Questions about Linux

10 years ago

I've been using Linux Mint for a couple years now.
Main Page - Linux Mint
I started with Ubuntu, but after one of the updates it screwed my computer up.
I switched to Mint because it was smaller then Ubuntu.
What scared me about switching to a Linux OS was having to use a terminal to insert commands to download things.
Turns out I've only had to use a terminal once and it was a matter of copy the command from a website and paste it into the terminal.
So far the only thing I've found I can't do with Linux that I could with windows is watch netflix online.
There is a work around for that, but I don't want to watch neflix online enough to bother.
Start up time has decreased significantly.
With windows I'd turn on my computer, start the coffee, have a cig and pour my first coffee before I could log on to the computer.
Now I start the coffee, turn on the computer and am online and been to my email and then here before the coffee is ready.

Yes you will have to save your files before installing.
I'm using Mint 12 and not the newest version by the way.

[ 2 ] Thanks

Signature

Life: Nature's way of keeping meat fresh
Getting old ain't for sissy's
As you are I was, as I am you will be
You can't fix stupid, but you can always out smart it.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9088127].message }}

seasoned

10 years ago

I used one of the newest versions of mint on an underpowered netbook system. MY only problem was the atom processor didn't support 64bit, so I used 32 bit. It works great and looks pretty simple and similar to M/S windows. It supports almost all of office pretty much 100%. Excel, Word, etc...

Steve

[ 1 ] Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9088365].message }}

DubDubDubDot

10 years ago

Originally Posted by HeySal

Also - can I install one of those and keep my documents and pictures or do I need to export them and download them all again to be able to do the switch?

You would need to partition the drive and set up a dual boot. If you've got a spare drive around it might be better to use that.

Burn a Linux Live disc first to see if you like it. That won't install anything. It'll just load it into RAM. All of the major versions of Linux have that.

The last one I tried was Mageia. I liked it better than the others I've tried.

Check out the top list going down the right side:
DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9088396].message }}

ThomM

10 years ago

Originally Posted by DubDubDubDot

You would need to partition the drive and set up a dual boot. If you've got a spare drive around it might be better to use that.

Burn a Linux Live disc first to see if you like it. That won't install anything. It'll just load it into RAM. All of the major versions of Linux have that.

The last one I tried was Mageia. I liked it better than the others I've tried.

Check out the top list going down the right side:
DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD.

Also if doing a partition for a dual boot, make sure you have a widows repair disk or whatever you call it.
I tried to do that when I first installed Linux and somehow the windows OS ended up missing a file or two.
That's when I found out I needed the repair disk and that's when I got rid of windows for good (not really by choice).

[ 1 ] Thanks

Signature

Life: Nature's way of keeping meat fresh
Getting old ain't for sissy's
As you are I was, as I am you will be
You can't fix stupid, but you can always out smart it.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9088617].message }}

Joe Mobley

10 years ago

Sal, if you don't mind my asking, why are you interested in a move to Linux?

I'm looking into some operating system changes for my own devices.

Just curious.

... On to another thought.

One option to consider is dual booting. This leaves your current operating system in place while allowing you to boot from a CD, DVD, thumb drive, etc when you want your version of Linux.

This option would allow your documents (PDF's, pics, videos, etc.) to be available from either operating system.

Just a thought. Please share your decision with us. I'd like to hear how you are progressing.

Joe Mobley

Originally Posted by HeySal

Any of you out there using Linux?

I'm wondering if Ubuntu, Debian, or Zorin would be best for someone non-tech as I am. I don't want years of a learning curve.

Also - can I install one of those and keep my documents and pictures or do I need to export them and download them all again to be able to do the switch?

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

Signature

.

Follow Me on Twitter: @daVinciJoe

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9088472].message }}

seasoned

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Joe Mobley

Sal, if you don't mind my asking, why are you interested in a move to Linux?

I'm looking into some operating system changes for my own devices.

Just curious.

... On to another thought.

One option to consider is dual booting. This leaves your current operating system in place while allowing you to boot from a CD, DVD, thumb drive, etc when you want your version of Linux.

This option would allow your documents (PDF's, pics, videos, etc.) to be available from either operating system.

Just a thought. Please share your decision with us. I'd like to hear how you are progressing.

Joe Mobley

Pics, videos, and PDFs are available on both O/S, in the same formats. She is worried about the fact that the M/S support for XP is gone. Eventually, OTHER support will vanish as well.

Steve

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9088519].message }}

Joe Mobley

10 years ago

If this is the case, let me recommend Windows 7 Home Professional. You will probably need to get a new computer with higher specs than the XP unit.

Windows 7 will feel very familiar to you and there will be a minimal learning curve.

Just my opinion.

You can get a Win 7 PC starting at about $90.

Search Results for windows 7 at TigerDirect.com

Joe Mobley

Originally Posted by seasoned

Pics, videos, and PDFs are available on both O/S, in the same formats. She is worried about the fact that the M/S support for XP is gone. Eventually, OTHER support will vanish as well.

Steve

[ 2 ] Thanks

Signature

.

Follow Me on Twitter: @daVinciJoe

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9088579].message }}

ial49ryder

10 years ago

I used to use Linux but find it too hard to use so moved to Windows but if you are planing on using it then use Ubuntu it's really simple to use and has many functions. I use it for back up purposes but I know it has come with other functions.

