NationStates Jolt Archive

I need something free that can open the movies on Internet sites.

It has to be something that I can more or less repair or customise myself,though I know next to nothing about computers. I can follow directions if they're clear enough.

Any ideas?

http://fedoraproject.org/

or

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_linux_distributions

Ubuntu? It's fairly simple..

Ubuntu? It's fairly simple..

Is it free?

Is it free?So free that they'll even send you a free installation CDs (even though you can already download it free as well).

linky: http://www.ubuntu.com/

So free that they'll even send you a free installation CDs (even though you can already download it free as well).

linky: http://www.ubuntu.com/

I'm downloading it right now. If I have trouble with something, is there an online forum that I can search, or some other way of getting help?

Thanks a lot, by the way.

http://fedoraproject.org/

or

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_linux_distributions

Wow.

So I picked Ubuntu. Is it different from Fedora? Which is better for an utter newb like me?

While I never used Fedora myself, I have heard that is is fairly similar to Ubuntu only it uses AFAIK KDE instead of GNOME like Ubuntu does. This means things will look differently.

Ubuntu is similar to Fedora in that it's based on the same operating system, Linux. Ubuntu is merely one organization's customized distribution, in particular with a focus on ease of use and regular releases.

www.ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Fiesty

That's a VERY comprehensive guide to using Ubuntu, but there's also a community wiki and forum that's linked to off of the main site.

Aside from that, I'd reccomend looking into Compiz or Beryl for a window manager to add quite a bit of impressive eye candy and functionality to the system. Search Youtube for Compiz, Beryl, or Compiz Fusion (an as yet unreleased window manager) to see what I mean.

Ubuntu is merely a differend distribution of the Linux operating system as built by, in this case, Canonical, Ltd.

www.ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Feisty

That's a VERY comprehensive guide to the latest version of Ubuntu. There's also a community wiki and forum linked to from the main Ubuntu site.

The HURD;12898911']While I never used Fedora myself, I have heard that is is fairly similar to Ubuntu only it uses AFAIK KDE instead of GNOME like Ubuntu does. This means things will look differently.

Incorrect. Fedora ships with both, but is built Gnome-centric (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNOME). Which is kind of a pain (in a mostly aesthetic/eye-candy sense) for those Fedora users who, like myself, prefer KDE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KDE). :D


So I picked Ubuntu. Is it different from Fedora? Which is better for an utter newb like me?


I've only ever used Fedora, so I honestly have no idea. *nix (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%2Anix) is *nix (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%2Anix) as far as I can tell.

I used to study computer science and had some very limited experience with a *nix operating system (FreeBSD (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FreeBSD)) before I moved from Windows to Linux, so that transition was probably easier for me than it might be for most. Then again, I was highly resistant at first (the move was my father's idea), but now I would never even consider going back.

My advice would be to try to stick to one of the more mature distributions with large user communities (and thus larger pools of knowledge to provide assistance). From what I've heard (in my relatively limited experience), those would be Fedora, Red Hat, SUSE/openSUSE, Ubuntu, Debian.

EDIT: In fact, according to that wikipedia list (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_linux_distributions), most Linux distributions appear to be derivatives of Debian (http://www.debian.org/), Fedora (http://www.fedoraproject.org), Gentoo (http://www.gentoo.org/), Red Hat (http://www.redhat.com/), Slackware (http://www.slackware.com/) or Ubuntu (http://www.ubuntu.com/). So pick one of those. (Knoppix is also listed, but it's oriented toward a special purpose (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_cd), which might not be what you want)

Unfortunately, this stuff can't display Youtube vids. As Rejistania always tells us.

Ubuntu is fairly good if you're utterly new, and their forum community is excellent.

http://ubuntuforums.org/

Have fun!

Unfortunately, this stuff can't display Youtube vids. As Rejistania always tells us.

Nonsense. I'm watching one as I type this in Firefox on Fedora 7 (http://www.fedoraproject.org). :D

One need only install the required flash plugin for your browser. Adobe Flash Player 9 in my case.

EDIT: I'm also listening to music on Pandora/Music Genome Project (http://www.pandora.com). Also Adobe Flash Player 9.

