I want to change from Linpus to either Mint or Ubuntu.
 

My Linpus has proven to be hopeless so I want to change to either Mint or Ubuntu. I have no idea how to procede so I am in need of instructions to take me all the way through it with exacting detail. My computer is an Acer Aspire One.

The first thing to do, it seems, is to decide between Mint and Ubuntu. But if there are other initial matters to discuss please bring them up for me.

Thanks. I really appreciate it.

Since no one is answering... I'd definitely go with Mint. I'm really really not a fan of Ubuntu at the moment.

Maybe you could start by telling us what you want to use your machine for ? Then we will be able to guide you :)
Are you new or experienced with Linux ?

Ubuntu and Linux Mint are two of the most popular Linux distributions and as such, there are numerous tutorials on how to install either. Some of these even have images for each step. When you decide which, just google it. Is Ubuntu/Mint going to be the only operating system?
As mentioned above, what you are going to be using it for might help. If nothing special, either should do if your Acer is fairly new.

Below is a link to a youtube video on installing Mint 11. I'm sure you can find similar for Ubuntu:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMx6wLmZ7lw

ya ...go for the mint ..its pretty and pretty stable too..I am still with mint 9{LTS}.......
go for it..

I am inexperienced with Linux in the sense that I don't know anything about its structure or how it does what it does. Actually that goes for any operating system. I never studied them. Since there isn't any documentation for Linpus and that's the only distro I have, I haven't had a reference guide to it and have flailed around in response to the various advice and step-throughs I have gotten here at LQ. I have been using my Acer for its spreadsheets, writer, notes, and Firefox. I created a spreadsheet to organize my finances and I use it anytime my money changes hands. I use writer a lot too. But I use the internet a great deal as I am an artist and need to market my work on it. I use email--Yahoo--a lot, Facebook and Twitter too, and LinkedIn. I have a website for my art, but since I can't install Flash Player 10, given my OS problems, I haven't even started to create the site. I am holding off on that until I get a decent OS working and am able to install software.

I don't know about having more than one operating system. I've never had more than one. How much memory do two take up? I only have 8 GB total.

I don't have a cd player on my computer. I have a flash drive with 3.2 GB free.

With only 8gb to work with, you should definitely replace Linpus completely so that Mint (or Ubuntu) is the only operating system.

Is any old flash drive able to be a "bootable usb installer"?

Yes, you can use a spare flash drive to install Linux if you don't have a CD drive.

Make sure your flash drive is big enough (1gb is enough for a CD release, bigger if its a DVD release) and that you choose a distribution or "flavor" that will fit on your 8gb hard drive.

When I read a series of instructions on how to install Mint, I see terms that obviously have a technical context, and since I am unfamiliar with all the entities in the context, and their interrelations, the net effect of reading through such a set of instructions is that I overtax my attention and start to read everything as a blur of meaningless technical matter. There are so many details involved that it will be impossible for me to figure them all out to the point that I can, within what attention I have at my command, correctly act out the instructions from beginning to end.

How much do you think it would cost me to have this job done in a shop of some kind?

I would like to do the job myself, especially since if I succeeded I would end up being more able to use the OS fully, but I keep in the back of my mind the very real possibility that my patience may run out so many times that no amount of taking breaks to refresh myself will do the trick, and then at some point I will just have to give up. In fact I'm sort of at such a juncture right now.

Maybe if I really get involved with it as a full-time project until it gets done, and make some notes dividing the work into large and small units, then working on understanding each unit completely as a rehearsal before getting started.

Anyway, that's the best plan as far as I can make out.

What do you all think?

I would encourage you to read and understand the instructions, and attempt the install yourself. :) In my opinion, Linux is a challenging, fun, and rewarding hobby. I enjoy trying to understand each step and challenge along the way.

I'm not sure which set of instructions you're trying to follow. The Linux Mint User Guide is a good place to start: http://www.linuxmint.com/documentation.php It is detailed, easy to follow, and full of screenshots to help you follow along.

Ubuntu also has easy-to-follow instructions: http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/download

before doing any installation make sure you have backed up your all important data..then go for installing Linux mint ..Its not that technical to install unless you go for manual setup..
i would recommend to remove fully the linpus OS...{choose erase disk and install linux mint--it will delete all ur hard disk content}
I don't know why acer is going for Linpus..{at least they should have ubuntu by default} ..
Linux mint installer is pretty easy ..Just go through this document's installer ..here is the link

I take it the OS deletion is done at the point where the new OS is being loaded into the hard drive. Otherwise you would have no OS and be unable to operate. Right?

I'm going through the user's guide carefully now.

no its not necessary ..
2 or more OS can reside into your hard drive simultaneously ..
But you can use one of them at a time unless you are running other OS virtually..
If you don't have CD/DVD drive then you can install it on flash drive....