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I am planning on installing Ubuntu later today, but I had a few quick questions first... should I back up my files before installing it, or will I still be able to access them? Will my bookmarks on Firefox still be accessible? Does Microsoft Word/Powerpoint/Excel/etc. work with it? Does anyone have any tips/is there anything I should know before installing it/any problems I might run into using it? Thanks :)

Edit: Is it possible to use both Windows and Ubuntu? I use ooVoo for work, and just realized that it isn't yet compatible with Ubuntu

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Welcome to AskUbuntu. Yes you can use both. During installation, you will be prompt to choose install alongside/erase everything/ something else. Choose to install alongside. So you will get both MS Windows and Ubuntu . You may need to see this.Enjoy Ubuntu! – penreturn Oct 6 '12 at 19:30
This may help you on installation askubuntu.com/questions/6328/how-do-i-install-ubuntu/… – penreturn Oct 6 '12 at 19:43
Hi, I notice you have asked multiple questions in a single post and that is not how we work here. It is best if you can ask separate questions. That said, most of your questions have already been asked and sufficiently answered. Do look around and have a good time using Ubuntu. – jokerdino♦ Oct 7 '12 at 1:47

closed as not a real question by Rafał Cieślak, Tom Brossman, Takkat, jokerdino♦, devav2 Oct 7 '12 at 5:14

It's difficult to tell what is being asked here. This question is ambiguous, vague, incomplete, overly broad, or rhetorical and cannot be reasonably answered in its current form. For help clarifying this question so that it can be reopened, see the FAQ.

3 Answers

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  1. If you plan on install Ubuntu over an existing partition (or operating system) then yes, you should backup.
  2. Let's say you have Windows installed on other partition than the one you're installing Ubuntu, then no need for backup, and yes Ubuntu will let you see files on other filesystems or partitions or operating systems.
  3. You need to have some sort of program to save your Firefox bookmarks, for example Sync (from Firefox) or Xmarks, or other (if you're installing over an existing operating system)

Setting up Firefox Sync manual

  1. The most tricky part is partitioning and creating the boot manager, just be very carefull with this items

Read some info before installing

Step-by-step beginner's guide to installing Ubuntu 11.10

Ubuntu Installation guide for begginers

HOW TO INSTALL UBUNTU : THE UBUNTU INSTALLATION GUIDE

Installing Ubuntu

25 Ubuntu tips for begginers

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You said that you wanted to run Microsoft Office. This is not possible with Ubuntu. Instead, Ubuntu ships with LibreOffice which has all the same great features that Microsoft Office has including support for opening your documents.

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So, if I start a Word file on a different computer and save it on a flashdrive, will I still be able to open/work on it, then transfer it back to a Windows and Microsoft using computer? – Sasha Oct 6 '12 at 20:40
LibreOffice can easily open a Word document. After working with it, you can then save the document as either a Word document or as an open doc. – beachbuddah Oct 6 '12 at 22:14
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It is indeed possible to run MS Office in Ubuntu, even though it is not a native application. One method is to use Wine. See: wine-review.blogspot.ca/2012/02/… – CentaurusA Oct 7 '12 at 16:15
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I would also suggest starting with a dual-boot (side-by-side) installation. It's then very easy to switch between Ubuntu and Windows using the boot menu.

However, there are other ways to runs Windows software inside Linux. You can use Wine if the specific Windows application is supported, or you can create a virtual Windows machine under Linux (using VirtualBox) and install and run your Windows' software in the virtual machine.

Note that the above links point to the individual software sites, for background information, but the easiest way to install either package is through the Ubuntu Software Centre that is part of the Ubuntu distro.

You may be able to transfer your Firefox settings over to Ubuntu as part of the installation process (I have never done this). Alternatively, you can export your Windows' Firefox bookmarks to a file and then import the bookmarks into the Linux version of Firefox.

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