Our lass is having massive problems with her computer and has been for a couple of years. So far she has been using Windows XP and it seems to be the cause of all her technical issues. I know all the hardware works fine and I am sick of reloading XP over and over. I am now wondering if I could just install Linux instead because I have heard lots of good things regarding usability.

Can anyone tell me if this is feasible or sensible? Would Linux provide an adequate replacement for a mid-level user? Are most programs available on Linux too (specifically iTunes and Photoshop)? How complex is a clean install?

A user who can't handle XP might not be ready to go Linux alone. XP is actually a pretty stable OS, with proper upkeep. Ubuntu is my OS of choice at this point ( I even prefer it to OS-X because it actually has usable tab functions and keyboard shortcuts), though it does not "just work" like you may have heard. There is a fair amount of set-up involved even with the newest systems. It would be impossible to tell you how much configuring would be involved without knowing exactly what hardware she used in her machine. Download a few flavors and run the live CDs to test compatability.

Most PC apps have a Linux counterpart, but I still prefer running my Adobe apps in a VirtualBox using XP.

2nded. test ubuntu with a live cd and try it out.

oh and forget about photoshop.

I love Linux as much as the next person (and get paid to work on it quite frequenty) but if a non-technical user who is not big on change and wants to use Photoshop & iTunes, then they won't be happy with any Linux distro.

I have no problem with the Gimp and run it on both Linux & Windows, but most Photoshop regulars are not big fans. As for iTunes, that's a beast in its own right and there is no program that comes close enough in Linux for most longtime users.

Thanks for the comments, I'm going to test Ubuntu just to try it out.

Yeah, I agree that Ubuntu is a good bet with much wider support than it had a couple of years ago. It's pretty different from XP though.

I used to use Mandrake Linux about 4 years ago, and now Mandriva One is supposed to be a good entry-level Linux.

For those who like to pay for things, I've heard Xandros Home is a good XP crossover product.

Ubuntu and openSUSE 11 are great.

I have maddening problems with wireless from time to time on my Ubuntu X61 lenovo though, so I might even say openSUSE is the way to go. Easy, gorgeous and well designed.

Benny wrote:2nded. test ubuntu with a live cd and try it out.

oh and forget about photoshop.

P-shop runs fine for me under Wine.

But I agree with the general sentiment that Linux is not an OS for beginners. With XP, unless your girl is deliberately mucking about in the settings or something, the only reason I can think of why XP would give that much trouble, is spyware. Do you have any anti-spyware software running? Is she careful about content on the Web? Does she download lots of stuff from the Internet and run it without any idea what she's doing? Maybe a little basic education and imparted Internet wisdom might help.

tommydski wrote:Thanks for the comments, I'm going to test Ubuntu just to try it out.

Try it out using a Live CD first. Don't install, just boot it from the CD and try it out.

Good luck!

She is computer savvy, just a dirt poor student. Not the sort of person who can afford to throw money at M$ for a genuine copy of Windows. Thus, she's been using various pirated versions which all seem to end in inevitable disaster.

I figure I'll give Ubuntu a shot for the experience of doing it. Thanks for the comments.

tommydski wrote: I am sick of reloading XP over and over.

Do you know a disk cloning program called GHOST? I find It extremely helpful.

It clones the windows to an image file, restorable to the same machine later. It's much easier than reinstalling the Windows. It takes less than 10 minutes to complete the restoration process.

It's the best option once your computer is having technical difficulties or is infected with a virus.

You have to create 3 different partitions: 1 windows; 2 Image; 3 partition to store files, documents,etc.