Linux on the laptop

[mr_spin]

I have ubuntu booting from an 8GB usb key - whenever I want to use it I just put the key in, reboot and boot from the USB key. I have Win7 Pro on the main HD for the family to use.

Also maybe look at vmware stuff too!

 

[Springer]

Ubuntu absolutely first rate and its free, as is the tons of software that comes with it or is available via the package manager.
I've been in for about four years or so and with linux for nearly 10.
Say Sean, does GIMP, as good as photoshop, they say and Shotwell for pic management etc. not do it for Mrs. S. ?
As we all do, its always recommended to back up data,especially when we are messing around but with a linux distro you can also view copy etc windows stuff on C drive. Got a mate out of deep do dos with his wife, when his windies fell out and all the photos appeared lost, enter puppy linux on a stick in that particular case to say his bacon
Typical mircoshaft logic, if theres already another system on disc at install just zap it :evil: linux logic O theres another system here already would you like to keep it and which do you want to use on boot up ?
I really do not know why people keep paying good money when its available for free, guess thats marketing for you
And yes Diesel I think you may well like it
S
Edit
You don't have to be a tech-no trousers to use ubuntu, I'm living proof of that.
When I'm stuck I just google "unbuntu whatever", always worked for me.

 

[hairybiker]

Well I have been a Linux user full time for nearly 5 years now. Started with Ubuntu but had issues with 8.10 (I think it was) and found Mint after a bit of trailing the others been there ever since. :thumb:

As to getting rid of Vis*a - thats what drove me to Linux It would continuously not see my nic and require several reboots to work - Linux worked OOB :
If you are sure there is nothing on it you want to keep boot from the Live CD then choose install and when offered the option choose Use Whole Disk (or words to that effect) and it will delete M$ and install a nice clean OS :grin:

 

[Dieseljockey]

Well...thanks guys for the feed back...

John like the guys said use it as a dual OS..find it Here and just follow the numbers...if I can do it....you know what I'm saying..
then if you get on with it you can install from the live CD. :ugeek:

Right where was I with it.. :wha:

 

[Vindiv8]

Do I just download and install?
How do I delete Vista that is already on?

:? :? :? :? :? :?

Ubuntu will save the Vista installation by default, but it can overwrite it if you want. I have two machines running Ubuntu, I love it, the wife prefers windows. Just bought a new laptop (well new to us) which I will set up as dual boot XP and Ubuntu, then we are both happy.

What I would do BB is install Ubuntu and keep Vista on, for now, until you have got used to Ubuntu and know you like it. If you need the space later, and you are happy with ubuntu, get rid of Vista, although Vista won't effect the performance of Ubuntu. If you need any help I am just down the road in Donny, I'll give you a hand.

 

[Aleman]

What is "Ubuntu" for us numtys?? :rofl: :rofl:

Ubuntu is Swahili for "Can't Install Debian" :rofl: :rofl:

I like Debian, Have tried mint but it won't run on my 256MB laptop . . . Debian will :shock:

Mint will run on my desktop and I liked what I saw . . . But I'll stick with Debian though

 

[hairybiker]

There is a Debian based Mint version as well. :

 

[Smod]

Been using Linux Mint for the past 4 years on various machines.

I junked Vista off this laptop completely about 2 years ago after it slowed down and just crawled. It was originally dual boot.

ABSOLUTELY the BEST Linux I've used. There are "heavy" versions (Gnome, KDE both more Windows like) for more modern machines and more lightweight versions (Fluxbox, LXDE, XFCE) for older machines.

I gave my mate an old tower unit about 3 years ago sporting a 1.3Mhz P4 and 378MB Ram (upgraded ram since) on the understanding that only Linux ran on it (it was his first PC). Put Xubuntu on it and then Linux Mint XFCE and he's NEVER wanted to put Windows on the machine as it runs great.

If you download and install you get all the software you need ie Flash, and many others so that virtually everything you throw at it works. The free magazine versions don't have all the extras which is probably why people complain that not everything works. Suggest VLC media player as the preferred choice for movies etc. Installing is easy via the Mint Website, click and install!

It installs updates like Windows via an icon at the bottom of the screen.

MINT :thumb:

 

[Smod]

What is "Ubuntu" for us numtys?? :rofl: :rofl:

Ubuntu is Swahili for "Can't Install Debian" :rofl: :rofl:

I like Debian, Have tried mint but it won't run on my 256MB laptop . . . Debian will :shock:

Mint will run on my desktop and I liked what I saw . . . But I'll stick with Debian though

Try using Mint LXDE, Fluxbox or XFCE (my favourite of the three) as they require less resources.

