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Thread ID: 81250	2007-07-22 00:30:00	Windows or Linux	aidanmaz (7180)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
571269	2007-07-22 19:24:00	There's a chap on Trademe who can provide most distros. Also linux threads pop up in their computer support forum quite a lot these days. Seems the word is getting around.Hopefully not the same guy I bought from. A few months after I got the dvds from him (through TradeMe) I got around to attempting an install from the SuSe disc I mentioned earlier, which failed. I'm sure (if asked) some of the regs in here would download a distro (or generally you will find they already have it and are only too willing to copy it). Obviously depends on their broadband caps though	Myth (110)
571270	2007-07-23 05:33:00	Hi Aidan, Windows or linux - a question that will always get you a lot of debate ….. First question – will linux run OK on your lap-top? I googled “acer aspire 3680 linux” and got plenty of hits – so a lot of people out there are using linux on one – so you should be good to go. Now – as to some of the comments so far, and also your question on what to choose …. Here’s what I did about 5 months ago - (mine’s a desktop rather than a laptop). First live cd trials, then dual boot, and about 2 weeks ago I said goodbye to Windows for good. XP has been a fine operating platform for me - but IMHO linux is better. Check out the distros. Start downloading live CDs so you can try them out. This gives you a feel for the linux desktop. More importantly, it can give you a good idea of whether the particular distro is going to work well with your hardware or not. I went to distrowatch, started at the top, checked which ones had a live cd, and started going through them one by one. I think first try for me was Ubuntu and Kubuntu (tried both). Worked OK – generally found my hardware OK – found I preferred KDE over Gnome pretty quick. You’ll decide for yourself which one is best for you. Then went on to Suse, and although it was a very polished distro, I had a few hardware issues so carried on looking. I then tried PCLOS, Debian, Gentoo, Knoppix, and Mepis. I finally settled on Mepis because it is very stable with my hardware, it pretty much worked out of the box, and the forum (mepislovers) were super friendly and willing to help. One of the advantages for me as a newbie is that most things are achievable in GUI form, and also that you have the option of setting up the Nvidia drivers from the live CD + auto install of Beryl (3D desktop) if your graphic card is capable. I am now finding myself wanting to learn more about using the command line as I progress – and it’s not that hard – it just takes time. Installing software is really easy via Synaptic (in fact a lot of distros use it now). And some of the other packet managers are pretty slick as well. I noted Shortcircuit’s difficulty with installing Wine (Wine is an amazing linux project front-end where you can run some windows programs including games etc inside the linux environment). On the Mepis forums we have a package sharing section where you can download a prepared deb file compiled especially for Mepis. Download, click to open kpackage, click on install, you’re done – installed - no hassles. Now I’m naturally biased toward Mepis and it has been recommended (in quite a few reviews) for real newbies to linux as a good place to start. I also found PCLOS to be really good – but most important is for you to try the various CDs, see what works for your hardware, and what is your preference. Don’t forget to visit the forums before you choose – the community is an important part of the package. In the end, the decision is all yours. The beauty of linux is the freedom of choice. Before I go – a couple more points. Linux is not Windows, and too many people take one look, go ‘too hard’, ‘you need to be a geek’ etc. These are the same people who’ve spent ½ a lifetime learning Windows but will not give themselves 2-3 solid months to give linux a decent chance. These are also usually the same people who will not ask for help. Don’t be put off by them – find out for yourself. Here (www.alandmoore.com) is a link to a pdf file written by one of the Mepislovers members "from windows to mepis". It’s an excellent read and I would encourage anybody considering linux to read it – even though it has a Mepis slant. It’ll give you a really good idea of some of the fundamental differences you can expect. And a quick note to Winmacguy …linux distros …. will always remain the the realm of tech nerds and software geeks It is comments like this which propagate this myth. Linux is getting a lot better. Winmacguy - have you tried any of the live cds recently? Which ones? What do you base this statement on? If my 71 year old father (who is equally lost in the Win environment) can operate a linux system set up properly for him, then I’d suggest long term that you’re wrong.	Brooko (8444)
571271	2007-07-23 05:43:00	And a quick note to Winmacguy It is comments like this which propagate this myth. Linux is getting a lot better. Winmacguy - have you tried any of the live cds recently? Which ones? What do you base this statement on? If my 71 year old father (who is equally lost in the Win environment) can operate a linux system set up properly for him, then I’d suggest long term that you’re wrong. With Dell now shipping its PCs with pre installed Linux, that might help balance the situation a bit. I have probably based my statement on what I have heard and read on forums as I am not a Linux user although I am in favour of its use. As you may or may not have picked up, I am a Mac user and have XP running in Parallels. When I first read about Linux some 6-7 years ago, I was keen to try it on my PC but never got around to it. I am currently very happy with my iMac.	winmacguy (3367)
571272	2007-07-23 06:58:00	Thanks guys, sorry i havent answered, wow lots of info. I managed to find a friend how is quite well adjusted to Linux, Am goetting tutoring from him, and also many other tech ppl. Cheers, i have a spare machine which currently im downloading ubantu 7.0.4 Server, im going to fiddle with that cheers	aidanmaz (7180)
571273	2007-07-23 07:12:00	Thanks guys, sorry i havent answered, wow lots of info. I managed to find a friend how is quite well adjusted to Linux, Am goetting tutoring from him, and also many other tech ppl. Cheers, i have a spare machine which currently im downloading ubantu 7.0.4 Server, im going to fiddle with that cheersGood on you. Having someone handy is a real advantage.	Bonez (10505)
571274	2007-07-23 08:04:00	Thanks guys, sorry i havent answered, wow lots of info. I managed to find a friend how is quite well adjusted to Linux, Am goetting tutoring from him, and also many other tech ppl. Cheers, i have a spare machine which currently im downloading ubantu 7.0.4 Server, im going to fiddle with that cheersGlad to hear you're taking a stab at it - good luck, and I hope you find the experience a positive one! :D	Erayd (23)
571275	2007-07-23 08:10:00	Me too, I'll be rooting for you :thumbs: :D	Shortcircuit (1666)
571276	2007-07-23 08:13:00	Thanks guys, sorry i havent answered, wow lots of info. I managed to find a friend how is quite well adjusted to Linux, Am goetting tutoring from him, and also many other tech ppl. Cheers, i have a spare machine which currently im downloading ubantu 7.0.4 Server, im going to fiddle with that cheers Good on you. Having someone handy is a real advantage. Glad to hear you're taking a stab at it - good luck, and I hope you find the experience a positive one! :D... and remember, there are plenty of linux users on this forum who can, and will, help if you ask. But try things for yourself first, ask if you get stuck (preferably BEFORE you get annoyed)	Myth (110)
571277	2007-07-23 08:59:00	ok first 15mins of installation and both me and my friend have no clue. On selecting the additional software to install,(since its the server edition (yeah not good starting point) i chose LAMP, and left out DNS) setup goes thru and gets to 85% it sits there for a good ten minutes then a black screen appears and it restarts the machine. it then says error loading operating system..... I think maybe this shud go in another post but now i have typed it, it can go here, My belief my computer is too "new" (p4 3.6ghz HT, 1gb RAM ATi Radeon 9600, 200GB HDD, DVDRW DL)	aidanmaz (7180)
571278	2007-07-23 09:37:00	No, the Ubuntu version you have is up to date so your computer is not 'too new'. When you were installing was there an option to use a 'standard' install? You could download the MD5 checksums to make sure there are no errors in the installation file. I would give it another try, sometimes these things have a mind of their own and it's just the way you hold your tongue.	Shortcircuit (1666)
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