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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[ej-solutions]

is=if (got distracted).

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[ej-solutions]

Also, TinyMe-2008.1-Droplet.i586.iso - runs (albeit slowly) in 96Mb.
Couldn't get the alpha release to run in the same amount. :-(

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[otherego]

Interesting - the smallest of distros grows as hardware becomes more sophisticated. Just downloading Droplet.

Been wasting time on a neglected Windows machine - Avira refusing to update again.

Thanks for the tinyflux suggestion - I'll have a prowl around and see whether it's available anywhere.

Been one of those days - bed beckons!

[otherego]

Strange. TinyFlux and TinyMe just don't work on the antique. The kernel seems to load, then it tells me, "No suitable media for the live CD content found" - the suggested workaround is to transfer all files to the hard-drive, which sort of defeats the object of a live CD. Looks like a hardware problem - I think - judging from a little googling.

I keep coming back to Puppy - a remarkable little distro. The "retro" version works on the old machine, so I've installed it - now I have to figure out why it keeps booting into W98 despite Puppy having been reinstalled twice and GRUB twice more. I can boot it from SuperGrubDisk, but not repair the problem - a menu.lst matter, perhaps. A spot of googling later, I think. Time now to stop wasting a beautiful Sunday afternoon and nip out for a little walk.

Interesting article I found I'd bookmarked - not sure where I found it -on Linux vs commercial software philosophical matters:

http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm

[ej-solutions]

Not sure if any of you lot have figured out that you can use multiple desktops. Have different applications running on each eg. different browsers. I use up to 4 desktops and is the core reason for persevering with Linux - Windoze XP just doesn't 'cut it'.
A question for those with multiple monitors: If you switch desktop (using the icons in the taskbar), presumably this changes the display in the other monitor? [I'm not talking about any icon that you may have for switching monitors].

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[otherego]

Shhh! Now everybody'll be wanting one!

Or four...

[grumpy-cook]

Yes EJ, I find the extra desktops very useful (I like to impress visitors by spinning a cube round to another desktop, but I'm just a showoff). I don't use dual monitors at present so not sure how it would work, but I've got a spare, so may just try it sometime.

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[otherego]

I've been having more fun than success trying to get Linux on ancient laptops. One of these was a Toshiba Satellite 320CDT, which came with no hard drive but all the recovery software. I was a little annoyed with myself for paying £21 (including postage), plus ten quid for a 6gb hard drive.

Last night, I noticed a 320 on sale. Bids had already exceeded what I paid for mine so, out of idle curiosity, I "watched" it to see what it might fetch.

It went for over seventy quid, plus £7 postage.

The seller did accidentally show the RAM (and the hard drive) as 4gb - I suppose this could have confused the suitably refreshed at that hour of the night. But either I'm sitting on a valuable classic, which is unlikely, given my past eBay history, or somebody's in for a grievous disappointment!

[ej-solutions]

I suspect the latter, otherego. 😉
A little knowledge... (as d_p_c was fond of saying). :-)

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[otherego]

An interesting little item from the BBC site:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/technology/

What I find particularly interesting is the fact that this simple-to-use system is based on Mint. Presumably licensing matters and/or costs would have made a project of this nature impossible with M$ windows or other closed-source systems.

The idea, as presented, does seem a touch patronising, but I really like the basic idea. I'm sure a system like this would find much wider appeal than simply the older members of society. An awful lot of people have absolutely no interest in computers - fair enough, after all - and would probably appreciate a system that allowed them to reap the benefits of computer-use without having to devote enormous energy to learning something that doesn't really interest them.

Just look at all the threads from eBayers who've been mugged by malware. It quickly becomes apparent that most of the victims have no idea whatever about basic security measures, and very little interest. Fair go - I couldn't care less how my fridge works as long as the beer is chilled. A system like "Simplicity," especially with a less patronising label, might appeal.

An entertaining project for the regulars here with programming skills? A similar system, perhaps geared more towards internet shopping, could probably be offered for a great deal less than what the "Simplicity" folk seem to be charging - could even be a nice little side-line. A quick glance at N*****ch suggests that one could make a modest profit on complete, brand new systems flogged for a little over £300 - might be mistaken there.

Alternatively, cheapo desk-tops on eBay could be used quite profitably.

