Linux. Tell me about it.

Texas · 11-08-2007, 01:14 AM

Anyone on here use it? I want a free OS to use on my other desktop pc. It has to be 64 bit but that is the only thing I need apart from me being able to understand it fairly easily.

Anyone using any form of Linux here that can point a fella in the right direction or has any comments on the ones to avoid for whatever reason?

Manalishi · 11-08-2007, 01:22 AM

Why does it have to be 64bit? If you want 64bit then Ubuntu is what you're looking for really - http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download - (I run it on two computers)

It comes with everything you will need, very simple to use and there is a lot of support if you do need it on their forums. The only potential trouble is with wireless drivers and there are no creative xfi drivers (or certainly weren't the last time I looked).

If you want to try it then the live disc feature is useful as you just boot from the CD and it runs in RAM rather than installing it - it's slower than a proper install of course but it will give you a good impression.

Purplepony · 11-08-2007, 01:29 AM

I really don't know much about it either, how about a summary?

Texas · 11-08-2007, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manalishi

Why does it have to be 64bit? If you want 64bit then Ubuntu is what you're looking for really - http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download - (I run it on two computers)

I already run XP home on this pc which is only 32 bit. Both pc's are are dual cores so I just would like it to use what it's capable of.

You using 7.10 Mana or an older version?

Noilly Pratt · 11-08-2007, 01:45 AM

Here's the build up and history...someone else can provide the practical...

It's not Lucy and Charlie Brown's friend...that's Linus VanPelt. The creator of the operating system is named Linus Torvalds...when I started I called it Line-uks, but have been since corrected - the pronounciation is Linn-uks.

Linux is what's known as an open source OS, that is, anyone can have access to the source code and update and modify to their heart's content...as opposed to Microsoft's model where they control it all.

There are many flavours of Linux, such as Red Hat, VA Linux, Debian GNU...it's difficult to know which one to choose. Someone else with better practical experience can chime in here...

Estaire · 11-08-2007, 01:45 AM

Ubuntu is pretty good...I prefer Fedora Core, though. It is connected with the Red Hat project, so the support is good. Though, yes, there are drivers that you just can't find for Linux, which sucks.

Though, as far as a summary goes...

Linux is Unix-based (like Mac OS, but Linux used it first). Many of the different flavors of linux are open-source, so programmers can add their own applications and improve on the projects. There are a ton of versions...

Full-featured: Ubuntu, Red Hat, Fedora Core, Knoppix, Kanotix (based on Knoppix)
Minimal (often live CDs which can be run without installing them): Damn Small Linux, , Popcorn, CPX mini (based on Kanotix)
Runs Windows Apps: Linux XP, Kill Bill Linux (which also can run as a live CD).

With the exception of Linux XP, all the distributions I listed above are free. Most of them come with preinstalled basic drivers that allow your computer to function pretty well without a lot of driver installs (although there are some drivers, like sound card drivers, capture card drivers, etc that have not been made).

www.distrowatch.com has updated full lists of Linux Distros.

My favorite full version is Fedora Core. 64 or 32 bit. Kanotix is a close second, since my soundcard worked with it.
My favorite live version is CPX-mini. My Creative Audigy soundcard even worked with that version, too!

Also, just for future reference, a live CD can save your butt. Windows won't boot? CPX-mini will automatically mount your hard drives and can read NTFS drives. Just plug a FAT32 formatted USB drive into your computer, boot to the CPX-mini live disk, and transfer your files off to the external drive. I've salvaged two or three computers doing this. Saved all the files, then I could just reinstall windows and nothing was lost.

Manalishi · 11-08-2007, 01:46 AM

I'd stick with 32 bit just for software compatibility. You aren't likely to be running anything on Linux were you will see a noticeable difference in speed.

7.10 yeah. I was on 7.04 and upgraded. It has benefits such as being able to write to NTFS and compiz fusion built in (If you don't know about compiz fusion have a look at this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Fbk52Mk1w)

Texas · 11-08-2007, 02:03 AM

Hmm, Fedora seems to be a much bigger download than the others. Why is that?

That Compiz looks alot like OSX to me.

