Well, when it comes to wireless, remember, what you want is to know your wireless chipset, then its all about googling, though usually you just need the kernel module and then firmware.

I'm getting the impression that a lot of the driver stuff is related to the Synaptic Package Manager.

If synaptic has the driver you need then this is probably the best and easiest way to add drivers as everything will be done for you automatically.

If it's not then it can take more work. thats where your first turn is to google.

If the drivers are in there, then sure; though its usually firmware in the repositories and drivers in the kernel.

What's the definition of 'firmware" in this sense?

I suppose in this case, firmware is a bit of a misnomer; it does exactly what firmware does, but it sits on the hard drive as opposed to a flash chip.

Devices generally need this firmware built and a kernel module to allow software to talk to hardware.

I was mostly kidding about the rute... that's way more than you need to be worrying about, but the ubuntu guide is definitely worth the read for a newby to linux...

Reading is really your friend though if you have any goals of conquering your ignorance... I know I used to be the same way, but there is a vast world of knowledge out there for the taking, and if you ever hope to be independent and not have to go on forums begging for answers (where you're still actually reading).... You need to get used to reading, and finding out the answers to those questions yourself...

I'd bet money that most of the questions you're wondering about could be found with a simple google... probably verbatim...

eventually if you ever have any desire to truly understand and master the linux OS then you MUST get used to reading...

There's no doubting the value of actual experience but you can't just wonder around blindly and hope to understand what you're doing either...
As a scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, painter, sculptor, architect, botanist, musician, writer once said...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leonardo da Vinci He who loves practice without theory is like the sailor who boards ship without a rudder and compass and never knows where he may cast.

I just made another small miestone...I succesfully installed the ATI drivers and was able to active 'Enhanced/Extra Visual Effects'

I'm all smiles.

I'll try to get that supercool XGL - Compiz graphical thingee installed, then I'll feel really good.

If I can get the wireless up by the end of the week I'll feel like I've accomplished something. Since I have the 25-foot ethernet cord I'm not in a superrush for that.

I'll be sure to keep you good folks posted.

Wireless cards are a big issues for noobs

Here is a list of compatible cards
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Wi...CardsSupported

Regarding some good reading,read the rute book. The link is in my signature. It will give you lots of information in a understandable format.

There is also the linux documentation project. That has more lots and lots of reading.
http://tldp.org/

I did the research, the reading, looked up my chipset and manufacturer, downloaded the necessary files, installed it...still no go.

I think I'm gonna install Windows.

No, its not what you're thinking. I had Vista, but I'm gonna downsize to XP AND Ubuntu, so I'm gonna end up with both. Its not about the card either, its about my damn Zune. Can't be without my podcasts, its been days, due to the long weekend and from my research it looks like there's always some issue with using Zune and Ubuntu. Looks like there's quite a few folks who keep a copy of Windows just for things like Zune and/or something else. I'm gonna join 'em.

So that's what I'll do tonight, wipe this drive (format) install Windows XP and then install Ubuntu 9.04 again.

Is there a way to keep all my stuff stored so I can just bring it back up easily or would I have to go through everything again. I'm actually not to opposed to going through everything again. I'm really gonna use Ubuntu as a learning experience....get into it.

PS - Anybody know if one can use one's Vista product code for XP?

Dual boot huh....
That will work.

My wife's XPS had a backup partition when we bought the computer. You could restore xp to its original manufacture settings just as if you just opened the box.

You can do the same with linux. Set up a partition with backup copies of necessary files. I did the same thing but used a usb drive. I wrote a script to reinstall everything from the drive.
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...t.-yea-708437/

You will need a minimum of four partitions to setup dual boot and a backup partition.
1 Ntfs partition (Windows)
1 ext3 partition (Ubuntu)
1 swap partition (swap)
1 fat32 partition (Backup and accessible to windows)

You probably will not be able to use the vista product code for xp.

Any ways, there is almost everything found in windows can be found in linux. However there some compatibility issues with different ipod generations. See this link for different ipods compatible with linux.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPodLinux#Compatibility

So, like I posted in another thread, I ended up reinstalling Windows, Vista first then upgraded to 7, and then reinstalling Ubuntu 9.04 as a dual-boot. I had gotten some tuturials on how to successfully dual-boot with Windows installed first, but they are a bit outdated, as they all stated to install on the disk-partition that you set up for an Ubuntu install. Turns out didn't have to do that as the latest Ubuntu has an install option to install "side-by-side." I figured if thats an option available now its probably the best option, despite all the online literature saying otherwise.

Seems to be working fine, looks like Ubuntu's "in charge" of the dual-boot screen though, as its the same font and look as Ubuntu's OS vs. the same font and look as a PC's system. Interesting.

I haven't bothered to buss my head on the wireless, as I have the ethernet card, and all though I installed all the drivers, so I thought, nothing happened. I was glad to get the ATI graphics driver up to snuff. I have to do it all over again, which is cool, cause I consider it learning.

What are some key things to set up initially, and if necessary, in what order?

For instance, graphics, wireless...what else is essential? Oh...the sound. Last time I installed Ubuntu, the first time, the sound was very low. I read somewhere to turn down the volume when installing, and I did, and it still seems to be low. Perhaps I did it too late?

So these are the three things I find essential to "fix" on my Ubuntu installation...the ATI Graphics, which I already done, but have to do it again.

The sound, if possible, have it loud as on Windows.

And, of course, the wireless.

Still open to suggestions or links in the right direction.

BTW...Windows 7 is kinda awesome.

One more question...are virus scanners and such necessary using Linux/Ubuntu? If so, what is recommended?

Phew, long winded eh?

No need for anti-virus, because linux isn't as widely used, and POSIX security stuff, viruses aren't an issue- you may get the few that enter the wild, but really they're never as big an issue as anywhere else.

Notable viruses include Bliss (http://math-www.uni-paderborn.de/~axel/bliss/) with it's frankly awesome argument " --bliss-uninfect-files-please"

Wireless; if you want that sorted, there are plenty of people with the experience to help if you post for it

I'm not sure if you've read over this, give it a shot if not.

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Jaunty

Did you ever say which chipset the wireless nic is using?