You can keep your documents and pictures so no need to export them and download them but do make a back up copy just for those moment where it does ask you to.

[ 1 ] Thanks

Signature

These are How I Pay for My Daily Living Expenses.
1. Highly Recommended for Inexperience & Website Owners! It Worked For Me!
2. Summaries of the Latest Online Program. An Honest Review Blog.
3. Best Legit Home Business Opportunities with Potential Earning of $200,000 Monthly!

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9088909].message }}

HeySal

10 years ago

Now I just want to cry. Partitions, dual boots - WTF are those? When I say not tech I mean completely clueless.

I figure that microsoft is getting their game on to just keep doing this now and again and I'm not happy about going to go through the expense. I have other things I want to spend my money on besides chasing microsoft updates ..........so it's Linux. Although, if it's going to be this hard, I might end up with one of those cheapie MS Joe just linked on here. If I can't just run a disk or something without having to know any tricks, then it's going to be too complicated for me.

I appreciate all your answers - at least it will let me know what to look at.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Sal
When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
Beyond the Path

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9089237].message }}

seasoned

10 years ago

Originally Posted by HeySal

Now I just want to cry. Partitions, dual boots - WTF are those? When I say not tech I mean completely clueless.

I figure that microsoft is getting their game on to just keep doing this now and again and I'm not happy about going to go through the expense. I have other things I want to spend my money on besides chasing microsoft updates ..........so it's Linux. Although, if it's going to be this hard, I might end up with one of those cheapie MS Joe just linked on here. If I can't just run a disk or something without having to know any tricks, then it's going to be too complicated for me.

I appreciate all your answers - at least it will let me know what to look at.

A LONG time ago, MS added a feature called a partition. It allows you to make 1 drive physically appear like many. Since the drive is broken into parts to look like this, they call the parts partitions. It is a relatively easy concept.

Eventually, someone realized those partitions would be nice if they were ALL bootable, so they have a little routine that allows you to boot from any of them. You could have 4 if you want(I forget the limit, but they ALL take space away from one another. Anyway, they call that a dual boot. Your computer may boot and ask "1. MS DOS 2. LINUX", and you can select which system it will boot from there.

Anyway, partitions are a STANDARD feature. The dual boot is not much harder. So they aren't things that would affect your choice of a computer. DO remember that any partition uses memory. So adding a partition for MSDOS will require space that a partition for LINUX can't have.

There IS a compromise, and that is to boot from a CD or USB device. It would allow you to test things out, WITHOUT having partitions.

Steve

[ 1 ] Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9089515].message }}

HeySal

10 years ago

Okay crap. I"m getting frustrated.

I'm looking at these computers that Joe linked and they are saying stuff like 2 gigs of memory? I have around 70 gigs on this one so know something's wrong with what I'm reading. I write - I need the storage space. What is HHD - is that how much space I have to store stuff?

Hey Thom? Gonna be home tomorrow? I need to talk to a live person. I'm so confused I could just barf. I just hit google to find out if anyone is taking over support for this thing. LOL. Browsers are the only support I'm seeing.

I HATE MS. Forget a new computer - I have a perfectly good computer. I don't want to deal with MS anymore. They just ticked me off very hard core. LMAO.

I'll get Linux of some sort. I just have to figure out how to do it.

Thanks
4 replies

Signature

Sal
When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
Beyond the Path

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9089256].message }}

Joe Mobley

10 years ago

Sal,

2 gigs of memory is the RAM (random access memory) that the computer chip uses for running programs. This is not the size of the HD, (HHD) hard disk or disk drive.

You said you have "around 70 gigs", that is probably the size of your current disk drive(s) or HD.

You know Sal, one option you have is to stay with XP for a bit. If your anti-virus people are going to keep updating their software, you should be good for the most part.

This would allow you a bit of transition time into Linux or a different PC.

I'm glad to help where I can.

Joe Mobley

Originally Posted by HeySal

Okay crap. I"m getting frustrated.

I'm looking at these computers that Joe linked and they are saying stuff like 2 gigs of memory? I have around 70 gigs on this one so know something's wrong with what I'm reading. I write - I need the storage space. What is HHD - is that how much space I have to store stuff?

Hey Thom? Gonna be home tomorrow? I need to talk to a live person. I'm so confused I could just barf. I just hit google to find out if anyone is taking over support for this thing. LOL. Browsers are the only support I'm seeing.

I HATE MS. Forget a new computer - I have a perfectly good computer. I don't want to deal with MS anymore. They just ticked me off very hard core. LMAO.

I'll get Linux of some sort. I just have to figure out how to do it.

Thanks

Signature

.

Follow Me on Twitter: @daVinciJoe

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9089335].message }}

seasoned

10 years ago

Originally Posted by HeySal

Okay crap. I"m getting frustrated.

I'm looking at these computers that Joe linked and they are saying stuff like 2 gigs of memory? I have around 70 gigs on this one so know something's wrong with what I'm reading. I write - I need the storage space. What is HHD - is that how much space I have to store stuff?

Hey Thom? Gonna be home tomorrow? I need to talk to a live person. I'm so confused I could just barf. I just hit google to find out if anyone is taking over support for this thing. LOL. Browsers are the only support I'm seeing.

I HATE MS. Forget a new computer - I have a perfectly good computer. I don't want to deal with MS anymore. They just ticked me off very hard core. LMAO.

