WineHQ

I wanted to see if I can still watch videos on my favorite websites in Ubuntu. Those websites require plugins to play videos. Unfortunately, the plugins do not work in Linux. Luckily, there is Wine. This is how I was able to watch videos in Ubuntu.

1. Install Wine.
2. Install Firefox (Windows version).
3. Run Firefox (Windows version).
4. Go to the website.
5. Install the plugin that is needed to play video.
6. Restart Firefox.

Installing Ubuntu 8.04 with Windows Dual-Boot

Is it possible to use Linux exclusively?

To find out, I need to install Linux first. I chose to use Ubuntu. My laptop has Windows XP Pro. This is how I installed Ubuntu 8.04.

Create Ubuntu CD.

1. Download Ubuntu iso image.
2. Use ImageBurn to burn the iso image to CD.

Prepare Windows Partition.

1. Backup important files.
2. Disable virtual memory.
3. Disable hibernation.
4. Run Windows Defragment Tool to move data to the beginning of the partition.
5. Run chkdsk.

Partition the hard drive.

1. Download GParted iso image.
2. Use ImageBurn to burn the iso image to CD.
3. Boot from GParted CD.
4. Resize the Windows partition to make room for the Linux partition.
5. Create Linux partition.

Install Ubuntu.

1. Boot from Ubuntu CD.
2. Just follow the installation instruction.

After the computer is rebooted, it will have a menu that allows you to choose which operating system you want to use.

References

[1] Creating a Dual-Boot Windows XP and Ubuntu Laptop
http://www.linuxdevcenter.com/pub/a/linux/2006/05/08/dual-boot-laptop.html

[2] Moving the Unmovable: Windows Disk Defragmentation Strategies
http://lyratechnicalsystems.com/?p=9

[3] GParted website.
http://gparted.sourceforge.net/
http://gparted.sourceforge.net/larry/resize/resizing.htm

[4] The Perfect Desktop – Ubuntu 8.0.4 LTS
http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-ubuntu-8.04-lts-hardy-heron