Anyone know how to set up dual boot so i can install more than one OS?

Manalishi · 11-08-2007, 02:10 AM

Fedora comes with a lot installed. It's a good OS but I find it slower than Ubuntu personally.

Compiz is a lot flashier

To dual boot you make an ext3 partition using the live disc, a 'swap' partition (linux equivalent of virtual memory), assign these during the install and it sorts the rest (with a boot menu) itself.

Texas · 11-09-2007, 04:55 AM

I'm having some driver issues with Ubuntu 7.10. I've done a little reading on it but need to find out more. I need a stable driver for nVidia 6 series, the one it downloads make the enhanced features act wierd and it's hard to see what I'm doing.

Manalishi · 11-09-2007, 11:33 AM

Remove the restricted driver and try using this - http://www.albertomilone.com/nvidia_scripts1.html

PapaZ · 11-09-2007, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manalishi

I'd stick with 32 bit just for software compatibility. You aren't likely to be running anything on Linux were you will see a noticeable difference in speed.

7.10 yeah. I was on 7.04 and upgraded. It has benefits such as being able to write to NTFS and compiz fusion built in (If you don't know about compiz fusion have a look at this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Fbk52Mk1w)

Great video, Mana. Your Av even dances to the music.

deepsepia · 11-14-2007, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Estaire

Linux is Unix-based (like Mac OS, but Linux used it first).

my opportunity to be pointy headed Mac nerd. Mac OS is actually based on BSD Unix and Mach, by way of the Next computer NextStep OS (which Apple bought in order to get the OS, and Steve Jobs).

BSD -- for "Berkeley Software Distribution" is actually older than Linux, dating back to the 1970s. Mach was a Carnegie mellon University project, and dates back to the 1980s . . . I think the first Linux release was 1991 or so

**PorkChopSandwiches** · 11-14-2007, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papafat

Great video, Mana. Your Av even dances to the music.

Yeah, it's awesome. I like the cube effect.

tollboothwilly · 11-24-2007, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepsepia

my opportunity to be pointy headed Mac nerd. Mac OS is actually based on BSD Unix and Mach, by way of the Next computer NextStep OS (which Apple bought in order to get the OS, and Steve Jobs).

BSD -- for "Berkeley Software Distribution" is actually older than Linux, dating back to the 1970s. Mach was a Carnegie mellon University project, and dates back to the 1980s . . . I think the first Linux release was 1991 or so

you are correct there, but linux is based off of unix, and was released on September 17 1991 and I read that mac was based off of freebsd, I suppose you basically just said that, but both versions are bsd, ones just free.

but as for which distro, I say try as many as you want, sooner or later you'll find the flavor of linux you really love. Ive been playing with ubuntu since version 5.10. I like it, but to the complete n00b may find it somewhat difficult to use if they dont know how to use google. but most of any program you want to install you can install it through the synpatic package manger which will install all the necessary files along with the one you want to install to.

11-08-2007, 01:14 AM	#1
Texas Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wha...where am I? Posts: 857 Thanks: 8 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Linux. Tell me about it. Anyone on here use it? I want a free OS to use on my other desktop pc. It has to be 64 bit but that is the only thing I need apart from me being able to understand it fairly easily. Anyone using any form of Linux here that can point a fella in the right direction or has any comments on the ones to avoid for whatever reason? __________________ If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?

11-08-2007, 01:22 AM	#2
Manalishi Regular Waster Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 7,911 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Why does it have to be 64bit? If you want 64bit then Ubuntu is what you're looking for really - http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download - (I run it on two computers) It comes with everything you will need, very simple to use and there is a lot of support if you do need it on their forums. The only potential trouble is with wireless drivers and there are no creative xfi drivers (or certainly weren't the last time I looked). If you want to try it then the live disc feature is useful as you just boot from the CD and it runs in RAM rather than installing it - it's slower than a proper install of course but it will give you a good impression. __________________ Original member of Team WoS Member of team speeeeeeeeeeed