I'll get Linux of some sort. I just have to figure out how to do it.

FEW computers have 70GB of memory(Traditionally known as RAM)! Very few can even support that much. And memory generally comes in even powers of two, so support would be like 64, 128,256, etc.... If they are reasonably priced, and they tell you 70GB of memory, RUN!!!!!!!

I haven't checked lately, but memory over the past few years has generally been 1,2,4,8 GB for computers, laptops, and net books. Tablets are often more like 4,8,16,32, but THAT is because they use that memory for storage.

The 70GB is probably disk space. HHD means Hybrid Hard Disk drive. That is what they are calling what would be a traditional hard disk drive with a very large cache that basically tries to make it look more like a faster Solid State Drive(SSD). and yeah, THAT is where you would store the files, etc... and is what your 70GB probably refers to. BTW 70GB today is considered to be small, but drives have gotten CHEAP! If it says 1T or 1TB that means 1000GB! I think most stores have drives up to 4TB now!

Steve

[ 1 ] Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9089551].message }}

ThomM

10 years ago

Originally Posted by HeySal

Okay crap. I"m getting frustrated.

I'm looking at these computers that Joe linked and they are saying stuff like 2 gigs of memory? I have around 70 gigs on this one so know something's wrong with what I'm reading. I write - I need the storage space. What is HHD - is that how much space I have to store stuff?

Hey Thom? Gonna be home tomorrow? I need to talk to a live person. I'm so confused I could just barf. I just hit google to find out if anyone is taking over support for this thing. LOL. Browsers are the only support I'm seeing.

I HATE MS. Forget a new computer - I have a perfectly good computer. I don't want to deal with MS anymore. They just ticked me off very hard core. LMAO.

I'll get Linux of some sort. I just have to figure out how to do it.

I'm home Sal.
If your concern is the no more XP updates, I'd relax a little.
As long as you keep your security up to date you have time to figure this all out.
The version of Mint I'm using isn't updated anymore.
I have a newer version on a DVD but have been to lazy to bother installing it.
That and there is a possibility my computer isn't up to date enough to handle it

Maybe I'll create a back-up disk today and play around with it.

[ 1 ] Thanks

Signature

Life: Nature's way of keeping meat fresh
Getting old ain't for sissy's
As you are I was, as I am you will be
You can't fix stupid, but you can always out smart it.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9089833].message }}

Joe Mobley

10 years ago

Originally Posted by HeySal

Okay crap. I"m getting frustrated.
...
I'll get Linux of some sort. I just have to figure out how to do it.

If you were my sister or SO, significant other, I would not recommend the Linux alternative. Linux is not for the technically faint of heart or those who have little interest in technology.

You think you are ready to barf now, you will be vomiting Exorcist style when you actually get into this.

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Joe Mobley

[ 1 ] Thanks
2 replies

Signature

.

Follow Me on Twitter: @daVinciJoe

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9091932].message }}

ThomM

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Joe Mobley

If you were my sister or SO, significant other, I would not recommend the Linux alternative. Linux is not for the technically faint of heart or those who have little interest in technology.

You think you are ready to barf now, you will be vomiting Exorcist style when you actually get into this.

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Joe Mobley

I've got to disagree with that Joe.
The newer Linux OS's are very easy to use.
I finally installed the latest version of Mint yesterday and it was a breeze.
The hardest part of using it is in getting use to the speed.

[ 2 ] Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Life: Nature's way of keeping meat fresh
Getting old ain't for sissy's
As you are I was, as I am you will be
You can't fix stupid, but you can always out smart it.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9092398].message }}

Joe Mobley

10 years ago

Originally Posted by ThomM

The hardest part of using it is in getting use to the speed.

I'm taking it that Linux is faster?

Joe Mobley

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

.

Follow Me on Twitter: @daVinciJoe

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9092621].message }}

ThomM

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Joe Mobley

I'm taking it that Linux is faster?

Joe Mobley

Yep from the minute you turn on the computer until you turn it off.
I ran the older version of Mint for a couple of years and the speed never really changed. Plus you don't have to deal with defragging or any of that other fun maintenance stuff you have to do with Windows.
Heres a screenshot of my desk top.
I currently have the menu bar at the bottom, but you can move it. Also you can have multiple desktops going and move between them with ease.

[ 1 ] Thanks
2 replies

Signature

Life: Nature's way of keeping meat fresh
Getting old ain't for sissy's
As you are I was, as I am you will be
You can't fix stupid, but you can always out smart it.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9092795].message }}

Sumit Menon

10 years ago

Originally Posted by ThomM

Yep from the minute you turn on the computer until you turn it off.
I ran the older version of Mint for a couple of years and the speed never really changed. Plus you don't have to deal with defragging or any of that other fun maintenance stuff you have to do with Windows.
Heres a screenshot of my desk top.
I currently have the menu bar at the bottom, but you can move it. Also you can have multiple desktops going and move between them with ease.

Or you could use the command line version for ultra-high speed.

[ 1 ] Thanks
2 replies

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9092808].message }}

ThomM 10 years ago

Originally Posted by Sumit Menon

Or you could use the command line version for ultra-high speed.

Maybe you can
- Thanks
Signature

Life: Nature's way of keeping meat fresh
Getting old ain't for sissy's
As you are I was, as I am you will be
You can't fix stupid, but you can always out smart it.
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9092828].message }}
Joe Mobley 10 years ago

Originally Posted by Sumit Menon

Or you could use the command line version for ultra-high speed.

