[SOLVED] Confused about linux.

rich_c · 04-30-2010, 08:31 AM

If you want to evaluate different Live CD distros as a potential solution to your problem then don't get too bogged down in technical considerations. Just download an ISO, burn a CD and try it.

To an extent, I agree with the advise to avoid distro hopping in an attempt to resolve problems. Often you need to stick with it, do the right research and ask the right questions to get to the bottom of whatever the problem is. However, as you're just starting out on the road by the sounds of it, I don't think it'd hurt for you to take a few alternatives to Ubuntu for a spin. Have a browse of distrowatch.com.

pixellany · 04-30-2010, 08:31 AM

The basic things that you need for a specific hardware device are the same for all distros-----but the names of the packages could be different.

kamon · 04-30-2010, 08:39 AM

Is there something I can put into the terminal to find out?

johnsfine · 04-30-2010, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamon

If I use the mepis live cd am I looking for the bcmwl-kernal-source driver, or was that just for ubuntu?

If you needed to find and install an obscure package through synaptic, it would be the same in Mepis as in Ubuntu (different in some other distributions, but Mepis and Ubuntu are quite similar).

But a few areas that tend to be problems for beginners have Mepis Assistant programs to do the hard parts for you. If you do something through the Mepis assistant, you are expected just to know brand names like Broadcom, not package names like bcmwl.

Most things in Linux can be done many different ways, so you could install the bcmwl stuff in Mepis exactly as you could in Ubuntu (if you knew how). But obviously this time the whole point of trying Mepis would be to try the other way of setting up the Broadcom device that is available in Mepis and not in Ubuntu.

pixellany · 04-30-2010, 11:36 AM

kamon;

After seeing your obvious interest in figuring out how to use Linux, I recommend that you download several of the most popular distros and spend some time running them from the LiveCD. Ideally--after initial evaluation--you could install several of them on your hard drive, and continue to explore ho0w each one works. After you get used to some of the basic Linux concepts, it will be MUCH easier to solve specific problems such as wireless.

bendib · 04-30-2010, 12:02 PM

(deleted by creator to prevent more flames)

EricTRA · 04-30-2010, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bendib

Kamon:

OK. Here is my opinion on this whole chaotic thread. SHAME on your friend who told you to switch to Ubuntu. You are a noob. This is not a bad thing, but noobs know very little about the inner workings of computers, and noobs of your level should REALLY never touch Linux. Linux requires a bit more knowledge than you currently possess in the PC area. Linux is best for servers for many people, but for about 1% of users like me, Linux on a desktop is a must. It does everything I need and then some. The things I do are often difficult and long processes, but they can only be done on Linux. Linux is very stable, the system itself, but in order to fit the agenda of "noob readiness", many people kept adding fluff on top of it like GNOME and KDE desktop environments (looks like you use GNOME), which would be fine and dandy if they did a better job of bug testing before they released their buggy code on an unsuspecting public, and quit expecting random people to notify them that their program hosed their machine. Linux itself does so very much for me that this allows me to forgive projects like GNOME, and more recently, (I still use GNOME) KDE 4.

So, to sum things up, Linux is getting easier, but it's not ready for true noobs quite yet. Come back to Linux in two years. Oh, and if any GNOME developers are listening, GNOME 3 better not need compiz!!!

Hi bendid,

I'm going to try to put this as educated as possible:

How did you get your knowledge, were you born with it, working on a terminal instead of a rattler? Who are you to decide that Linux is not 'noob' ready and why 'noobs' shouldn't even touch Linux?

Frankly, your behavior is very insulting in my opinion. Please, instead of insulting people who turn here for help, get some education.

Reported.

Kind regards,

Eric

pixellany · 04-30-2010, 12:22 PM

Wow!!!

First---for Kamon: In spite of bendib's statements, we at LQ are here to help you---and we will continue to provide answers to your questions.

For bendib: I'm not sure I can add to what Eric said above. I'll just ask you to think twice before posting anything like that again.

Everyone count to 10 before any more posts here---let's not have a flamefest.....

bendib · 04-30-2010, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricTRA

Hi bendid,

I'm going to try to put this as educated as possible:

How did you get your knowledge, were you born with it, working on a terminal instead of a rattler? Who are you to decide that Linux is not 'noob' ready and why 'noobs' shouldn't even touch Linux?

Frankly, your behavior is very insulting in my opinion. Please, instead of insulting people who turn here for help, get some education.

Reported.

Kind regards,

Eric

First, I might say that I was careful not to insult anyone. Second, I believe people should work with something easier before moving on to Linux. What's wrong with that? I honestly don't see grounds for your reporting. If you would look, you would see I mentioned that "being a noob is not a bad thing". Third, I have seen noobs struggle with Linux for some time now. I am a nobody, as you have already figured out, but I don't want this guy to get frustrated, ditch linux forever, and then go telling everyone that it's terrible. Finally, I do not believe you had kind regards.

-Ben

pixellany · 04-30-2010, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixellany

Everyone count to 10 before any more posts here---let's not have a flamefest.....

+1...

EricTRA · 04-30-2010, 12:53 PM

+2...

bendib · 04-30-2010, 12:58 PM

Why do I bother?

bendib · 04-30-2010, 01:01 PM

Pixellany, can you change Eric's quote to match what I did? I'm afraid I know the answer, but it's worth a shot.

pixellany · 04-30-2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bendib

Pixellany, can you change Eric's quote to match what I did? I'm afraid I know the answer, but it's worth a shot.

I'm not assigned to this forum, but I would not change it if I were. We do not encourage people to change their words after there are replies.

Let's just let this rest, OK?

Please contact me or any mod by e-mail or PM to discuss further.

EricTRA · 04-30-2010, 01:08 PM

Hello bendid,

You can always send me a mail or a PM also, I'm very easy going and am willing to elaborate what I said, in a polite and educated way, but not in this thread. If we would go into a discussion here then we would take the thread off topic and that doesn't help the OP at all.

Kind regards,

Eric