Nonsense. I'm watching one as I type this in Firefox on Fedora 7 (http://www.fedoraproject.org). :D

One need only install the required flash plugin for your browser. Adobe Flash Player 9 in my case.

EDIT: I'm also listening to music on Pandora/Music Genome Project (http://www.pandora.com). Also Adobe Flash Player 9.

Eh. I never knew that.

Eh. I never knew that.

A Linux distribution might not do such things "out of the box", but the necessary software can be found and installed.

Linux is a product of the Free/Open Source Software Movement (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_software), and thus the various distributions are not inclined to include proprietary software (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proprietary_software) in their own packaging. But no one can stop you from downloading and using such software yourself.

For instance, the Nvidia driver currently running my Nvidia graphics card is proprietary, but I've got it anyway. Nvidia supports linux (http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html), just like Adobe does.

Freedom is great. But then, so is having a functional computer. Until a fully functional F/OSS alternative is created, one has to compromise (some (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Stallman) would call it capitulation, but not everyone shares the same socioeconomic agenda).

With free Linux systems, some things are not installed by default. You'll have dig around and install a whole lot of codecs, players, etc yourself. That includes nVidia video drivers! Not default if you install the OS if it finds a nVidia video card even though it's bundled with the OS.

A Linux distribution might not do such things "out of the box", but the necessary software can be found and installed.

Linux is a product of the Free/Open Source Software Movement (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_software), and thus the various distributions are not inclined to include proprietary software (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proprietary_software) in their own packaging. But no one can stop you from downloading and using such software yourself.

For instance, the Nvidia driver currently running my Nvidia graphics card is proprietary, but I've got it anyway. Nvidia supports linux (http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html), just like Adobe does.

Freedom is great. But then, so is having a functional computer. Until a fully functional F/OSS alternative is created, one has to compromise.

Kewl.

Ubuntu is a solid choice for newcomers to Linux. While most popular distributions are fairly similar, a large and helpful community is of tremendous help, and Ubuntu has that. You'll never be told to RTFM when talking to us. If you have any questions, check out ubuntuforums.org, or join #ubuntu and/or #ubuntuforums on FreeNode.

With free Linux systems, some things are not installed by default. You'll have dig around and install a whole lot of codecs, players, etc yourself. That includes nVidia video drivers! Not default if you install the OS if it finds a nVidia video card even though it's bundled with the OS.
Windows doesn't come with the nvidia drivers or most codecs either. It's actually easier to install them on Linux, too. If you are very used to the Windows way of doing things, there will be some re-learning required, but Linux is definitely not more difficult in this regard.

Ubuntu is a solid choice for newcomers to Linux. While most popular distributions are fairly similar, a large and helpful community is of tremendous help, and Ubuntu has that. You'll never be told to RTFM when talking to us. If you have any questions, check out ubuntuforums.org, or join #ubuntu and/or #ubuntuforums on FreeNode.


Windows doesn't come with the nvidia drivers or most codecs either. It's actually easier to install them on Linux, too. If you are very used to the Windows way of doing things, there will be some re-learning required, but Linux is definitely not more difficult in this regard.

I think when you get a pre-install of Windows, the nVidia drivers do end up being installed due to it being an SOE, but Windows does not have the nVidia or ATI drivers on it's DVD (because they change so often anyway).

So, I downloaded the file (ubuntu-7.04-desktop-i386.iso) to my Desktop.

Now what do I do?

Wow.

So I picked Ubuntu. Is it different from Fedora? Which is better for an utter newb like me?

Yes more stable more supported and the kicker, a kick ass package manager that is supported up the ass.

Built off of Debian it is stable and personally much easier to use than fedora

So, I downloaded the file (ubuntu-7.04-desktop-i386.iso) to my Desktop.

Now what do I do?

Burn the disk and install ... ubnutu's new installer is rather slick (so so is fedora) so should not be a problem

With free Linux systems, some things are not installed by default. You'll have dig around and install a whole lot of codecs, players, etc yourself. That includes nVidia video drivers! Not default if you install the OS if it finds a nVidia video card even though it's bundled with the OS.

