After you're done digging out, download Linux!

Note:  I’m filing this blog post on Sunday, December 12, 2010…before the storm hits.

Double Note: I recommend installing Linux to an older system in order to try it out.  Find a system that you no longer use.  If you install Linux to your main system you’ll be overwriting Windows’ files and directories. In short, you will lose data!  Install Linux to a secondary system and keep your current Windows system.

The Midwest is getting blasted with its first big snowstorm of the season.

In Minneapolis, the roof of the Metrodome collapsed under the weight of all the snow that dumped on the area.

As of this writing, we’re still bracing to see if the storm makes its way into our neck of the woods.  I’m guessing that by the time this blog post runs, we’ll also be digging out from all the snow that has fallen.

The weather forecasters will probably recommend that we all stay  off the roads. Auto travel will be hazardous.  Roads will be snow covered and icy.  We’ll simply just have to shovel, sit, and wait it out.

So, after you’re done shoveling, plowing and snow throwing, you’ll have plenty of time on your hands.  The internet will beckon.  If you still have power, you’ll be surfing the internet, getting news updates, emailing friends, etc.

Now is the perfect time to try Linux! Get over to distrowatch.com and download an ISO of any Linux distribution.  I recommend PCLinuxOS or Linux Mint.  Once you have the ISO downloaded, it’s a simple matter of burning it to a CD or DVD disc.  You can get directions on how to do this from YouTube.  One youtuber has a pretty good video on how to do this including instructions on getting a free Windows software application to help burn the iso image.

The quick instructions to do this are as follows:

Download a Linux ISO
Burn it to a blank CD or DVD
Reboot your Windows system with the burned Linux disk in the drive
Run Linux (from the Disk)

You’ll be running Linux right off the disk!  This way, you can test your system’s hardware to make sure that it’s compatible with Linux.

Once you’re happy with the way things work, you can install directly to your hard drive.  Most Linux distributions have this option right on the desktop.

Again, as I emphasized above, tryout Linux on an older system.  Nowadays, everyone has an older system sitting idle in the corner and gathering dust.  Fire it up and give Linux a try on that unused computer. Linux will breathe new life into it!  Plus, you can then compare Linux and Windows side by side.

You might as well.  Like the rest of us, you’re snowed in.