Ah yes, back when sed, awk, grep and regular expressions were my friends. :rolleyes:

Joe Mobley
- Thanks
- 1 reply
Signature

.
Follow Me on Twitter: @daVinciJoe
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9093203].message }}
- Sumit Menon 10 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Joe Mobley
  
  Ah yes, back when sed, awk, grep and regular expressions were my friends. :rolleyes:
  
  Joe Mobley
  
  How old are you!?
  
  [ 1 ] Thanks
  
  2 replies
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9095162].message }}
  
  Joe Mobley 10 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Sumit Menon
  
  How old are you!?
  
  Dbase II on an Apple II with a CPM card - My first programming gig.
  
  I was in my twenties.
  
  Joe Mobley
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
  Signature
  
  .
  Follow Me on Twitter: @daVinciJoe
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9096059].message }}
  
  seasoned 10 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Joe Mobley
  
  Dbase II on an Apple II with a CPM card - My first programming gig.
  
  I was in my twenties.
  
  Joe Mobley
  
  The first program I created that I was willing to give other people, that they asked for, was a driver for an Apple II to control a NOVATION APPLE CAT over an APPL-I-CARD(Z80B CPM card). This required writing TWO drivers, in 6502 and Z80 assembly. I was around my 20s also. I actually gave it out for free. The ONLY "complaint" I got was that it would give people the raspberry when it started up! It was the first time I used the interface, and I didn't want to use screen space, so I clicked the speaker while it was setting up.
  
  Steve
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9096549].message }}
  
  seasoned 10 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Sumit Menon
  
  How old are you!?
  
  HUH? The idea that PERL replaces the desire for AWK is, I think, kind of silly. AWK is more adhoc, and as part of a shell script. SED has NO equal really, and neither does grep or regex.
  
  windows has NO AWK, SED, or GREP, and some other languages are accepting REGEX.
  
  As for me I was born in the 60s.
  
  Steve
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9096531].message }}

HeySal

10 years ago

Originally Posted by ThomM

Yep from the minute you turn on the computer until you turn it off.
I ran the older version of Mint for a couple of years and the speed never really changed. Plus you don't have to deal with defragging or any of that other fun maintenance stuff you have to do with Windows.
Heres a screenshot of my desk top.
I currently have the menu bar at the bottom, but you can move it. Also you can have multiple desktops going and move between them with ease.

Are you telling me that all you have to do to throw a pic in here is take a screenshot of it?

Thanks for the gab today - I think I've got things sorted out now enough to deal with this in a functional manor without going batshyte loco and doing something stupid.

Thanks

Signature

Sal
When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
Beyond the Path

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9094925].message }}

HeySal

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Joe Mobley

If you were my sister or SO, significant other, I would not recommend the Linux alternative. Linux is not for the technically faint of heart or those who have little interest in technology.

You think you are ready to barf now, you will be vomiting Exorcist style when you actually get into this.

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Joe Mobley

Gettin' there already and I haven't even downloaded that Linux sandbox or whatever you would call it that Ken put the link to in here. Listening to you all is very difficult. I'm going to be using that contraption that Ken suggested and we'll see if there's a Linux program that doesn't make me sit in the corner and drool. If there isn't, I'm going to have to start looking into Windows 7. As it is, I think whenever I have the OS changed over, I might just hire someone to do that for me.

It's sounding way over my head. But then, I've been able to learn anything I've actually had to learn. I try to not learn anything more than I need to now because I'm not sure how much disk space my head has and I'm afraid I might be getting close to capacity. :rolleyes:

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Sal
When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
Beyond the Path

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9093279].message }}

ThomM

10 years ago

Originally Posted by HeySal

Gettin' there already and I haven't even downloaded that Linux sandbox or whatever you would call it that Ken put the link to in here. Listening to you all is very difficult. I'm going to be using that contraption that Ken suggested and we'll see if there's a Linux program that doesn't make me sit in the corner and drool. If there isn't, I'm going to have to start looking into Windows 7. As it is, I think whenever I have the OS changed over, I might just hire someone to do that for me.

It's sounding way over my head. But then, I've been able to learn anything I've actually had to learn. I try to not learn anything more than I need to now because I'm not sure how much disk space my head has and I'm afraid I might be getting close to capacity. :rolleyes:

Sal downloading the OS is the hardest part of any of the Linux systems that I tried. When I first installed Ubuntu I got a 10 pack of blank DVD's and downloaded 4 different OS's. I checked them all out by running them off the disks and just liked the looks of Ubuntu over the others with Mint second. When I thought about upgrading Mint to the latest version I downloaded the different "flavors" and decided I liked the looks of Cinnamon best.
If you still mainly use open office, you have it with LibreOffice which is (I believe) what Open Office is built off of.
Many of the new Linux OS's (like Mint) are designed for folks like us who like it simple and easy

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Life: Nature's way of keeping meat fresh
Getting old ain't for sissy's
As you are I was, as I am you will be
You can't fix stupid, but you can always out smart it.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9093356].message }}

HeySal

10 years ago

Originally Posted by ThomM

Sal downloading the OS is the hardest part of any of the Linux systems that I tried. When I first installed Ubuntu I got a 10 pack of blank DVD's and downloaded 4 different OS's. I checked them all out by running them off the disks and just liked the looks of Ubuntu over the others with Mint second. When I thought about upgrading Mint to the latest version I downloaded the different "flavors" and decided I liked the looks of Cinnamon best.
If you still mainly use open office, you have it with LibreOffice which is (I believe) what Open Office is built off of.
Many of the new Linux OS's (like Mint) are designed for folks like us who like it simple and easy

That's what I'm figuring, Thom - but since there's a way to check out the different distros without downloading, I think I'll be good to go with whichever one I choose. It can't be any different than learning XP was. After all - I knew absolutely zilch but how to turn the computer on when I started, so it can't be more difficult now to learn a program. I'm betting the way MS is going that it will be the cheapest way in the long run.

