Expert: nix - 11/1/2009

Question
Hi Nix,

I want to build a PC with several OS in it. At least Linux, and Windows (not sure which Windows version yet).

I'm going to use the machine for programming with open/free source tools, so it's going to be a small database and web server, and a client at the same time. I have an old PC with Fedora, and some friends use Ubuntu, but I know there's something new every day, and I'm confused. Which distribution should I use?

I want the machine to be 64-bits. How do I make sure the Linux distribution supports 64 bits?

How is better to install these two oper. systems?:
  a. Main OS Windows with option to multiple boot?
  b. Main OS Linux with option to multiple boot?
  c. Have an independent boot utility?
  d. Or other..???

Thank you in advance.

Sincerely,

Rick


Answer
Hi.

If your hardware is 64bit, then you can install a 64bit OS. Most Linux distributions have 32bit and 64bit versions, you need to pick the right one.

Any combination of "main" and "secondary" OS is OK. Both Windows 7 and modern Linux distributions (using GRUB) can handle both situations.

You can also use a virtualization software, like VMWare, Sun VirtualBox or Xen (Linux) to run ANYTHING on the host OS.

Nix.