That and computability installing specifics as it reguards to hardware is not best practice there are just so many variables to what they are running that it would not be a good idea. Same reason that ubuntu and other distro's use the vessa drivers by default ... so that you can get it running then make it run fast and correct

I recommend Windows. :)

So, I downloaded the file (ubuntu-7.04-desktop-i386.iso) to my Desktop.

Now what do I do?
You need to get yourself a CD/DVD burner that can burn ISO files.
The are some instructions here. (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto)

You asked for good places to get help. Ubuntu Forums (http://ubuntuforums.org/) is the main Ubuntu forum. Ubuntu Wiki (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/) is a Wikipedia style documentation archive. Also, a few people on this forum have a fair bit of experience.

This should help
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installing

Unfortunately, this stuff can't display Youtube vids. As Rejistania always tells us.
That's more a case of OSS purity than actual ability. I got the 32bit flash plugin working in my 64bit Firefox, so it can be done.

That and computability installing specifics as it reguards to hardware is not best practice there are just so many variables to what they are running that it would not be a good idea. Same reason that ubuntu and other distro's use the vessa drivers by default ... so that you can get it running then make it run fast and correct

I actually I've heard you can destroy a hard drive using UNIX by using wrong drivers for hard drive ...

I actually I've heard you can destroy a hard drive using UNIX by using wrong drivers for hard drive ...
But its not like you can tell Linux what driver to use for your hard drive. You can select which drivers are compiled into the kernel, but it won't use the wrong one, even if that is the only choice you give it.

Why do you need a new OS to view videos on the internet...

I actually I've heard you can destroy a hard drive using UNIX by using wrong drivers for hard drive ...

Never ever seen nor heard of an actual account of that

Why do you need a new OS to view videos on the internet...
Because lots of people like to do that.

EDIT: Misread that. He was not able to maintain his XP and would reinstall every so often to get everything working smoothly again. After so often, his Activation Key no longer worked, as it had been used for too many installs.

Why do you need a new OS to view videos on the internet...

Windows doesn't allow it? I dunno. :p

I recommend Windows. :)

Does not qualify for his "free" requirement or it would have been in my recommendations as well

You need to get yourself a CD/DVD burner that can burn ISO files.
The are some instructions here. (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto)

You asked for good places to get help. Ubuntu Forums (http://ubuntuforums.org/) is the main Ubuntu forum. Ubuntu Wiki (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/) is a Wikipedia style documentation archive. Also, a few people on this forum have a fair bit of experience.

Okay, I got the forums and read some stuff.:confused:

I read some of the stickies about how much work is involved.:eek:

I see that my cd drive is also a rewriteable cd drive:)

I don't have a CD in the house.:(

But I think I can do this. :cool:

The most complicated part seems to be using a command line interface, and I have a bit of experience with that. And the ubuntuforums are a huge help.Thanks folks, I'll keep you updated as to how it all goes. Right now, I'm going to egt some CD burning software.

Okay, I got the forums and read some stuff.:confused:

I read some of the stickies about how much work is involved.:eek:

I see that my cd drive is also a rewriteable cd drive:)

I don't have a CD in the house.:(

But I think I can do this. :cool:

The most complicated part seems to be using a command line interface, and I have a bit of experience with that. And the ubuntuforums are a huge help.Thanks folks, I'll keep you updated as to how it all goes. Right now, I'm going to egt some CD burning software.

For the most part you will not NEED to use the cli for anything

I choose too but I learned in a non gui envyronemnt

The most complicated part seems to be using a command line interface, and I have a bit of experience with that. And the ubuntuforums are a huge help.Thanks folks, I'll keep you updated as to how it all goes. Right now, I'm going to egt some CD burning software.

You are almost never required to use the command line interface, it's just that it's so much easier to say "type this command" than "start this program, open that menu, choose that option, click that button etc". Giving a command is faster, easier and, most importantly, leaves less room for error.

