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Old 04-22-2009, 07:52 PM   #1
DPrinny
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Registered: Apr 2009
Posts: 2

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Question Info for somebody thats about to convert.


Ello ther
Im a noob to Linux
Im so new at it I dont have it installed yet

Im thinking of converting to Linux (after 4+ year of XP on this computer Microsoft have started to say that its not a legit copy) and I have a few questions.(I have googled around for answers)

Keep in mind that I am poor so I need a free version

First up.
Witch version can run the following programs?
Gimp, A decent media player (currently between VLC,GOM and media player classic), Various emulators (saves me getting them out), MSN, Roxio media creator, Super video converter(or any free ones), utorrent, EUO (a online game), there are more but I use these mostly.
I know anti virus things arnt needed (I used avast)

Can I install one to another harddrive (maybe external).
I dont really want to put it on the main harddrive in case a few things dot work as well (my isp is good but awkward as its a USB modem and the people on the helpline arnt to helpful)
I know theres one (think it was unbutut or something)that runs off the disc but I tryed to install it to a disc on my old laptop and it went tits up messing up my laptop so now its a very big paper weight)

Will it run the hardware I have (a medion graphics tablet and I plug my Sony Ericsson into it as well to port my music to it)

Will my motherboard drivers work with it?

Will I need a firewall program?

So basically im after a version that is most like Windows only less buggy and less reialyant on antivirus.

Thanks for any answers
 
Old 04-22-2009, 08:29 PM   #2
rabbit2345
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Registered: Apr 2007
Location: SC
Distribution: Kubuntu 20.04 LTS
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Try this out:
http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/
It's a distro chooser test.

It sounds like you could use either openSUSE or Ubuntu. Those are the best that match your description.
GIMP - cross platform
A decent media player - MPlayer, or VLC (also cross platform)
MSN - Pidgin supports MSN protocol
Roxio media creator - Either use under Wine (http://www.winehq.org/) or use somethign like k3b
utorrent - cross platform
EUO (a online game) - If it's online, you're good


1. Will it run the hardware I have (a medion graphics tablet and I plug my Sony Ericsson into it as well to port my music to it)

It will either work out-of-the-box, or you may have to do a little searching, but it's actually very easy to find drivers.


2. Will my motherboard drivers work with it?

Linux has good driver support majority of the time. It should work straightup.


3. Will I need a firewall program?

You don't really really need one, but have just in case. Don't spend too much time looking for one.

BTW, Linux is tons better than windows, do make the switch. Also encourage your friends to do the same.


As for the laptop, It doesn't sound messed up, just in need of an OS, try to install something else in there.

rabbit2345

Last edited by rabbit2345; 04-22-2009 at 08:36 PM.
 
Old 04-22-2009, 08:38 PM   #3
Absent Minded
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Registered: Nov 2007
Location: Washington State U.S.A.
Distribution: Debian testing
Posts: 74

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Quote:
Originally Posted by DPrinny View Post
Ello ther
Im a noob to Linux
Im so new at it I dont have it installed yet

Im thinking of converting to Linux (after 4+ year of XP on this computer Microsoft have started to say that its not a legit copy) and I have a few questions.(I have googled around for answers)

Keep in mind that I am poor so I need a free version

First up.
Witch version can run the following programs?
Gimp, A decent media player (currently between VLC,GOM and media player classic), Various emulators (saves me getting them out), MSN, Roxio media creator, Super video converter(or any free ones), utorrent, EUO (a online game), there are more but I use these mostly.
I know anti virus things arnt needed (I used avast)

Can I install one to another harddrive (maybe external).
I dont really want to put it on the main harddrive in case a few things dot work as well (my isp is good but awkward as its a USB modem and the people on the helpline arnt to helpful)
I know theres one (think it was unbutut or something)that runs off the disc but I tryed to install it to a disc on my old laptop and it went tits up messing up my laptop so now its a very big paper weight)

Will it run the hardware I have (a medion graphics tablet and I plug my Sony Ericsson into it as well to port my music to it)

Will my motherboard drivers work with it?

Will I need a firewall program?

So basically im after a version that is most like Windows only less buggy and less reialyant on antivirus.

Thanks for any answers
It would be my recomendation that you give PCLinux ot Knoptics a try. Both are good for beginners. However if you just want to jump in and learn allot then maybe you could look at Debian. It is my prefered Linux Distro thesedays. The learning curve is a little steep though.
 
Old 04-23-2009, 03:42 AM   #4
DPrinny
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Registered: Apr 2009
Posts: 2

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 0
Quote:
Originally Posted by rabbit2345 View Post
EUO (a online game) - If it's online, you're good
Its online but it dosnt run threw the browser
Think World of War craft but less nerdy and more retro
Quote:
BTW, Linux is tons better than windows, do make the switch. Also encourage your friends to do the same.
Usually im the tech guy in the family but even my knowledge isnt that vast
Quote:

As for the laptop, It doesn't sound messed up, just in need of an OS, try to install something else in there.

rabbit2345
Nar its not reading from the dvd drive or even the hard drive


Quote:
It would be my recomendation that you give PCLinux ot Knoptics a try. Both are good for beginners. However if you just want to jump in and learn allot then maybe you could look at Debian. It is my prefered Linux Distro thesedays. The learning curve is a little steep though.
I have a bizzare mind
Once im interested I will learn
But im thinking for other people that I know as well.
They where brought up on Windows
As indeed was I.
 
  


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