Totally lost about everything Linux, trying to switch from windows
 

I don't even know were to start. A little history with me. I know windows pretty well (not and expert) and have figured out just about every problem I have had with windows by my self and the internet. My problem know is I HATE windows and I have been playing a little with Linspire 5.0 for the last year, but I am getting frustrated to know end. I don't understand anything about it and I can barely get around in it. I have tried to find some info online about getting started but even the Beginner sites I have found are over my head. I need to know a website that is good for dummy's. The thing that I have been working on for the last several hours is how to install Java. I have been to Javas website and tried to follow there instructions and I found some info on, I think it was Linspires website on how to install it but it does not work. They both start out the same and say at the Terminal. I am not sure exactly what that is. I did find a program that is labeled Terminal Program (Konsole). They say to type in su. I type it in and nothing happens, it just comes to a new line. Then they say to type in the root password. I don't know what that would be I tried to use my log in password but it comes back saying user not identified. I then it says to run a command (cd/usr/java) nothing happens just comes back saying that the file or directory does not exist. I can not find any help on what to do or what my problem is. I am wanting to get this figured out so I can eventually by Linspire 6. This is just the begging of a long line of trying to switch off XP.

PS I am also new to the forum thing. Sorry if something is not right. I am still learning that too.

Thank you for your time.

If your going to give Linux a serious try, then I would suggest one of the flavours of Ubuntu as a starting point. They have a very large user base, who are very active on this forum.

On my own machines, I use Suse 11.0, but have Xubuntu 8.04 as a second Linux, and either Windows 2K or XP for the couple of thing I absolutely have to do in Windows. Ubuntu comes in several flavours, the main one uses the Gnome desktop (GUI) which is very mature and has lots of goodies. Kubuntu uses the KDE desktop which is also very mature, but is more like Windows, and is more easily customised. Xubuntu is Ubuntu with the Xfce desktop which is a simpler version of Gnome and works really well on older hardware (slower processors & low ram), and I have it on a number of old P3 machines which I have recycled for beginners to use.

What I suggest you do is download a selection of Live CD's from Suse, Fedora, & Ubuntu (and any others you fancy) and try them out. Then read through some of the stuff in the dedicated distribution sections on LQ.

But first you should try and forget everything you know about computers based on how Microsoft works! ;)

Welcome to LQ.

First thing to do is to get rid of Linspire. I'm not sure how you could stand it for a whole year, you must really hate Window$ to be able to stand Linspire for more than a few days. It's a worthless distro, get rid of it ASAP. Try Ubuntu or Fedora Core or Opensuse or almost any other distro (except Freespire). Linspire is broken by default, you'll have to get very lucky for even basic things to work properly on it.

You can try the distro test in my sig it may help you choose.

I suggest you to install and try several distributions, some names are: ubuntu, suse, fedora or mandriva, just to name a few mainstream distributions.

Check them and see what fits you better. Note that, when choosing a distro you shouldn't focus on shiny things as a primary factor (like most people do). You should be also looking for the distro resources to assist you as a newcomer. You should look at the forums, documentation, tutorials, mailing lists and degree of accessibility of these resources. If you can't use it, it doesn't matter how beautiful it is. And you can always customize your distro to look like linspire if that is what suits you.

In linux, administrative tasks require administrative privileges (the way it should be for every os, if you ask me). You need to login as root to do the serious things. The root password was entered by whomever installed linspire at installation time probably. If you can't remember it there are several ways to reset it, but you can just reinstall if you don't want to bother. This time, remember to remember the root password.

If linspire came preinstalled or something, then maybe the root password is in whatever manual they gave you or something...

Welcome, and don't hesitate to ask as much as you need. :)

Visit http://www.goinglinux.com, it is an audio podcast of using linux in a desktop environment. They also include show notes to read online as well. Start with episode one.

Welcome to LQ

Thanks
 

Thank you for the fast responses. I am very suprised (who needs tech support). I was using Linspire because that is what a guy a work was raving about and was saying that would be the easiest and is the most integrated with drives and such. I am went through the help guide that was recommended and found that SUSE would be the best I am downloading it now and I am going to try it. I can not wait to try it out. This is just making me more exited to get going with linux. I am going to start spending more time on here to learn this better. Thanks for everything so far. I am sure that there are going to be lots more posting trying to reprogram my brain.

If you've gone for the openSUSE DVD iso, if memory serves, when you install openSUSE, it'll ask you to choose between Gnome, KDE 3.5 and KDE 4 as you default desktop. I'd suggest you choose Gnome or KDE 3.5 (not KDE 4) as your desktop; KDE 4 isn't quite ready for full time use, in my opinion (please don't flame me, I'm trying to make it easier for moparcrazy :)), so sticking with Gnome or KDE 3.5 will mean your transition is a saner one.

Welcome to LQ. Here's a couple of links to get you started

http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm
http://rute.2038bug.com/index.html.gz

I don't think anyone will flame you for that.

Regardless of how nice kde4 is, it can't be compared to kde 3.5 in which regards stability and availability of applications. So, I also advice that (or gnome if you are a gnome guy, i'm not :p ). Kde 3.x is stable, it has all you need and is -and will be for a long time- actively maintained by the kde team.

It might work for some people, but it is something that I wouldn't recommend for a newcomer unless it's just to play around a bit.

Distributions and Java
 

Welcome to the world of Linux, moparcrazy! SUSE is an excellent distribution, but for someone who is an *absolute* newbie, I have to agree with sadiqdm that Ubuntu would be the best for you. The support network is phenomenal, and since it is, arguably, the most popular Linux distro today, the support will be readily available no matter where you go.

Yes, I am the "Larry" behind the Going Linux podcast. (Thanks dv502 for the referral in your post.) Since one of your issues, moparcrazy, is with getting Java working, if you do move to Ubuntu, I would recommend that you listen to the experiences of listener "CitizenX" in episode #37. I gave her some step-by-step instructions for getting it going so that she could connect to a java-based chat room on a live radio show. The advice might work with other distributions, but the steps might be different. Basically, look first in your distributions software repository *before* you go to a software publisher's website. If the software is available in the repositories, it will be "tweaked" to work in your version of Linux, and it will be much easier to install.

Larry.

I am very new to Linux myself and would like to add my voice thw those calling for Ubuntu. I love it.

I am using 8.04.1 Hardy Heron with gnome and find it very easy.

You have exactly the right attitude about MS. I have no trouble believing you struggled with linspire instead of Win whatever.

I have a problem with Suse simply because they are in cooperation with MS. It is a personal thing.

Good luck, I don't really think you will need it. Linux has matured quite nicely in the 10 years since I last really looked at it.