[SOLVED] Noob Storm of Questions to get Linux up and running

markush · 12-21-2012, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ompixie

Wonder if anyone can share some thoughts on choosing a distro that will
-be easy to install and to use (I am no programmer)
-look simple and stupid (I don't like fancy 3d desktops)
-be secure (thats the main reason I am switching to linux)
-be fast (old pc)
-give a taste of real linux and gradually open horizons to learn more on unix for novices
-have a friendly community for support

that's Slackware, the packages are compiled for i486 and will therefore run very well on an old PC. We have a very helpful and knowledgeable community here: http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/slackware-14/

Quote:

Expected functions to perform: online shopping, gmail, youtube, facebook.
Optional1: safer surfing (without fear for viruses).

that's what I do with Slackware.

Quote:

It just dawned on me that Ubuntu looks very modern and heavy compared to my minimalistic XP configuration (classic view, no backgrounds etc).

You can adapt Slackware to your needs, with background or without. It comes with several Windowmanagers, Fluxbox, XFCE, Blackbox, FVWM and so on.

Just give it a try, it's very easy to install.

Markus

TroN-0074 · 12-21-2012, 03:36 PM

I had already mentioned to you Lubuntu. Check it out.----------> http://lubuntu.net/

By the way no need to download a whole new ISO the ubuntu you already have will be fine for installing. After you are done with the installation open up a terminal and type on it

Code:

sudo apt-get install lubuntu-desktop

hit enter, type your password and let it do its thing.
next time you boot in Linux select to loging using the Lubuntu graphical interphace.

LinuxMint will fit the bill too.

Good luck to you!

EDDY1 · 12-22-2012, 02:44 AM

I myself have been able to run debian on most machines that I have (atleast squeeze), the only problem I've had with wheezy was graphics on older machines, but most of them that affect me have been in firmware-linux-nonfree. Also my hardware requirements were not met & still ran

Ompixie · 12-22-2012, 02:08 PM

Hello guys, I am marking this thread as solved before it turns into a monster size thread

.

I don't know how to thank everyone for their input. You got me running many different distros from cds and becoming more comfortable with linux!! So far I tried Ubuntu, Bodhi and Mint 14 (Nadia, Mate). Some distros really need to change name... Slackware? Software for slackers?? .... Sorry Slackware fans...

So far:
- Ubuntu is amazing, but I couldn't play music with it and the controls of the windows on the left are confusing.
- Bodhi (desktop) has an amazing design, minimalistic and elegant. Easy controls. But so many problems! Midori was crashing all the time, I could not access the other drives from it.
- Mint 14, Nadia, Mate (so many codenames...) is the best so far! Everything works!

There is still one final challenge Mint against Ubuntu light. The winner takes my hard drive

.

Ztcoracat · 12-22-2012, 02:45 PM

Ompixie:

Glad your happy!

And it was good to have helped you!

Enjoy your distro!

Have a good holiday!

TroN-0074 · 12-22-2012, 04:46 PM

Ubuntu also plays music but the codecs are not included in the live CD. During installation it will ask you if you would like to include the codes in which you have to answer yes. It will also ask you if you want to install all the updates available at that point. And you will have to answer yes there too.

Ubuntu light comes with Audacios music manager by default and GnomePlayer for videos. Lot of people like these program, I prefer Rhytmbox and VLC which you can install in any distro.

I am glad you are finding your way around different distros, that is what Open Source Software is all about.

Good luck to you!