[H-GEN] Software selection advice?

[Ronald Bradford]

Hi Greg,

I run Linux on my laptop, it's my primary operating system, when I need 
something that's Windows specific I actually have to find a computer to 
boot with Windows.
That being said, it's taken many years to finally make the jump, and I'm 
a computer literate person.

Generally now, it's possible for a lot of programs that you would use 
under Linux to also be available under Windows, so you can try them on a 
Windows machine first.
There were 2 stumbling blocks to moving to Linux, one was Photshop.  
Even now, while I use Gimp  which is the best Linux program out there, 
sometimes I go back to Photoshop on a computer just because I'm 
comfortable and havn't worked it out in Gimp.  There is excellent 
documentation, as well as books, so if you have time that's a plus. 
The problem with Gimp is that it doesn't look like photoshop, while it 
contains basically all the same functionality.  There is howerver 
Gimpshop, a version of Gimp which is designed to look like Photoshop.  
This is also available under Windows so you can download and try it at  
http://plasticbugs.com/?page_id=294

Regarding Chat, I use Gaim  http://gaim.sourceforge.net/  which is a 
chat program that works with a lot of different programs all in one. I 
use for AOL AIM, as well as Microsoft MSN Messenger but it also supports 
Yahoo.  Again you can download a Windows version of the program.

There are programs that can burn CD's, DVD's  I do this, however I do 
not use any DVD authoring or movie programs (e.g. like Premiere, 
Pinnacle Studio, ULead etc), however they do exist as I've read about 
them in Linux Magazines.

While you may find the software to do what you want, if you have any 
special hardware, e.g. specialised graphics cards for video editing, 
this may cause more heartache.  While generally there is always a 
solution out there, it can be hard to find and complicated to use.

Regards

Ronald

>    3.  My interests involve mostly photo manipulation,
>	currently using adobe photoshop 7. ACDSee for browsing
>	and shifting pics. Ulead photoimpact for parts of
>	manipulating pics.  CHAT using yahoo messenger.  I wish
>	to begin transferring video tapes on to the pc with the
>	intent of editing and burning to DVD.
>
>    4.  Currently using win xp and adsl connection.
>
>QUESTION:
>
>If it is possible would you have the following answers, or
>be able to advise me of the best place to find the answers
>please.
>
>    1.  What version of linux would you suggest best for the
>	activities above.
>
>    2.  Will I be able to use existing programs with the
>	recommended version?
>
>    3.  If my existing software is not compatible with Linux,
>	is there alternative software , particularly adobe
>	and video capture and editing.
>
>In anticipation of your time and courtesy, thanks.
>
>
>  
>