32 vs 64 bit - I still use 32 bit because I care about ram more than processing.
Second, I'd use linux in a vm if I were you.... actually I am doing this more and more now. For instance I've got ubuntu in a virtualbox installed at work (because putty sucks, cygwin is a pain, etc - yeah I just use it for konsole there)
Lastly, I've gotten lazy over the years. I used to buy things with the best specs and spend a week or more getting it fully functional. Now, I still look at specs but if the hardware isn't popular with good drivers on every of, I will probably look elsewhere. So, I like the path of least resistance. This is why I have a Mac (though all I use there is chrome, iterm, and.... ) use virtualbox for damn near everything.
My point in all of this is that if windows is working for you, use it. If you want / need linux for any reason, put it in a virtual. At this point it doesn't really matter how well linux supports your hardware. It supports virtualbox quite well.
Hi Sam,
I'll throw in my 2 cents as well...
On Thu, Nov 24, 2011 at 1:45 PM, Weaver <weaver@riseup.net> wrote:
On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 06:43:54 -0500
Sam Vagni <sam.vagni@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello everyone,
Hello Sam,
>It's good to go with, depending on what you're looking for.
> I just want to go into Linux, coming from Windows XP. Just want to
> know if Debian is good to go with and learn then?
If you want to learn, there's no Linux distro better for the purpose,
but an easier introduction could be by downloading and installing LMDE
here: http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=1818 which many are switching to
from Ubuntu.--b
It also depends on what you want to learn and how deeply you want to delve into Linux. I have been working with Linux for many years (I started using Linux to teach myself SunOS 4.1.3). I started with Slackware (2.2.0.1) and progressed to RedHat, then started using Debian, where I have been ever since.
That said, IMHO, if your goal is to become a sysadmin or similar work, I would recommend, at some point, dabbling in Slackware, Gentoo, or for the truly hardcore, Linux From Scratch. While this can be frustrating at times, it also has the advantage of honing your troubleshooting skills. If you are wanting to become more of a casual user, Linux Mint, PCLinuxOS, Ubuntu (if you can get past the Unity interface) are more complete solutions, drop a CD in and it installs. It's like buying a car. You don't buy your teenager a brand new Aston Martin DB9...You get them an older Honda Accord.