N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

Hi everyone, I think I'm ready to start experimenting with linux on my desktop pc. Can anyone make suggestions on where/what to start with?

Thank you :)

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

i will suggest you ubuntu. It's one of the better documented distribution around, console need is reduced to a minimum and it's very easy to test etc. ubuntu.com, download and follow instruction to make a bootable usb or cd, reboot and test. not even need to install.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download

use the "try ubuntu" option for testing and if you don't like it, just reboot and remove cd/flash drive and you can come back to your old os.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

Yeah, Ubuntu is the way to go. Would also recommend some programs for you to try: Emerald, Compiz, Docky, Cardapio, Wine, Playonlinux, Virtualbox. Use youtube to look them up.

To find nice themes: www.gnome-look.org

Good blog: www.omgubuntu.co.uk

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

ubuntu.


there are some live cd distributions around which you could try out before. also you could install free vmware player so that you can run it inside windows.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

Linux Mint is another option mentioned in the many, many threads of users here who asked the same question you asked.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

Ubuntu is probably the right answer, but you might want to try Meego if you have netbook,or Smeego from SuSE

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

I'm guessing you're currently running some version of Windows. If so, and you have a multi-core CPU with at least 4GB of RAM (preferably 8GB), and the CPU supports the later generations of virtualization, I recommend running Ubuntu inside of VirtualBox.

That would be the best of both of your worlds, and most importantly, no rebooting involved.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

OpenSuse is one of the best supported distros IMHO both by Suse themselves and by third party applications.

http://www.opensuse.org

Dead easy to install using any method you prefer.

rgds

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

In my opinion, Ubuntu is too much "Windows-like"... oh, yes, is very, very noob-friendly, but if you want to learn something about Linux, I think you should try something else (like OpenSuse :) )

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

ubuntu is great ive had it installed for some time now and its now vary rare i boot windows now. i used a program called Wubi to install and made the whole install really easy for a first time.

definatly worth playing around with it before i got my n900 i never even knew the vast amount of options out ther for os. i love how ubuntu runs aswell its fast easy to set up and fun to use.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

that is nothing! you have to start with gentoo and build your own kernel and apps!!!!! there is no way besides that to be tru3 l1nux!!!

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

BACKTRACK 4 R1 all the way

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

Try ubuntu 10.04 LTS. Very nice OS. Newer 10.10 have some bugs, it may take some time for community to fix them.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

I would go with Ubuntu over fedora or OpenSUSE

1 word ... .deb

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

Yeah.. really hate RPM.

And what makes Ubuntu more windows like? Also have been using Ubuntu 10.10 since alpha 2. It have been really stable for me and works better than 10.04.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

In what way shape or form is Ubuntu too 'Windows-like'?
My mrs has Ubuntu on a 10" white netbook and it looks exactly like OS X...not like windows one bit!
I have an installation on my desktop using the standard theme and ...well I can only say it looks 'Ubuntu-like'.

They both have a desktop...normally with things on...you use a mouse, keyboard, look at a monitor...I think that really is as far as the similarities go!

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

well he is a noob so it's better that its noob friendly. Want it to be a hardcore one? Simple! Download the server edition which is pure commandline

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

Thats a good proposal. For just the first tests even 2GB of RAM are enough.
Dont let you confuse by the "ubuntu is better", "opensuse is better", "... is better". Thats normal in Linux communities ;)
I bring another in "KDE is better" :) I use Kubuntu so this would be my choice.
So now we can start another KDE vs. Gnome battle ... no wait.

So with daperls proposal, you can easy test some different distributions, some Desktop Environments, and then you choose your favorite.

Next step after that could be a dualboot on your Harddisk, so on boot you can decide if windows or linux. This would result in a bit faster system and better hardware support (As in a virtualbox you cant use all internal cards, like dvb cards)

After some years maybe you end like me, with windows is gone from my harddisk.

