Linux

AlienMenace

AlienMenace

Well-Known Member
Hello All;

What would be the best free Linux program (32 bit) to download for a person that is not to computer smart. This person had bought a used computer with no OS on it. Otherwise a (Brick).

Thank you all.
 
Linux Mint

Does the person run Windows apps or games though?..what does he do with the system?
 
i would suggest ubuntu x32 as that is widely used and alot more major software make programs for ubuntu like steam for example
 
Yeah Ubuntu is probably your best bet, easy to use and just works really. I've heard there are other decent beginner-friendly distros like solusOS and Zorin. Download a few see what's best for you!

I wouldn't recommend openSUSE 12.3 at the moment, loads of networking problems, bit of a headache to install too.
 
Linux Mint would be good since the UI (Cinnamon) closer resembles Windows. It is also a bit lighter on the system than the current versions of Ubuntu. If I remember right there is a version of cinnamon that has the 3rd party codecs installed already. Ubuntu is really good if you can get used to the Unity interface.

What are the system specs? If you need something light try Xubuntu or Lubuntu
 
Thank you all fr your replies.
I loaded Ubuntu 12.04.02 32 bit on it.
I think she bought it at a thrift store. I don't know the person personally.
A Friend of a friend type of thing.

Computer is a "Gateway E-4300 Intel P4 3.0gb, 2gb 533 ram 80gb sata hd, crappy dvd player. I put in a in a pci-e video card over the on board video that I had lying around the house".

Can you load window games on a Ubuntu Linux system? My friend wants to put cheap casino games on it. i told no, let her do it, since it was her computer. And he his just as dense, when it comes to computers too. Since I work on his when he messes his up.
 
Last edited:
AlienMenace said:
Thank you all fr your replies.
I loaded Ubuntu 12.04.02 32 bit on it.
I think she bought it at a thrift store. I don't know the person personally.
A Friend of a friend type of thing.

Computer is a "Gateway E-4300 Intel P4 3.0gb, 2gb 533 ram 80gb sata hd, crappy dvd player. I put in a in a pci-e video card over the on board video that I had lying around the house".

Can you load window games on a Ubuntu Linux system? My friend wants to put cheap casino games on it. i told no, let her do it, since it was her computer. And he his just as dense, when it comes to computers too. Since I work on his when he messes his up.
Click to expand...

You can indeed, either go to the Ubuntu Software Centre and search for and download WINE, or PlayOnLinux. You may need to google some tutorials on setting the game up though, not everything always works flawlessly ;)
 
Hello All;

I've decided to take Ubuntu out and install Linux Mint 14 Nadia in that computer.
It is all setup ready to go as soon as the person comes over and gets it now.
 
That is good, just remember you will have to install a new Linux Mint every 18 months to keep it supported with bug fixes and security fixes. If you still have time consider Linux Mint 13 as it is the same as Ubuntu LTS with 5 years of support.
 
I don't know if anyone else was having this problem but I was getting weird USB transfter speeds on LM14 and LM13. I switched back to Ubuntu and just installed Cinnamon. Feels just like Mint but my USB drives function properly now.
 
salvage-this said:
I don't know if anyone else was having this problem but I was getting weird USB transfter speeds on LM14 and LM13. I switched back to Ubuntu and just installed Cinnamon. Feels just like Mint but my USB drives function properly now.
Click to expand...

I have had problems with that on openSUSE and Fedora when I try to transfer more then one item at a time.
 
You would think so. But LM13/14 on my laptop and desktop had the problem. Ubuntu 13.04 works just fine. I hope they fix it soon. I really do like Mint.
 
salvage-this said:
You would think so. But LM13/14 on my laptop and desktop had the problem. Ubuntu 13.04 works just fine. I hope they fix it soon. I really do like Mint.
Click to expand...
Maybe it will be fixed in Mint 15 in a month or so. I use Mint 14, and I haven't noticed an issue, but I don't regularly do large USB transfers. I haven't had too many problems with Mint 14, but some little bugs do bother me, such as the fact that the version of Ndiswrapper shipped with the OS is broken and the Cinnamon keyboard shortcuts configuration utility for Cinnamon somehow doesn't work for certain custom commands; I was forced to enable the default Gnome utility on one of my laptops. The number of weird little problems that somehow make their way into finished Linux builds baffles me to some extent, but at the same time Linux has progressed a great deal in terms of usability from when I started a few years back with Ubuntu 9.04.
 
spynoodle said:
Maybe it will be fixed in Mint 15 in a month or so. I use Mint 14, and I haven't noticed an issue, but I don't regularly do large USB transfers. I haven't had too many problems with Mint 14, but some little bugs do bother me, such as the fact that the version of Ndiswrapper shipped with the OS is broken and the Cinnamon keyboard shortcuts configuration utility for Cinnamon somehow doesn't work for certain custom commands; I was forced to enable the default Gnome utility on one of my laptops. The number of weird little problems that somehow make their way into finished Linux builds baffles me to some extent, but at the same time Linux has progressed a great deal in terms of usability from when I started a few years back with Ubuntu 9.04.
Click to expand...

I remember installing Ubuntu 8.04 on a Dell Inspiron B130 before I really knew what Linux was and my wireless didn't work and when I look online I found out there was no driver cause it was proprietary I almost stopped using Linux cause I did not at the time understand Linux and how open source worked.
 
DMGrier said:
I remember installing Ubuntu 8.04 on a Dell Inspiron B130 before I really knew what Linux was and my wireless didn't work and when I look online I found out there was no driver cause it was proprietary I almost stopped using Linux cause I did not at the time understand Linux and how open source worked.
Click to expand...
Same here, but with a Dell Latitude D410. ;) That was a real nightmare, especially considering my Linux n00bishness at the time.
 
Maybe this was a bad idea then, this person I don't think is to smart about computers if she bought a computer with no OS at a thrift shop. But it was the only option I could think of.
 
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