NationStates Jolt Archive

Any Linux users here? If so, what distribution? My boyfriend recently installed Ubuntu on one of his systems, and it looks good, but I haven't had the chance to explore it properly as yet. He'd like to connect it to his wireless network, but some preliminary research suggests that this could present some difficulties since the drivers for the hardware are, of course, designed for Windows.

For no particularly profound reason, I am curious about Linux and would like to install it on my own PC. I don't use the computer for anything especially powerful (mainly Office and internet tasks) normally speaking, so I'm guessing that a distribution that has a similar interface to Windows would be appropriate. But I just don't know.

So, Linux users, or those that know something about Linux: Are the stories about a lot of Linux distros being hard to install, and subsequently use, true? Is the open source software bundled with most distributions as good as its commercial counterparts? If not, how hard is it to run Windows-based software? Which distro do you think is the best, and why?

I'm lazy, so I use Windows

So, Linux users, or those that know something about Linux: Are the stories about a lot of Linux distros being hard to install, and subsequently use, true?No, it was true years ago, but there has been a lot of improvement. I didn't have any trouble installing fedora.
However, browsing internet looks like crap (despite using firefox as browser on both platforms), so I'm still mostly on windows.

Is the open source software bundled with most distributions as good as its commercial counterparts?Yep, better in some cases, and free. It often adheres better to standards, and has more options for converting between those standards, in my experience.

If not, how hard is it to run Windows-based software?You'd need a windows simulator. Which just slows things down. It would make more sense to go dual-boot, have both operating systems on your computer. If you have two seperate partitions (or two hard disks), you can just put linux on the second one.

Which distro do you think is the best, and why?Not a clue. But I use fedora. The only real problems I had was that when I first installed it my sound card wasn't supported yet (but it works now, without ever having to do anythind except upgrade the OS) and I had some problem using a different network address than the original from the network card (the standard startup script kept setting back the original address).

Any Linux users here? If so, what distribution? My boyfriend recently installed Ubuntu on one of his systems, and it looks good, but I haven't had the chance to explore it properly as yet. He'd like to connect it to his wireless network, but some preliminary research suggests that this could present some difficulties since the drivers for the hardware are, of course, designed for Windows.

For no particularly profound reason, I am curious about Linux and would like to install it on my own PC. I don't use the computer for anything especially powerful (mainly Office and internet tasks) normally speaking, so I'm guessing that a distribution that has a similar interface to Windows would be appropriate. But I just don't know.

So, Linux users, or those that know something about Linux: Are the stories about a lot of Linux distros being hard to install, and subsequently use, true? Is the open source software bundled with most distributions as good as its commercial counterparts? If not, how hard is it to run Windows-based software? Which distro do you think is the best, and why?
Could I make a suggestion? Give Knoppix (http://www.knoppix.org/) a try and see what you make of it. I find the Red-hat based distribution in my Uni labs to be very good at what they do, but I can see where it might not be for everyone (my idea of user friendly is being able to do complex tasks really easily; everyone else's is how to do simple tasks even easier). Knoppix basically boots the entire operating system from CD, which can be a very nice way to do a "Test run" of the KDE-Debian environment.

i run ubuntu, well dabbled in it, it didn't really suite me so i went back to windows, although i have to say teh newest release of Ubuntu is good, it includes some pretty addicting games. ;) adn found my router and used my hardware straight away (including my usb keyboard).

Are the stories about a lot of Linux distros being hard to install, and subsequently use, true?Some are hard to install, but all are equally easy to use once installed, (that is, it depends upon how you set up your system. the "easy" distros set it up to be relatively user-friendly from the beginning) if you install the same software. Among the ones that are simplest to install are SuSE, Redhat, Mandrake. Ubuntu comes just afterwards. Then a bunch of others. Then, comes the much "harder" ones...
Is the open source software bundled with most distributions as good as its commercial counterparts?Some is, some isn't. Using Firefox for browsing and OpenOffice as your office suite, you would have better.
If not, how hard is it to run Windows-based software?You can, using a program called wine (Wine Is Not an Emulator), which works as a wrapper for Windows programs, running them through a compability layer, without any emulation. (the speed difference is next to none, apart from graphical stuff, which is typically slowed down quite a bit) There is also Cedega (formerly WineX) which has better support for games. Both work for some programs, but not for others.
Which distro do you think is the best, and why?
It depends on what you use it for. For a "simple" distro for a beginner, Ubuntu, or the others I mentioned, would be good choices.

Excellent. I'll have a look at the distos you mentioned and look out also for the Windows simulators mentioned, though I think I'll definitely keep Windows as well and have a dual-boot.

Thanks, people.

