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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[blackburn_stevie]

** Holds hand up **

OK, I know I'm an impatient sod and I know that if I want a windows-like interface, I should use windows. The thing is that I am sick to the back teeth of all the rules with Windows and all these rules really mean is "Pay up or else"
Having said that, I'm used to the Windows environment.
I know that if I want to check to see if a driver is installed, I can go to Control panel >> system >> Hardware >> device Manager ... find the right device and click on the properties. This afternoon, I wanted to try to install a driver from a CD and couldn't even find the physical drive on the computer.
My guess is that all the stuff is there once you learn where to look for it.
The other thing is those blasted USB devices.
Is a PC running Linux supposed to recognise that a USB device has been put into a USB slot and do something or does Linux just sit there saying to itself, "Now what you gonna do, smart 'arriss?"

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

[ej-solutions]

There is often a Menu for Control Centre and/or Hardware.

It depends on the device. If it's a flash drive, yes, it should show automatically. If it's a printer, then you'll need to go and setup a printer (most can be scanned for).
If it's a scanner, go to the Scanner program (mileage will vary).
If it's a device that requires a driver, then likely no. You need to follow instructions to install the driver. Sometimes, it's just a matter of double-clicking on a file.
A CD should show on the desktop automatically, to enable you to click on it. If it didn't, pop the CD out/in again (and it sounds like an old version of Linux).

Just tried Zenwalk (running in the background of this laptop). Didn't know it was a renamed mini-Slack - longstanding pedigree. Looks pretty good, though support likely to be limited. Runs in only 128Mb on a PIII processor - could be useful. Good beginners guide on the desktop.

PCLinuxOS or PC/OS will give you the look of XP (nearly) out-of-the-box. Once again, it's the support side that might let you down.

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[ej-solutions]

P.S. I've just downloaded an update to my Fedora (prompted by you ;-)) - it's also worth a look but try the latest Ubuntu first.

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[blackburn_stevie]

ej sharpened his quill and wrote .... "try the latest Ubuntu first."

Mmmmm, If I install Ubuntu version 8.04.1 can that then be updated to a later version in the swame sort of way that Windows and Macs do updates or do I have to download and burn the latest version first and then install it?

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

[ej-solutions]

I would advise against the upgrade route (with one caveat). Some users have been experiencing difficulties with the most recent version of Ubuntu and reverted to version 8 (still check for the latest release of it, though).

To save you burning more coasters (another pile of unwanted CDs), have a look at my first post. If you have a flash drive of 1Gb or more (and are willing to find out how to boot from it), then you can often run the Live CD from a flash drive.

There are often major fixes to hardware detection, so that can only help you.
Try to get your Live CD to work with the dongle PRIOR to installing.

[With Ubuntu, there's an additional option. Pop the CD in while still in Windows and it can install alongside Windows. Easier to remove again ;-)]

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[otherego]

I upgraded from Ubuntu 8.10 to 9.04 - no problems with the upgrade process other than the fact that it would have been quicker to back up all the data and simply install afresh! Boots nice and quickly.

Whether anything useful was lost in the upgrade, I'm not sure - I tend to use the Mint partition more. Not sure why - just a personal preference. Hope to upgrade to Gloria in the next few days - but I think I'll go the install rather than the upgrade route.

(I'd also like to try using separate home and root partitions to facilitate future upgrades - although a previous experiment, conducted largely with this board's participation! did allow me to split Ubuntu AFTER the event. ej may remember talking me through that one. It was, I think, a five-beer exercise.)

[blackburn_stevie]

OK, I'm even more confused now.
Here's a picture for you all to look at.
Take as long as you like and then tell me what's odd about it.



I'll give you a clue.
It has to do with something that I mentioned earlier about Linux using windows files from the PC when running in "Live disk" mode. and not just files from the disk itself.
Good night all. I'll be back in the morning to see how you fared.

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

[nice_bow_tie]

Take as long as you like and then tell me what's odd about it.

The date? It's not the 12th till tomorrow. 😛

[blackburn_stevie]

Nah, that's just a blooper when setting the camera up.
Keep trying though. 10/10 for effort, lol

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

[blackburn_stevie]

I'll give you a clue before I go to bed.
It will help if you can read, or know what it says from past experience, in the white bit at the top of the screen (RH side)

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

[nice_bow_tie]

You mean the Google search box?

[blackburn_stevie]

No. More basic than that.
Have a look at the stuff that went on earlier. Especially the bit about how a Live CD doesn't use files from the PC.

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

[ej-solutions]

The system time is incorrect? It doesn't read that from the Windoze installation but from a combination of the BIOS and the offset from GMT that you've chosen. Click on it to change.
Your wireless signal strength is low. Unless specifically asked Ubuntu will use its' own drivers for wireless, not Windows (ndis) drivers.

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[ej-solutions]

BTW: "Hardy Heron" - a previous sig. on this boards :-D

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[ej-solutions]

[Doesn't feeBay look horrendous without Flashblock/Adblock+/NoScript? ]:)]

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[grumpy-cook]

I didn't even know it looked like that now EJ, rubbish all over the place.

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[ej-solutions]

Think I'd have given up in despair, if feeBay looked like that all the time. Pay fees to sell and bombard your potential buyers with adverts... the sellers are revolting (allegedly).

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[grumpy-cook]

the sellers are revolting

Some of the buyers are not all that pleasant either.

:^O

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[ej-solutions]

B-) Thought you might like that ;-)

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Just skimming the surface

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[blackburn_stevie]

good afternoon, one and all.
My day's chores are complete so I am now free to terrorise the boards, lol.

So, what was odd about that picture?
It's easy really.
What you can see is the result of running Ubuntu from the disk rather than installing it on the hard drive. I said that bit about reading what it says at the top because part of it says that it is running via a "Live CD". (I forget the exact wording)
Anywho, when the disk loaded, although the wireless signal was weak, my wireless dongle, the very same one that a later version of Linux refused to work with or even recognise, fired up to the internet with no help from me except to pick a network from a drop down box and click on the little fox. Admittedly, it didn't fire up to my normal Home page and I had to input the eBay URL.
The thing is, I can accept that a dongle's drivers may have been in Ubuntu but not in that Freespire version but what I can't understand is how did the Live CD get to know my WPA password in order to sign me in automatically unless it was getting the info from the PC?

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