Ubuntu® Linux® Bible: Featuring Ubuntu 10.04 LTS, Third Edition

Chapter 9. Migrating from Windows Systems

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Introducing basic migration scenarios

• Backing up

• Migrating e-mail

• Migrating web settings

• Linux/Windows application equivalents

Whether you're currently investigating Ubuntu as an alternative operating system to run on the computers in your home or you're desperately looking for an alternative to operating system cost extortion, I hope that you'll eventually decide that switching to Ubuntu as your default operating system is the right thing to do. The political aspects of Linux are very important to many people (myself included), but most people simply want to be able to use their computers to get their work (or hobbies) done. Ubuntu does that. That it is stable, easy to upgrade, and largely virus-proof is just gravy.

Few people start out with Ubuntu as their first operating system and application environment. If you're moving to Ubuntu from another Linux distribution, you're in luck, because you can almost always find versions of the Linux applications that you're familiar with packaged for Ubuntu. However, if you're moving to Ubuntu from a computer that runs another operating system, switching to Linux is a bit more complex. After all, you've already configured your browser, e-mail, and networking. The computer that you're currently using is probably loaded with documents, spreadsheets, photographs, graphics, music, video files, and a lot of other data that you don't want to have to re-create (or simply may not be able to).

Moving ...