Install OpenOffice in a Linpus emachine model m350
 

Hi!

I just got a small laptop as a gift. It is a emachines model m350 with Linpus installed. I know nothing about Linpus or Linux, but I gave it a try to install OpenOffice in it. However, when I tried to decompress the open office download, I had an error saying the file could not be read. I would appreciatte any help, as detailed as possible, on how to install open office, if possible at all

Thanks

Hi. You're probably trying to do things the hard way.
With your netbook connected to the internet, open a command line Terminal. (I can't recall exactly where it is as it's been years since I used Linpus)
type
It should list the package sizes and ask you if you want to continue. Type 'y' and press enter and the rest should happen automatically.
On the other hand, it may fail to install if it is not in the repositories or if there are dependencies that are not available.


But do be aware that Linpus is a fork of a very outdated version of Fedora. I recommend you
download and burn a copy of Ubuntu. (or any preferred distro) and install that instead. (remember to backup any files you want to keep to an external storage like a flash drive etc.)
Linpus boots very fast, but it has so much core functionality removed that it is a pain to work with.

Thanks, qlue. I tried but I got this message:

[user@localhost ~]$ sudo yum install openoffice.org
Loaded plugins: presto, refresh-packagekit
linpus-updates | 2.3 kB 00:00
Setting up Install Process
Parsing package install arguments
No package openoffice.org available.
Nothing to do
[user@localhost ~]$

I may install Ubuntu, but I need help for that as well. Any hints you can provide are welcome

César

Sadly, Linpus is a very dumbed down version of Linux. If you really are interested in running Linux on that machine (and Linux should run fine on it) I would strongly recommend to install a different version, like Mepis, Mint, PCLinuxOS or Ubuntu. Keep in mind that the last version of Ubuntu has a rather controversial interface, but of course it is up to you to try it.
Since this machine doesn't have a CD/DVD-drive I would recommend to install Linux using an USB-stick. You can easily get the install or Live-CD of your choice onto the USB using UNetbootin.

Thanks, TobiSGD. I'd like to give it a try, however, I'm concerned about the configuration for the keyboard, the camera, the microphone, the wireless connection and the ethernet port

How can I make sure they can be configured after the OS is changed?

Does your "small laptop" have a dvd/cd drive on it? It might help things if you gave some details about your laptop and its specs. This will determine if you need something really lightweight to put on it.
ciao,
jdk

unfortunately Linpus light was designed to have NOTHING new installed on it
yes some new software can be ,but not much .

Most consider it to be the #1 worst distro their is in the world .

installing ubuntu is the normal recommendation
google some linpus forums
http://www.pchelpforum.com/linux/553...pus-linux.html
http://www.aspireoneuser.com/tag/linpus/
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1693962


as to openoffice
try the very OLD openoffice 2 from 2008

also it is very unlikely you would be even able to install the current firefox 5
i think you are stuck with ff2 or maybe an early 3


now there might be a working linpus repo so open a terminal and do a search
and see what shows up

I recommend Lubuntu for a 'newbie' using a netbook. But remember that the Unity interface was originally designed for netbooks as well
http://lubuntu.net/blog/lubuntu-1104-released

You can at first try it with a live-medium, without replacing the OS. Just boot from a live-USB with, for example, Ubuntu and have a look if all the hardware works. But chances are very high that the hardware works with any Linux distribution if it works with Linpus.
If you see that your hardware works just install the Linux you want to use.

Also, if your laptop does not have a CD/DVD drive, you could likely use an external USB CD/DVD drive to boot to a Live CD and test functionality. I have booted my Dell netbook to Live CDs using one of my external drives.

Note that a Live CD will be likely be slower than the same system installed to the HDD>