Advantages of dual-booting?

[Stylah]

I'm thinking of installing Ubuntu to go along with my Win7 currently installed.
What are the advantages of dual-booting Win7 & Ubuntu?

Thanks,
Stylah.

 

[logicearth]

None...it is just a means to run another OS without removing the first OS.
No real advantages other then that. I mean its not like it will make your computer faster.

Or do you have something to compare to? An alternative to dual-booting?

 

[scoopeeedoo]

No really advantage, indeed, but if you're a customizer (as i am), it could save you sometimes... (i confirm... lol)

 

[Stylah]

Na, I meant like, experience wise?
Should I install it to get Linux experience or not?
And scoopeeedoo, you'll have to help me customize my Windows 7 some time, I want a good desktop.

 

[scoopeeedoo]

http://www.sevenforums.com/themes-styles/41105-themes-windows-7-a-52.html#post1312746

Just an exemple, we'll talk about your tastes one day soon if you wish... with pleasure!

And about Ubuntu, my opinion is that it would be good for you if you have time to spend in loooong researchs & studies...
Not so easy, Ubuntu, but once you can figure it, it looks to be a really great os...

 

[Kari]

Simply for learning, I would rather install a Linux distro into a virtual machine running on Windows 7 host. Ubuntu is a nice beginners choice (1), or Ubuntu based Ylmf OS which has the most Windows-like GUI to help get started.



This tutorial shows you how to start by installing Ubuntu Linux on a VirtualBox virtual machine on your Windows Seven. Download link for Ubuntu can be found in the tutorial. If you'd rather start with Ylfm OS, you can download an ISO image here: Ylmf OS-YlmF Operating System

Kari

(1) = Seems we have different opinion about Ubuntu, Scoopeeedoo IMO it's so popular especially because it's so easy, really a beginners Linux. It also seems to be the distro found in 99.99% of computers of those users trolling various Windows forums telling how advanced tech geeks only use Linux

 

[fafhrd]

If your Windows falls over and dies, in a dual boot with Linux, you can always recover your windows-based data unless the hard drive itself has failed. It could save your a**.

It won't make your Windows faster, but it will never waste your time downloading the same automatic updates that failed last time, that you never wanted anyway, or leave you waiting while running malware and antivirus scans, or defragging.

It will never accuse you of piracy or nag you that you need to validate the OS before you can download some new application update.

It will not get slower and slower as time goes by, and you don't have to buy a new PC just to run the latest edition, or pay money to upgrade - it just downloads and installs the new kernel and system files when you want it to, or not if you don't. Most updates do not require a reboot, you just carry on doing what you were doing as it stops the old services and starts the new ones in the background.

It automatically cleans up the traces of the old version, leaving all your applications working like they did before, without having to reinstall, and leaving you with most of the disk space you had before. It also updates your applications in the same way.

It's a bit like the old broom that you have used for many years, three new heads, five replacement handles...

Yes, It's good experience to have, and it can download fixes while your Windows is sick and waiting for the knowledge of how to make it well again.

Alternatively, you can just boot it from a live CD or a USB.

 

[5er driver]

I always maintain a dual boot system with an OS on each drive if the computer has 2 or more drives, so if and when one OS or drive fails (its only a matter of time) I can continue on with the other. I don't store files such as music, video, pictures, documents, etc., on the OS drives.