Linux advice...anyone?

[{OF}Barney_B]

A couple months ago, I downloaded Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty Fawn) and installed it on a POS (doesn't stand for Point of Service) computer that I had in the basement. It installed easily enough and seemed to work pretty well until I tried to install some software which I thought would work (Cube based game "Sauerbraten", linux version). Well, to make a long story short, it wouldn't let me do much of anything. To be fair, I didn't have the computer capable of connecting to the 'net as I didn't have a modem installed when I installed Ubuntu and it wouldn't let me install any drivers for the modem once I did put it in there. Anyway, being old and dense, I didn't get too far with it what with work and other real life duties. This week, I downloaded Ubuntu 7.10, Xubuntu 7.10, and Fedora Core 6 (that one hurt). I guess the question I have is, are these versions of Linux that are good for total idiots to start with or is there a Sesame Street version that would be better to start with? I'm fairly sure I am still capable of learning as I managed to get the .iso thing to work. Opinions vary on that though. Any hints are appreciated.

[ChemicalWarrior]

Ubuntu, OpenSuSE, and PCLinuxOS are about as easy as it's going to get and even then in reality Linux is still so far away from being a real desktop alternative (IMO). The real issues come down to installing programs, it really is hell in order to get programs and drivers installed that are not available through the package management systems included with the OS. It's incredibly rare for you to be able to download a program and simply have it install the way it's suppose to. Instead you'll find yourself surfing on the web for hours trying to find the /blahblah -crap.xls -/082sasdfj command that works in the terminal to get it going right.

I haven't given PCLinuxOS a shot personally yet though and it must be making some waves as it's over taken Ubuntu for the most hits on DistroWatch, which is a mighty feat indeed. I might download it for my next long weekend off school and give it a shot, but otherwise I can safely say that Linux is hell and I won't be using it for extended periods of time until a distribution really gets its act together on application and driver installation.

[xprime]

The main difference to me falls into package management and some other tools. Fedora and Ubuntu are very close in this regard but use different package management systems. Both have the backing of a company. Ubuntu seems to shoot more for out of the box functionality than Fedora, but I haven't had any problems.

You might have a look at Sabayon, which has loads of out of box functionality, including the Sauerbraten game and some others. It has some steep system reqs, but worth a look.

[{OF}Blong]

Originally Posted by ChemicalWarrior

Ubuntu, OpenSuSE, and PCLinuxOS are about as easy as it's going to get and even then in reality Linux is still so far away from being a real desktop alternative (IMO). The real issues come down to installing programs, it really is hell in order to get programs and drivers installed that are not available through the package management systems included with the OS. It's incredibly rare for you to be able to download a program and simply have it install the way it's suppose to. Instead you'll find yourself surfing on the web for hours trying to find the /blahblah -crap.xls -/082sasdfj command that works in the terminal to get it going right.

I haven't given PCLinuxOS a shot personally yet though and it must be making some waves as it's over taken Ubuntu for the most hits on DistroWatch, which is a mighty feat indeed. I might download it for my next long weekend off school and give it a shot, but otherwise I can safely say that Linux is hell and I won't be using it for extended periods of time until a distribution really gets its act together on application and driver installation.

the only problem I ever truly have is with installing 3dfx drivers for video cards. Other than that I really havent had any programs that I had to search for hours on to get to install. Now that doesnt mean I have tried to install a ton of software. mostly I just install games/torrents/and other easy stuff lol. I havent tried something like apache.

[{OF}Flying_Dutchman]

I'm with you Barney. Looking for the Sesame Street version. Tried a couple of times in the past, got the OS working and then got into the "and now what" syndrom as you start looking for programs and stuff.

[{OF}Barney_B]

Hehehe...Hey Rockie, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat!!

[{OF}Turf]

im running feisty, but havent had any trouble with it. then again, im not trying to install a modem driver. you may want to try a fresh install of gutsy gibbon while the modem is installed and see if the autoconfig can work it out.

ubuntu will probably be easier to run than fedora, but then i havent run fedora since core3 so maybe they've made it more friendly.

[{OF}Barney_B]

I'm planning on giving gutsy a try tonight. I downloaded PCLinuxOS 2007 today to see how that works, but I haven't got Sabayon done as I've only found the DVD version for download so far. Ubuntu looked real good but I sorta figured I was in for difficulty when the first thing it asked for was a password. I could have asked an easy question right out of the blocks like what's the square root of 3. So I gave it the first thing that came to mind "crap". I came up with a better one later

You know, any OS that comes up with catchy names like feisty fawn, gutsy gibbon, beligerant badger, moronic moose, etc. has got to be a keeper.

[{OF}Malicious Assault]

BB you need to turn on the vent when doing the TriChrome stain

[{OF}Barney_B]

Yea, those were the good ol' days: fumes and toxins everywhere. Someone went and pussified the lab while I wasn't looking...nary a chemical hazard to be found. Mo more mercury, xylene, phenol or other baddies although they haven't gotten rid of the acids yet Now all we got are sharps, a collection of retroviruses and MRSA/VRE (something that's been around for what? 25 years and now people panic). Oh well, we still have unruly kids and disgruntled patients. No, no more trichrome for me (dammit). Guess I'll have to just try to get Linux to work for excitement instead.