Thinking about Linux

quagmondo23

quagmondo23

New Member
I want to try a different OS on my laptop which is running xp. I've heard that linux is the way to go for a different system but it looks complicated. Whenever I look it up, people talk about having to do a lot of programming or scripting(I'm not sure) to make it do what you want. Also, there is many versions. Could someone maybe explain it a little. Thanks
 
Most people would recommend Ubuntu, as it's (supposedly) better for beginners.

From my experience using Ubuntu 7.04....it's alright. The programming you heard about is true to some effect, depending on what you want to do with Ubuntu, however, it's nothing you couldn't handle.

The reason I think you could handle is it, is because its not actually knowing code or anything....you just look up the little string you need on the internet. If you're still confused let me know and I'll try to explain better.

Bottom Line IMO: Linux (Ubuntu) is alright, but (for me)it's ultimately useless and poorly done. I can't stand using terminal for EVERY LITTLE F***ING THING I WANT TO DO! (Terminal is the place where you enter the code). I do think that you should try it though...it's fun to mess around in and experiment with.
 
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if you want almost everything to work right away after you finish installing then try pclinux.....
if you want to learn a little bit or just curious then try ubuntu because you will need to install aditional codecs and programs....
 
I had a Disto CD where you boot on the CD and it lets you try out the OS. I tried quite a few times and didn't like it at all... XP is more than enough for me...
 
try Dream linux...looks very nice :)

google it up in images and you will see it looks like Mac osx a bit with its dock :)
 
vonfeldt7 said:
Most people would recommend Ubuntu, as it's (supposedly) better for beginners.
Click to expand...

+1
IMO, Ubuntu and Kubuntu are great for begginers.
they also have some amazing visual effects:
Screenshot.png

and
Screenshot-1copy.jpg

in the 2nd image, the problems on the top only show up in screenshots
 
I was impressed with kUbuntu. I don't know much about Linux, but installing it was easy. I just threw it on a PC and used it for web surfing and stuff like that. It boots up quickly, and if you don't really need to do too much with it, it runs fine on older PC's.
 
f.i.t.h said:
+1
IMO, Ubuntu and Kubuntu are great for begginers.
they also have some amazing visual effects:

and

in the 2nd image, the problems on the top only show up in screenshots
Click to expand...

that is just compiz-fusion. you can install that to almost any distro. that is nothing special to ubuntu.
 
I'll explain some basics.

Linux is an operating system similar to UNIX. The thing that most new users find confusing is that there is no operating system you can use called "Linux".

What I mean by that is that you won't download Linux and run it. Linux is really only a kernel that makes the base operating systems. What happens is certain groups and companies take the Linux kernel and make their own spins from it.

This brings the "distributions" that are all the "versions" of Linux. Big name distributions (or distros) are Debian, Slackware, and Redhat.

But wait, there's even more confusion! From these "base distributions" comes even more operating system goodness. This is where we get the Ubuntu's, the OpenSUSE's, and the Fedora's. They are called "forks". This mainly means they came from one of the base distributions (Debian, Redhat, etc.).

So I guess you could think of it like a flow-chart or tree. The Linux kernel would be at the top, and distros like Ubuntu would be near the bottom.

As for "coding", that's just a scary way of saying entering commands. The thing is, for basic usage, you'll almost never have to use the terminal (the terminal being the place where you'd enter the commands). I say almost because there probably would be a point where you'd have to. But it shouldn't keep you from trying the operating system. When you have to, there are always forums (like this one!) where you can ask and even copy and paste the commands you need. You could even PM me and I'd do my best to help!

Ubuntu is a great operating system, and almost perfect for a person just entering the Linux world. I'd suggest that you start there. They also have hugely active forums where you can get help with anything almost instantly.


EDIT

If anyone see's any inaccurate information in my post, please correct me. I threw this together but I'm sure it's completely accurate.
 
There are hardly any viruses or the like on Linux platforms. In fact, I've only heard of maybe two or three, and I've never had to deal with them.

The most security most users will even almost need is a firewall. SELinux (security enhanced linux) comes on many distros and it's generally the firewall of choice for Linux. I've safely ran systems without SELinux with no problem.

If you're talking about firewalls for servers, there's nothing better than Linux. And now that I think of it, virus and trojan-wise, there's nothing better than Linux.

So to answer your question; yes, because you'll probably never have a virus or trojan on Ubuntu.
 
20thCenturyBoy said:
I'll explain some basics.

Linux is an operating system similar to UNIX. The thing that most new users find confusing is that there is no operating system you can use called "Linux".

What I mean by that is that you won't download Linux and run it. Linux is really only a kernel that makes the base operating systems. What happens is certain groups and companies take the Linux kernel and make their own spins from it.

This brings the "distributions" that are all the "versions" of Linux. Big name distributions (or distros) are Debian, Slackware, and Redhat.

But wait, there's even more confusion! From these "base distributions" comes even more operating system goodness. This is where we get the Ubuntu's, the OpenSUSE's, and the Fedora's. They are called "forks". This mainly means they came from one of the base distributions (Debian, Redhat, etc.).

So I guess you could think of it like a flow-chart or tree. The Linux kernel would be at the top, and distros like Ubuntu would be near the bottom.

As for "coding", that's just a scary way of saying entering commands. The thing is, for basic usage, you'll almost never have to use the terminal (the terminal being the place where you'd enter the commands). I say almost because there probably would be a point where you'd have to. But it shouldn't keep you from trying the operating system. When you have to, there are always forums (like this one!) where you can ask and even copy and paste the commands you need. You could even PM me and I'd do my best to help!

Ubuntu is a great operating system, and almost perfect for a person just entering the Linux world. I'd suggest that you start there. They also have hugely active forums where you can get help with anything almost instantly.


EDIT

If anyone see's any inaccurate information in my post, please correct me. I threw this together but I'm sure it's completely accurate.
Click to expand...

Linux is the kernel yes, but distro's dont modify that, they modify gnu :)

O and if you are new to linux, you can always dualboot so you have both windows and linux on your computer.
 
Just one more question, I got a new laptop with windows 98, 7gb hd, something like 60-150mb ram and a rubbish graphics card. Is there a version of linux that will run on something that poor but be useable at the same time.
 
quagmondo23 said:
Just one more question, I got a new laptop with windows 98, 7gb hd, something like 60-150mb ram and a rubbish graphics card. Is there a version of linux that will run on something that poor but be useable at the same time.
Click to expand...

FeatherLinux, Puppy linux and/or DSL (damn small linux)
 
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My notebook original is a Linux OS but I change it to XP Professional cos I found XP is still better than Linux
 
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