One thing you said though just tweaked me a bit. I use OO. I have MS office on this machine and I never use it. It was just on here. I remember when I switched to a new tower before and tried to reinstall an MS program, microsoft went bizarro nuts on me - said I had to buy it again. I told them that was stupid since I liked OO better anyway. LOL. That's the way I feel about this "we're not supporting your OS anymore" BS. Fine - so don't. If you think that means you can get more money out of my pocket you're stupid all over again. I don't like this trend at all. If I want a new computer, great fine --- but don't try to force me to buy one. I still have the old huge monitor. I had a flat screen monitor and it fried in no time. This beast I have is ancient and it's still going strong. If it ain't broke, don't fix it ya know?

I don't have that much stored either. All I have to do is zip up my files and email them to myself and put them back when I get a new OS. It's that simple for me. Know how I do pictures, ecovers, etc? OO draw and Irfanview. Who needs photoshop for hundreds of $$ if you're not a graphic artist? Everyone raves about my last ebook cover (Saving Ricky) - it was 15 minutes on OO and Irfanview - and a pic taken with a digital camera. Really. It's not hard to figure out a way to do things that you have to do without spending money. I know people who will not survive if they get ditched out as bad as I was ditched. I eat organic for less than some people buy crap food from Walmart.

Seriously - this confuses me but I will get it done. You can't keep a good dog down -- and I'm freaking Barking

Gonna go google to see if my OO docs will open okay in whatever I'd have to use in Linux.

Thanks

Signature

Sal
When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
Beyond the Path

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9093429].message }}

HeySal

10 years ago

Yeah, it's gonna take me a few, Joe - but I have to start "shopping" right now. I just updated my Avast and firewall, and the browser is still supported.........so I'm just gonna hope I figure it out before anything insane happens.

There's this OS or something like it called Puppy Linux I was thinking about looking into - it says I can run it for online and then just use my windows for anything else I want to do......which would be great if I could use it offline without problems (I'm assuming attacks are all via online?). I don't know how I'd do stuff like transfer a document from one OS to the other so I could put it online, email it, etc. or if that can even be done. If it can be done, I might check and see if I should just grab Puppy for now.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Sal
When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
Beyond the Path

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9089355].message }}

seasoned

10 years ago

Originally Posted by HeySal

Yeah, it's gonna take me a few, Joe - but I have to start "shopping" right now. I just updated my Avast and firewall, and the browser is still supported.........so I'm just gonna hope I figure it out before anything insane happens.

There's this OS or something like it called Puppy Linux I was thinking about looking into - it says I can run it for online and then just use my windows for anything else I want to do......which would be great if I could use it offline without problems (I'm assuming attacks are all via online?). I don't know how I'd do stuff like transfer a document from one OS to the other so I could put it online, email it, etc. or if that can even be done. If it can be done, I might check and see if I should just grab Puppy for now.

For what its worth, I tried PUPPY also, and I liked it!

Steve

[ 1 ] Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9089556].message }}

kenmichaels

10 years ago

Heysal. a suggestion for you

Get VmWare Player ... its free

Install it.

Then you can run Linux on top of windows and test all the different Linux
flavors (distributions) you want while still using XP until you find and
get comfortable with a new OS.

Then after you find it, burn the installer of the one you choose
and format and install.

Very easy to do.

More importantly .... you can test things nice and slowly ... at whatever
pace makes you feel comfortable .. vrs new operating system
learn it all at once or don't get your work accomplished.

I have been in that boat, its a bad boat. Frantic even.

BTW, just about any linux you choose will blow windows away speedwise
when using older hardware setups.

[ 1 ] Thanks

Signature

Selling Ain't for Sissies!

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9089817].message }}

Sumit Menon

10 years ago

For what it's worth, if you are going to be dual booting, I'd advise you not to do it by yourself. It is not that hard, but given your tech know-how, it is very likely that you might erase one of the windows partitions. Also, unlike what Joe mentioned, you wouldn't be able to access your pictures from BOTH Windows and Linux. You can access pictures stored on Windows on Windows and Linux on Linux. If you need to access those files from either of the Operating Systems, you need to do additional configurations.

Pretty much everyone I know who uses Linux started with Ubuntu. Ubuntu runs on all our college administrative machines. Some people later switched onto Mint (like Thom). If you are comfortable with Ubuntu, you wouldn't have any problems switching over to Mint later, imo.

[ 1 ] Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9091581].message }}

HeySal

10 years ago

Thanks guys - you are sooooo awesome.

