Is Linux still unfrendly?

computerhakk · 05-10-2007, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niskyspy

Well, I am getting pissed with my laptop again because windows is on its last couple of breaths and about to pass out on me. Last time this happened I just reinstalled windows XP (format>fresh install). These windows problems happen like clock work, windows fails at least once a year for me and thats with use of Firewalls and Anti-Viruses. So I am just tired of all this and surely wont pay for Vista. I remember trying to run Linux a while back but just ended up installing windows because of Linux unfriendliness to the user. I just couldn't figure out how to install programs in Linux it always needed some kind of code change before anything would work. So what I am looking for now is Linux that would be really user friendly and installation of programs would be just a couple of "NEXT clicks" (something like windows but way better).

Thank you

It depends on which one you get. As said above by many, there are different versions, different types, and is definitely harder and different that Windows. The KDE or anything similar will mimic the Windows environment so that it appeals to you more, but it still functions differently. Over the past, linux has come a long way and if you want to try it again; I suggest you get one that is well known or has a huge online community so that you can get assistance if you need to.

I am still a novice at Linux also, but I use it regularly and learn everyday. The thing I use it for the most is for my media and for Beryl.

diroga · 05-10-2007, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niskyspy

These windows problems happen like clock work, windows fails at least once a year for me and thats with use of Firewalls and Anti-Viruses.

might be a bad hard drive. for AV i use AVG and for fire wall i used zone alarm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niskyspy

Linux unfriendliness to the user. I just couldn't figure out how to install programs in Linux it always needed some kind of code change before anything would work. So what I am looking for now is Linux that would be really user friendly and installation of programs would be just a couple of "NEXT clicks" (something like windows but way better).

each distro handles installing software, updates etc differently. For debian based distros like Ubuntu you can use apt-get witch takes are of alot the installation. synaptic is a GUI form of apt-get where you can check box off things you want. There are some install files you can just right click on and select install. There are harder to come by tho. The code you may come acrost for installing things is in the terminal running make files. make files are a list of source code and how to compile code to run on your comp.

Also the new verison of ubuntu is said to have really good wifi support.

@patrickv http://www.mythtv.org/

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlarkin

but non debian packages are a HUGE pain to run on debian based distros. Try installing a RPM on debian based, its a pain. Not everyone distributes DEB packages. Also, then you start running into things like running multiple package managers, trust me it can get very annoying.

I havent had much experiance with trying to install RPM files on debians. I hear alien is soposed to work with that stuff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlarkin

but to get the full benefits of using Linux one must learn a bit harder to understand OS. With windows or with OS X you can just jump right into it and use it like any other OS. With Linux you should take the time to understand the basic functions of the OS, thus it is harder to use. I say this in the sense that it takes more time and effort, not saying its impossible.

That is a nice feature of *nix, you actualy learn how an OS works.

_simon_ · 05-10-2007, 07:40 AM

If you're going to reinstall anyway then give Ubuntu 7.04 a try.

The worst that could happen is that you don't like it or it's not fully compatible with your setup and you waste a few hours.

diroga · 05-10-2007, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon@Linux

If you're going to reinstall anyway then give Ubuntu 7.04 a try.
The worst that could happen is that you don't like it or it's not fully compatible with your setup and you waste a few hours.

would running a live CD beable to test for harware compatablitiy?

here is a video showing how to dual boot ubuntu and linux

_simon_ · 05-10-2007, 08:06 AM

Running the live CD is in itself a good indicator, yes.

Obviously some things do require that drivers be installed (internet connection if not ethernet through a router)

For the sake of 40 ish mins install time, you may as well install it, rather than spend hours playing with a limited live desktop.

Dual boot is very easy to do, I did it recently for my partners dad on his new pc. All you do is partition the drive and start the install. Ubuntu detects that another OS is installed, so it's not like you have to do anything special.

Niskyspy · 05-10-2007, 03:48 PM

Thanks for all the replies, and help.
I am going to run Linux on my laptop and would like to know if the battery life would be shorter with Linux. Right now I am downloading Knoppix to see if Linux has all the drivers that I need. The thing that I really worry about is the Wireless which shouldn't be a problem because its a mainstream chip and the mouse tab.
Thank you

_simon_ · 05-10-2007, 04:08 PM

Battery life should not be shorter, I've seen a few posts where people have gotten longer battery life under Ubuntu than under Windows.

tlarkin · 05-10-2007, 05:12 PM

just make sure you install the portable computer packages (may be called different on different distros) or the laptop package. It will load the power management software designed for a laptop computer.