I think Ubuntu, Kubuntu (Or install KDE in Ubuntu, than its nearly kubuntu), Opensuse, Fedora or Mint can end in your choices.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

I too use Ubuntu. I've tried Linux OS' on and off over the past 10 years, but it was only when I tried Ubuntu 18 months that everything (that I needed anyway) just worked, or I could get to work with a little digging around. I had already become an opensource advocate before then and then when I used it on my home media server (an old desktop machine) I was converted to the extent that my Windows partition on my laptop is seldom used, and when I heard that the n900 had an opensource OS and the price was right (£265 refurb from carphonewarehouse) I jumped in and got my first OS phone.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

How many changes can you do in Ubuntu during installation process? Can you select every package you want to be or not to be installed? Does Ubuntu have a control center (NOT Gnome control center) which can permit you to tweak EVERYTHING (firewall, services, kernel parameters, network, etc)? How many times your mrs uses terminal? Because you can't learn Linux if you don't use the shell...

I mean, on Ubuntu you can do everything you can do in every other distro, but everything is a bit hidden...like in Windows.
You want to modify the firewall? You have to install an external program or to do it via shell (It's right? Maybe things are changed, correct me if I'm wrong!).

As ossipena said, probably the real way to learn Linux is using Gentoo, but I think Gentoo is at the opposite side: a new Linux user coming from Windows could feel a bit scared in front of this distro, Gentoo is for advanced users. For example, probably, a Gentoo user prefers to modify the firewall using iptables, without using a graphical ui.

openSUSE is in the middle: not too complicated, not too simple, an ideal starting point. You want to modify the firewall? You can do everything from Yast, a control center which is very "Windows-like", but much more powerful than Control Panel in Windows.

So, my answer is: try some of these distros and choose the one you feel more comfortable with. It's never easy to choose... :)

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

Gotta admit Suse/OpenSuse is VERY newb friendly. It is where I started from and the DVD distros come packaged with the most software I have ever seen for a linux OS.

I am running Ubuntu and this is a better for getting your teeth into the shell/Command Line as I found suse did shy away from getting newbies to use this.

Both are great IMO

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

Your best bet is to try a few different live CD's and see which one you like best.

A discussion like this is never gonna have just one good answer - it's rather like asking "what car should I buy". Everyone will have different opinions for different reasons.

FWIW, I'm a big Ubuntu fan and have been a UNIX SysAdmin for far too many years using SCO Linux, HP-UX, Solaris, Redhat, SuSE, BSD, etc etc etc.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

I'm not gonna mention a distribution to use. I would like to say though that the N900 made me switch to LINUX..ubuntu in fact and I love it so much. No more worries about drivers and viruses. everything just works....and its all thanks to the N900.

I recently bought a new laptop with Windows 7 and straight away wiped it off!!! I still cant convince my fellow Windows users!! They think Linux is too geeky!

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

In Linux world, this is THE Discussion... :D

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

Yeah, like everyone said. Ubuntu is definitely one of the better options. Fedora is ok.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

I'd have to second this notion, though I went the "Arch Way". But as discussed on multiple occasions, your preferred linux distro is mostly a matter of personal preference.

Mint 10/Ubuntu 10.10/OpenSUSE are probably the easiest to dabble with in terms of installation and daily use, but as mentioned earlier, they really don't "teach" you anything. You end up with a Windows-like environment with no idea what goes on inside the box. Gentoo and Arch Linux might seem intimidating at first (took me 4 times before I got Arch installed the correct way on to my Alienware latpop), however, after the multiple missteps, wiki/google searches and so on, you will come out much more linux-savvy.

So, on one extreme you have the ready-out-of-the-box, yet somewhat "bloated", Ubuntu/OpenSUSE line-up, and on the other end, the slim Gentoo/Arch with total user control with your choice of window manager(s), desktop enivronment(s) etc. Not to say you can't trim down on Ubuntu or SUSE, just that Gentoo and Arch allow you to customize about everything you can imagine about your OS right from the get-go.

Either way you decide to go about it, Linux will change your PC/laptop experience for the positive, guaranteed!

