if i install linux on mac will i lose everything

Kiosks or cafes: If you need a machine that can be booted fresh each day, a live linux distribution might be the solution for you. Testing hardware: If you’re unsure if your hardware will work with a Linux distribution, run it live and find out.

Testing a Linux distribution: This is the best way to see if Linux is for you. Live distributions can be used for several purposes: Because of this, you can boot the live system, test/use it for as long as you need, and then reboot the system (remembering to remove the live media) to return to your original system.

The operating system and all programs are usable, but run from memory. How this works is by running the entire system from volatile memory (RAM). With a live Linux distribution (not all distributions come in “live” flavors), you can boot your machine from either a CD/DVD disk or from a USB flash drive and choose to try out the operating system without making any changes to your hard drive. The concept of live booting is actually quite simple. Because most new machines don’t ship with optical drives, you will also learn how to create a bootable live USB flash drive (so you can carry Linux with you all the time). During that period, my pat response has changed from something akin to “It’s worth the effort” to “It’s incredibly easy.” Linux is, actually, the single most easy operating system to “try out.” How is that possible? Two words… live booting.įor those of you who are familiar with Linux, this is not only old news, it’s also very basic:īoot your computer with the newly burned diskįor those not so familiar with Linux-but very much interested in giving the platform a try-I want to introduce you to the concept of live booting. I’ve heard that statement so many times over the years.

“I’d like to give Linux a try, but I’m not sure how.”

If i install linux on mac will i lose everything