How can I get the best of all Linux worlds?
 

Hi,

I really am a Linux newbie but since discovering distros on computer mags I've been totally converted, although I'm still a bit reluctant about going HD until I'm sure I can do everything I can do in Windows.

I like distros which run from USB stick, but I can't find one yet that does everything I want. As a new member, I've been asked to pose a question. I'm afraid I've got quite a few.

1. I've got knoppix usb'd and running great in persistent and can write back to the stick, but can't access the internet or get sound.

2. Puppy Linux is brilliant - so much fun in so little space - but I can't get it to talk to my Conexant HSF PCI modem. If I could get online, I'd be able to add some of the great PET packages, especially Open Office, which is so cool in Knoppix and ubuntu.

3. Ubuntu is fantastic on USB. Followed a complex (for me) install routine and was delighted that it worked. I can go online using a cut-down really slow Linuxant trial modem driver. Again good sound.

The really big problem with Ubuntu is that I can't save changes back to the stick. It won't let me write to casper, usblive, my PC hard-drives or anything else. Part of the problem might be that I just don't understand all this session/login/root stuff. But when I boot it doesn't ask me to log in.

I'm only learning, but Linux has really put the fun back into computing for me. It's even better than the day I got a second-hand Amiga 1200.

If I could take the best of all the above packages and put them together so's I had Open Office, saves back to the USB stick and internet access I'd happily ditch XP and go Linux.

I see that this is a genuinely friendly forum and I look forward to some sound advice and answers to all those questions above. Sorry there's so many.

But as for Linux, I'm lovin' it! :) (apologies to Justin)

Newbie here as well but I might be able to add something to this. I have messed with all the top 12 distros for the most part. I liked FedoraCore alot and they seem to take big leeps in the development of there releases. Problem with them is they tend to install things somethings too soon and seem kind of buggy to me.

I think I might be ready to settle down on a distrobution and that would the 'ubuntu' line of distros. I like how solid they are and they seem to have the best interface for installing downloaded content from their servers. The features of this new ubuntu were released by FedoraCore on their last release but ubuntu waited and I have not come across the problems with the new ubuntu 7 (feisty) that FedoraCore gave me.

So that being said. I find it nice to wait a few extra months and let ubuntu get rid of the problems (for the most part) that FedoraCore had on their releases. I hope this is all making sense. I am typing fast because I have to get some other things done around this house. So pardon me on this.

Well again I did try other distros and they just didnt seem the bells and whistles and feel and look that I liked of the FedoraCore and ubuntu. As well as the others didnt seem to have the good documentation that FedoraCora and especially the ubuntu line has.

My biggest question now is KDE, Gnome or XFce for my desktop. Which I will put in a newbie post after this posting. I mostly have a sort of (lack of better words) ethics question about them I want to resolve first before I choose. I hope this helps you in your search for information. Feel free to send me a message or something if you need.

Cheers and best wishes

I forgot... I didnt respond on the USB part of your questions. I played with Puppy some and Knoppix as well for USB but puppy I like a lot. I just wanted more "bling" if you will on my system. I am very visual and I like the way icons and such look and total color etc etc etc.. oh.. and features.. I want it all as well so I have taken the ubuntu path. like I said just need to find out the desktop part our first....

Cheers

Kevin in Alaska

Cheers, KevinAlaska,

This really is a journey of discovery for me and it's nice to know that others are checking out so many distros to see what's best.

I've only fiddled briefly with Fedora - it seemed a bit basic to me - but I might take another look. The internet is important for me and that's where Feisty is on top so far. If only I could save over reboots it'd be the perfect answer.

Catch you soon and thanks for your advice.

Eoinrua

Oh hay... just posted my other question and remembered another point.

I have messed with both 64 bit and 32 bit versions of the linux. I like the performance of the 64 bit but I find more then a fair number of issues relating to all kinds of things from programs that you can install and drivers that don't work.

Often there are 'work arounds' to this problems on the 64 bits but they require a good walk through being given and those at best are not perfect. If a problem occurs with this then you might find yourself having to do a reinstall.

Reinstalls are of the system is okay but its not something I want to do unless I REALLY have too first. I wish to keep those down to a min.

I have had problems with installing Java, or Flash etc on 64 bit kernals of linux.

so as a newbie I think all newbies should stick with the i386 installs first. seems like the thing to do first.

But my info is flawed and my advice is limited. I am in the newbie catagory as well.

Best wishes,

Sincerely,

Kevin Alaska

Don't worry Kevin, I'm sticking to i386 for the moment until I get a bit more familiar with Linux.

Keep in touch. I'm logging out now so's I can try a modem driver in Puppy Linux. If all goes well, my next post should be from Puppy.

But even if it doesn't, I'll be back.

Best wishes,

Eoinrua

Welcome to Linux. Was there an actual question in there someplace?

You can set up a dual boot system on your hard drive that will allow you to choose between booting Linux or Windows. That's how most people start off.

As far as newbie friendly distros go, take a look at SimplyMepis.

Cheers Mason,

Yeah there was a question in there, but maybe too many. Perhaps they were a bit too distro-specific and I should go to the specific forums.

One of the things about Linux I'm really loving is that when I put it on a stick I can use it on any machine anywhere (BIOS permitting) and it's great to show other people that Windows is not the only way to get things done on a computer.

I'm pretty sure I will be going for a HD dual-boot before too long but I'd still like to keep a few different flavours on USB stick as well.

Thanks for the advice. I'll check out SimplyMepis.

Eoinrua

Boot Disk.
 

You could create a boot disk that would let you boot the USB on non-permitting systems ;). Hardware fix is googling your hardware and finding drivers. Writing to usb sticks although possible, should be limited because they have limited re-write capabilities. I haven't tried many usb distros but you can usually change the drive permissions to get it to allow you to write to the drive.

I agree with masonm in trying out the distro's in a dual boot scenerio. Would recommend trying out more than one though. I have tried out many and currently have four running. Love them all.

I don't feel that I could give you a better response other than find a distro you like from the start, and post any problems in the appropriate forum. I found that most distro's are easily tailored to the individual needs and the problems you are having may be easier to solve than you think.

Good luck and
Welcome to linux

Thanks for that Hern 28. It's just all so new to me at the moment. But I'm sure I'll eventually get to grips with it.

It's so brilliant being able to try out a new OS any time I want without annoying Windows.

All the best.

Anytime :)
 

Its when you get into the more advanced features even as a home user linux becomes incredible. After trying out many different versions of linux, I couldn't find one exectly like what i wanted, now i have 4 or 5 versions on hard drives, and 2 or 3 more on usb sticks, and everyone looks exactly alike now that I have found how I like it setup. Simple questions like do I like Genome, KDE, XFCE and etc.... I consider simply a matter or preference as well as distro. So far I have been able to mod all into my favorite distro ;).