EDIT: good run-down on what's going on the world of linux distros, check out www.distrowatch.com

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

So many Linux distros to chose from! If that alone gives you a headache, then try this Linux Distribution Chooser
It's an online questionnaire that you have to answer, and based on the answers will let you know which distro is best suited for you.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

Oh no.... Ubuntu is too noobish.... Try Debian... It's one of the 3 main GNU/Linux distros, and unfortunately, Ubuntu is based on it! lol
I hate Ubuntu... Too fat.. Too M$ W$ like!

And by the way... Don't say Linux... GNU/Linux!

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

One problem I have run into with Linux is hardware support for certain peripherals. Although I have found Ubuntu's hardware support to be very good, in general, some brands are better supported than others. For webcams, I think Logitech is better supported than Windows LifeCam. I think that HP printers are better supported than some other brands. I mention this b/c it's nice to discover these things before you purcha$e a "less-supported" peripheral.

I hasten to add that Windows is not immune to this hardware compatibility problem. My parents-in-law purchased Dell Win XP computers with a Dell printer several years ago. They just purchase new Dell Win 7 computers and -- guess what? They don't work with the old Dell printer! You probably picked up on the fact that these are all Dell components. And wasn't Windows Vista notorious for hardware problems? The main difference is that if it's Windows you suck it up and just buy the supported hardware but with Linux people complain. But the counter argument, I think is -- look how much money you saved by not having to buy all that commercial software (Windows, Office, antivirus, etc.)! Is it so bad to have to buy specific supported hardware in a few cases & to have to do a little research? Mostly it's mindset shift that you have to get used to.

Which leads into a freaking awesome part about Linux -- all the free apps! It's like being a kid in a candy shop on handout day. OpenOffice.org! Amarok! VLC Media Player! Stellarium! Celestia! KeePass! Firefox! Chrome! Picasa! Google Earth! The GIMP! The list goes on & on. Some of the programs have geeky interfaces, but there's a lot that's very usable. And, just like with Maemo, if you like, you can contribute bug reports and design input and wiki documentation and donations.

So, have fun!

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

This is a good discussion, and I hope you are getting the message to dive in. If you want to start dipping your toes in, do this:

• Download the latest ubuntu and burn it onto a cd.
• Put the cd in your computer and reboot from the cd (you might have to find out how to get your particular computer to boot to CD)

That's it...you are now in linux.

As for what to do next: try to do the things you normally do. Surf the web, play a few games, write a grocery list. If you save files use a usb drive because with a live cd you won't necessarily have a persistent place to save stuff.

You can install to an extra drive (internal or external) or create a dual boot system (though I find windows partitions impossible to resize to create room, so try wubi in Ubuntu if you like).

But dive in...you'll like it.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

Honestly, if even CD burning is too much, go ahead and google "wubi 10.10" which allows you to install the Ubuntu as an application under Windows. If you decide you don't like it, boot into Windows and uninstall via Control Panel. Quick and easy and runs waay faster (and saves changes) without using a LiveCD.
If you decide you like that, I do recommend going to other more "geeky" distros like Debian or OpenSuse or the like.
Not sure if anyone mentioned it either but www.distrowatch.com is a great place to find out about the various distros of Linux.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

Distrowatch IS the only place to see and compare the top linux distros in the field right now.
This question depends on how deep the user wants to go into linux. If you just want a taste, then Mint, PCLinuxOS, Ubuntu variants are the way to go.
If you want to work a bit, then try some of the quote unquote harder ones, Arch, Gentoo, Slackware.
I would start out with straight up Debian. It's done for you but you still cater to it.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

Gentoo install is easy. Boot from a live CD, partition and format as you wish, untar the gentoo stage3, chroot into it, edit a couple config files, update package database, run genkernel, install grub, reboot, ???, profit :)

Now, Linux From Scratch, I've heard that installing that will earn your tru3 l1nux badge :D

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

Thanks for posting this, I just took that questionnaire and it suggested Slackware, which I do use and like best.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

If you are new there is no point in giving you a lot of options on programs you have no clue what they do anyway. And if you do synaptic or apt-get will do the work as good as anything.

