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10 easy ways to play with Linux without leaving Windows
If you're still using Windows for your primary OS there are tons of ways to get your feet wet like a true penguin without making any serious commitments. Here are ten ways to play with Linux painlessly -- if you have another to share, please post it in the comments!
Virtualization
Moba LiveCD
Moba uses QEMU to boot LiveCD and LiveUSB images right from your Windows desktop. It works as a portable app and also offers context menu integration so you can right-click to launch fresh images.
Portable Ubuntu
Using Colinux, Pulseaudio for Windows, and the Xming X server, this package allows you to boot a fully-working Ubuntu environment inside Windows right from your usb flash drive. The bigger the better, obviously. I'd recommend an 8GB or 16GB if you plan on using it regularly.
VirtualBox and VirtualboxImages.com
Sun's VirtualBox is a very capable virtualization app, and it's certainly priced right. Sure, you can download LiveCD ISO files, mount them, and sit through a boring install process -- but why bother? Head over to VirtualBoxImages.com and grab some ready-to-use VMs.
VMWare Player and Appliances MarketplaceIf you don't want to pony up for Workstation, VMWare's free player is a good, free way you can experiment with loads of Linux distros. Just grab them from the Appliance Marketplace - community members are always contributing new releases.
KDE for Windows
While it's not quite "playing with Linux," being able to experiment with a whole slew of KDE apps on Windows is pretty slick. Download the installer, choose the KDE goodies you want to install, and wait - the process can take quite a long time depending on how much there is to download.
USB Flash Drive Utilities
Fedora LiveUSB Creator and UNetBootIn
Burning CDs and DVDs takes too long, and it usually ends up in a lot of waste. I can't count how many time I've found a stack of unloved, scratched up Linux discs laying around the shop. These two utilities allow you to transfer those ISO and IMG files to a USB flash drive instead.
LiLi (formerly USBuntu Live Creator)
Unlike the previous apps, LiLi can also wrap your distro in VirtualBox for portable booting from any Windows box. LiLi can also create persistent storage areas on your flash drive for LiveUSB environments.
Others
Boot.kernel.org
This might not be the best way to play if you're stuck on a moderate-speed DSL connection like I am, but it's still a pretty amazing option. Grab yourself a GPXE boot image for USB, floppy, or CD, and boot your choice of Debian, Ubuntu, Damn Small, Knoppix, or Fedora - over the Internet. How cool is that?
Wubi
Download Ubuntu or any of the official variants - Kubuntu, Xubuntu, etc. - and mount the ISO file in Windows using an app like Virtual Clonedrive (or your favorite alternative). You'll find wubi.exe in the drive's root folder - launch it, and you'll have a Ubuntu install accessible via the Windows boot menu in a matter of minutes.
Many Ubuntu-based distros - like Mint, for example - make use of Wubi as well.
Now that you've got some handy tools, go download some distros! Distrowatch is a great way to stay on top of new releases and Linuxtracker is a great place to find torrent downloads for loads of different distros.
If I missed an app or site you think should be here, tell me in the comments!
Comments
7
Subscribe to commentsKieranOct 3rd 2009 7:51AM
how did you get google chrome on ubuntu netbook remix?
der_tuxmanSep 28th 2009 3:48PM
I still wait for a "portable" Debian. Dumbuntu is a crippled Debian and nothing more.
VPS LinkSep 28th 2009 9:58PM
The Linux desktop has come a long way in recent years, however, Linux's advantages over other operating systems are primarily apparent in multi-user/server deployments.
One additional way in which Windows users could build some additional Linux skill (and get some functional use out of their Linux deployment from the start) would be to make use of Linux hosting - wouldn't you agree?
RogerSep 28th 2009 11:00PM
Oh I like that good share. Linux has always had such great reality, no wonder it's the most popular server type.
You say batman I saw Vawncast
d00msay3r3Sep 28th 2009 11:44PM
Best way I've found is what I am doing now.Use Vista on my gaming rig, and Ubuntu on my web surfing rig running Synergy to use one keyboard,mouse and dual monitors. This way I can learn when I have time and still always default back to Windows when needed until I feel comfortable enough to finally leave it behind. It's also nice when I need to cut and paste something from a Google search from one machine to the other.
whiskeySep 29th 2009 2:24AM
By far the easiest way to try Ubuntu is this one:
1. Get the Ubuntu CD.
2. Put it on your CD Tray and reboot
3. Use the "Try Ubuntu on my system..." option
4. Play with it.
IT WILL BE SLOW, but that's because it's reading from the CD.
You might want to use a spare 1GB USB and install it there:
5. From the System menu select Administration and USB Disk Creator
6. IF your USB is bigger you can set it up so the documents and files you create on it are not destroyed upon reboot by activating and moving the slider.
7. Once you are finished, spare yourself the trouble and delete the Wubi.exe file on your usb.
Now you are ready to test Ubuntu in any computer that supports USB booting.
MikeOct 1st 2009 12:33AM
If you are running a desktop machine, this is "the best" way to evaluate another OS without any possible damage to your current OS.
http://www.im-boot.com/products.asp
http://www.im-boot.com/im-boot_duo_brochure_color.pdf
Disclaimer: Yes I know the inventor.