Okay, I got the forums and read some stuff.:confused:

I read some of the stickies about how much work is involved.:eek:

I see that my cd drive is also a rewriteable cd drive:)

I don't have a CD in the house.:(

But I think I can do this. :cool:

The most complicated part seems to be using a command line interface, and I have a bit of experience with that. And the ubuntuforums are a huge help.Thanks folks, I'll keep you updated as to how it all goes. Right now, I'm going to egt some CD burning software.The most complicated part is burning the CD correctly. Using the CLI is piss simple. You just copy the command in Firefox (highlight the text) then paste it into the terminal (middle click). You may only need your password.

It can all be done with a GUI too, but it is hard for people to write instructions that aren't ambiguous in a place or two.

Me too. Started from an MS-DOS and Unix CLI, but later went all Windows.

:)

What happened to ya spell-checker there?

:p
He's probably using links again. Crazy bastard.

Why do you need a new OS to view videos on the internet...

Well, I bought this computer seven years ago, and then I put it in the closet when my partner got a new computer. Now my partner is my expartner, and my computer is now my excomputer. So I hauled this out of the closet, went to use the internet on it, and realised that my computer couldn't even see half the things on the internet because it was so old. I got a WindowsXP cd, but I can't validate it now that I've installed it, so I have a few weeks where I can use it, and I guess I'll be using it to build an OS.

Also, my speakers don't work. I blame capitalism.

For the most part you will not NEED to use the cli for anything

I choose too but I learned in a non gui envyronemnt

Me too. Started from an MS-DOS and Unix CLI, but later went all Windows.

:)

What happened to ya spell-checker there?

:p

Does not qualify for his "free" requirement or it would have been in my recommendations as well

Ah, my mistake. Though I kinda thought people didn't usually pay for it nowadays. :p But maybe they do. I didn't load it on this machine so I don't know.

Ah, my mistake. Though I kinda thought people didn't usually pay for it nowadays. :p But maybe they do. I didn't load it on this machine so I don't know.

Get a Windows 2000 CD and key, that works.

Get a Windows 2000 CD and key, that works.
It is less than legal, and it can be pretty hard to find working keys.

Me too. Started from an MS-DOS and Unix CLI, but later went all Windows.

:)

What happened to ya spell-checker there?

:p
Drunk lazy and in links :p

Drunk lazy and in links :p
I told ya so.

It is less than legal, and it can be pretty hard to find working keys.

It is impossible to find a working 2000 CD these days - but I have access to these things! :p
Most people don't get access to software I can.

Well, I bought this computer seven years ago, and then I put it in the closet when my partner got a new computer. Now my partner is my expartner, and my computer is now my excomputer. So I hauled this out of the closet, went to use the internet on it, and realised that my computer couldn't even see half the things on the internet because it was so old. I got a WindowsXP cd, but I can't validate it now that I've installed it, so I have a few weeks where I can use it, and I guess I'll be using it to build an OS.

Also, my speakers don't work. I blame capitalism.
A 7 year old computer should work fine... You can always go buy a cheap new computer at the store.

A 7 year old computer should work fine... You can always go buy a cheap new computer at the store.
Do they have free computers? or XP keys? He wanted something free, and given this forum, he probably won't be able to work that into his budget for a while.

It is impossible to find a working 2000 CD these days - but I have access to these things! :p
Most people don't get access to software I can.
Hell, even Vista and XP torrents are slow as sin.

A 7 year old computer should work fine... You can always go buy a cheap new computer at the store.

One option is to find a friend who constantly changes his computers all the time, people like that (people like me) have lots of computer bits to give away.

Hell, even Vista and XP torrents are slow as sin.

I've used everything Microsoft since MS-DOS 3.3 including Windows ME.

I liked Windows 98, but was rather wobbly ... and it's USB support is terrible.
2000 is nice but it's gaming support sucks (being a corporate OS and all).
XP is fine for me at the moment. Vista is a bit bloated.

I've used everything Microsoft since MS-DOS 3.3 including Windows ME.

I liked Windows 98, but was rather wobbly ... and it's USB support is terrible.
2000 is nice but it's gaming support sucks (being a corporate OS and all).
XP is fine for me at the moment. Vista is a bit bloated.
I've used Windows 3.1, ME, XP and have toyed with Vista. Vista is my favorite. I might like XP better if it did not crash as much on my PC, but the problem (I suspect it is related to how the XP kernel's memory management works) has been resolved in Vista. That and I have 3GiB of RAM so I could not give a fuck how bloated it is. Although Vista won't even fucking boot right now, so w/e.

