mooseyforyebs

I've finally decided to abandon windows altogether and start using Ubuntu 9.04. However, I have a few questions as to the OS's legitimacy.

1. Will I be able to use external HDDs with no problem?, especially HDDs that have been formatted and used only on Windows XP?

2. I use my computer to produce music, using programs such as Sony Acid Pro and Cubase. Will Ubuntu be a good OS for producing music? I know I can download and use Wine to run Windows Apps, but I tend to use a lot of VST plugins, will these be supported through Ubuntu and/or Wine?

3. I have heard of people having issues with Ubuntu working properly with wireless network cards. Will I be able to connect to the internet wirelessly with ease?

These issues aside, I can't wait to start really uncovering the awesomeness of this new OS and the awesome community that accompanies it. Thanks TSF!

Done_Fishin

Ubuntu cannot normally see NTFS partitions without help.
You might be better off using Gparted to resize your partition(s) and to add FAT32 partitions which are visble from both Windows and Ubuntu.


I have no idea. Before you dump Microsoft search for linux equivalent programs, both free and those that you might have to pay for.

In 9.04 a lot of wireless is now working out of the box that wasn't working in earlier versions ..
However you will have to double check card compatibility

before you go dumping everything try using a bootable usb pendrive version or even a CD2USB version (use a new blank flashdrive or usb HDD)

there's also a new "Super" Ubuntu 9.04 which you might want to look at .. has options on the LIVE CD to create a bootable usb flash drive

use CD2USB for an HDD on USB

Net Jockey

I believe the answer is no...I am glad you are excited about taking this step... You will need it...to help you with the learning curve that will be required for a successful migration.

Rome5

1. You should have read access to your ntfs partitions out of the box with Ubuntu using ntfs-3g fs driver. So accessing and using files from the external won't be a problem. ntfs-3g also allows for write access, but it's not 100%. Point being, you can do it, but you may also encounter a problem along the way. As Done_Fishin mentioned, a FAT32 partition for both OSes to read/write to would be best.

2. I would look into ardour 2, audacity, and energyXT. All are native Linux applications and, AFAIK, support VST. You may also want to look at Ubuntu Studio, which is a production optimized release of Ubuntu. You can at least get an idea of the software available and then install it in the base Ubuntu.

This might also be worth a look: VST in ardour

Done_Fishin

My advice, for anyone who wants to migrate to a Linux distro, is to leave your current Windows Installed HDD's as they are and use "unused or unrequired" media that you may have hanging around or get another drive to use.

Linux learning curve means going back to the beginning, going back to the days when you knew nothing about computers. It's that bad ..

I spent several years "thinking about migrating", several attempts (over the years) at using Live CD's of many different distros. I am slowly getting more confident yet every step I take seems to require journeys into google, trips to forums, questions and experiments. I now have several PC's one of which is dedicated to Windows for ease of access to any info I want to find, leave the info on screen and literally copy info over to the linux PC I am experimenting with.

I have PC's that boot Linux immediately with the HDD on the IDE or other PC's where the Live CD boots from a USB drive.

If you don't want to get frustrated at initial attempts to get to grips with Linux, you'll need to find a compromise until, like me, you feel confident enough to use Linux without a Windows backup.