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the Hushed Casket
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New to Linux? The New Ubuntu Is Now Out.
Submitted by Oculus on Sun, 10/14/2007 - 9:10am.
This is aimed at general PC users and gurus alike. If your interested in a free, easy to use (and very cool) alternative to Windows, Ubuntu Linux is a very popular choice. In my opinion the ease of installation is now even easier than installing Windows considering you don't have to enter in a license key.
Steps to install:
1. Download Ubuntu Desktop Edition
2. Burn .iso to cd.
3. Place CD in tray and restart computer. Ubuntu will boot from the CD.
4. On the desktop is an "install" icon... click it. Follow the wizard.
Then your good to go. That's it.. it's that simple.
Click "read more" to see what you get with Ubuntu
It installs by default a few pieces of software: Full office functionality (MS spreadsheets, MS .doc, MS powerpoint) with the openoffice.org software, Email client, Firefox browser, along with others that you should be able to choose during installation.
The fact is, I'm actually surprised how easy it is to use Linux now. Before all of the Linux distributions got a handle on the installation process, Linux was slightly overwhelming to install and use. The OS has now gotten so user friendly that Dell is now offering PCs with Ubuntu already installed.
If your planning on putting it on a hard drive with Windows already installed, again it's quite easy. You can partition your hard drive and make space for Ubuntu. In the installation process you have the choice to install a boot loader called Grub that lets you select between Windows and Ubuntu when starting up your computer.
Planning on installing it on a second hard drive? No problem.
Here's an example of the Compiz Fusion window manager that will be installed along with Ubuntu 7.10. Other features include 3d desktop switching, wobbly windows, particle effects, and more. Being a fan of the Windows OS, I can honestly say that these features far outshine Vistas window manager. The fact that it's free is just icing on the cake.
This article is not intended to make you an expert in Linux usage. It's solely to give the novice user confidence that they can now use Linux with no problem. Here's a couple things about Ubuntu that you will notice:
There are multiple ways to install software on Linux. Here's the preferred way:
- Ubuntu uses a top level "package manager" that handles this with ease. This will keep track of the versions of software similar to the way Windows does with the it's update manager.
- Packages to install come in either .deb or .rpm files. These are analogous to the .msi Windows installer files. So when you find some cool software, just download the packaged version of it rather than the other forms (which I won't go into here)
- Compressed files are usually found with the extension .tar.gz which is analogous to .zip files. Extracting these is usually an easy click of the mouse button Zip files also work here as well.
Hopefully, this is enough to convince some people that Linux is no longer just for the experts. Just ask away if you have any questions on installation, configuring or just plain "how do I ____ on Ubuntu".
A Linux box is easy to come
A Linux box is easy to come by. Installing a Linux OS can take as little as 10 minutes.
In fast, while you install some versions of Linux, you can surf the web through Firefox.
It's a neat little side project. Except for playing games, the average THX'er can get a lot of use out of Linux and the free open source apps that are available.
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currently playing: Halo 3, Shadowrun, Call of Duty 4 MP beta
currently supporting: Ron Paul - r3/\O¯|ution
There's even top level
There's even top level installations that cater to what type of use you want out of the OS. For instance, if your going to use it for a lot of multimedia editing of music, images, and video there's the Ubuntu Studio distribution.
Check out it's login screen. How sweet is that.
I'd probably just get the standard Ubuntu Desktop distribution and install each of the packages individually though if I wanted to do some of that type of stuff. There's a list of packages that U Studio includes here
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"Oculus is just this guy, you know?"
If I had the Linux expertise
If I had the Linux expertise to get my Windows based cell phone to talk to Linux, I'd totally run Ubuntu or Fedora almost exclusively. Or if I had a broadband connection, I'd love to use it.
On a similar note, I have a version of Linux called Knoppix (v4.0, I think) that is fully bootable from a CD or DVD, and is useful if you have an O/S that won't load, but have files that you want to recover. Pop the CD in, boot Linux (no installation required), recover the files, then reboot and reload Windows.
Latest Ubuntu Released! I
Latest Ubuntu Released!
I will be exclusively on either Ubuntu(home) or Redhat(work) 100% of the time after I get a chance to transfer over my music/pictures/documents and install the webcam drivers this weekend. Goodbye Windows, we had a great time these past 10 years. We laughed, cried, held each other tightly (you sometimes more than me). I'm a Microsoft fan, but I just can't handle having my brand new PC run comparatively slow because of Windows anymore.
Disavowed, what are you trying to do with your cell phone? How does it work currently with windows? I'm assuming you've got it connected via usb and the internet is through some software that you installed on the PC.
from: http://www.ubuntu.com/news/ubuntu710
"Ubuntu 7.10 Released, Delivering the Best of Open Source Software
LONDON, October 15, 2007 – Canonical Ltd. announced today the upcoming availability of version 7.10 of the Ubuntu Server, Desktop, Kubuntu and Edubuntu Editions. All will be available for free download on Thursday 18 October. Canonical is the commercial sponsor of Ubuntu.