Sumit - I think you're right. It even sounds scary. The only thing I ever did like this was back in around 2005 when my old computer got messed up. I started with AOL and then when I figured out AOL, I tried to uninstall it. LMAO. So I ran the disk to repair my XP. That's as close as I've ever come to this mess. My Nephew is an Engineer at Intel or Hewlett or some such and he was the one that did this computer. If I lived close enough now, I'd just park on his doorstep and cry until he took pity on me.

Ken -- THANK YOU. I'm going to do that. It sounds like it will make life a lot easier. I'm not sure what burn the installer means, but I'll worry about that when I pick out an OS.

Steve - I'm sure that the 70 gigs is storage space (disk space?). I don't really save a lot of stuff and I still have around half of it left. I thought it was a lot. Guess not huh? If I messed with video I'd probably be a hurtin' unit.

DDDDot - When you say spare drive to me, what is in my head is a second car.

Thom - I'll save the call for more exciting stuff for now I guess. I'm just gonna follow Ken's advice for now. Sounds like a really good idea to me.

Big wet old lady lips kisses to all of you.

Thanks
2 replies

Signature

Sal
When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
Beyond the Path

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9091721].message }}

Joe Mobley

10 years ago

How to access Microsoft Windows files and folders from Linux | LinuxBSDos.com

Because of the nature of Linux, when you boot into the Linux half of a dual-boot system, you can access your data (files and folders) on the Windows side, without rebooting into Windows. And you can even edit those Windows files and save them back to the Windows half.

Google: linux mint access windows files

Google: linux access to windows files

Joe Mobley

[ 2 ] Thanks
1 reply

Signature

.

Follow Me on Twitter: @daVinciJoe

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9091897].message }}

Sumit Menon

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Joe Mobley

How to access Microsoft Windows files and folders from Linux | LinuxBSDos.com

Google: linux mint access windows files

Google: linux access to windows files

Joe Mobley

Oh.. Haven't tried that out yet. But, I'm pretty sure it doesn't work the other way round. Accessing Linux files on Windows.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9091973].message }}

Joe Mobley

10 years ago

It has been some time ago but I had Linux on a PC and you could "mount" the Windows file system and edit files. You might be correct about the Linux from Windows approach.

Joe Mobley

Originally Posted by Sumit Menon

Oh.. Haven't tried that out yet. But, I'm pretty sure it doesn't work the other way round. Accessing Linux files on Windows.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

Signature

.

Follow Me on Twitter: @daVinciJoe

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9092269].message }}

seasoned

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Joe Mobley

It has been some time ago but I had Linux on a PC and you could "mount" the Windows file system and edit files. You might be correct about the Linux from Windows approach.

Joe Mobley

Yeah, he is. Linux can access TONS of file systems. M/S Windows can only access a few M/S file systems.

Steve

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9092405].message }}

seasoned

10 years ago

Originally Posted by HeySal

Thanks guys - you are sooooo awesome.

Sumit - I think you're right. It even sounds scary. The only thing I ever did like this was back in around 2005 when my old computer got messed up. I started with AOL and then when I figured out AOL, I tried to uninstall it. LMAO. So I ran the disk to repair my XP. That's as close as I've ever come to this mess. My Nephew is an Engineer at Intel or Hewlett or some such and he was the one that did this computer. If I lived close enough now, I'd just park on his doorstep and cry until he took pity on me.

Ken -- THANK YOU. I'm going to do that. It sounds like it will make life a lot easier. I'm not sure what burn the installer means, but I'll worry about that when I pick out an OS.

Steve - I'm sure that the 70 gigs is storage space (disk space?). I don't really save a lot of stuff and I still have around half of it left. I thought it was a lot. Guess not huh? If I messed with video I'd probably be a hurtin' unit.

DDDDot - When you say spare drive to me, what is in my head is a second car.

Thom - I'll save the call for more exciting stuff for now I guess. I'm just gonna follow Ken's advice for now. Sounds like a really good idea to me.

Big wet old lady lips kisses to all of you.

First of all, yeah, I didn't mention it before. The problem with losing your files has NOTHING to do with the dual boot. It is the PARTITIONS you have to worry about. To the best of my knowledge, they NEVER created a standard way to change/move a partition. There is a program to fill that need called "partition magic". It is SUPPOSED to work perfectly here. It CAN! BUT, and HEED this advice, TAKE A BACKUP FIRST! You likely won't need it but if you do, it is nice to have!

One of my favorite anecdotes is how I went to a computer show and tried to look around for this new drive that just came out. I COULDN'T find it.

In desperation I asked one person that claimed to have all these and she looked at me dumbstruck and said "Why would ANYONE need such a large drive??!?"(emphasis hers). It was a bit over 2GB.

70GB IS lot. I am a packrat, use my computer for heavy data, and want to try everything, so I upgraded to a 1TB drive a few months ago and ran out of space yesterday. Luckily, I bought a network drive (4TB) last friday, and am using THAT.

You can run video with 35GB free, but not TOO many.

Steve

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9092160].message }}

seasoned

10 years ago

When I first saw linux(It wasn't even v1 yet!) around 1992, as I recall, it:

1. didn't really have full GUI capability.
2. had only minor corporate support.
3. had only moderate 3rd party support.
4. had nearly no corporate use.
5. had no M/S office support.
6. didn't have a well accepted graphics package.
7. had minimal windows executable compatibility.
8. supported only a few computer language compilers.
9. had like THREE network capable databases, only ONE was SQL compliant!

