Yet another newbie....

McKannick · 09-17-2015, 02:44 PM

Yep, another newbie (or retread, if you will). I've explored the Linux system off and on for a looong time as I've burned out on windows (since 3.1), even tried Mac on a notebook and iMac desktop. But, like any other junkie, keep coming back to the bad stuff. So, here I am again after the 'free' upgrade to windows 10, which is the worst ever for those who like privacy. There is virtually no area of your 'computer life' this thing doesn't have a tendril into. Hope I can blunder along well enough with 'Mint' to relegate windows to the back shelf it deserves. The reason I've left Linux time and again is that I'm useless at the command line, don't write code and every version I've tried (since the penguin logo showed up)is still too much for me to deal with in getting the little quirks worked out.

ardvark71 · 09-17-2015, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McKannick

The reason I've left Linux time and again is that I'm useless at the command line, don't write code and every version I've tried (since the penguin logo showed up)is still too much for me to deal with in getting the little quirks worked out.

Hi...

Welcome to the forum

I don't think you're alone with that. I know at first I found the CLI unbearable and I'm sure many others feel, or have felt, the same way. This is where "copying and pasting" is a great little tool.

If you practice with it for a while, it may get easier for you. I know it did for me. Please feel free to ask if you have any questions or need help.

Regards...

McKannick · 09-18-2015, 10:16 AM

Thanks, Ardvark, but it's 'rough' already. After several hours of futile effort to get to the BIOS of windows 10 (can't touch that anymore) in an attempt to have Mint boot up on a USB outboard hard drive of it's own, I gave up and did the virtual box thing. So, it's running, loaded Mint in from it's DVD I made. Now, let's do something simple, like add Thunderbird mail. Download the 'lenox' version of that. Now what? It sits there and looks at me, as it doesn't 'self install' as a windows item would. This is like time travel back to windows 3.1 @ first computer for the learning curve. Don't know how to open / install / run it! D'oh! 'TAR' file? grub file? Nail file?? (not really, but makes as much sense...)

ardvark71 · 09-18-2015, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McKannick

Now, let's do something simple, like add Thunderbird mail. Download the 'lenox' version of that. Now what? It sits there and looks at me, as it doesn't 'self install' as a windows item would. This is like time travel back to windows 3.1 @ first computer for the learning curve. Don't know how to open / install / run it! D'oh! 'TAR' file? grub file? Nail file?? (not really, but makes as much sense...)

Hi...

Check in the menu, Thunderbird should already be installed and ready to use. If not, go to Mint's software center. You should be able to install it (by GUI) there.

Regards...