Ubuntu makes no distinction between community and enterprise editions, Ubuntu 7.10 is our best work and is available freely to all. Ubuntu has consistently ranked #1 in reviews of security update responsiveness and effectiveness. The Ubuntu platform is fully certified and supported, making it a secure choice for users looking to explore, deploy and enjoy Linux. Ubuntu 7.10 brings together the best open source and free software available in a stable, robust environment that 'just works'.
'We are privileged to have millions of users running Ubuntu every day". commented Jane Silber, COO of Canonical UK. 'This gives us great insight into what they want from a free, Linux-based platform. Ubuntu 7.10 is another milestone in delivering on these requirements on the desktop and server.'
Ubuntu 7.10 Desktop Edition adds an enhanced user interface, improved hardware support, multiple monitor support and integrated desktop search. Additional information is available at http://www.ubuntu.com/news/ubuntu-desktop710.
Ubuntu 7.10 Server Edition features improved functionality, manageability, pro-active security and hardware compatibility and delivers a rapid deployment platform for developers and businesses. Additional information is available at http://www.ubuntu.com/news/ubuntu-server710. "
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"Oculus is just this guy, you know?"
Help a newbie understand:
Help a newbie understand: Why should I want to run Linux?
Only run it if you have a
Only run it if you have a reason. If windows works for you then that's good, don't worry about switching. Here's my personal reasons:
-Faster performance
-Better security (by a huge magnitude)
-Better reliability
-Less stuff running in the background (goes back to performance)
-Quicker boot usually
-HUGE amounts of free software that doesn't have spyware included. When people release the source code to their products, it enforces honesty that you don't get with shareware/freeware/etc on a closed source system (Windows) This is the primary reason your Windows installation will get slower as the years go by.
On a techie side, my reasons:
-Full customization if I want it (all configuration files are transparent. If I even wanted to add functionality that's not there, the source code for the OS is included and I can re-build the core kernel.) If you don't want to do these types of things, you aren't forced to think about them either.
-Software development tools included and easier to use on Linux.
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"Oculus is just this guy, you know?"
Oculus wrote:Disavowed, what
My cell phone runs Windows Mobile, and can run Windows Internet Connection Sharing (built into XP Pro). So, my PC just recognizes it as another PC, and shares it's internet connection. The Blackjack never has to dial a connection, so it isn't a Modem, or I'm sure it would be easier to use in Linux.
The software that came with the Blackjack does enable my PC to recognize the Blackjack, synch with it, share files, etc., but it doesn't contain ICS. It contains software to use it as a Modem, but that slows the connection down considerably.
3rd time's a charm, so I'm hoping when BamaWISP comes out today for their 3rd site survey, after some tweaking done to their tower, that they'll be able to provide service to me. At which point, this whole cell phone issue will be moot.
Midnight wrote:Help a newbie
It's free!
I'm like you, though. New to Linux. And I've already bought Windows. So the cost thing isn't a huge issue to me at this point. But it probably is to others.
Why do you use Firefox
Why do you use Firefox instead of Internet Explorer? A lot of the reasons why you use FF instead of IE are reasons why you could like Linux over Windows.
The free software is a huge reason. For instance, instead of paying $300 for Microsoft Office, you could install Open Office. There are loads of other free software you can download and use (like the Gimp which is a Photoshop ($600) clone).
If you don't have a technical reason to use a certain piece of software, then you can probably switch to Linux with little to no problems.
Another reason to switch is because you are disgusted with Microsoft. I know I am. Their products don't even play well with each other (Zune, Windows Media Center, XBOX 360, Windows Vista, etc.). Windows Vista is a terrible operating system with a ton of problems. A lot of people run Linux just to spite Microsoft.
If I didn't play Games for Windows on my PC, I'd using Linux 100% of the time at home.
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currently playing: Halo 3, Shadowrun, Call of Duty 4 MP beta
currently supporting: Ron Paul - r3/\O¯|ution
I've never used Linux just
I've never used Linux just to spite MS, however I have been irritated at Vista lately. Katie made the remark the other day that we've never had computer problems until I bought and installed Vista a few months ago. She's right.
The problem lies in the fact that every Windows release is developed by a single company, while Linux and it's associated packages are constantly being improved by thousands of people worldwide.
I'm a big believer that 20 years from now, a much higher percentage of people will be using some form of Linux. Hell, Linux already owns 90% of the server market. MS currently has to innovate and find new methods of keeping people locked into their operating system. Disavowed's cell phone is one example. Other examples include the Media Center Extender type functionality that connects it to a physical object that MS controls such as an Xbox 360. The people running MS are smart as shit and they know that if you didn't have this connection then Linux is an easy click away. Expect more of these "connections" in the future.
