Thinkpads Forum

Well i'm just thinking of trying out Linux.
I have never used it befor.I have always used Windows 98se,Win2000 or Win XP .
I dont have a clue where to start...What is a good ver of Linux to look for?
Will be installing it on the A22P.
Maybe have WinXP and Linux for booting option...

You're probably better off posting in the Linux subforum.

I think Ubuntu's probably the best bet for switchers...

Another linux laptop forum:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1029

moved to the Linux section for better exposure.

I would say try Ubuntu (more Mac Looking) or Kubuntu (more Windows looking) and try just booting to the cd first. Then you can try it out without actually installing it first. No changes will be made to your hard drive. If you don't like it then just reboot and toss the cd. If you do like it and want to install it there is an installer built in that will create some room and install it for you.
Don't expect everything to work right out of the box, it will need some tweaking here and there but that is how you learn to work with Linux. Remember, Windows doesn't have everything working right out of the box either. You have to install drivers and apps to get up and running. The same with Linux. All drivers and apps are installed from the internet. As long as you have a broadband connection it won't be bad.
If you have any questions come on back and ask.

I second carbon_unit.

I fully agree that Ubuntu/Kubuntu is an excellent starting distribution. Another option - although its getting a little stale now - is Knoppix live CD. It will give you a flavor of what Linux is all about and whether it will work for you in the long run or not.

Two that I've found out about is Linux XP: http://www.linux-xp.com, Which allows users to fully use windows drivers and has a real windows kind of feel to it... The second which really isn't linux, But an operating system totally built from scratch and is still very much in the developers stage and is open source to anyone who wishes to use it is ReActOS: http://www.reactos.org, It also has a windows feel to it and allows you to use windows drivers as well...

Although I'd agree with everybody else here and say Ubuntu also, It has it's own setup to help and allow you to create a dual boot on your systems hard drive...

If you want some type of Windows feel, my opinion would be Linux OS PC, and I tend to believe that it would run just fine on an A22P because I've tried it on the very machine that you now own.

Another one that I personally like-and I'm not far from being a newbie myself-is Linspire/Freespire, although that distro may not run as smooth on your baby.

I can make you copies of these if you want, just PM me and let me know.

All the best.