The box I'm posting from here runs Ubuntu, and the installation was relatively hassle free. Also, when I slotted the wireless card in it worked straight away.

I've also used Knoppix, but prefer Ubuntu.

Any Linux users here? If so, what distribution? My boyfriend recently installed Ubuntu on one of his systems, and it looks good, but I haven't had the chance to explore it properly as yet. He'd like to connect it to his wireless network, but some preliminary research suggests that this could present some difficulties since the drivers for the hardware are, of course, designed for Windows.

For no particularly profound reason, I am curious about Linux and would like to install it on my own PC. I don't use the computer for anything especially powerful (mainly Office and internet tasks) normally speaking, so I'm guessing that a distribution that has a similar interface to Windows would be appropriate. But I just don't know.

So, Linux users, or those that know something about Linux: Are the stories about a lot of Linux distros being hard to install, and subsequently use, true? Is the open source software bundled with most distributions as good as its commercial counterparts? If not, how hard is it to run Windows-based software? Which distro do you think is the best, and why?
If you are willing to spend money, I would buy acopy of Xandros. It comes with CroosOver Office, which will allow you to run many office style Windows applications (if you cannot find one for Linux that you like). If you cannot afford/don't want to pay for Xandros, I would use Ubuntu like your boyfriend did.

On a somewhat related note, on I cannot get the Ubuntu 5.10 x86 or AMD64 install discs to run properly on my new computer. The x86 works fine on my old one. When it asks you to press enter or type server then pree enter, the picture is missing and after that it displays a bunch of text and stops running. However, my 4.10 disc appears to work fine. Does anyone think there will be a problem if I install 4.10 and upgrade to 5.10? Also, does anyone remember if 4.10 has the madwifi drivers, or am I going to have to haul it upstairs and use wired internet for a while?

I run a Linux shop in Texas, and we support a nationwide Linux based network on home-built Linux routers (freeswan, shorewall/netfilter, snort) and Samba 3 file servers with an OpenLDAP directory services backend (along with Bind DNS, Squid proxy server (LDAP authentication) and dhcpd). Very cool. Long live the open source model!

Any Linux users here? If so, what distribution?
Kubuntu and SuSE, I prefer the first!

I don't use the computer for anything especially powerful (mainly Office and internet tasks) normally speaking, so I'm guessing that a distribution that has a similar interface to Windows would be appropriate. But I just don't know.
I would recommend you to use a KDE-based distro because it has a more Windows-ish feeling and is better for newbies. Also I would recommend Konqueror since FF is an ugly and slow browser on both OSes (IMHO everything with a splashscreen does not deserve to exist)


So, Linux users, or those that know something about Linux: (1) Are the stories about a lot of Linux distros being hard to install, and subsequently use, true? (2)Is the open source software bundled with most distributions as good as its commercial counterparts? (3)If not, how hard is it to run Windows-based software? (4)Which distro do you think is the best, and why?

1: No for anything except Gentoo. TBH: I was surprised how hard a WinXP installation is.
2: The games are still a tad spartanic, but once you discovered LyX and TeX you'll never want Office back! GIMP is IMHO better to use than Photoshop but lacks some features (I never missed them however). Konqueror PWNS FF and everything is better than IE, some plugins however are missing and a small number of sites doesn't display correctly in it.
3: I never tried that.
4: SuSE is multimedially challenged (you need to DL new packages to play MP3s) and bloated, (K)Ubuntu is great as long as it runs but once you need for example to reconfig the network you find yourself editing configuration files. Fedora and Mandriva apparently are better, but I never tried them. I would recommend Kubuntu.

Any Linux users here? If so, what distribution?

FreeBSD Ubuntu Xbuntu NBuntu Debian Fedora gentoo mandrake slackware

My boyfriend recently installed Ubuntu on one of his systems, and it looks good, but I haven't had the chance to explore it properly as yet. He'd like to connect it to his wireless network, but some preliminary research suggests that this could present some difficulties since the drivers for the hardware are, of course, designed for Windows.

Ubuntu is an AWSOME first distro deffinatly good as a desktop solution and simple as hell

As for wireless I have never had an issue with drivers not being avaliable in one form or another

For no particularly profound reason, I am curious about Linux and would like to install it on my own PC. I don't use the computer for anything especially powerful (mainly Office and internet tasks) normally speaking, so I'm guessing that a distribution that has a similar interface to Windows would be appropriate. But I just don't know.

