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Switch to Linux

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Linux is now a very useful alternative to Windows.

Below are some recommended steps in moving to Ubuntu Linux 9.10 (the Karmic Koala):
  1. Download Ubuntu Linux Desktop CD
  2. Burn ISO onto CD
  3. Boot your system using the Live CD to check if the hardware is supported
  4. Backup existing system
    1. XMarks Browser Bookmarks synchronization
      1. Synchronize existing bookmarks with XMarks so that they can be easily imported into the Linux system
      2. Open firefox to: http://www.xmarks.com
    2. Documents
      1. Copy onto external Hard Drive
    3. Email
    4. Contacts
    5. Calendar
  5. Install Ubuntu

Installing More Free Applications & Tools

The Ubuntu repository is full of excellent free software. To access the repository, select "Applications" -> "Ubuntu Software Center"
  • Adblock Plus extension for Firefox
    • Block most advertisements when surfing the web with Firefox
  • CHM Viewer (gnochm)
    • View Windows Compiled HTML help files (.chm)
  • OpenOffice.org Database
    • Similar to Microsoft Access
  • GNOME Commander
    • Two pane file explorer similar to Norton Commander
Other Recommended Applications not in the Ubuntu Repository:
  • X-Marks bookmarks synchronizer
    • Synchronize bookmarks across computers and browsers
    • Supports Firefox, Internet Explorer on Windows, etc.

For Developers

The Ubuntu repository is full of excellent free software. To access the repository, select "Applications" -> "Ubuntu Software Center"
  • Netbeans
    • Excellent Integrated Development Environment for Java, Ruby, C++, etc..
    • Much easier to use than eclipse
    • To Install: Select "Applications" -> "Ubuntu Software Center" -> Enter netbeans into the search box
      • Double-click on Netbeans IDE and then select Install
    • To add support for languages.
      • Start Netbeans: Applications -> Programming -> Netbeans
      • Select "Tools" -> "Plug-ins"
  • FileZilla
    • Download and upload files via FTP, FTPS and SFTP
  • Firebug extension for Firefox
    • Debug Web Pages directly inside of Firefox
  • Meld
    • Compare files and directories
    • Install package: meld
  • MySQL Server
    • Run the MySQL Database server locally
  • MySQL Client
    • MySQL Client libraries only
  • MySQL Administrator
    • Graphical Administration tool for MySQL
  • MySQL Query Browser
    • Graphical MySQL Query Tool
  • Hex Editor
    • View and Edit binary files with a Hex Editor
Other Recommended Applications in the Ubuntu Repository:
  • Ruby
    • Open a terminal session to install the necessary Ruby packages:
      • sudo apt-get install ruby-full rubygems rake mongrel libmysql-ruby
  • Open any folder in a command line (terminal) session:
    • sudo apt-get install nautilus-open-terminal
  • Add support for CISCO Virtual Private Networking
    • sudo apt-get install network-manager-vpnc vpnc

Other tools not in the standard repository

  • TrueCrypt
    • Encrypt entire drives or just portions thereof to keep them secure
      • Encrypted volumes can accessed from both Windows and Linux, ideal for use in a migration
    • Download from http://www.truecrypt.org/downloads
    • Open a Terminal
      • cd Downloads
      • tar -xvzf truecrypt-6.2a-ubuntu-x86.tar.gz
      • sudo ./truecrypt-6.2a-setup-ubuntu-x86
        • Select 'Install TrueCrypt'
  • VMware Player
    • If you have existing VMware images that you want to run on Linux:
      • Install required header files for VMWare Player to compile against
        • sudo aptitude install linux-headers-`uname -r` build-essential xinetd
      • Download ''VMware Player x.x.x for Linux (.tar)'' from the VMWare Web Site
        • wget http://download3.vmware.com/software/vmplayer/VMware-Player-2.5.3-185404.i386.bundle
      • Make download bundle executable
        • chmod +x VMware-Player-2.5.3-185404.i386.bundle
      • Install VMWare Player
        • sudo ./VMware-Player-2.5.3-185404.i386.bundle
      • Cleanup downloaded file
        • rm VMware-Player-2.5.3-185404.i386.bundle
  • CISCO Virtual Private Networking
    • If your office runs CISCO VPN and you want to be able to tunnel into the office
    • Open a terminal session and install the vpnc client:
      • sudo apt-get install vpnc
  • Serial Terminals
    • If you still need a serial cable connection to manage a server or network device
      • cutecom - Graphical Serial Terminal that supports zmodem
      • gtkterm - Simple Graphical Serial Terminal

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