11-08-2007, 01:45 AM	#5
Noilly Pratt Ω sweet Ω Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SW Canada Posts: 4,049 Thanks: 22 Thanked 12 Times in 8 Posts	Here's the build up and history...someone else can provide the practical... It's not Lucy and Charlie Brown's friend...that's Linus VanPelt. The creator of the operating system is named Linus Torvalds...when I started I called it Line-uks, but have been since corrected - the pronounciation is Linn-uks. Linux is what's known as an open source OS, that is, anyone can have access to the source code and update and modify to their heart's content...as opposed to Microsoft's model where they control it all. There are many flavours of Linux, such as Red Hat, VA Linux, Debian GNU...it's difficult to know which one to choose. Someone else with better practical experience can chime in here... __________________

11-08-2007, 01:45 AM	#6
Estaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: With yer mom Posts: 638 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ubuntu is pretty good...I prefer Fedora Core, though. It is connected with the Red Hat project, so the support is good. Though, yes, there are drivers that you just can't find for Linux, which sucks. Though, as far as a summary goes... Linux is Unix-based (like Mac OS, but Linux used it first). Many of the different flavors of linux are open-source, so programmers can add their own applications and improve on the projects. There are a ton of versions... Full-featured: Ubuntu, Red Hat, Fedora Core, Knoppix, Kanotix (based on Knoppix) Minimal (often live CDs which can be run without installing them): Damn Small Linux, , Popcorn, CPX mini (based on Kanotix) Runs Windows Apps: Linux XP, Kill Bill Linux (which also can run as a live CD). With the exception of Linux XP, all the distributions I listed above are free. Most of them come with preinstalled basic drivers that allow your computer to function pretty well without a lot of driver installs (although there are some drivers, like sound card drivers, capture card drivers, etc that have not been made). www.distrowatch.com has updated full lists of Linux Distros. My favorite full version is Fedora Core. 64 or 32 bit. Kanotix is a close second, since my soundcard worked with it. My favorite live version is CPX-mini. My Creative Audigy soundcard even worked with that version, too! Also, just for future reference, a live CD can save your butt. Windows won't boot? CPX-mini will automatically mount your hard drives and can read NTFS drives. Just plug a FAT32 formatted USB drive into your computer, boot to the CPX-mini live disk, and transfer your files off to the external drive. I've salvaged two or three computers doing this. Saved all the files, then I could just reinstall windows and nothing was lost. __________________ I love the trash! Last edited by Estaire : 11-08-2007 at 01:51 AM. Reason: Typo

11-08-2007, 01:46 AM	#7
Manalishi Regular Waster Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 7,911 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'd stick with 32 bit just for software compatibility. You aren't likely to be running anything on Linux were you will see a noticeable difference in speed. 7.10 yeah. I was on 7.04 and upgraded. It has benefits such as being able to write to NTFS and compiz fusion built in (If you don't know about compiz fusion have a look at this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Fbk52Mk1w) __________________ Original member of Team WoS Member of team speeeeeeeeeeed

11-08-2007, 02:03 AM	#8
Texas Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wha...where am I? Posts: 857 Thanks: 8 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hmm, Fedora seems to be a much bigger download than the others. Why is that? That Compiz looks alot like OSX to me. Anyone know how to set up dual boot so i can install more than one OS? __________________ If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?

11-08-2007, 02:10 AM	#9
Manalishi Regular Waster Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 7,911 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Fedora comes with a lot installed. It's a good OS but I find it slower than Ubuntu personally. Compiz is a lot flashier To dual boot you make an ext3 partition using the live disc, a 'swap' partition (linux equivalent of virtual memory), assign these during the install and it sorts the rest (with a boot menu) itself. __________________ Original member of Team WoS Member of team speeeeeeeeeeed

11-09-2007, 04:55 AM	#10
Texas Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wha...where am I? Posts: 857 Thanks: 8 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'm having some driver issues with Ubuntu 7.10. I've done a little reading on it but need to find out more. I need a stable driver for nVidia 6 series, the one it downloads make the enhanced features act wierd and it's hard to see what I'm doing. __________________ If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?

11-09-2007, 11:33 AM	#11
Manalishi Regular Waster Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 7,911 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Remove the restricted driver and try using this - http://www.albertomilone.com/nvidia_scripts1.html __________________ Original member of Team WoS Member of team speeeeeeeeeeed