New, need advice on a few things, and newbie usability of Fedora versus Ubuntu
 

First of all, I am completely new to this. Microsoft caught on that I didn't have a legal copy of XP, so I decided to go right back against them, bite the bullet, and learn to use Linux.

Right now I have Fedora Core 4. I find that it is a little different from XP, and things are not how I expected. But I am also finding that help topics that are already on my computer aren't that helpful, so I decided to join this forum.

First of all, I want Java on my computer to play a Java based game that has stolen my soul. In other words, it's important that I get it ASAP XD. When I download it, it's fine. But when I open it, it tries to open it for editing, but before doing so, it notifies me and says that it does not recognize the code. So, ugh. Second of all, I burned all of my music and documents and pictures onto CDs before installing Fedora and ridding my computer of XP. I got the pictures, video, and documents all on here safely, but I don't know how to get the music on here. They are all either .wav or .mp3 files, and whenever I try to drag and drop into a file I made on the desktop for them (I called it My Music [remember I am a n00b and I try to make it as comfortable as possible because I am not familiar with it yet]) and it won't copy, it keeps wanting me to retry putting a file in there, which doesn't work. Please help.

Finally, I am downloading Ubuntu as we speak, and I am wondering if I should install it or not, and get rid of my Fedora. Which is better for a n00b, and which will make me feel closer to home? I mean, I like the terminal idea and all, I just don't know many of the commands and I'd like to be able to customize my computer a little more, and I'd also just like to feel more comfortable. And a little fix on my online game that I play would surely help.

Also, if you think that I should use Ubuntu, should I just wait to install the stuff that I need or what? Because this Fedora stuff either isn't that great or I don't know how to use it. Or maybe a combination of the both.


Many thanks,


Nomgis0

Also, if I am to use Ubuntu, how would I go about burning it to a disk?

Overall, I like the way Linux works and feels, I just need to learn how to get rid of the few kinks that I'm having.

this guide may be of some help to you in setting up fedora:

http://stanton-finley.net/fedora_cor...s.html#Firefox

The only way to know if something is easier to use then another distribution is to try it. Put on Ubuntu give it a whirl see what you think. The ubuntu wiki has some great articles on setting thing sup like mp3 support etc.

I personally would go with Ubuntu over fedora just because of the debian base behind it. But you need to decide your self by trying it out wether its better or not.

As for running java games, in linux you cannot simply clikc on the file as like you said it will open it for editing. To run the java file open up a terminal and change into the directory th game is held in:

cd /path/to/where/the/file/is

then type:

java -jar packagename.jar

put replacing packagename.jar with what ever the name of the game is e.g. gamefoo.jar then it should run for you.

Top burn the iso image of ubuntu to disk you should be able to clikc on it and if fedora has the file tyopes setup right then the cd buring software should load and and give optiosn for burning the iso file to disk. If it doesnt open up the cd buring software in fedora it will more then likely be either k3b or gnomebaker, then choose burn disk image or burn iso image then just choose the iso file you downloaded for ubuntu.

I'm not sure I'm understanding about the Java game. I play RuneScape, and it's based in your browser. I was thinking that I would just install Java, just as I did Macromedia Flash, and that it would recognize it. Because now I get advertisements and whatnot, so I figured that Java applets would run once I got the whole installing it thing down; the only thing is, I don't know how to install it. I am not familiar with the terminal; I know what it is and what it does, but the code that you gave me makes no sense and I don't know what you mean by just typing in the name of the game; I didn't know it would be as complicated as that.

As for burning Ubuntu, I have that going now, I figured it out right before you posted. It asked if I was okay with it just being a CD code, and was I okay with that. I clicked yes; I hope that's the right choice; I don't want the install to be complicated.

The good thing will be that I have install CDs for both, so I could switch back to Fedora if I don't like it. I will definitely take your advice, as long as I can comprehend it.

Many thanks,


Nomgis0

Okay, everything you told me about burning is going well. As for the Java, the game is not a download; it is only browser based, therefore putting the filename there will not work.

the link above i provded has a section on setting up java in fedora

oops sorry the lnk i provided for fedora is for fedora core 5 , this is the one you want for fedora core 4

http://stanton-finley.net/fedora_cor...ion_notes.html

it hasd a section on setting up java

I'm trying to install Ubuntu; (sorry for switching of subjects, I'm checking out the Fedora site now); but it will not let me. I have it in the CD drive, but it doesn't start setup. Is there some way to let the computer recognize it? I went into start up options that's actually hard-wired to the Dell, and tried to start up from the CD, but it wouldn't let me. HELP, I'm such a nubbie.

have you just burnt the iso to cd or have you actaully used the burn image option, when your in windows or fedora and you look at the cd does it contain a number of folders and files or just one file?

If it is just one file then you have not burnt it correctly.

Did you install fedora core 4 from cd if so then your settings should be allowing you to boot up from cd.

I don't know. It wouldn't work, so I'm assuming I did it wrong. How would I go about burning an ISO image properly? I have a 52x memorex CD-R/RW burner, it's external and slow.

And a friend gave me the Fedora Core CD; I have no problem installing that. I just don't know how to deal with this Ubuntu stuff.

Seriously, dude, I have never been this overwhelmed in my life. I do not have the money to pay for a new Windows XP, and my patience is at zero with this Linux stuff. I'm really just in a pickle here, and I just want to get this stuff solved; I am really beginning to not like Linux; I hate having to pester just for every little problem I have; I am tired of not being able to just go do things like I could on XP. I am just feeling so frustrated right now, and any help is greatly appreciated.

Do you think I'll ever get used to Linux? I mean, is it worth all this fuss or should I just save and get a legal XP?

And the things with the less code, the better. But if I have to use code, go ahead, just make it simple for a dummy to understand.

One thing that you might consider is paying for one of the linux distros. These are usually a bit less expensive than windows, but come with some software that can't be distributed with a free distro. It's possible to get this stuff working with the free distros, but takes more work. I haven't used any of these, but three off the top of my head are Xandros, Linspire and the pay version of Suse.

If you still want to burn the ubuntu iso, there should be some kind of setting in the cd burning software. Don't know what fedora uses, but I doubt it's graveman, which is all I can give instructions for. When you burn it you may want to burn at a slower speed, supposedly burning too fast can cause errors. I've never had a problem, but I tend to burn at 4x just to be safe.

Now for some general advice. First off, keep in mind linux is not windows, so it has it's own way of doing things. It takes a little time to get used to, but after about a year of mainly working with linux on my home computer, I'm starting to find myself being frustrated with the windows way on my work computer. Just be patient and don't let yourself get too frustrated while you're trying to make the transition.

We're happy to help with any questions you have, but it's best to try to figure things out on your own first. The search function of the forums is really useful. Also most distros run their own forums, ubuntu's is really good, the biggest problem in my opinion is that it tends to be a little too active.

A good way to start is too look through some online tutorials. A couple of good ones I've found are Getting Started with Linux and Linux Knowledge Base and Tutorial. There's also a lot of good info at The linux documentation project.

Thanks. I have some thinking to do.