Two Easy Ways to Try Linux

Article by Hoo Ann

If you are a computer user and have been around for a while on the internet, you must have heard about Linux already. Contrary to what many people believe, you do not have to go through the labyrinth of complicated command-lines in order to get an experience with Linux. In fact, you do not even have to install any fancy thing on your computer to try Linux. In this article, I will show you two easy ways to try Linux without the fear of crashing your computer.



Live CD

Many popular Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, have been incorporating the method of using a live CD to test the distribution for quite a long time. Basically, with a Live CD, the user can use a particular Linux distribution without making any changes to the operating system. This means that no data will be written on the hard drive. More than that, a live CD can even run on a computer that does not have a physical hard drive. In non-technical English, this method is very much like that you can try out the clothes at the store before buying them.

It is also very easy to get a live CD to try the Linux distribution. Ubuntu, the most famous Linux distribution, even has a program to give a live CD to anyone who sends them an email asking for it. If you want to make one by yourself, all you have to do is to download the installing image file and burn it into a disk. If you think compact discs are too outdated, you can burn the image onto a USB drive and everything will still work the same.

After that insert the disc into the CD drive and restart the computer and you’ll have a completely functional desktop within minutes. You can freely do anything here because any changes you make are temporary and will not be stored on your hard drive. After you finish trying out the distribution of your choice, your computer will be back to the state it was before you tried the Live CD.


Virtual machine

A virtual machine allows users to run an operating system inside their main operating system. All you need to do is to download then install a virtual machine software. This software will create a virtual computer which mimics real ones. Therefore all operating systems can be installed on a virtual machine just like you can on a real computer. It mat sound a little bit geeky but it is actually easy thank to all the free virtual machine applications out there. All you need to do is select one application and follow the instructions to install and try Linux.

Linux is a very interesting operating system and it has become a technology trend today. To know more about Linux and Ubuntu, check my blog about Linux tips and tricks, you will find many useful tutorials, tips and reviews there.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hoo_Ann