Getting Ubuntu Linux (need info)

nightwheel · Post by **nightwheel** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 5:34 pm

I've just orderd Ubuntu linux for free. It will be here 6 to 8 weeks. I am im getting 2 PC editions CD's and 1 64-bit PC edition CD. 3 disks in all. And all for free. But I got some Linux qusetions tho. #1. Is Linux better than Windows XP? #2 Can I still have a Linux and Windows XP at the same time? #3 Are there internet browsers for Linux? And #4 i got a old computer with a peitum prosser and windows 95. Will linux work on it?

ZN13 · Post by **ZN13** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 5:41 pm

1.) Depends, Windows is kinda the standard, so pretty much everything works on windows; but Linux is open-source, free, and pretty much virus free.

2.)Yes, Ubuntu will ask you if you want to partition your hard drives, just say yes.

3.)Yes, Ubuntu comes with Firefox, what more could you need?

4.)Not sure, but I would say yes.

project_failure · Post by **project_failure** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 5:42 pm

#1 Depend on who you are what you are going to use it for.

#2 Yes you can dual boot or just use the ubuntu cd as a live cd.*

#3 Plenty including Firefox.

#4 depend on the version of linux and how you have linux set up.

* case you don't know how to use a live cd, set your boot order to cd/dvd drive first. Then put the cd in and turn off the computer. Turn on the computer and it should boot to ubunto. This will not effect your hard drive unless you decide to (in fact you can do it with out a hard drive). If you like it then install it after repartitioning your hard drive (be careful not to delete windows).

I take no responsibility if you have problems.

nightwheel · Post by **nightwheel** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 5:45 pm

Any thing else i need to know about Ubuntu? Because it i never even used it. I only used windows and mac

project_failure · Post by **project_failure** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 6:32 pm

Yeah be careful it can be confusing. Hopefully it boots strait to the gui. If not prepare for hell trying to figure it out.

You may want to buy a book about the basics for linux.

ZN13 · Post by **ZN13** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 6:34 pm

The live CD should boot directly to gui, if not, then it's simple to follow along.

Post by **bicostp** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 6:55 pm

0. Why didn't you download and burn the ISO?

1. It's not better or worse, it's just different. I think Windows is better for regular desktop use because it just works. (Linux has the nasty tendency to be finicky in its configuration.) I don't like spending 2 hours messing with my computer to get one program running. However, Linux is good if you want to tinker with software, run a personal server, or have some embedded device to run.

2. Yes. Search for "XP ubuntu dual-boot" on Google. (Remember kids, Google isn't a verb.)

3. Of course! Firefox, Konqueror, Dillo, Lynx...

4. Yes, it can run Linux. However, I wouldn't go running Ubuntu on it because it's too old. (The Linux kernel itself only needs a 486.) Look for a lightweight distribution like Puppy, DSL, or Vector Linux. On such an old system, avoid KDE and GNOME.

nightwheel wrote:Any thing else i need to know about Ubuntu? Because it i never even used it. I only used windows and mac

It's about the easiest distro to pick up and play with, and the install CD is actually a live CD so you can try it out without touching your hard drive. (The system installer is a program on the desktop.) Ubuntu comes with GNOME, which kind of acts like a Mac OS / Windows hybrid. (Personally I don't like it very much.) It will take some getting used to, but it's not insanely difficult to use. If you want a more Windows-like experience, try Kubuntu, an Ubuntu branch that includes the K Desktop Environment. (KDE is a lot like Windows)

Don't expect any Windows programs to work.

If your audio, video, or network drivers don't work in the live environment, it will be difficult to get them working. However, since all but the most obscure video cards work with generic drivers and almost every sound card is SoundBlaster compatible you shouldn't have a problem.

Ubuntu has a pretty good package repository and installer program, which makes installing pre-compiled binaries from their website as easy as checking the ones you want and clicking "Install".

nightwheel · Post by **nightwheel** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 7:10 pm

bicostp wrote:0. Why didn't you download and burn the ISO?

Because I got 64k internet. It's a 700 mb download. That would take like a day to a day and a half to download. And to make matters worse im getting my internet thro a wireless router. That leave the possablity for it to stop working in the middle of the download.

And where can I get these other versions of Linux bicostp?

Post by **bicostp** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 7:17 pm

You should be able to download DSL in a few hours, it's only 50 megs. Not many distributions give away free CDs. Some cost money (to cover cost of production) and some you have to order through a third party.

As for the other distributions:

<a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=ku ... Kubuntu</a>
<a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=da ... ch">DSL</a>
<a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=puppy+li ... ">Puppy</a>
<a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=ve ... >Vector</a>

<img src="http://benheck.com/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif" title="Search next time">

ghosstt · Post by **ghosstt** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 8:26 pm

which is a good server linux

Post by **Sparkfist** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:38 pm

ghosstt wrote:which is a good server linux

For server I would suggest something like:
MEPIS
SuSE
Debian

Something that is very solid, meaning if you go SuSE avoid 10.1.

@nightwheel, if you're planning to run a distro on a system that has less then 128MB ram, look at DSL, Xubuntu or DeLi. I've used all three, DSL is pretty easy, Xubuntu is the same thing save for the fact that it runs Xfce (a lightweight GUI), and DeLi I used for a bit and was not terrible. DeLi is the only one that isn't a live distro so try the first two out and see if you like them.

nightwheel · Post by **nightwheel** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 10:00 pm

I can't fugure out how to download DSL

Post by **Sparkfist** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 10:14 pm

nightwheel wrote:I can't fugure out how to download DSL

http://damnsmalllinux.org/download.html

When you go to a download mirror, go select "Current" and then download dsl-3.4.iso. It's that simple. Once you've downloaded the image, use a program that supports image writing (Windows's built-in does not).

nightwheel · Post by **nightwheel** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 10:18 pm

Sparkfist wrote:
nightwheel wrote:I can't fugure out how to download DSL
http://damnsmalllinux.org/download.html

When you go to a download mirror, go select "Current" and then download dsl-3.4.iso. It's that simple. Once you've downloaded the image, use a program that supports image writing (Windows's built-in does not).

Thanks for the help Sparkfist

. Downloading DSL now

. Could I write the disk using sonic?

Post by **Sparkfist** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 10:28 pm

If it supports writing disc images. This means look to see if it supports iso, img, ect. I've really never used Sonic so you'll have to check, you might have to look kind of hard they sometimes change the wording.

Just remember when you get a distro up and running, get K3B, it's (in my opinion) the best burner that is offered on the Unices. Very user friendly.

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Getting Ubuntu Linux (need info)

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