For quite some time now it:

1. has full GUI capability.
2. has good corporate support, drivers, software, hardware,standards,etc...
3. has great 3rd party support.
4. has LOTS of corporate use. Most of my customers, MAJOR CORPORATIONS are running their data, sometimes 100s of terabytes or more, IN PRODUCTION, on linux!
5. has excellent M/S office support.
6. has a well accepted graphics package.
7. has good windows executable compatibility.
8. supports TONS of computer language compilers. The ones that kind of come standard include C, ADA, PASCAL, JAVA, PERL,PHP. I won't try to list the dozens of others like EIFFEL, SMALL TALK, RUBY, BASIC, etc...
9. Those databases could be picked up, but who needs them. One was rewritten to have SQL. Another was heavily modified by a consultant and the new version became known as MYSQL. It was SO nice that it made Oracle look SO bad that Oracle bought the company. You can still use MYSQL, but THAT code has been publically changed and became a database named MARIADB. OH, you like oracle? GOOD! Linux has Oracle, DB2, DERBY, teradata, etc.... also. THOSE are only the SQL compatible ones. It supports most of the NON sql ones ALSO.

Perhaps the ONLY M/S compatible database not supported by linux is M/S SQL SERVER, though you CAN access it via JDBC and ODBC.

Steve

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9092459].message }}

HeySal

10 years ago

Holy crap. LMAO -- Hey Thom, just called.

I get to the VM page and don't know if I need 32 or 64 bytes - don't know what the hell that means. Went to my system page to see if it says anything - and it doesn't.

So I call Thom - and realize when the msg machine comes on that I don't know my new phone number they made me get when I moved and have to hang up to find out what my number is.

This is Sally in technology land. Get me the hell out of here back to the slope with the bodacious petrified wood limb casts where I can feel like I actually have a brain again, PLEEEEEEEEEEZE.

PS - I'm not a technophobe. This doesn't scare me. It just drives me nuts. I HATE this part of it. If this type of crud is what I had to deal with daily to be online, I'd detest it so severely I wouldn't be able to be on here. That's why I'm where I am with it. I'm happy to keep my blog and my forum on my website - and happy to make my pdf's etc. Just don't make me mess with codes, languages, CCSs, drivers, hardware, system anything but defrag, and I'm a happy camper. I can't believe when I was in college I asked about taking computer classes and they told me not to bother because only secretaries would need to know anything about them. I'd love to bitchslap the idiot who told me that one.

Thanks
2 replies

Signature

Sal
When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
Beyond the Path

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9093495].message }}

seasoned

10 years ago

Originally Posted by HeySal

Holy crap. LMAO -- Hey Thom, just called.

I get to the VM page and don't know if I need 32 or 64 bytes - don't know what the hell that means. Went to my system page to see if it says anything - and it doesn't.

That is probably 32bit or 64bit. It refers to the databus size or ACTUALLY, in this case, the instruction set capability. If you go to the system page, there is a line that says "system type", in the system area, under the RAM. If it says 64 bit, go with 64 bit. Otherwise, you can assume 32 bit. Actually, 32 bit will work on any intel processor. The 64 bit just gives more flexibility, but requires a 64 bit capable processor.

OK, there IS one exception! If you are getting a VM to run something like linux, it HAS to be compatible with the operating system you will host it on. ALSO, it can only run 64bt software if it is 64 bit. You likely DO have 32 bit, but try what I suggested above. If you default to 32 bit, and it doesn't work, try 64 bit. But I think most XPs are 32 bit, and wide 64 bit use is relatively new, etc....

So I call Thom - and realize when the msg machine comes on that I don't know my new phone number they made me get when I moved and have to hang up to find out what my number is.

This is Sally in technology land. Get me the hell out of here back to the slope with the bodacious petrified wood limb casts where I can feel like I actually have a brain again, PLEEEEEEEEEEZE.

PS - I'm not a technophobe. This doesn't scare me. It just drives me nuts. I HATE this part of it. If this type of crud is what I had to deal with daily to be online, I'd detest it so severely I wouldn't be able to be on here. That's why I'm where I am with it. I'm happy to keep my blog and my forum on my website - and happy to make my pdf's etc. Just don't make me mess with codes, languages, CCSs, drivers, hardware, system anything but defrag, and I'm a happy camper. I can't believe when I was in college I asked about taking computer classes and they told me not to bother because only secretaries would need to know anything about them. I'd love to bitchslap the idiot who told me that one.

Well, think of all the times you thought you couldn't learn something, and now it is second nature. Computers only SEEM complicated. If you have the tenacity, you can learn it. and NOBODY knows everything, not even everything about a particular language, let alone all computers.

Steve

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9093748].message }}

Sumit Menon

10 years ago

Originally Posted by HeySal

Holy crap. LMAO -- Hey Thom, just called.

I get to the VM page and don't know if I need 32 or 64 bytes - don't know what the hell that means. Went to my system page to see if it says anything - and it doesn't.

So I call Thom - and realize when the msg machine comes on that I don't know my new phone number they made me get when I moved and have to hang up to find out what my number is.

This is Sally in technology land. Get me the hell out of here back to the slope with the bodacious petrified wood limb casts where I can feel like I actually have a brain again, PLEEEEEEEEEEZE.