I would shoot for ubuntu or kubuntu ... they come up clean with everything from open office to firefox installed



So, Linux users, or those that know something about Linux: Are the stories about a lot of Linux distros being hard to install, and subsequently use, true? Is the open source software bundled with most distributions as good as its commercial counterparts? If not, how hard is it to run Windows-based software? Which distro do you think is the best, and why?
Yes gentoo is very hard if you dont use an out of the box kernel

And it all depends on the distro something like FreeBSD comes up ultra clean not much installed
Great for server but I have goten tired of building it from the ground up for deskop solutions

I run Debian. I love it! It looks great, runs great, and has an incredible amount of software available for download. I believe it has the largest software library of any Linux distro out there. I don't even have Windows on my personal computer.

Definitely use KDE. I have KDE 3.5 and it's very nice. I don't think it's really as easy to use as Gnome, but it has more options, and it looks better (IMO). Though either one is very configurable as far as looks.

I highly recommend Debian. It has the reputation of being a bit difficult to use/install, and of being a "geek" distro, but I've found that is not the case. It can be just as easy to use as any other (ie Ubuntu) depending on what software is installed. Ubuntu tends to be more unstable, even more so than Debian's "unstable" version, which is what I run. Never had a crash, btw. I think most people would be happier *in the long run* with a pure Debian rather than the Debian knock-offs (my opinion).

As I mentioned before, the option of almost 18,000 (and growing) software packages to choose from is a big plus.

Also, the new OpenOffice.org 2.0 is actually better than MS Office as far as I can tell. Firefox 1.5 is also very nice (no splashscreen, by the way).

Just my opinions. The real sense of freedom is what really makes Linux great.

Kubuntu and SuSE, I prefer the first!


I would recommend you to use a KDE-based distro because it has a more Windows-ish feeling and is better for newbies. Also I would recommend Konqueror since FF is an ugly and slow browser on both OSes (IMHO everything with a splashscreen does not deserve to exist)


Anything but text based does not deserve to exist
http://geek.upwardthrust.us/general.jpg

I've been thinking of creating a Linux Partition on my windows machine but I'm not sure exactly what the purpose of doing so would be... It sounds cool and I like the Linux systems I work with, I just don't understand the whole idea behind why you would double boot Linux and Windows any Suggestions?

I run Debian. I love it! It looks great, runs great, and has an incredible amount of software available for download. I believe it has the largest software library of any Linux distro out there. I don't even have Windows on my personal computer.

snip
I think that FreeBSD's ports system beats it ... but that is source not just Binaries

Anything but text based does not deserve to exist
http://geek.upwardthrust.us/general.jpg

You're scaring little children :>

Your questions seem to have been answerrf, so i'll just say that I've used this same installation of slackware of about a year now, and it still runs great. Absolutely love it.

I'm a GNU/Linux user since... 8 years or something like that. I removed my last Windows installation after finishing Baldur's Gate II more than 4 years ago ;)

As for distros, I love Debian, it's rock stable (even in unstable), has a wonderful ethic, and apt-get is just something I couldn't live without anymore :)

For new/lazy users, I would advise Ubuntu probably.

I'm a GNU/Linux user since... 8 years or something like that. I removed my last Windows installation after finishing Baldur's Gate II more than 4 years ago ;)

As for distros, I love Debian, it's rock stable (even in unstable), has a wonderful ethic, and apt-get is just something I couldn't live without anymore :)

For new/lazy users, I would advise Ubuntu probably.
I just use Cadega or wine or a combo... I can play BF2 Call of duty2
World of Warcraft and Black and white 2 (as well as all my old games)

I've been thinking of creating a Linux Partition on my windows machine but I'm not sure exactly what the purpose of doing so would be... It sounds cool and I like the Linux systems I work with, I just don't understand the whole idea behind why you would double boot Linux and Windows any Suggestions?

Linux for work, Windows for playing 3d games.

I've been thinking of creating a Linux Partition on my windows machine but I'm not sure exactly what the purpose of doing so would be... It sounds cool and I like the Linux systems I work with, I just don't understand the whole idea behind why you would double boot Linux and Windows any Suggestions?
Personally I use *nix for all but games
But specially for network troubleshooting and file recovery and such

I just don't understand the whole idea behind why you would double boot Linux and Windows any Suggestions?I don't know about anyone else, but in my case, as someone who will be completely new to the OS, I'd like to have the ability to dual-boot until I feel completely comfortable with Linux and until I'd got all software to run on it (or at least get good substitutes for the software in question).

I don't know about anyone else, but in my case, as someone who will be completely new to the OS, I'd like to have the ability to dual-boot until I feel completely comfortable with Linux and until I'd got all software to run on it (or at least get good substitutes for the software in question).
True but I just waited till I got an extra machine

True but I just waited till I got an extra machineFair enough. I've actually been toying with the idea of putting it on my laptop first (less data there in case anything goes wrong). It only has a 40gb HDD though, so I may invest in an external hard disk at some point for this purpose.

