choosing a linux OS [Archive]

B@lle

January 11th, 2006, 01:07 AM

i have decided to run a inux OS on my old desktop pc, but i cant figure out wich one with all of the different versions out there....

so i turn to you here on zp for advice

i would very mouch like to have the command bar
i am experienced with windows in numerous versions and a bit of mac too

so what version should i use?

and should i install linux on my laptop with windows xp?

ps. Wohoo first thread

lifehacker

January 11th, 2006, 12:36 PM

I use Fedora Core 4 and love it!

B@lle

January 11th, 2006, 12:39 PM

Thx man, i guess i will do that then

cletis_van_damm

January 11th, 2006, 12:47 PM

ubuntu is the easiest.

black_magiic

January 11th, 2006, 03:52 PM

Ubuntu & Kubuntu are good

pimpinaman

January 11th, 2006, 05:37 PM

...or try running knoppix 1st to see if you really like Linux 1st. What kind of hardware is in your old PC? If it is fairly modern you have almost limitless choices. I've heard that vector linux is good in a low resource pc, and that mandriva is an easy swap coming from windows.

zarquon

January 11th, 2006, 06:09 PM

Ubuntu is the easiest to get set up. Also their forums are a wealth of knowledge with very helpful people. Definetely the way to go if you want to learn linux.

shawners

January 11th, 2006, 07:21 PM

ah yes.. Getting ready for vista to launch on to the PC market =)

mountain_rage

January 11th, 2006, 07:25 PM

You can also get pressed copies of ubuntu shipped to you free of charge. At least thats what ive been told.

zarquon

January 11th, 2006, 07:39 PM

You can also get pressed copies of ubuntu shipped to you free of charge. At least thats what ive been told.

Its true, you can do it here,

https://shipit.ubuntu.com/

black_magiic

January 11th, 2006, 08:01 PM

yep I ordered them. Took about 4 weeks but hey for free you can't complain

.:sp00ky:.

January 11th, 2006, 08:09 PM

I orded about 50 just so I could use them as tea coasters....

B@lle

January 11th, 2006, 11:13 PM

very well then, Ubuntu it is, but i think i'll just DL it as my school has a fairly quick internet connection

and my old comp has got:

1200 Mhz AMD processeer
256 MB ram SD
256 MB geforce 4(i think)

a slow computer as hell, yea i know

noneya

January 12th, 2006, 06:59 AM

After you install ubuntu go to the ubuntu forums and look for Automatix by Arnie-Boy. This will make your transition from windows alot more pleasurable... Especially if you want the latest versions of firefox and multi-media playback...
However if you are into multi-media and since you are posting to a site dedicated to multi-media, I think it is safe to assume you are into it, Linux is just not there yet. Don't get me wrong it has come along was over the past few years but it is still lacking when it comes to the digital multi-media enthusist.

nd-p2p

January 12th, 2006, 08:15 AM

I orded about 50 just so I could use them as tea coasters....

Pathetic. What a waste of time and resources.

B@lle

January 12th, 2006, 09:10 AM

yes well i have my laptop for media means, it was most for downloading and exploring linux, trying to hack it maybe...

skiplin

February 19th, 2006, 06:01 PM

I have changed ti Ubuntu and really think that I won't go back to windows

zarquon

February 19th, 2006, 06:25 PM

I have changed ti Ubuntu and really think that I won't go back to windows

Good for you, ubuntu is a great distribution.

MPXX

February 19th, 2006, 06:40 PM

Kabifff

February 20th, 2006, 05:29 PM

Ubuntu is nice, but puppy liunux and knoppix both have very nice live discs. I liked ubuntu's live disc, but when I went to the live chat for help, I was ridiculed as a n00b and then ignored. Knoppix is, in my experience, the easiest just because of the drivers, but Solaris apparently has full support for centrino chipsets, which benefits me greatly.

The Hunter

February 20th, 2006, 05:32 PM

Many of the Linux users do not like to answer very basic questions. Possibly an understandable feeling, as there is a lot of info out there. It still does not help expand the Linux user base, as they say they want to have happen.

black_magiic

February 20th, 2006, 05:49 PM

That was my biggest thing I found. I'd ask a question and basically get the big STFU n00b. It's not really a productive way to promote and expand the operating system.

The Hunter

February 20th, 2006, 06:05 PM

I do know of a site that is willing to help. Its not a Linux site, but there is some very good help there. Im not going to spam it, but I will post a link if requested.

evilmegaman

February 20th, 2006, 06:22 PM

hmm I don't quite know who you guys have been talking to but I have always found the people I ask to be very helpful. I ask my questions in various places such as IRC and mailing lists (you gotta love the local linux user groups. Very friendly sources of help)

The Hunter

February 20th, 2006, 06:28 PM

Actually some of the forums, and they are not noob friendly.

mountain_rage

February 20th, 2006, 06:54 PM

black_magiic

February 20th, 2006, 06:54 PM

ya I've had zero luck on forums. Most of my answers have been found after hours of googling.

The Hunter

February 20th, 2006, 07:00 PM

Give this place a shot, as there are a lot of experienced folks, and some noobs here.

http://www.p2pconsortium.com/index.php?showtopic=5422

lifehacker

February 21st, 2006, 07:35 AM

You can always try asking your questions here. Some people here have experience with Linuxes although probably not as much as over at the Linux forums.

g-smooth2k

February 21st, 2006, 08:34 AM

LinuxISO (http://www.linuxiso.org/index.php) - A place to learn about, download, and discuss Linux.
LinuxISO forums (http://forums.linuxiso.org/)

DistroWatch (http://distrowatch.com/) - Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD.

TLMP (The Linux Mirror Project) (http://www.tlm-project.org/)- Sharing linux through BitTorrent

Kabifff

February 27th, 2006, 04:18 PM

Im trying to get ubuntu running havent had time to research my problem. All I know is that I need to switch my display driver to vesa rather then ati. Once I do have it running il have it dual boot with windows xp 64bit and maybe mac osx, if compatablity ever improves for my system (right now its very unstable).

How will you get Mac OS and Windows to run on the same machine? Of course if you're using virtual PC it won't matter, but still.... Also, how would you get more than 2 partitions on a drive? Partition magic freaks when I do more than 2.

mountain_rage

February 27th, 2006, 05:20 PM

How will you get Mac OS and Windows to run on the same machine? Of course if you're using virtual PC it won't matter, but still.... Also, how would you get more than 2 partitions on a drive? Partition magic freaks when I do more than 2.
With the recent release of mactels there has been a patch released that circumvents the restrictions of macosx allowing you to run it on any pc. They do this by emulating the chip that authenticates your machine as a mac. Now creating a dual boot is a little tricky and drivers and support are next to non existent but its fun to mess around with none the less and the moding comunity is already hard at work with more resources. Currently version 10.4 has been cracked to run on any 64bit sse2 processor but sse3 is recomended. Its not easy to get up and running but it does work. If you are planning on buying a new machine and want the best compatability be sure to check out this website http://www.osx86project.org/.

Not sure what problem your running into with your harddrive partitions but it cant be that bad.