One can dream... Back to trying to figure out why I managed to get Opera 10 onto a VirtualBox Puppy installation with 96mb RAM, but can't get it to work on a genuine old computer. It appears to be installed, but simply won't launch. Must go and do real-life stuff, but might look into this later. Perhaps the mighty 233mhz CPU falls short of Opera's needs.

[ej-solutions]

I've been playing with/following this one...
http://webconverger.com/
(v5.6 appears to be better at the moment, 5.7 having issues with customisation).

Bear in mind that the main ethos of Netbooks is to make life 'simpler', for the majority. Unfortunately the majority (think they?) need more. ;-)

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[repairexpert]

From the BBC article...

Secondly, it's extremely secure so there's no need for anti-virus, and thirdly it runs very much better and faster than Windows on a more limited machine.

Just how true is that statement?

I did see it on the news and it seems an easy introduction to computing for people who have never used one before. :)

[repairexpert]

The 'no need for anti-virus' is the question?

[ej-solutions]

Well, at this moment in time, I run no realtime A/V in Mint. ClamAV for manual scans if needed (for Windoze stuff), plus of course, all the usual browser paraphernalia. I really should get round to running some form of A/V now that *nix is becoming more popular.

Short answer: If configured correctly, there is no need for anti-virus protection on a pure *nix system.

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[ej-solutions]

Pure - the EJ definition:
The *nix (meaning Linux, UNIX, BSD etc.) system is not acting as a file server for Windows/Mac machines, whether in realtime or as a staging point to hold files. Transmission of emails/Instant Messages without executable attachments is assumed.

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[repairexpert]

So can I assume that when people start adding on extensions to do all the extras they want and it becomes 'impure', the system becomes vulnerable?

Surely if the system became really popular then the hackers would start to target it?

There are a lot of cheap Netbooks being sold with that OS on them now.

[ej-solutions]

'Out of the box' Linux does have vulnerabilities but it can be 'hardened' fairly easily. If programs are running in what is called 'user space' then no harm can be done to the system as a whole.
There are a number of methods to create a secure environment but TBH I've not needed to 'explore' these areas in quite some time.
The installation of 'extensions' don't necessarily mean that a compromise has to be made.

Yes, as eluded to, Netbooks could be made secure and provide all that is needed for the majority of people. So many folks just can't see past MS ways of doing things - just ask the Mac aficionados. :-)

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[repairexpert]

Thanks for the explanation; I know very little about it and haven't had time to play with it yet.

[ej-solutions]

Linux Mint 8 is just around the corner 😄
and Mint 7 XFCE has been released... speedy desktop time. 🙂
http://www.linuxmint.com/

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[otherego]

Just trying out Ubuntu 8.10. On the plus side, it seems nice and quick, and has all the usual useful odds and ends. It also seems pretty light. The systems monitor shows about 271mb of RAM in use, no swap and the CPU fluctuating at around 12-20% The computer has 2gb RAM (256 of that snaffled for graphics; hard to see why) and a 1.86 ghz CPU (single core.)

There is one OpenOffice document open, plus this tab in Firefox (version 3.5.3) and the systems monitor.

NoScript, WOT, Adblock Plus and Flashblock installed with no bother at all, as did Adobe Flash (yippee...)

Since this is all in a live CD session, I'm modestly impressed. Only modestly because it still can't deal with this computer's graphics - so I'm stuck with 800x600 on a 1280x800 screen.

As a result, my favourite sites are barely usable. The BBC site necessitates constant scrolling, as does eBay. To add insult to injury, this resolution (the only other option is 640x480) results in a narrow gap between the toobars etc at the top and the bar across the bottom of the screen.

No way would I like to repeat the mission involved in getting Mint 7 installed on this machine - it was fun once!And never did get a 3D driver. The fault is probably the SiS innards again. I know now to avoid products of that company in future if at all possible, but actually like this machine - otherwise. Wonder why SiS was so reluctant to release Linux drivers for this equipment? Earned it quite a slating on one or two forums.

Still - Ubuntu 8.10 looks pretty good, and Mint 8 is downloading nicely. Interesting to see whether that has drivers that work with this screen. Tomorrow's entertainment, I think It does make a change from trying to persuade a 233mhz/96mb "classic" to connect to the internet.