The Linux Distro Thread (maybe)

[ej-solutions]

Thought I'd start this one off, rather than continue on another thread.

As a quick catch up for others:

Have a look at Unetbootin, as a means to try out different versions of Linux, without producing numerous coasters (unwanted CDs).
I haven't tried the method of installing to hard drive, only the USB flash drive method (so far).

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[otherego]

I would very much like to get my hands on a 900 or a 901. I've got the little 701. A clever little machine, but that tiny screen with its limited resolution is a pain!

[otherego]

Every now and then laptops get swiped. I assume that most private individuals (eg me) neither encrypt their data, nor have any idea how to encrypt it. My attempts to rescue my Windows 2000 installation are on temporary hold (= sanity break) - i was relieved that I had never bothered with a password on it, so that I was able to recover documents and pictures using a live CD and a flash drive.

Just came across this, however:

this a a tutorial i made to help users who have a buggered up windows partition and would like to recover files before re-instaling, or if you friend has a windows password and you would like to steal/see his files

( http://www.computer-juice.com/forums/f54/how-recover-files-windows-using-linux-live-cd-16100/ )

Gulp. Does this mean that anybody with a live CD could get at the files in a password-protected Windows (or Linux, I guess) laptop?

If I managed to get my data so easily with my limited abilities (albeit from a non-password protected computer), this suggests that one can't be too complacent about the security of one's data - unless a user password prevents this from being done.

The only consolation is that I can't find anything on my computer, and sincerely hope that any villain would have the same problem!

[ej-solutions]

Not going into detail (a little bit of Googling) but I've managed to recover quite a few NT machines, where Administrator passwords have been forgotten. It's a Linux based CD.
Encryption, however, is another can of worms.

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[ej-solutions]

I might add that the same could be said of many OSes, physical access is the first line of defence.

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[otherego]

Encryption, however, is another can of worms.

Hmmm. I think I'll continue to rely on strategic disorganisation to protect my filing "system" from snoopers.

Especially since they might realise there's nothing of the slightest interest there.

Sigh.

[ej-solutions]

"..strategic disorganisation.." :^O
Think most of us can do that one 😉

Note that decent passwords (and a bit of common savvy) will protect you in a network/internet environment - it's physical access that's the issue.
:8}

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[ej-solutions]

Yes, 'sensitive' data is better stored elsewhere (flash drive etc.).

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[blackburn_stevie]

All my passwords are in a folder on my desktop labelled. "Manuals". No hacker would ever find them there. :^O


Actually, that's not strictly true. They ARE in a folder called Manuals but that folder is about 6 folders deep and there are no what you might call "personal" passwords such as bank stuff.

I have 2 rules. I say exactly what I mean and I mean exactly what I say.

[blackburn_stevie]

Grrrrrrrrr.
This Linux lark is doing my head in.
I have installed a version called freespire. The install went well and the desktop looks good. It's supposed to work right out of the box and have drivers coming out of its back passage. I'll admit to being impressed that my mouse and keyboard worked 'cos they are both infra red wireless @ 6 foot distance. Sadly, that's the last of the good news.
Does my BT Voyager USB wi-fi dongle work?
Errrr, no.
There's a driver for it. That's not the problem.
It seems there is asomething called a "Script" that you need to put in (whatever that means) ...
#START**
BUS=="usb",
SYSFS{idProduct}=="0715",
SYSFS{idVendor}=="1690",
RUN+="/bin/sh -c 'echo 1 > /sys/$devpath/device/bConfigurationValue'"
#END**

Then you need to do this ...

installed ndiswrapper
- installed driver bcmrndis.inf, taken from the drivers directory of windows installation, with ndiswrapper
- copied usb8023k.sys & rndismpk.sys /etc/ndiswrapper/bcmrndis/. i have tried the versions from my windows setup, and also those from ASUS http://support.asus.com/download/dow...Language=en-us as suggested by Gladier
- created hardware configuration file /etc/udev/rules.d/99-custom.rules
- ndiswrapper -l gives bcmrndis driver present, hardware present
- sudo modprobe ndiswrapper and sudo ndiswrapper -m
- reboot

And then maybe it will work.
I think I'll go back to XP

I have 2 rules. I say exactly what I mean and I mean exactly what I say.

[ej-solutions]

Old Guy: Not the best of distros to choose for your hardware, obviously. Give a link to the place that your reading the stuff from and some guidance might come your way.
[Not surprised about your BT gadget - they call a router a hub, for goodness sake!] You'll not get anywhere without putting the identifier information into the correct place.

Have you never bought a piece of hardware that didn't work with a particular version of Windoze - that's not uncommon!

Try and do a Google for 'BT Voyager USB Linux' - good luck.

It's cost nothing apart from your time. Why not try a different one? I can't recall if Linspire (now Freespire) is Debian based, if so try a Ubuntu based one, or vice versa.

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[blackburn_stevie]

ej .... No offense intended but I'm trying to make life easier, not harder.
With windows, you just plug it in (whatever "it" is) and a dialogue box pops up asking for the driver. You put the CD in the tray and Bob's yer Aunt Fanny.
This Linux doo-dah doesn't even seem to know that there is a USB device in one of the sockets. The USB sockets are working 'cos a mouse works in all of them.