Niskyspy · 05-11-2007, 12:09 AM

Just ran Knoppix on my Laptop and everything is running fine except for the wireless card. It found the damn thing and I actually did a scan of the networks. Chose the network that I want to connect to connected to it and came up with a problem.
1) When I turned on Wi-Fi software that came with Linux, three programs opened up in the menu
2) First was nothing special, so I used the second program (right click) and selected scan, then found my network and added it.
3) It connected to it but no packets are going through
4) 3rd program (icon) is disconnected and I cannot connect it.

I am pretty sure its some newbi thing going on here so could u either answer my question or give a link to a Linux learning site.
Thank you

tlarkin · 05-11-2007, 03:25 AM

you may need updated drivers, installing the OS and downloading and updating wifi linux drivers may be needed. What type of wireless card do you own in your laptop do you know?

05-10-2007, 07:40 AM	#13 (permalink)
_simon_ Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Cannock, UK Age: 28 Posts: 952	If you're going to reinstall anyway then give Ubuntu 7.04 a try. The worst that could happen is that you don't like it or it's not fully compatible with your setup and you waste a few hours. __________________ Athlon 64 X2 4600+ Dual Core + Arctic Cooling Freezer-64-LP 4GB (2x 2GB) OCZ PC2 6400 Dual CH Gold Edition XTC MSI K9AGM2-L mATX / eCute mATX Cube Case /Scythe Kama-Meter / Philips DVD RW Hitachi 160GB SATA II 8MB cache Palit 8800GT 512MB Realtek® ALC888 HD Audio + Altec Lansing VS4121 Belinea 22" Widescreen Vista Home Premium 64bit My creepy crawly collection

05-10-2007, 08:06 AM	#15 (permalink)
_simon_ Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Cannock, UK Age: 28 Posts: 952	Running the live CD is in itself a good indicator, yes. Obviously some things do require that drivers be installed (internet connection if not ethernet through a router) For the sake of 40 ish mins install time, you may as well install it, rather than spend hours playing with a limited live desktop. Dual boot is very easy to do, I did it recently for my partners dad on his new pc. All you do is partition the drive and start the install. Ubuntu detects that another OS is installed, so it's not like you have to do anything special. __________________ Athlon 64 X2 4600+ Dual Core + Arctic Cooling Freezer-64-LP 4GB (2x 2GB) OCZ PC2 6400 Dual CH Gold Edition XTC MSI K9AGM2-L mATX / eCute mATX Cube Case /Scythe Kama-Meter / Philips DVD RW Hitachi 160GB SATA II 8MB cache Palit 8800GT 512MB Realtek® ALC888 HD Audio + Altec Lansing VS4121 Belinea 22" Widescreen Vista Home Premium 64bit My creepy crawly collection

05-10-2007, 04:08 PM	#17 (permalink)
_simon_ Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Cannock, UK Age: 28 Posts: 952	Battery life should not be shorter, I've seen a few posts where people have gotten longer battery life under Ubuntu than under Windows. __________________ Athlon 64 X2 4600+ Dual Core + Arctic Cooling Freezer-64-LP 4GB (2x 2GB) OCZ PC2 6400 Dual CH Gold Edition XTC MSI K9AGM2-L mATX / eCute mATX Cube Case /Scythe Kama-Meter / Philips DVD RW Hitachi 160GB SATA II 8MB cache Palit 8800GT 512MB Realtek® ALC888 HD Audio + Altec Lansing VS4121 Belinea 22" Widescreen Vista Home Premium 64bit My creepy crawly collection

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05-10-2007, 03:48 PM	#16 (permalink)
Niskyspy Silver Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 104	Thanks for all the replies, and help. I am going to run Linux on my laptop and would like to know if the battery life would be shorter with Linux. Right now I am downloading Knoppix to see if Linux has all the drivers that I need. The thing that I really worry about is the Wireless which shouldn't be a problem because its a mainstream chip and the mouse tab. Thank you

05-10-2007, 05:12 PM	#18 (permalink)
tlarkin VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 6,077	just make sure you install the portable computer packages (may be called different on different distros) or the laptop package. It will load the power management software designed for a laptop computer.

05-11-2007, 12:09 AM	#19 (permalink)
Niskyspy Silver Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 104	Just ran Knoppix on my Laptop and everything is running fine except for the wireless card. It found the damn thing and I actually did a scan of the networks. Chose the network that I want to connect to connected to it and came up with a problem. 1) When I turned on Wi-Fi software that came with Linux, three programs opened up in the menu 2) First was nothing special, so I used the second program (right click) and selected scan, then found my network and added it. 3) It connected to it but no packets are going through 4) 3rd program (icon) is disconnected and I cannot connect it. I am pretty sure its some newbi thing going on here so could u either answer my question or give a link to a Linux learning site. Thank you

05-11-2007, 03:25 AM	#20 (permalink)
tlarkin VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 6,077	you may need updated drivers, installing the OS and downloading and updating wifi linux drivers may be needed. What type of wireless card do you own in your laptop do you know?