PS - I'm not a technophobe. This doesn't scare me. It just drives me nuts. I HATE this part of it. If this type of crud is what I had to deal with daily to be online, I'd detest it so severely I wouldn't be able to be on here. That's why I'm where I am with it. I'm happy to keep my blog and my forum on my website - and happy to make my pdf's etc. Just don't make me mess with codes, languages, CCSs, drivers, hardware, system anything but defrag, and I'm a happy camper. I can't believe when I was in college I asked about taking computer classes and they told me not to bother because only secretaries would need to know anything about them. I'd love to bitchslap the idiot who told me that one.

Everyone should learn to code. It's not that hard. There are introductory courses online...

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9095168].message }}

HeySal

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Sumit Menon

Everyone should learn to code. It's not that hard. There are introductory courses online...

Sure. Whatever. Maybe I could find someone else to take over my job, my book writing, my housework, my rock and gem website - and the rock and gem hunting, and do my cooking for me so I can sit and learn code, which I have not one hint of an interest in.

People outsource for a reason. You can't know everything and coding is one that I couldn't stand to have to learn and have no time to do so. Everyone has to know how to write to be online, too - right? How many people do you see getting an education in writing just because they are online? Most outsource instead.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Sal
When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
Beyond the Path

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9096632].message }}

seasoned

10 years ago

Originally Posted by HeySal

Sure. Whatever. Maybe I could find someone else to take over my job, my book writing, my housework, my rock and gem website - and the rock and gem hunting, and do my cooking for me so I can sit and learn code, which I have not one hint of an interest in.

People outsource for a reason. You can't know everything and coding is one that I couldn't stand to have to learn and have no time to do so. Everyone has to know how to write to be online, too - right? How many people do you see getting an education in writing just because they are online? Most outsource instead.

Well, HE apparently thinks sed, grep, and regex are ancient! Languages scrambled not too long ago to add REGEX. GREP is used ALL OVER to quickly find info that has, or doesn't have strings. SED is a nice routine to do things like global replace.

So I guess HE doesn't know everything.

So HEY, he can't fault YOU.

And for the record, NO, I am not saying I know everything about anything. HECK, when I was a kid, at one point, rocks and gems was a somewhat popular hobby. A number of companies had these polishers for them. I learned JUST enough to know some of what is out there and how nice it could be. I never picked it up as a hobby and probably forgot 30% of what I knew. And there was a popular programming language called RUBY. I guess it wasn't really popular until a framework called rails. I don't know if I have ever seen it!

Steve

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9096739].message }}

HeySal

10 years ago

I know where you can find rubies. Have no clue about the online variety. Pearl also still comes from oysters in my book, however there are some perlite deposits that have fine perlite that mimics pearl.

I was online 3 weeks before I realized HTML wasn't short for Hotmail.

Sumit's kewl. He's my friend. He's right that we should know as much as we can - just don't think he stopped to look at things from the perspective of someone who already has a full load and extra without it. He can look on the brightside - he accidentally just advertised knowledge that someone might need to outsource sometime.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Sal
When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
Beyond the Path

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9096847].message }}

seasoned

10 years ago

Originally Posted by HeySal

I know where you can find rubies. Have no clue about the online variety. Pearl also still comes from oysters in my book, however there are some perlite deposits that have fine perlite that mimics pearl.

I was online 3 weeks before I realized HTML wasn't short for Hotmail.

I'm still kicking myself because I used to go straight to the source! I even went to funet, the first system on the internet to get linux.(It was where Linus torvalds wrote/developed it) Anyway, I saw PERL and HTTPD appear and never gave them a second glance for some reason. It was YEARS! PERL was the first really usable webserver language, and httpd was the first http(html) server. IT was what a company eventually patched so much that they called it apache.

Sumit's kewl. He's my friend. He's right that we should know as much as we can - just don't think he stopped to look at things from the perspective of someone who already has a full load and extra without it. He can look on the brightside - he accidentally just advertised knowledge that someone might need to outsource sometime.

I wasn't making any comment about him or the idea, only that, as you said, people get interested in a particular thing and spend less time elsewhere.

Steve

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9096913].message }}

measolutions1

Banned 9 years ago

[DELETED]

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9674911].message }}

socialentry

9 years ago

I had Ubuntu but I thought most of the bells and whistles were unescessary.

Lubuntu is pretty much lightning fast and I install whatever I need on top of it.

[ 2 ] Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9674994].message }}

ThomM

9 years ago

Originally Posted by socialentry

I had Ubuntu but I thought most of the bells and whistles were unescessary.

Lubuntu is pretty much lightning fast and I install whatever I need on top of it.

I didn't know about Lubuntu, thanks.
I just downloaded the ISO to check it out.
I like Linux Mint, but the newer version doesn't jive with my graphics card. Same goes for Ubuntu.

Thanks

Signature

Life: Nature's way of keeping meat fresh
Getting old ain't for sissy's
As you are I was, as I am you will be
You can't fix stupid, but you can always out smart it.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9676181].message }}

dewalds86

9 years ago

For a beginner debian can be a bit duanting but ubuntu and zorin are both good for new bies

Thanks

Signature

Locksmith Somerset West

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9675001].message }}

Questions about Linux

Trending Topics

Newbie

How did you turn it all around?

Any thoughts on golf's latest phenom...Scottie Scheffler??

A healthy fascination for Hollywood...

What's the Best IM-Related Skill to Learn Today That Can Help in the Future?