I have 2 rules. I say exactly what I mean and I mean exactly what I say.

[ej-solutions]

No offence taken.
"...asking for the driver" - that's exactly the point; there's not always one available for a given version of Windoze.
Think of distros, as you might Windoze 95,98,Me,2000, XP Home, XP Pro, Vista Home, Vista Premium (whatever).
The distro you tried didn't have the driver immediately available to use (but there is a way to install it).

I'll hazard a guess that the USB dongle wasn't made by BT and that there may be a model number on it that would allow you to search for the driver. In fact those Product ID and Vendor ID values above might help.

Now if you had a 'proper' USB dongle from the likes of D-Link, Netgear etc. 😉 In seriousness, I have said before that wireless networking is the most limited area.
It is improving...

Too much effort. Back to your comfort zone then, I guess.

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[blackburn_stevie]

Comfort zone be damned. I haven't quitew given up yet.
Here is a list of the Linux CDs that I have in front of me. Could you have an educated guess as to which would be easiest to use for a novice who doesn't really want to play around with command line stuff if he can help it?

Freespire
Debian Linux 4.0r4a
Gentoo 2008
Maqndriva Linux 2008
Knoppix 5.1.1
Zenwalk Linux 5.0
OpenSuse Linux 11.0 GM
Fedora 9.Simply Mepis 7.0
Foresight 2.0.3
Ubuntu 8.04.1

I have 2 rules. I say exactly what I mean and I mean exactly what I say.

[ej-solutions]

Some of these are not the most up to date, which will put you at a disadvantage. Opinion/observations below:

* Freespire - OK but a relatively small 'player' in the scheme of things (no disrespect).
* Debian - A sold distribution but not known for being user friendly.
* Gentoo - I like because its small and quick but not what you're looking for. Good for older machines.
** Mandriva - really is a cracking distro. (I had been using various versions for years) Good online support, through the website. It's still running on my desktop PC, though I barely use the machine. Generally, user friendly menus.
* Knoppix - the people who started the Live CD revolution. More of a specialist distro.
* Zenwalk - I've 'fired up' this one but don't remember anything about it, sorry.
* OpenSuse - a favourite in corporate circles and I find it 'pleasant' to use. The menu system, in particular is good and is similar to my current favourite, Mint. A 'serious' distribution but IMO not quite for a newbie.
** Fedora - I also rate this as good/v. good.
* Foresight - if I recall, this is a specialist distro., mainly for disk/data analysis, or I totally 'off base' 🙂
Not tried this one.

** Ubuntu - the current most popular distro. (with good reason). Likely to provide (nearly) everything you need, if it runs on your machine. Plenty of online information.

My current favourite, Mint - Ubuntu, with the menu structure similar to OpenSuse and easier to download software/updates.

Hope that helps.
Distrowatch is my main source of updates.

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[ej-solutions]

Just checked:
Foresight - bleeding edge stuff. Advise against for a newbie.

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[otherego]

While we await the experts:

Ubuntu 8.10 was my first Linux install and was fairly straightforward; would guess 8.04 would be alright;

Mandriva Linux One 2009 was straightforward

Linux evolves faster than M$, so all the distros listed have been superseded - they tend to get easier as they get newer. It's easy to be put off by the chore of downloading iso images and burning them to CDs but as discussed previously, it's surprisingly easy.

But that aside - Ubuntu is designed to be user-friendly, and has an excellent web-site. To be honest, I found its forum a bit tricky to navigate - but friendly and informative once figured out.

I had a problem with it stalling, once installed, at the sign-in page - turned out that my low-spec equipment couldn't handle Ubuntu 8.10's clever graphics. Googling revealed an easy cure (command line, but I just had to copy it!)involving uninstalling the clever bit.

Mandriva might be the best out of that lot on the equipment you mentioned.

I find that no matter what I install, it works better if I initially tell it to avoid any fancy desk-top effects. These can always be added later - but may hamper initial installation attempts and lead to a loss of enthusiasm!

Worth having a play with the live CDs on several of them first, in any case. One needs to be patient with these - much slower than a full installation, and can be easily tripped up if we become impatient and try to rush them.

Quite often, whatever you're waiting for finally happens just as you're about to give up and try another CD!

Fun and informative though.

Be interesting to see what suggestions everybody else has.

Glad you're not just binning it. It's a surprisingly absorbing past-time, and can also result in a very useable computer without paying huge licensing fees to you-know-who.

[otherego]

Sorry, ej, I "awaited" too slowly!

[blackburn_stevie]

OK, Ta for that.
Very useful.
I'll now have a bash with Ubuntu and a wireless dongle with a Linux driver on the CD.

I have 2 rules. I say exactly what I mean and I mean exactly what I say.

[blackburn_stevie]

He who waits and lives to fight another cook spoiling the cake.

Or something like that, lol

I have 2 rules. I say exactly what I mean and I mean exactly what I say.

[ej-solutions]

Best of luck :-)

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