should I buy a version of linux?
 

Hi folks

I'm running Hardy Heron. I've had no end of probs; audio & video out of sync, restricted software. I'm thinking of buying a version of linux with everything built in; restricted software etc.

Can anyone advise me on this. I've heard certain versions of fedora are good.

Thanks folks

Hi.
I have Ubuntu 8.04 on an EeePC, and the restricted codecs (mp3 etc.) all installed automagically through synaptic when I tried to play some songs or a film. The audio and video being out of sync might be down to you not having the correct video drivers installed. Fedora is good, I'm sure, but it's still free. There's no need to buy it. I'd suggest you try to fix your problems in Ubuntu first, before shelling out on buying something which is available for free. What specific problems are you experiencing with the restricted software?

Could you be a little bit more specific, like what media player did you use, what is this restricted software you're taking about ?

Typically when you buy say RHEL you're buying support, not extra programs or more built-in things.

why would you buy any linux distro, you pay for the support but you can get that for free here in linuxquestions...

Download the latest ubuntu distro, and add packages as you need them with aptitude, preloaded packages that you dont need in your linux box become a security issue...

Er,he's already using the latest stable,8.04.

OP:
Please respond with details as posted by TeXMeX

Cheers for the responses folks. My computer just ain't working. I can't get flash properly installed. I can't stream videos and internet T.V. It's out of sync. I have just about every decent media player out there: VLC, SM player, G-streamer, Totem, Helix, I can play avi's, but actuall DVDs and .VOB is a real problem. The computer keeps freezing and I have to turn it off at the main power button.

To be honest people I could just cry. As you can see from my specs below, it's a bloody good computer, yet it's running like some crap Woolworths thing or something.

I really don't have a clue about computers. I thought my friend who can certainly talk the linux talk would have been more help. I have tried my best. I've learnt how to use the terminal. It's not like I've given up at the first hurdle. But it's disheartening when you do make an effort, sometimes spending hours upon hours, to no avail.

A point in the right direction would be ideal. Someone mentioned about drivers. How do I check this, where can I go? How do I get flash etc.

Thanks

Lara x

I often see suggestions to look at the top 10 on distrowatch. You will probably not go wrong here, but keep in mind that although they are all good distros, they are not the same. Some will be more appropriate to you, and others to me.

I said that because I didn't want to come across as a fanboy for writing the rest of this post.

I just installed Mandriva One 2009. With one small exception, everything worked perfectly the first time. I was able to watch video from one of my favorite sites, which is something I always had to tweak in older distros. I don't use wireless, so I can't vouch for its out-of-box functionality.

The only issue I had was that after I set up my fstab to mount some nfs filesystems, it tried to mount them before the network was fully started. I started a thread in the distributions-mandriva subforum that contains various solutions, including the one that worked for me.

no need to buy one.just visit the website http://distrowatch.com/, download one suitable to you.i would prefer to install mandriva 2008.more stable and almost all the media files can be played.