Andy Cunningham

I’ve been debating moving my home PC to Linux for some time now.  In theory the process is pretty simple.

• Back up all my files to a USB hard drive.
• Install Ubuntu from CD
• Install VMware Server so I can boot up Windows under VM for legacy applications.  I expect issues with activation when I do this.
• Restore my files into Ubuntu
• Never pay for software again.

Of course, it’s a little more involved than that, because I have a number of applications I need to transfer over.

• Email – well I use Thunderbird, so no change there.
• Web Browsing – there’s a few sites I use that really need IE.  IEs4Linux looks like a solution here.  For everything else, it’s still Firefox.
• Word Processing etc – can all be done with Open Office.
• Image Editing and uploading images from my camera – GIMPshop is a good start.
• Rip CDs and DVDs to my MP3/Video player
• Edit Video (occasionally)
• Edit HTML.  Bye bye, Dreamweaver.  Hello Nvu.
• Keep track of my finances.  Currently using MS Money.  GNU Cash looks like the option here.
• I need an alternative for AutoRoute for route planning.  Moving Autoroute onto the laptop could be one approach.
• Scanning documents to PDFs using my HP All in one printer/scanner.
• I can use Pidgin (formerly GAIM) for Instant Messaging.
• Synchronise contacts and calender to my Pocket PC. Hmmm….

Things I need to test (using the “Live” Ubuntu installation)

• How do I get DVDs from DVD to the Creative Zen player?
• Can I easily grab images off my camera?
• What’s a good video editor for Linux?
• How much of my existing hardware will work under Ubuntu?
• Can I get a second monitor?
• What else have I got installed that I need to take over?
• Does the printer and scanner work under Ubuntu?
• What’s the solution for Pocket PC?  Do I still need to go back to

This site has more on the transition to Linux.