SevenCubed - 3:26 am on Mar 10, 2013 (gmt 0)

Why does everyone talk about installing Linux on an old dusty box they have laying around and never about a new box?

Because for learning it's better to risk and old box rather than a new PC. When all the experimenting is done and over with then I can install it on a new PC.

It is possible to read Linux file systems from Windows. If it is a recent Linux install it is probably an ext4 file system (you can check using "disk utility" from Ubuntu) which may mean you cannot write to the Linux file system from Windows, but you will be able to read it.

Yeah, I've sorta found my way around all that since I asked originally.

The software installer is also less user friendly (I mean less user friendly that synaptic, let alone Ubuntu Software Centre).

I haven't been using any GUI. I prefer, and have been using, Aptitude via a terminal (on my desktop).

@mack -- thanks for that link to your experiences with the transition. I read some of it day before yesterday but didn't have time to get through it all. I've bookmarked it and will go back to it when I get my own dilemmas ironed out here to see what I can glean from it.

Speaking of dilemmas here's the latest. I had time to spare this afternoon so I created a backup of my Windows 8 data from my laptop and then reformatted back to factory new. When it booted up after 3 1/2 hour reinstall process the modified boot record was still in place! That was annoying but at least I was able to boot into Windows 8. It was indeed a complete reinstall. Then I proceeded with part deux -- install Linux Ubuntu 12.10 64 bit as a dual boot setup. The Linux install was quick and all went well. Rebooted the laptop, Windows MBR was in control and says Ubuntu doesn't exist, very heavy sigh. No way says I, I refuse to take no as an answer. Found a utility for Ubuntu called boot-repair. Put the LiveDVD back in drive and reboot, used command line, installed boot-repair, and performed, ahhh repair. It said it was successful! I reboot the laptop, what comes up? Ubuntu GRUB! Yay, I got into Ubuntu and this blazin' fast 8GB RAM laptop, smiles everywhere. Play with it a bit then figure okay now let me reboot and try Windows. GRUB comes up, select Windows 8, nooooooooooooo -- error unable to boot into Windows!

That's it for tonight I think. Stay tuned in this ongoing drama.