Better if you choose what you want then to have a lot of bloat. This is why i like Gnome over KDE. When i first tried a linux dist.. it was with KDE as it was more similar to Windows. After when i discovered Gnome.. i haven't looked back.

Gentoo is nothing for a noob.. although i can agree that more problems will teach you more.

openSUSE is good. But Ubuntu and Debian got a much larger user base.. which in turn is good for a noob that need help.

I tried different linux dists a long time before i settled with Ubuntu. Think it was -95 with RedHat. I even had a dust with Gentoo.. but i was to noobish back then and it took for ever to install. Had some fun with LightStep.. Tried Mandrake/Mandriva but had big problems finding RPMs and something always went wrong when i tried source packages.

When i found Ubuntu.. it was still in it's infancy but i knew this was it. Ubuntu pretty much made me make the switch and uninstall Windows for good eventually. Everything worked as it should. I had everything that i needed. The community was awesome. It also thought me the shell (the right way). Instead of getting mad over something that didn't work i could do productive things. I also have gotten both my father and brother on the Ubuntu train. ;)

It feels so nice not have to bother with sharewares, cracking, viruses, anti-virus, no ability to customize, a format takes just 30-60 minutes instead of 5-8 hours.. and so on.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

Yes, it does have an uncanny ability to correctly predict the distro you're using. BTW, I have a lot of respect to the guys who use Slackware. I did try it once but found it was a little over my head :p
Just like the saying that goes - "If you use Ubuntu, you'll learn Ubuntu. If you use Slackware, you'll learn Linux!"

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

Hi everyone. Thank you all for the time and effort you are putting into helping me, I appreciate all your support.

The questionnaire says the following are 100% matches:
-Mandriva
-Linux Mint
-open suse
-ubuntu
-kubuntu

90% fedora...

typing very basic scripts into my n900 xterm has been my motivation, so as odd as it sounds, I do want the option to do things with command line, I feel like regular tasks can be faster by typing, instead of point and click... all these distros give me teh chance to use command line, correct?

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

All distros are basically the same linux with different apps installed on top. Out-of-the box hardware support might vary, but if some device works with one distro it can sure be made to work in another. Linux is Linux. Larger practical difference between distros - that the end user is pretty much tied to - is their package manager of choice.

I think the best way to go on is to try as many distros as you can and choose what you like best. Try with live-CDs and it's good to have a spare machine to install the ones you like best (running from CD is slow and doesn't show real responsiveness). I think in few days you've made your mind and know what you want to install.This is also what I did some 6 years ago when i was new to Linux.

I started with Gentoo (stage 1 install for anyone who remembers that time) since I figured out it was good to get my hands dirty to learn. Gentoo had great documentation at time (and probably still has) so it was easy to follow even if i had no clue what i'm doing. In retrospect I think I learned more during this first day than most of Linux newbies learn in their first year using their new OS. Arch Linux might give this experience today. Hands on, nothing hidden.

Few days after installing gentoo i tried Ubuntu 4.10 live-CD and liked what I saw so I went on and installed it. Install was easy, but it didn't give the user anywhere near that control that gentoo did, nor it was supposed to. I ended up using Ubuntu for little over a year learning which linux apps I liked and so on.

End result with Ubuntu was that my install was so heavily customized. I knew what software I needed and got rid of all excess bloat, but that made me always run into problems when upgrading from release to another. I figured out I would need a distro with a rolling release (which means continuous software updates, not one big upgrade every 6 months like Ubuntu does).

With Ubuntu I grew very fond of apt-get and dpkg so Debian 'testing' (due to rolling software updates) was obivious distro of choice for me. Now I've been happy user of debian for good 4 years. :)

What I want to say is that you have to try different distros before deciding what fits you best. No one can tell it to you.


Some major distros worth checking out:

Fedora
Debian
Arch Linux
Ubuntu
Slackware
Gentoo
openSUSE


Or if you couldn't care less about looking for alternatives and wan't to go into using your computer NOW. Then by all means listen what others say and install Ubuntu. It's certainly the most newbie friendly distro out there.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

Yes. Pretty much all 'normal' linux desktops will give you full access to the wonderfulness of the command line :)