By the way, thanks again, everyone. I've bookmarked this thread for my upcoming Linux investigations :)

Fair enough. I've actually been toying with the idea of putting it on my laptop first (less data there in case anything goes wrong). It only has a 40gb HDD though, so I may invest in an external hard disk at some point for this purpose.

By the way, thanks again, everyone. I've bookmarked this thread for my upcoming Linux investigations :)
Yeah I dual boot
But its simpler actually to have a separate machine for it.

Hey Upward Thrust,

Do you run the 64 or 32 bit version of Ubuntu?

Hey Upward Thrust,

Do you run the 64 or 32 bit version of Ubuntu?
32 right now its running on a p4 1.6 and a p4 2.5

My Mobo for my opteron system dont like any nix distro so far
and my vid card for my turion laptop has vid card issues

32 right now its running on a p4 1.6 and a p4 2.5

My Mobo for my opteron system dont like any nix distro so far
and my vid card for my turion laptop has vid card issues
Ouch. I am unable to get Ubuntu going on my new opty system (so fing fast!!!). The people at the ubuntufuroms.org seem to think it may be my graphics card but are not too sure.

I just put Ubuntu on an external hard drive so I can duel boot with Windows. Getting it to work on an external takes a bit more work than normal.

However, Ubuntu recognized all my hardware immeadiately, including my internal wireless that I could not get to work for the life of me in Debian.

One thing about Linux is that it is noticably smoother, faster, and reliable than Windows XP. The only thing it lacks is the windows platform game compatibility.

However, Ubuntu recognized all my hardware immeadiatelyThis is one thing really giving my boyfriend a lot of shit. As I type, he's trying to follow instructions from here (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/SetupNdiswrapperHowto?highlight=%28ndiswrapper%29) on how to sort the damn thing. The chipset of the network card is not listed on the Wikipedia entry they allude to however. It's an Airgo True MIMO chipset, which basic internet research suggests is incompatible with Linux.

I use Ubuntu on my desktop and Fedora on the server. Been a Mandrake and Suse user for some time too.
IMO Ubuntu is the best for begginers, very easy to install and comes directly set up for easy usage.

This is one thing really giving my boyfriend a lot of shit. As I type, he's trying to follow instructions from here (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/SetupNdiswrapperHowto?highlight=%28ndiswrapper%29) on how to sort the damn thing. The chipset of the network card is not listed on the Wikipedia entry they allude to however. It's an Airgo True MIMO chipset, which basic internet research suggests is incompatible with Linux.
Who manufactured it? I hope it is not made by Linksys.
Linksys is perticularly bad to get running because they switch chipset so much.

Who manufactured it? I hope it is not made by Linksys.
Linksys is perticularly bad to get running because they switch chipset so much.It was Belkin. The specific model number is F5D8010 - fairly new, I believe. I think it's probably a lost cause anyway; maybe we'll have to move the modem from the main Windows system and connect it directly. If that would work, given that the ISP is NTL, one of the worst known to man. Maybe try other Belkin drivers. Or something.

Oh well, time for bed. The search for solutions will continue in the morning ;)

It was Belkin. The specific model number is F5D8010 - fairly new, I believe. I think it's probably a lost cause anyway; maybe we'll have to move the modem from the main Windows system and connect it directly. If that would work, given that the ISP is NTL, one of the worst known to man. Maybe try other Belkin drivers. Or something.

Oh well, time for bed. The search for solutions will continue in the morning ;)
I don't see why that won't work. Plus, it isprobably best to make the Windows system deal with wireless if the drivers are made for Windows.

So, Linux users, or those that know something about Linux: Are the stories about a lot of Linux distros being hard to install, and subsequently use, true?

It varies. The main problem is finding (and worse, installing) programs for them, and finding drivers for hardware peripherals.

Is the open source software bundled with most distributions as good as its commercial counterparts?

Not quite, but it's not bad. Text-editors for programming are very good, which isn't surprising since Linux is pretty much by-geek, for-geek.

If not, how hard is it to run Windows-based software?

Very, in my opinion. I gave up.

Which distro do you think is the best, and why?

Don't know.

I used Linux for a while, but went back to windows. Here's a few reasons:

Couldn't play windows games.
Couldn't get movie files to play.
Couldn't get drivers for all my hardware.
Stopped printing things one day and never started again.
Didn't like having to compile and install stuff, often finding that either: a - I couldn't compile it (for unknown reasons), b - I couldn't compile it because it needed something I didn't have.
Not designed for layman (I am good with computers, but don't want to have to use computer knowledge just to do everyday stuff)
Flash animations didn't play properly in Linux.