I'm counting the days until the US .gov switches to complete open source, saving the taxpayers God knows how much money. The misconception is that Windows is easier to administer.. it's not. Someone should start a group/lobby to promote this... anybody want to join?
Operating Systems are really at a plateau where nothing more UI wise is really going to be invented to improve them beyond their current capabilities other than some eye candy effects. Third party applications and drivers will take over much of the extended functionality in the future. This is where Linux shines.
The big battle is with the standards.. Whoever controls the standards controls the ballgame. That's a whole other topic of conversation though.
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"Oculus is just this guy, you know?"
Things I'm concerned
Things I'm concerned about:
Plug-and-play compatibility - Can I plug in a USB thumb drive or MP3 player and have it work?
Wireless LAN security/functionality - Can I have the equivalent of WPA security? Will wireless devices in my house be able to connect to it for streaming music, etc.?
Software compatibility - Can it run Photoshop, iTunes, PC Games, most freeware apps (like IrfanView, WinRAR, etc.)?
Media - Does it have a strong alternative to Windows Media Player other than WinAMP?
Drivers - Would it give me any grief with my videocard, etc.?
Mintz wrote:Plug-and-play
Yes, I haven't run into a problem doing things like this yet.
Yes. You used to go search and find a compatibility list of wireless cards that work, however I'm betting a lot of these drivers are more readily available, and some included. Short answer is do a quick search of your wireless card on google like this: "CardModelNumberHere site:ubuntu.com". In fact a quick search gives me this page.
-Photoshop: replace with Gimp
-iTunes: replace with Rythymbox or XMMS or a 100 different others. Stay away from DRM music at all costs... JayWHY will give you his opinion of this if he sees this thread.
-PC Games: Depends... Quake,UT3,HL, yes. GoW,HaloPC,Shadowrun, no, MS has exclusive licenses with some of these games.
-IrfanView: I have no idea(not even sure what it is), but I'm 99.99% sure it has a counterpart.
-WinRAR... (Win)RAR ?? Linux has very solid compression/decompression utilities that have been free and better than anything else for years.
-Rythymbox comes with Redhat (probably Ubuntu as well), XMMS looks just like winamp and works the same. Again, stay away from DRM music at all costs (ie mp3s are good)
-99% chance - NO. 1% chance you will have to use generic drivers included in the OS, and that still works. A lot of Video card manufacturers now release Linux Drivers. How do you install these... very easily.. however there's a couple tricks that make it easier. I won't go into command line stuff in this thread, but I'll start another one soon showing how easy it is to use the command line in Linux.
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"Oculus is just this guy, you know?"
Plug-n-play works for a ton
Plug-n-play works for a ton of USB devices on Linux.
Wireless? Most modern wireless cards have Linux drivers. Linux machines play well with other non-Linux machines on your network (almost everything you view on the web comes from a Linux machine). BTW: DD-WRT is considered the best app for your router...in some cases making your router as powerful as $10k enterprise routers. DD-WRT runs Linux. I'm reconfiguring my network. My next network will run DD-WRT firmware.
Photoshop alternative: The Gimp
Versions of iTunes do run on Linux. Unsure if the latest version does (because I don't follow iTunes sw releases), but iTunes used to play well with Linux.
PC Games: You can play 3D games on Linux. However, most Windows-only games won't run on Linux unless you run an emulator like WINE. A lot of 3D games are free and available for Linux like these: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_games
Irfanview: There's no Linux version of IrfanView. However, you could run it via an emulator like WINE or a virtual machine. I haven't used the GIMP that much. Perhaps there's a viewer in the GIMP.
WinRAR: Pretty sure WinRAR originated from Unix and then was renamed and made available for Windows. WinRAR does offer Linux builds.
WinAMP: WinAMP offers Linux installs. It'll probably be packaged in Ubuntu (as will WinRAR). Unsure why you would want to us WMP over WinAMP as it's much more powerful.
GPU drivers: Modern cards will most likely be supported unless they were very recently released (in which they could have support already anyway). Linux has been mainstream for so long, I'd be surprised if you have a card that isn't supported. Depends on the card you have. You could always run Ubuntu from the CDROM and see what does and does not work.
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currently playing: Halo 3, Shadowrun, Call of Duty 4 MP beta
currently supporting: Ron Paul - r3/\O¯|ution
Friend just installed Ubuntu
Friend just installed Ubuntu on his laptop over at my house. Video drivers + Wireless Networking Card + WAP + PlugnPlay all worked flawlessly out of the box. :) He remarked how much faster it was to install.
(not really box, but .iso)
Mine's installing right now. I'm typing this from the desktop of the boot cd.
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"Oculus is just this guy, you know?"
I'm going to do an install
I'm going to do an install on my Linux box soon. I'm going to throw it up in a closet somewhere and let it be my media server.
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currently playing: Halo 3, Shadowrun, Call of Duty 4 MP beta
currently supporting: Ron Paul - r3/\O¯|ution
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