I need something free that can open the movies on Internet sites.

It has to be something that I can more or less repair or customise myself,though I know next to nothing about computers. I can follow directions if they're clear enough.

Any ideas?

Stick with the Abacus system. It has been in use for ages!

Listen, if he can't open movies on the internet, it isn't the fault of his OS. He needs to update his browser, Adobe Shockwave/Flash, and any number of other plugins.

Well, I bought this computer seven years ago, and then I put it in the closet when my partner got a new computer. Now my partner is my expartner, and my computer is now my excomputer. So I hauled this out of the closet, went to use the internet on it, and realised that my computer couldn't even see half the things on the internet because it was so old. I got a WindowsXP cd, but I can't validate it now that I've installed it, so I have a few weeks where I can use it, and I guess I'll be using it to build an OS.

Why can you not validate it ? The MS phone activation people are quite nice in my experience.

I liked Windows 98, but was rather wobbly ... and it's USB support is terrible.

There are unofficial servicepacks and fixes for that ;) Not that they get it to the level of XP, but it is quite possible to have a windows 98 system that is useable today.

Linkie for the people interested: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showforum=91

Listen, if he can't open movies on the internet, it isn't the fault of his OS. He needs to update his browser, Adobe Shockwave/Flash, and any number of other plugins.

Yeah, but my old OS didn't support the latest browser, or plug-ins, so I tried to use the Windows 2000 cd that came with my ex's computer, but I couldn't validate it.

Why can you not validate it ? The MS phone activation people are quite nice in my experience.

Because the copy I have is only licensed for one computer, i.e. my ex's computer, so I can't use it on the one I'm using right now.

Now, I have a question.

I burnt my Ubuntu CD, and now I want to boot from the CD. How do I do that?

Yeah, but my old OS didn't support the latest browser, or plug-ins, so I tried to use the Windows 2000 cd that came with my ex's computer, but I couldn't validate it.

Opera (www.opera.com/) and firefox (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/) still run under windows 98... and I doubt you have anything older ;)

I burnt my Ubuntu CD, and now I want to boot from the CD. How do I do that?

Enter the bios of your computer. If you do not know how: when booting you should see a text like "press del for setup". Press the key it tells you to press.

Then find the option that selects the order of boot devices. Put cds first, above harddrive.

Reboot. If the cd is in the drive it will boot from it.

That's more a case of OSS purity than actual ability. I got the 32bit flash plugin working in my 64bit Firefox, so it can be done.

I'll remember that.

All right, nerds and nerdettes, I'm about to install Ubuntu. My DSL provider told me that Ubuntu should be able to handle my internet hook-up/modem.

All my other hardware is compatible, so I guess I'm good to go.

See you on the other side.

All right, nerds and nerdettes, I'm about to install Ubuntu. My DSL provider told me that Ubuntu should be able to handle my internet hook-up/modem.

All my other hardware is compatible, so I guess I'm good to go.

See you on the other side.

I'm staying on the dark side of the force, meet ya in battle err Jedi Linux knight.

A Pirated Version of Windows...You could probably find that for free...

ALL YOUR COMPUTER ARE BELONG TO MICROSOFT!!

All right, nerds and nerdettes, I'm about to install Ubuntu. My DSL provider told me that Ubuntu should be able to handle my internet hook-up/modem.

All my other hardware is compatible, so I guess I'm good to go.

See you on the other side.Got the thing installed yet?

Got the thing installed yet?

I installed it last night, Set up my pppoe adapter for my ADSL, did it again, cause I fucked up the first time, and now I am writing to you a travers my new Ubuntu OS and the integrated browser we know as Mozilla Firefox.

Microsoft ain't got nothing on me.

Now, how do I get rid of my Windows OS?

I installed it last night, Set up my pppoe adapter for my ADSL, did it again, cause I fucked up the first time, and now I am writing to you a travers my new Ubuntu OS and the integrated browser we know as Mozilla Firefox.

