How to move to Ubuntu

This is more of a what you need to know rather than a how to do guide. Ubuntu is an Operating system based on a kernel called Linux. The other main kernels available to the world are proprietary and sort of well known.

History

These are Unix and originally Microsoft's DOS, now brought into the modern day as a form of Windows NT. This might sound like something out of the 90's and to a point you would be right.

Microsoft have created their own kernel which as many people in the world know uses its own command line system with backslashes. Unix uses forward slashes. I found a very interesting graphic showing just how dependant all non Microsoft systems are on Unix.

Credit to How to geek - What is Unix

Lets get off the history lesson now and talk changing OS!

Things you may need

Firstly, you need a list of applications you use regularly and a list you can't live without. This is the MOST crucial part of changing operating system away from any of the main providers. Linux to Linux based systems are less of a worry but IF you are considering moving from Windows or MacOS, this is a must.

Applications to consider:

• Office application (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Pages, Numbers)
• Internet access (Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox)
• Photo applications (Photoshop, Paintshop, GIMP, Irfanview)
• Video applications (Powerdirector, iMovie, Adobe Premier Pro)
• Proprietary applications (Something designed for a specific purpose for you or a business)

If you have proprietary applications, I would strongly recommend talking to the person or company that provided them before considering changing operating system.

Data to consider:

• How much "stuff" you have, photos, videos etc.
• Do you have enough temporary storage to backup your data?
• Can you reinstall or restore if things go wrong?

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So you have gotten this far and you still want to change operating system?

I would strongly recommend "getting a feel" for the operating system you want to change to. Many Linux system's have a try "live CD" version, such as Ubuntu. You can create a DVD or a USB stick version of the live CD to try out usually. If you opt for the USB option, your USB stick WILL BE ERASED FIRST. I would strongly suggest using LiLi to create a stick for this process.

To boot from a DVD or USB stick, you can usually put it into your system, restart and on the BIOS screen (the very first screen that shows), keep pressing F12 until a boot menu appears. Some PC and Laptop boards have a different key for this process, its usually F9, F11 or F12 though.

Once you have booted the live stick, you can use it as if its your own PC. Just remember, DON'T INSTALL FROM THE LIVE STICK UNLESS YOU ARE SURE THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT TO DO AND YOUR DATA IS BACKED UP.

I will not take responsibility for any data loss as this is a guide rather than a step by step process.

Installing

As I have hinted above, you can usually install the operating system from the live DVD/USB. If you are going ahead with this, you may want to know about alternative applications. This is not exhaustive but you can get the picture. There's almost always an alternative to all applications!

• Word = Libre Writer
• Excel = Libre Calc
• Powerpoint = Libre Impress
• Photoshop = GIMP

Internet browsers EXCEPT for internet explorer should all be available to Ubuntu, Firefox is usually installed by default.

Conclusion

Whether you choose to move or consider it in the future, just remember there are HUNDREDS of variants of Linux. 

Even Microsoft use Linux systems