 

[richc]

What is "Ubuntu" for us numtys?? :rofl: :rofl:

Ubuntu is Swahili for "Can't Install Debian" :rofl: :rofl:

I like Debian, Have tried mint but it won't run on my 256MB laptop . . . Debian will :shock:

Mint will run on my desktop and I liked what I saw . . . But I'll stick with Debian though

Debian for servers, Ubuntu or Mint for desktops/laptops would be my usual choices.

 

[LewisA]

I've dabled in linux and wish I could stay on it. I just find certain things to be.... Long winded, one example is the case of installing a USB wireless, Takes half a night to set up; compared to windows about a minute (I know its not ubuntu's fault but I dont know).

Dont get me wrong I don't like windows and wish i could love linux... I might take another look at it :)

Please dont everyone hate me now :lol:

 

[Sean_Mc]

I was very surprised Lewis when I followed the link in Hairybikers signature for linux mint and my Netgear USB dongle worked straight away.
Wish I'd stuck to Netgear for the youngest desktop as trying to install a Belkin dongle was a nightmare

 

[Aleman]

The one reason that I won't go to Linux and still have a Windows desktop is Photoshop . . . sorry but GIMP is Cludgy, Clunky, Bizarre and nowhere near as good as Photoshop . . . Also colour management is a total arse as well . . . And I can't find a decent RAW Editor to use on Linux either. . . . That supports my Camera.

 

[Sean_Mc]

Ah that explains why the pictures sent to the printer from my shed PC are a little on the darkside.

 

[StubbsPKS]

I've dabled in linux and wish I could stay on it. I just find certain things to be.... Long winded, one example is the case of installing a USB wireless, Takes half a night to set up; compared to windows about a minute (I know its not ubuntu's fault but I dont know).

Dont get me wrong I don't like windows and wish i could love linux... I might take another look at it :)

Please dont everyone hate me now :lol:

This is EXACTLY what I meant when I said Linux isn't quite ready for mass consumption as a desktop replacement for Windows.

 

[LewisA]

I've dabled in linux and wish I could stay on it. I just find certain things to be.... Long winded, one example is the case of installing a USB wireless, Takes half a night to set up; compared to windows about a minute (I know its not ubuntu's fault but I dont know).

Dont get me wrong I don't like windows and wish i could love linux... I might take another look at it :)

Please dont everyone hate me now :lol:

This is EXACTLY what I meant when I said Linux isn't quite ready for mass consumption as a desktop replacement for Windows.

It is true you said the words I was looking for Don't get me wrong Linux is great for most things it just has some little things such has hardware compatibility issues and such like that need to be ironed out

I was very surprised Lewis when I followed the link in Hairybikers signature for linux mint and my Netgear USB dongle worked straight away.
Wish I'd stuck to Netgear for the youngest desktop as trying to install a Belkin dongle was a nightmare
I was very surprised Lewis when I followed the link in Hairybikers signature for linux mint and my Netgear USB dongle worked straight away.
Wish I'd stuck to Netgear for the youngest desktop as trying to install a Belkin dongle was a nightmare

Yeah you were lucky with yours, although to be fair netgear is usually well supported in linux from what i have seen but the problems you had with the Belkin was what i mean lol

 

[hairybiker]

You can hardly blame Linux for "not supporting" your wireless dongle, IF the manufactures supplied a driver - LIKE they DO for M$ - then it would be a simple plug in and go, until then people have to hack the dongle to get it to work, but the new version of Ndiswrapper seems to work fine for a lot of them - it uses the M$ driver :rofl:

As to a pc with 256Mb That MUCH! I just installed Puppy on my viao l/t 233Mhz Piii & 64Mb of ram! Pluged in a 3com pcimca wireless card found immediately and was able to surf in minutes on it. :party:

 

[Kyral210]

Just to throw my weight into this long topic. I installed Ubuntu 10.10 inside Windows 7 and I love it. Ok, Windows 7 beats it on almost all fronts, but I am INCREDIBLY impressed with Ubuntu. I particularly love the Software Centre and the way it picks up drivers for all my hardware. It even loves my 2006 no name digital TV board!

 

[LewisA]

You can hardly blame Linux for "not supporting" your wireless dongle, IF the manufactures supplied a driver - LIKE they DO for M$ - then it would be a simple plug in and go, until then people have to hack the dongle to get it to work, but the new version of Ndiswrapper seems to work fine for a lot of them - it uses the M$ driver :rofl:

Yes I know you cant blame them like i said in my first post its not their fault , yes i can just about get it working with Ndiswrapper but I know ish what I'm doing. Most people wont have a clue where to start. This thread however has inspired me to take another look :)

 

[Kyral210]

What do you guys think about having a homebrewforum distribution of Linux. I can put one together very easily!