Four Questions from a beginner
 

I have got a refurbished acer aspire one with linpus linux...now
1. the mozilla firefox browser seemed pretty much old...but if I try to download a new version it comes us as a zip file...
2. same to microsoft docx...they come as zip file...can not sort out the updating of the browser, can not download docs files...
3. also the desktop is a very handy, but unattractive looking one...how can I get a desktop customize by my own?...
4.the inbuilt messanger is not taking any id except the one from gmail...
any help?
sayeed

Welcome to LF,

Though I never used Linpus Linux so far, I'll try to answer your queries in a general way.

1) Linpus is an obsolete linux now, it's an old one which I guess still comes with 2-3 years old software. Is there any package management utility you can see in there, from where you can directly download and install the software.

2) For running Microsoft docx files, you must be some kind of Office product like Open-office which is a stranded in most kinds of Linux. Check if you have one installed, I doubt that you don't have one.

3) Can't comment.

4) Same, can't comment.

To update Firefox, or most Mozilla products that I've used, unroll the zipped tarball, and then from a shell, run the installer. There will probably be a README file or other helpful text file after you've unrolled the tarball. Of course there is always the Installing Firefox on Linux page.

--- rod.

There should be a "Live Update" for the system somewhere on it. The latest is 1.4, I think.

If at all possible, I'd be installing a different Linux distribution on that laptop as fast as I could.

I tried the quick reply tab few days ago, but it did not worked...I don't know where my reply went
 

To PrinceSharma...an open office is there but an old version to open the latest 2007 docx files. and
@mark_alfred
@vtel57
no update/download is working regarding any programme...the open office/firefox browser etc. live update is also not working...after the command it takes sometime finally ended up showing update list download failed....
@ rod...I will try to follow ur suggestion...let's see how it goes

anyway thanks to everyone again

Linpus is loaded by default in ACER series when they sell without Microsoft OS for cost cutting purpose.

However, most people immediately install (overwrite) a more current and popular (by published numbers) linux (In my case UBUNTU).

IF YOU DO THIS, DONT FORGET TO BACK UP ALL DATA CREATED.

This will answer all the stated problems (including docx).

OK.

What is the Linux and general computer usage scene in Bdesh?

Thank you!
 

I am personally familiar with the concept of open source software from 2000. However, all these years in Bangladesh and in abroad I haven't used it much. Most pc users in BD find pirated os and softwares as the most convenient way of doing things...I think you know this from your country's experience as well. Although in recent days there are some people I can see getting interested in open source software. some big names are also in the rally now...I bought this acer recently and got linux...I am happy to work it out...

now how can I download ubuntu...I am not saying about the availability...but what will be the process as linpus is already there...how I will override/shift from it to ubuntu...
sorry you can see I am still a beginner!

I'm afraid doing a fresh install of a new / latest distro is what you need in this case, As Linpus doesn't seem to be in support anymore.
Go to distrowatch.com and check a few distro out by yourself.
Good luck.

You will need to follow the instructions on the Ubuntu site to create a bootable USB, as you will probably not have a CD player.

http://www.ubuntu.com/netbook/get-ubuntu/download

From memory, I think Ubuntu will automatically preserve your Linpus install. It will create another partition on the drive and install it there. The Linpus partition will remain. When you login you should then have the choice of either.

However you can use the USB stick to test Ubuntu before you install if you are in any doubt.

Hi ferdous,

It is better not to install UBUNTU along with LINPUS since we dont know what percentage of the disk space is booked for LINPUS. Rather, you should completely overinstall.

Suggestions.
FOLLOW THE LINK GIVEN IN TUR_THIRD's POST.

OK.
Or else,
(1) Back all application that is of interest to you.
(2) Go to appropriate site and download UBUNTU.
(3) Now cut it to a CD or USB stick and make it bootable (LQ itself has tutorials - see top - and the URL is : http://www.linuxquestions.org/linux/answers/LQ_ISO
(4) Make your PC to boot from CD/USB depending on the media you created in step 2 above.
(5) Boot form it.
(6) Follow the instructions.

OK

I think it will depend on how big your hard disk is. In my netbook it takes up about 30gb, but the total drive size is 120gb. Sounds a lot, but I have preferred to keep it, as I am using only using a fraction of the 90 gb drive for ubuntu.

The reason you might want to put it along side is for two reasons:

1) If you have any problems in Ubuntu, and you have another os to test and use. Although you could use a USB.
2) There might be things in Linpus you will struggle to get working in other distributions. I am thinking of the MSN (Messenger clone) in Linpus that just works - and with the webcam (not that easy to find in opensource as it was written / adapted by Linpus.

However it is up to you.

It doesn't matter what's there already, it will just be completely overwritten by Ubuntu.

Ubuntu install program should give the option to do either. I think the choice is 'overwrite', 'Install along side' or manually set partitions. It asks you this part way through after it has analysed your hard drive partitions.

I was very happy after following your suggestions to instal linux from another distributor overwriting my linpus...ubuntu is my distributor now...however first bad news was skype for linux was not working on it...not also the yahoo messenger...then after a day I now discovered that mp3 is not working...pluggin could not be installed...similarly mp4/wmv none is working...
so LF does not bothered about listening music?
any help please