Newbie, what is a good os to start on. I use windows, but want to start linux.
 

I've installed Ubuntu once or twice, but kept running into problems like, I couldn't get my microsft vx5500 webcam to work, little things like that.
My question is, what is the groups opinion of what operating system to start using and should I keep it as a dual boot with windows?
Thanks for your help in advance.
Jfytd

Well tell us what kind of things you do on windows. Ubuntu is a good distro to start with as a Desktop.

http://howtoforge.net/the-perfect-de....04-lucid-lynx

This link will show you how to setup ubuntu 10.04-lucid-lynx to have most of your windows replacements in programs.

I would suggest Linux Mint: it has NDISWrapper prepackaged and also includes plenty of wireless adapter drivers that go along with NDISWrapper already installed. If your Internet works, you can easily get other devices to work.

And by the way: Did the M$ webcam come built into your computer or is it external and USB? If it's the latter, look in the HCL for alternatives. Micro$oft DOES NOT LIKE LINUX!!! As such, M$ would HATE to support Linux on their devices.

Google "distro chooser" and it'll lead you to several little quizzes you can take to help you choose a good distro for what you want to use your 'puter for and whether it might support your hardware.

When you've narrowed your choices down a little, visit distrowatch.com and visit each distro's web site. At each one look for a hardware compatibility page and see if your machine and peripherals are listed. Most distros keep their hardware compatibility pages current.

[rant] The problem is that some of the big popular ones are better fitted to newer hardware than older hand-me-down machines like mine. It's too bad too, because a big part of the reason that folks start looking for an alternative OS is because their hardware is aging and won't run the newer versions of Winblows. When they find the exact same thing in the big popular Linux distros it can be a little disheartening. Luckily there are hundreds of Linux distros to choose from, and it's easy to find one for "legacy" hardware - but I think the big popular distro developers are shooting themselves in the foot somewhat by making their Linux mixtures too resource-hungry for folks who are abandoning Windows 2K, ME, XP, and Vista. [/rant]

Anywayz: If your hardware is listed, try the ones on your narrowed-down list by running the LiveCD without installing it. Stuff runs slower from a LiveCD than it does when it's installed, but it gives you a chance to "test drive" a distro before installing it. If it works on the LiveCD, chances are very good that it'll run installed to the hard drive.

Hope this helps,
Robin

I would suggest Ultimate Edition based on Ubuntu Lucid Lynx. I am using it right now. The best Ubuntu, I have seen.

http://forumubuntusoftware.info/view...hp?f=69&t=4761

Yup! I had the same problem with my V-gear webcam... I bought a cheapo £6.00 budget job from Asda/Walmart which was picked up by Ubuntu first time and works a treat! :)

Play Bonny! :hattip:

ubuntu is the best to start of with as a desktop OS.
I started the same a few months back, and faced some of the problems lik usb sound output and all, but trust me, there is always a way out. so my vote goes to ubuntu 9.10. well u can use 10.04 also as it is out.
and it works quite ok in dual boot with xp. m running the same.
but still when u got to format any of your oses be careful to do so. rather i advice install the both oses in different hard drives, if possible.

Want to say thanks bunches to the group and I guess I have to do a little searching and I know I will find the right os.
Thanks again.
Jfytd

I gave away two Logitech webcams (one to my wastrel son, one to my girlfriend) because they just wouldn't work with Linux.

The Linux Compatibility Database is pretty overwhelming, but it's still your friend.

Thanks for all your help. Basically I just surf, download, and I'm trying to learn to prgram and write HTML. Nothing special. I downloaded the Mint in an ISO form, now I need to know what to do from here.

thats good linux mint is perfect distro to start from,just burn the image to cd of dvd, and boot from live cd. mint will start loading itself,and when its done it presets u and real fully functional desktop(cause its a live cd), on desktop click on install.sh to install mint. it should work smoothly and easily only problem u may face is partitioning the disk (i guess step 4 or 5)
choose manual partition
if ur on windows then probably u have c:\ d:\ etc. but linux

1.detect these partitions as sda1 sda2 and so on
2.delete the last partition (back up ur data on last partion of windows prior to boot from cd cause this partition is going to reformatted).
3.now select free space and add NEW PARTIION as swap space(theoretically double of RAM).but if u have 1GB ram then 1gb would be enough.
4.from remaining free space add NEW PARTTION as /
5. proceed to installation by giving root passwd user name etc.

lastly system will automatically install grub boot loader and ask u to reboot the machine.

after restarting the machine u can choose ur existing window installation or new linux mint.


Have fun with ur new linux distro. if any trouble in partitioning ask with more specific detail like how many partion u have like c:\ d:\ etc.
on other thoughts try puppy linux cause u dont have to go through all these partitioning issues it will install itself as regular files in ur current fat partitions. and u need not to bother about moving data from partitions. its also a handy distro.

gripip

sms language is not permitted on this forum:
e.g.
u : you
ur : your

@jfytd

I'm glad you chose Mint, I think it's a better choice for newbies that Ubuntu.

Anyway, be sure to burn the ISO file as an IMAGE, NOT a data disc. If you burned it and see the ISO file in the CD when you're done, you did it wrong.