Want to try Linux

[Tim]

I'm currently running Vista Ultimate 64-bit on my rig (the one in my sig).

1. Which version has the easiest learning curve?
2. Will this version have 64-bit?
3. What is the best way to install (I'd like dual boot). I have a Raid 0 array, and an external 500gb eSATA hdd, if possible I'd like to put the Linux on my external.

Thank you.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: theplaidfad
I'm currently running Vista Ultimate 64-bit on my rig (the one in my sig).

1. Which version has the easiest learning curve?
2. Will this version have 64-bit?
3. What is the best way to install (I'd like dual boot). I have a Raid 0 array, and an external 500gb eSATA hdd, if possible I'd like to put the Linux on my external.

Thank you.

1. Likely Ubuntu or Fedora. I like Ubuntu myself personally.
2. Yes, both Ubuntu and Fedora have 64 bit versions. Most Linux distros have 64 bit editions, in fact, they had them before there was a 64 bit version of Windows.
3. Dual booting is easy, just install it to the empty unpartitioned space and let it install GRUB. I don't have an eSATA drive, but if they act like a normal hard drive, it shouldn't be hard to install to it.

Might be a good idea to pick up a book on BASH commands though, the man pages were written by programmers for programmers and can be fairly cryptic for a beginner.

 

[Tim]

Many thanks, I'll see if my eSATA card likes to play as a boot drive, then I'll give it a shot. If I run into problems I'll be back

 

[jae]

Your in luck.. I've been playing around with different distros, and the new Ubuntu 8.04 is the best thing smoking right now, IMHO. I upgraded my roommates Ubuntu 7 laptop, and 8 is far more stable and previous performance issues seem to be gone.

 

[Rhonda the Sly]

Go for Kubuntu 8.04 with the KDE 4.0 interface if you want something that feels a bit different from Windows.


A bit like Aqua though for an official release theme but whatever...

 

[Fokks]

With Ubuntu 8.04 you can also install it in Windows with Wubi now. No need to re-partition or use a separate drive if you just want to test it out for a few weeks first. Just pop in the CD while you're in Windows and follow the prompts. Then when you're ready to give it it's own hard drive, or just want to remove it you can uninstall it right in Windows Add/Remove Programs.

 

[degibson]

I concur with the Ubuntu heads -- its the ultimate newbie distro, and I like it, too.

 

[soonerproud]

If you want something a little more complete than Ubuntu out of the box, I recommend Linux Mint, (Based on Ubuntu) Mepis or PClinuxOS. Mepis is the only one of the three with a 64 bit edition, but is based on Debian just like Ubuntu is. Ubuntu still lacks some things out of the box that these three offer, like flash, Sun java, codecs and mp3 capabilities.

 

[Griffinhart]

Originally posted by: theplaidfad
I'm currently running Vista Ultimate 64-bit on my rig (the one in my sig).

1. Which version has the easiest learning curve?
2. Will this version have 64-bit?
3. What is the best way to install (I'd like dual boot). I have a Raid 0 array, and an external 500gb eSATA hdd, if possible I'd like to put the Linux on my external.

Thank you.

The latest version of Ubuntu comes with "Wubi" it's a windows based installer that allows you to give Ubuntu a try without risking data loss from repartitioning or formatting.

Alternatively, you can also download Virtual PC from MS and create a virtual install of linux without any risk to your current install. It will be a little slower, but it's excellent to learn the basics of learning linux without having to go through the whole dual boot process.

 

[aceO07]

Burn the latest Ubuntu iso onto a cd and just use it as a live cd for a day or 2. See if you like it.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: soonerproud
If you want something a little more complete than Ubuntu out of the box, I recommend Linux Mint, (Based on Ubuntu) Mepis or PClinuxOS. Mepis is the only one of the three with a 64 bit edition, but is based on Debian just like Ubuntu is. Ubuntu still lacks some things out of the box that these three offer, like flash, Sun java, codecs and mp3 capabilities.

