I be better off using linux?? Yes

Is linux any more dummie friendly?? Yes, I'm using it...

Would it give me more headaches?? Yes it may, but only if you use distros like http://www.exherbo.org Anything else will less painful than Windows.

Martin

My kids uses Linux (Ubuntu) ... in 4 languages ...

Standard answer: get one of the Live CDs and just try it out!

But bring in a positive attitude for change and be prepared that some things will work differently. Give yourself a couple of days (at least) to get acquainted with the new OS, and to figure out how things work.

If you 'barely' mastered Windows, it would be a huge advantage to have the system and software that you need setup by a friend to help you get started. He/she could also help you setup a dual boot partition (Linux/Windows) and introduce you to the major differences (package manager, sudo, etc)

You might also post a list of programs here (or in the Linux sub-forum) that you have installed/ that you use and get feedback what are the equivalents on Linux.

That said, you shouldn't have any troubles getting your 'basic needs' (communication, web, torrents) satisfied.

welo

Would I be better off using linux?? Yes

Is linux any more dummie friendly?? Yes, I'm using it...

Would it give me more headaches?? Yes it may, but only if you use distros like http://www.exherbo.org Anything else will less painful than Windows.

Martin

Ubuntu or possibly Mint versions of Linux will do all you want out of the box.

There will be a learning curve as there was with Windows, but after that you will have less headaches and updates etc are easier and more friendly. As an added bonus not only does Linux check for updates to the system in the background but it also updates your installed applications at the same time so everything is up to date.

The biggest problem you may find with Linux is finding the application that suits you the best for your needs.. Obviously Microsoft applications are not avalable under Linux.

For example if you currently use Internet explorer then your going to have to change to a different browser such as Firefox.

If you are using Outlook then again a different email application is required, but don't worrry there are good applications for all your needs bundled with Ubuntu and Mint. and they are all free

My advice is to download and try a Live CD from several of the Linux distros and see which one you feel more comfortable with. If you like Linux and but do not like some of the default applications then there will be plenty of people here willing to offer their suggestions as to alternatives.

With the latest version of Ubuntu 10.04 which is an LTS (long Term Support) release just out now is a very good time to take the plunge and move to Linux.

Good luck and give it a try. You have nothing to loose as it is all free.

My main useage/websites I visit are thaivisa [of course], wikipedia, google, gmail, btjunkie, [torrent site], easynews [torrent site], google news, imdb, and a couple of other forums and occasionally yahoo and hotmail and youtube....and my banking sites and other usage is just random misc. surfing.

offline, I use windows media player, winamp, vlc player.....will they work??

and will my filing system be affected?/ and transfering files to linux in the changeover??

My main useage/websites I visit are thaivisa [of course], wikipedia, google, gmail, btjunkie, [torrent site], easynews [torrent site], google news, imdb, and a couple of other forums and occasionally yahoo and hotmail and youtube....and my banking sites and other usage is just random misc. surfing.

offline, I use windows media player, winamp, vlc player.....will they work??

and will my filing system be affected?/ and transfering files to linux in the changeover??

Linux will find all your old files from Windows especially if you have a dual boot system so as you can read and write the files from either boot. I recomend using dual boot for a while until you are familiar with Linux and have it set up the way you like it

VLC player will work all your web sites will be OK. Windows Media player will not work, and I am ot sure if there is a version of Winamp for Linux. I think not.

Ubuntu has its own media player which I find very good although I also use VLC

You do not say which program you use for downloading torrents. Vuze is available and Deluge is the Ubuntu Default, but I like Qbittorrent as it has more of the functions from uTorrent that I use (such as the abilty to rename torrents)

Suggest you try Linux Mint. Based on Ubuntu. Works great without any fiddling. Includes VLC. Download SMPlayer for the odd file VLC can't handle. Use qBittorrent for your downloading. It can read NTFS files. Get Sun Virtual Box to run WIndows (or anything else) inside Linux for the non Linux apps you can't live without.

Seconded the recommendation of using a LiveCD to try it out a bit beforehand and as others have mentioned Ubuntu is a good starting point.

Just on the issue of torrents. The Opera web browser allows you to natively download torrents. No need anymore for a separate torrent client. And of course Opera is available for free under both Windows and Linux.

Any issues with google's offerings....gmail, google chrome etc??

and what media player options would I have??

Any issues with google's offerings....gmail, google chrome etc??

and what media player options would I have??

No google issues. I use VLC, SMPlayer, and Rhythmbox.

As has already been suggested. Download a live dvd. Boot it and try it out. No need to install anything.