[TriLUG] re: conversion

[Tom Ed White]

I'd like to second that the task oriented approach is IMHO more effective,
esp. more effective than trying to emulate windows apps under Linux.

The things that are still issues for me:

Some web sites will not accept a Linux client, ie Netflix streaming movies.

Certain MS file formats.

Small custom apps, such as a corporate VPN client, that will not run under
Linux.

These are minor problems, though, compared to the benefits.

Tom Ed

At Mon, 05 Mar 2007 13:31:24 -0500,
Alan Porter wrote:
> 
> I did the same thing in 2004 and I have not looked back.
> 
> Suggestion... do not put yourself into a dual-boot situation.  You will 
> get an itch to do something in Windows and you'll boot into Windows and 
> next thing you know, three weeks later, you realize you've forgotten all 
> about converting to Linux.  It's too easy to get lazy.
> 
> Instead, copy your entire Windows disk to the external drive.  Format 
> the 80G C drive using the Ubuntu install CD.  Copy the files that you 
> like (the data files, your "home" directory) from the Windows (external) 
> drive back to the Ubuntu partition.  Try to make do.  It's like moving 
> to a foreign country... everyone else seems to be getting along OK, and 
> you just need to be put on the spot to make it work for yourself, too.
> 
> Make a list of all of the apps that you run.  No, scratch that.  Make a 
> list of all of the TASKS that you do.  Example: checkbook, sort 
> pictures, digital camera transfer, play MP3's, print resume, read email, 
> surf web, etc.  Keep track of which apps you installed to do each task.  
> Some will take a long time to get moved over (it took me a long time to 
> switch from Quicken to Gnucash, but in this case too, I am not looking 
> back).
> 
> If you run into a snag, install vmware server or vmware player (player 
> is a Ubuntu package, easy to install).  Make a virtual machine and 
> install Windows on it (maybe Win98, it's lighter weight).  Then you can 
> run the hard-to-replace stuff (TurboTax, etc) inside of a sandbox.  This 
> gives you the capability to run Windows stuff, but it makes the 
> experience a little less desirable than running Windows natively.  It 
> also allows you to do the onesy-twosy Windows tasks without shutting 
> down everything else and rebooting.  It helps reinforce the idea that 
> you need to be finding replacement apps instead of finding a way to run 
> Windows apps under Linux.
> 
> If you need any pointers, send me an email.  I'd be happy to share some.
> 
> 
> Alan
> 
> 
> PS - copied to the mailing list
> 
> 
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> .
> 
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