I don't mean to sound rude, but those things will take about 2 minutes to install, provided you have a good internet connection.

 

[soonerproud]

Originally posted by: Bateluer


I don't mean to sound rude, but those things will take about 2 minutes to install, provided you have a good internet connection.

A lot of people don't know how or want to bother with installing those things separately either.

 

[Fokks]

Ubuntu has a quick how-to for that.

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats">https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats</a>

Here are the steps, since it is so short:

- Go to Applications ? Add/Remove...

- Set Show: to All available applications

- Search for ubuntu-restricted-extras and install it.

 

[soonerproud]

Originally posted by: Fokks
Ubuntu has a quick how-to for that.

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats">https://help.ubuntu.c............tedFormats</a></a></a>

Here are the steps, since it is so short:

- Go to Applications ? Add/Remove...

- Set Show: to All available applications

- Search for ubuntu-restricted-extras and install it.

I know that. (Long time Ubuntu user here.)

Why do some of you seem upset someone suggested something other than Ubuntu? There are other fine, easy to use distros besides Ubuntu. Some of you folks are reacting like it is a sin to suggest something else.

 

[Nohr]

Originally posted by: soonerproud
Why do some of you seem upset someone suggested something other than Ubuntu? There are other fine, easy to use distros besides Ubuntu. Some of you folks are reacting like it is a sin to suggest something else.

You're the only one in this thread that seems upset.

I might as well download Ubuntu just to fiddle with it as a live cd. Doesn't hurt to have a copy lying around. A friend of mine liked the new version better than Knoppix.

 

[soonerproud]

Originally posted by: Nohr

Originally posted by: soonerproud
Why do some of you seem upset someone suggested something other than Ubuntu? There are other fine, easy to use distros besides Ubuntu. Some of you folks are reacting like it is a sin to suggest something else.

You're the only one in this thread that seems upset.

I might as well download Ubuntu just to fiddle with it as a live cd. Doesn't hurt to have a copy lying around. A friend of mine liked the new version better than Knoppix.

I'm not upset, just perplexed by some responses to my suggestions. I think it is wrong to suggest just one distro when there are several that meet the op's criteria. Two people responded to my suggestions in a flippant manner like these distros were some how inferior to Ubuntu. It was those responses that I was replying to so I could get a point across that there is no need to belittle other suggestions besides Ubuntu.

All these distros would be fine for first time Linux users.

Ubuntu
Mepis
Linux Mint
PClinuxOS
Mandrivia
Kubuntu
Xubuntu

OP:

You should try as many of these as you wish. All of these distros are extremely easy to install and use and each has their strengths and weaknesses. All come on live cd's so you can try them before you commit to installing them on your hard drive.

 

[HumblePie]

I know that ubuntu had a way to "use" ntfs partitions to not only read from but write to as well with a warning that using it might cause data corruption. That ever get hammered out? Only thing holding me back from using Linux right now is the fact it's still stuck to using FAT32.

 

[programmer]

Ubuntu Desktop is good because it the installation is easy, updates are easy, the UI is good, and best of all really it how well it is supported--lots and lots of users and good information about just about every issue imaginable.

 

[Scarpozzi]

OpenSUSE

 

[Fokks]

Originally posted by: soonerproud
I'm not upset, just perplexed by some responses to my suggestions. I think it is wrong to suggest just one distro when there are several that meet the op's criteria. Two people responded to my suggestions in a flippant manner like these distros were some how inferior to Ubuntu. It was those responses that I was replying to so I could get a point across that there is no need to belittle other suggestions besides Ubuntu.

I'm not sure why you considered my post "flippant", "perplexing", or somehow suggesting other distros were inferior.

You posted a legitimate issue regarding Ubuntu and some of the things it lacks on a default install, and then posted that a "lot people don't know how" to add them. So I posted instructions for their benefit. I didn't doubt that you knew. Relax we're all on the same team here.



