Fedora: Ready to Install?

Fedora 16 is in Alpha stage right now.  If you click on the Fedora logo at the right, you will be taken to the download site of Fedora.  You will be able to download F15 in any flavor (desktop preference) you want.  You will also be able to give F16-Alpha a run.

So, the first thing you do is download the Live Image (iso) to your computer.  Then, take your favorite disk burning application (at the bottom are some links that will help you choose...I've used MagicISO in the past with great results) and create an ISO CD.  This will be a bootable disk that allows your computer, upon reboot, go right to Fedora.

Just stick the new ISO disk in the disk drive and reboot your computer.  Your computer will boot directly to the disk.  Now, on your monitor you will see what Fedora looks like.  Fedora will run off the RAM (memory) in your computer and will not harm Windows.  Depending on the amount of Memory you have will determine your test experience.  I was able to run the Live CD on an Acer Netbook surfing the web, loading Flash, Firefox and pretty much set up the computer for use on a college web site before the 1 gig of memory was used up.  If you have more than 1 gig, your trial experience will be more fun and all without harming Windows.

Now, if you are ready to switch to Fedora, just click on the " Install to Hard Disk" icon on the Live CD Desktop.  If this is your first time installing Fedora, just use all the default settings for installing.  You will be given the option to use either the available space on the drive for Fedora (thus dual booting to Windows) or using the whole drive.  For new users, if you are ready to get rid of Windows totally, choose the entire disk selection. ( By "ready" I mean that you have backed up all your precious stuff like pictures, music, documents Outlook files, address book-contacts and even web site bookmark files).  Then let Fedora do the work.

One little blurb about backing up your Windows machine is this.  Just back up your files.  Do not back up the software.  Fedora comes with its own software that can read all your files in the new format. 

And a little disclaimer.  I take no responsibility for your personal loss of data, the destroying of your computer, or any other negative thing that happens when converting from MS to Fedora.  That said, and I have to say it, do your research and make sure you back up your files to an external hard drive before starting the switch.  The Fedora site (click the logo at the right) is full of information on how to make the switch, what the requirements of your system are and some various installation scenarios like RAID and Network Installation. 

When you get it installed hop over to the Fedora Forum and check out the Fedora Set-up Guides to help your first experience go a well as possible.  And don't forget to check out the links at the bottom of this page. 

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Fedora Documentation
MagicISO
ISO Comparison Wiki