Alright, I’m not sure if this will benefit too many people, however I’ve had a couple people ask me and I’ve read a few forum threads on the subject. I hope a guide of sorts is allowed here. Some people would like to try out linux without too much fuss. Luckily there is a way to try out a very functional version of linux without partitioning your hard drive. And I would suggest reading this sticky before reading further: [link]

This involves installing Ubuntu (one of the most popular linux distrobutions) through Windows by means of Wubi.exe. What this allows you to do is download Ubuntu and install it just like any other program in Windows.After following the simple steps on the installer, you’ll be able to restart your computer and select wither Ubuntu or Windows. Choosing Ubuntu will load up Ubuntu Linux instead of Windows and choosing Windows will load up the exact same Windows installation you’re used too. You’ll also be able to mounth your windows partition in linux and access the files you have saved on it (ie. My Documents, ect.) and save to your windows partition (however you may not be able to access your linux files from Windows).

Tired of Ubuntu? You only have to boot into Windows and remove Wubi.exe from your Add/Remove dialog box.

And now why should I use Ubuntu? No one says you have to use it, I personally use Arch Linux; however, Ubuntu is a fantastic distrobution of linux that is geared more-so towards new users of linux. It includes a media player, internet browser, instant messenger, complete office productivity suite and much more. They have a wonderful detailed feature page on ubuntu here: [link] and I would suggest giving it a look over.

Feel like giving Ubuntu a shot hassle free?
Download Wubi here: [link]
and for a quick preview of what Wubi looks like, look here: [link]
still not sure what ubuntu looks like? Check these out: [link]
Want to see a quick demo of what Ubuntu can do? Watch this quick video: [link]

Now once you have a fully operational desktop, there is very little missing from your desktop. You may want to be able to play mp3′s, divx video and DVD’s. For this you would need to install codecs. Ubuntu does not ship with codecs due to legal matters (As does Windows and OSX who only ship with their proprietary formats). However you can easily install the codecs referenced on this page: [link] . Confusing? Essentially you only need to go to Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal. Then copy paste the line under “Adding the Repositories” -> Ubuntu 8.04 “Hardy Heron” and the line under “Then, add the GPG Key”

Now you should have a fully functional desktop. Still stuck?
UbuntuGuide: [link]
UbuntuForums: [link]
How to install ANYTHING: [link]

I hope this guide helps some of you looking at installing linux

Running the latest Arch and Gnome/comiz-fusion. Firefox (Gran Paradiso), conky and a nautilus window are viewable in this screenshot. Using ElegantBrit for gtk and emerald themes. First time I actually installed conky and had it to a point where I really liked it. It’s a mashup of various other configs I found on the ArchLinux forum. Script is as follows (email for .sh files:

double_buffer yes
no_buffers yes
own_window yes
own_window_transparent yes
own_window_type override
own_window_hints undecorate,sticky,skip_taskbar,skip_pager

border_margin 0
draw_shades no
gap_x 1
gap_y 1
alignment bottom_left
update_interval 1

default_color 272727
own_window_colour 202020

use_xft yes
xftfont Sans:pixelsize=10

use_spacer no
minimum_size 1278 10

# ${offset -22}
TEXT
${voffset -1}${color}LINUX: ${color FF4040} ${kernel} ${color}(${color FF4040}${machine}${color}) | CPU: ${color FF4040}${font}${cpu}% ${color 292929}<${color} PROCESSES: ${color FF4040}${font}${processes}${color} ${color 292929} |${color} RAM: ${color FF4040}${font}${mem}${color} SWAP: ${color FF4040}${font} ${swap} ${color 292929} | ${color} UPTIME: ${color 8D41CC}${font}${uptime_short}${color 292929}  |${color} UPLOAD: ${color FF4040}${font}${downspeed eth0} Kb/s  ${color}(${color FF4040}${totalup eth0}${color}) ${color 292929} |${color} DOWNLOAD: ${color FF4040}${upspeed eth0} Kb/s ${color}(${color FF4040}${totaldown eth0}${color}) ${color 292929} |  ${color}/ ${color FF4040}${font}${fs_free /} ${color} /home ${color FF4040}${font}${fs_free /home} ${color}(${color FF4040}${fs_free_perc /home}%${color})${color 292929} | LAST PLAYED: ${color FF4040}${rss http://ws.audioscrobbler.com/1.0/user/SevenForever/recenttracks.rss 5 item_title 0}${color 292929}
WAN: ${color FF4040}${execi 600 ~/scripts/news.sh}${color 292929} | LAN: ${color FF4040}${addr eth0}${color 292929} | LAST COMMAND: ${color FF4040}${execi 5 ~/scripts/arch.sh 1}${color 292929} | LAST Su: ${color FF4040}${execi 5 ~/scripts/lasty.sh 1}${color 292929} | LAST Sy: ${color FF4040}${execi 5 ~/scripts/lastu.sh 1}${color 292929} | ARCH NEWS: ${color FF4040}${rss http://archlinux.org/feeds/news/ 5 item_title 0}${color 292929} | LATEST PKG: ${color FF4040}${rss http://www.archlinux.org/feeds/packages/ 5 item_title 0}${color 292929} | LATEST DISTRO: ${color FF4040}${rss http://distrowatch.com/news/dwd.xml 5 item_title 0} ${color 292929}