ReactOS is the name.

We all had our share of frustrations over learning linux but we got to start somewhere. I started out using DOS so am used to the command prompt.From there I shifted to windows because my office job required it.When we started putting up servers our consultant suggested Red Hat Enterprise so I found myself learning linux. It was difficult at first but with a book on hand and lots of googles, transition was not that hard. Then I enrolled myself in this forum and found out my questions answered.Am still learning and linux for me is a continuing journey..my advice - Dont give up..

I am one of those newbies who, right now feels as though she should go back to windows (heaven forbid). I am a 60 yr old Ubuntu user; no matter what I do I just cannot seem to get it through my head how to install and open programmes successfully. The most recent is Macromedia Shockwave. I follow the instructions carefully but there always seems to be something wrong. I think its when I have to go to root to enter the string. I have access to an expert but I need to know how to do this myself!!

Is there a simple solution for me out there, please!!!!

Hi marksgirl,

Well, if you're 60 and still learning new things (like Linux) you should stick with it. It will keep you young. It will keep you off the Microsoft upgrade treadmill that is a 'pay money again' treadmill.

It was great when Flash 9 was released with Linux support. Now we can all enjoy websites that use Flash.

I use Suse, which is sometimes set up a bit differently from other Linux systems, but it seems to me that the main element of Flash on Linux is the file called libflashplayer.so -- and the main thing to get it working properly is to ensure that your browser can find it and use it.

I seem to remember that I got Flash to work best on a 'per-user' basis with Firefox: that is, I put a copy of libflashplayer.so into my home directory /home/[name_of_user_directory]/.mozilla/plugins

Then Mozilla (i.e. Firefox) could find the Flash lib (i.e. library) file and play any Flash content in websites.

We don't know which browser you are using, but if look at other threads on the forums here I think you will find that a combination of Firefox + Flash9 + mplayerplugin will enable you view all the multi-media and Flash enabled websites you want to.

As far as I know Opera doesn't work with Flash9. I'm not sure about Konqueror or Epiphany -- I haven't looked into that, because Firefox + Flash9 IS Linux-friendly. Like many things in Linux it will work if the right files are in the right places.

Keep looking into it: be patient because it may take a bit more reading before it all becomes clear to you -- because Linux is a learning curve (and that's much better than a treadmill).

As far as I know, there is no Macromedia (nowadays Adobe) Shockwave for Linux. Just Flash, and there's opensource equivalent for that too.

Well thanks a million for that. You have no idea how nice it was to read your quote (or maybe you do).

As you say we all learn in different ways and at different speeds. Speaking personally, I am a 60 year old woman who really has difficulty finding my way around. Running the programmes that are installed is not a problem, the problem comes with installing/opening new apps. I have a linux expert who installed my package (Ubuntu), who I can ask but for reasons of my own I don't want to keep asking him. With installing apps I get as far as unziping then going to root, finding where I have downloaded it to, finding the app - then I seem to get lost!!

I just get so frustrated but I also do not want to give up. I also agree with you when you say that learning linux is like learning a new language (something that I was never very good at). I am one of those people who are not logical thinkers!!

I would also welcome an area in this forum where we could go and ask a question and then deal with (one person ) who is willing to put the time in to help and not give up at the first hurdle.

Amen to your last paragraph.

(So to tie everything together I would say be patient with us, don't dismiss us as a neusence or thick ( we all started somewhere) think before deciding if you want to help and above all be constructive).

Marksgirl,
Go to the Adobe website, download the linux flash player that ends in .tar.gz to your home folder. Then run these commands in the terminal:

tar -xzvf install_flash_player_9_linux.tar.gz

cd install_flash_player_9_linux

sudo ./flashplayer-installer

It will ask you where to install. Forget the exact details for Ubuntu, but it's something like:

/usr/lib/firefox-2.0.0.4

Hope this is some help.

to the 60 year old Ubuntu newbie - At LinuxForums there is a thread by " Hazel " that I am sure will help you. Hazel also has a web site devoted to Linux for seniors. You should check it out!!!

http://www.hdrussman.uklinux.net/

Marksgirl,
Ignore my previous post. You can download and install flash easily by using Synaptic on Ubuntu.
--Brian (62 year old Slacker)

when comes to "external" stuffs like flash , real , java and some internet plugins ... its better to get them from their own original main sites and try to install all of them by reading their installation files(normally come with the downloaded package)and by "hand" ...

every now and then you will need to know how they are installed(or many times -- copied) over into your system ...


.

I'm a newbie, too. I took the plunge a few weeks ago, and to my surprise, I haven't regretted it. I wish I could get my wife to convert (still uses XP Home). I hate it whenever I have to go to her computer for something. I might as well just go ahead and pull out my hair before I even get there. It's more efficient that way <sigh>.

Anyway. I've had my issues with Linux. But the OS as a rule has become much more mature and user friendly than it seemed to be a few years ago. I just wished that the communities would come up with a better standard for installing apps. I don't always have an internet connection, and sometimes I need to move apps between two computers.

One thing I like: less balloons and notifications. I don't need all of that when I'm trying to write the Great American Novel.

Thanks to the experienced users who take the time to try and understand our problems and provide us with a way to learn the solution.

I think they have already!

I find that installing apps is much easier in Linux than it is in the Microsoft operating systems. There are usually several software managers available in Linux (My way or the highway with Microsoft and limited access to DOS commands) such as yast, apt, yum, rpm, source code, etc, so eventually a program can usually be installed in Linux.

I have some driver/program CDs that cause Windows XP Home Edition to crash and I never can find the log file(s) as Microsoft seems to just scatter stuff all over the file system. I have yet to figure out any logical pattern to Microsoft's file system layout.

It's close to 8 years since I installed Linux and I boot to Windows very seldom, usually to listen to an internet stream that none of my Linux media players will play.

Get your network configured correctly and it is very easy to copy/move files from box to box.

Networking HOWTO

SuSE Networking: Ethernet Related Problems