When people ask about a first linux distro to try, Ubuntu comes up the most now, because it is simple to start with, and has a large community for support. Years ago, everyone would have been saying Mandrake.

The great thing is that they're almost all very user friendly these days, and they're all free. :beer:

 

[nordloewelabs]

i dont understand what is so good or easy about Ubuntu... frankly, it's a pain in the neck to get Flash, Java, DivX, DVDs and even MP3s to work. furthermore, it also makes it painfully techocratic to setup a mere Home Network.

want something that is nice-looking and truly easy to use? get PCLinuxOS! and if you are running and old PC, download any of its lighter versions.

 

[Fokks]

Originally posted by: nordloewelabs
i dont understand what is so good or easy about Ubuntu... frankly, it's a pain in the neck to get Flash, Java, DivX, DVDs and even MP3s to work.

What part of this is painful exactly?

- Go to Applications ? Add/Remove...

- Set Show: to All available applications

- Search for ubuntu-restricted-extras and install it.

 

[degibson]

Originally posted by: HumblePie
I know that ubuntu had a way to "use" ntfs partitions to not only read from but write to as well with a warning that using it might cause data corruption. That ever get hammered out? Only thing holding me back from using Linux right now is the fact it's still stuck to using FAT32.

I've been unabashedly using NTFS write support on linux since the days when it was just a highly-warned-against kernel option. I've never had a problem.

Right now, I keep all my media, docs, etc, on my NTFS partition, and I read, add to, edit, and delete them no problem from Linux.

 

[soonerproud]

Originally posted by: Fokks
I'm not sure why you considered my post "flippant", "perplexing", or somehow suggesting other distros were inferior.

You posted a legitimate issue regarding Ubuntu and some of the things it lacks on a default install, and then posted that a "lot people don't know how" to add them. So I posted instructions for their benefit. I didn't doubt that you knew. Relax we're all on the same team here.



When people ask about a first linux distro to try, Ubuntu comes up the most now, because it is simple to start with, and has a large community for support. Years ago, everyone would have been saying Mandrake.

The great thing is that they're almost all very user friendly these days, and they're all free. :beer:

Sorry, I misunderstood the reasoning behind your post. I just wanted to make certain the OP understood there were other great options besides Ubuntu.

I personally lean towards Ubuntu, (I prefer Debian based distros personally.) but I also try to be as objective as possible when recommending distros to new users.

 

[soonerproud]

Originally posted by: nordloewelabs
i dont understand what is so good or easy about Ubuntu... frankly, it's a pain in the neck to get Flash, Java, DivX, DVDs and even MP3s to work. furthermore, it also makes it painfully techocratic to setup a mere Home Network.

want something that is nice-looking and truly easy to use? get PCLinuxOS! and if you are running and old PC, download any of its lighter versions.

So does PClinixOS come with DVD and W32 playback ability out of the box? Thats right, it doesn't! So you still have some work to do to get it there, just like Ubuntu. Lets not forget it is easier to get proprietary drivers up and running in Ubuntu than in PCLOS.

Ubuntu - Lacks some restricted extras that PCLOS has but makes it easy to add by the click of a mouse in Add/Remove Software. Or you can just open the terminal and type:

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras

PCLOS - Lacks the ability to easily detect and install proper proprietary drivers on supported hardware. Ubuntu has done this since the release of 7.10 with the Restricted Driver Manager.

Both PCLOS and Ubuntu lack encrypted DVD and W32 playback out of the box and require the end user to get it working.

You are dead wrong on how hard it is to get Ubuntu set up on a network. Ubuntu has had the ability to detect and set up a windows network since 7.10 through the network manager. In fact, Ubuntu's printer utility will detect shared network printers on Windows machines and assist the user in installing the proper driver. It takes less than five minutes to set up a network and printer sharing.