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Joined: Dec 2003
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I need some advice from you Linux users.
I have an ASUS notebook running XP that I take on my vacations/holidays. I use it for storing my pictures and for a little Internet use. Instead of just tossing it away I thought I might try running Linux on it. Here is where I am confused:
There appears to be a few different versions of Linux that are available. What is the best one(s) to use for my needs? I want to get rid of XP so should I format the drive prior to installing Linux? Not to worry I have a backup. How about drivers, are drivers readily available for Lunix? How about a browser or an email program. Or should I just use Yahoo email? Any anti-virus programs for Linux? Is there anything else that I need to know?
As you can tell I know absolutely nothing about running Linux on a machine! I have used Ubuntu a little running off a CD but I really didn't get into it.
Thanx in advance for your time and help.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Mario, a lot of people here use UBUNTU. Its free and quite stable. It comes with PLENTY of apps right out of the box, and many more to DL for free or cheap. It comes with a mail program or two, and even a generic version of microsoft office, which can open and edit office files (Excel, Word Etc) You don't have to reformat.. the installation will do whatever it needs to install itself... but I guess you could reformat if you want to. DOWNLOAD HERE After re-reading your post, I see you didn't like UBUNTU. I didn't like it when I demo'd it from a CD (it was way too slow) but after I installed it to the hard drive it was very fast... and the look & feel isn't substantially different than Windows
Last edited by Pat Marr; 08/14/14 08:38 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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What Pat said. Use Ubuntu. Don't run it from a CD. Install it on your hard drive.
It's the most stable Linux platform from what I can tell. I used it for several months after my last PC died and wouldn't run Windows anymore. It ran Ubuntu just fine.
Drivers are an issue. Drivers are ALWAYS an issue with Linux.
But if all you want is a bare bones PC operating system for surfing the web, writing documents and handling email, ... it should work just fine.
Just don't try to get too fancy with it unless you're dedicated to becoming a Linux expert. And even then, drivers are ALWAYS an issue.
But it's free and it works, ... even when Windows may not.
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Lenovo YOGA 900 Window s 10 Home 64bit M4 pro Mac mini 1tb HD 24GB mem casio wk7500 presonus audiobox i2 usb interface
casio wk-7500
biab & realband 2025 everything pk both with Current builds
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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For what it's worth, I tried Linux Ubuntu, and also Linux Mint. Both are good though of course different, considering they are free, try one, and then the other, and settle with whichever you like best.
All of the popular Linux distributions do come with drivers for most common purposes, it is the odd and unusual things that may have problems driver wise, or at least odd or unusual to the average Joe, for instance don't expect your MIDI keyboard to work straight out of the box.
One other major problem is that a lot of paid for softwares will not run on any Linux distro, I don't actually know if BIAB will as I didn't bother trying when I was experimenting.
However for most general purposes, photo's, music, video, and other general purpose computer tasks will run just fine.
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Q: There appears to be a few different versions of Linux that are available. What is the best one(s) to use for my needs? A: That is the fun in distro hopping, trying to find the best distro for your needs. Q: I want to get rid of XP so should I format the drive prior to installing Linux? A: The distro will offer to reformat when you install it to your hard drive. Q: How about drivers, are drivers readily available for Lunix? A: From my experience, some distros do a better job than others at finding suitable drivers for your particular components. That is why the "Live CD" concept is so nice. You test drive the "Live Cd" before you commit to an installation. Check to see if the video, wifi, sound, camera, and everything else you can't live without works using that distro's "Live CD", and if it doesn't, try another distro. Q: How about a browser or an email program. Or should I just use Yahoo email? A: All of the distros come with browsers and usually they have email programs, If you don't like those defaults, check to see what other software replacements they have available in their software repositories ot centers, Personally, I use Thunderbird to access my Yahoo and Gmail accounts. Q: Any anti-virus programs for Linux? A: Usually ClamAV is available in their software repositories and if you desire, AVG offers a free Linux antivirus. Q: Is there anything else that I need to know? A: 1. Always verify the file integrity of the downloaded iso (md5sum). 2. As others have mentioned, the "Live CD" will be slower than the installed version, sometimes a lot slower than your patience. 3. Always check to make sure you meet the system requirements before downloading the distro's iso. 4. Before downloading an iso, Google "Installing" thedistro "Linux" to find helpful videos. 5. Remember lighter usually means faster. 6. Distrowatch should a great resource for in your search. ( http://distrowatch.com/) HTH
JBlatz
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Mario,
I'm an Ubuntu fan and I've been using it 2007 (version 7.10). It's very well supported with drivers and the help-base (via googling problems) is extraordinary.
I'm not sure how it runs on a notebook but I'd imagine it would be ok.
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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First I want to thank all for your suggestions. They were extremely helpful.
I ended up with Ubuntu. I formatted the HD, installed Unbuntu, and after a little learning curve got everything running exactly like I wanted. That is I can get on the Internet and I am able to save any view my pictures.
Thanx again everyone.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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