Microsoft ain't got nothing on me.

Now, how do I get rid of my Windows OS?

If you just said "yes" to all default choices in the installer, it'll already be gone. Or did you choose to resize a partition?

The HURD;12898911']While I never used Fedora myself, I have heard that is is fairly similar to Ubuntu only it uses AFAIK KDE instead of GNOME like Ubuntu does. This means things will look differently.
There's Kubuntu which uses KDE...

And if you get (k)ubuntu then there's a huge and helpful forum. I don't have the address offhand, but it was pretty easy to find.

yes... I am clearly awesome at reading the entire thread before posting... *cough*

I installed it last night, Set up my pppoe adapter for my ADSL, did it again, cause I fucked up the first time, and now I am writing to you a travers my new Ubuntu OS and the integrated browser we know as Mozilla Firefox.

Microsoft ain't got nothing on me.

Now, how do I get rid of my Windows OS?

There should be tools in Linux to kill partitions. Just be careful with those tools though.

There's Kubuntu which uses KDE...

And if you get (k)ubuntu then there's a huge and helpful forum. I don't have the address offhand, but it was pretty easy to find.

yes... I am clearly awesome at reading the entire thread before posting... *cough*

Dont forget you can switch between them if you like, for example if I wanted gnome (default) and xfce

I have to run one command from the console

apt-get install xfce4

Then the next time I log in there is a "session" button below where you enter your information ... just select "xfce" and whamo

You can do the same with any other front ends like kde or fluxbox or whatever you feel like

This might help out friend

http://www.debianadmin.com/ubuntu-multimedia-center-a-new-ubuntu-based-linux-distribution.html

This might help out friend

http://www.debianadmin.com/ubuntu-multimedia-center-a-new-ubuntu-based-linux-distribution.html

Well, he already has the OS installed, and it doesn't look like UbuntuMMC has anything to offer yet that Ubuntu doesn't as it's a very young project. In fact, I'm not clear on what exactly they're attempting to do, because there's hardly any information at all on their website. That and their presumably unauthorized use of the Ubuntu trademark is making a bit suspicious about the project.

One thing it probably does offer is codecs by default, but that's a snap to install anyway. There's a page on the Ubuntu wiki that goes through it, but it really should be enough to open a file in Totem (the default movie/media player) for the necessary codec to be installed for you.

Well, he already has the OS installed, and it doesn't look like UbuntuMMC has anything to offer yet that Ubuntu doesn't as it's a very young project. In fact, I'm not clear on what exactly they're attempting to do, because there's hardly any information at all on their website. That and their presumably unauthorized use of the Ubuntu trademark is making a bit suspicious about the project.

One thing it probably does offer is codecs by default, but that's a snap to install anyway. There's a page on the Ubuntu wiki that goes through it, but it really should be enough to open a file in Totem (the default movie/media player) for the necessary codec to be installed for you.Well, Ubuntu probably doesn't have much it can do legally to restrict the use of it's name as it is probably filed under some GNU Name License. Then again, it is Ubuntu and probably filed it under a proprietary license. Although, I think the link had more to do with the complete install instructions.

If you just said "yes" to all default choices in the installer, it'll already be gone. Or did you choose to resize a partition?

I went for resizing my partitions as I have some photos of my kids that I want to burn on to CD before I wipe the Windows crap off my hard drive.

I'll start a thread here if I need any help, but I think I could probably find the info I need in Ubuntu or on the ubuntuforums.

One more time, I'd like to thank all of you for any advice given or just for posting your thoughts, as it all helped me realise that open source is where it's at.

:cool:

I went for resizing my partitions as I have some photos of my kids that I want to burn on to CD before I wipe the Windows crap off my hard drive.

I'll start a thread here if I need any help, but I think I could probably find the info I need in Ubuntu or on the ubuntuforums.

One more time, I'd like to thank all of you for any advice given or just for posting your thoughts, as it all helped me realise that open source is where it's at.

:cool:Transfer the files you want to keep onto your Linux partition, install gparted, format your Windows partition as Ext3.