I would like to know if there is something better for me as a beginer to linux programs?
I have ubuntu and i am having a list of problems; cant get my printer to work(i followed the instructions), sometime my wifi does not work and i have to reboot to get it going, sometime the screen kinda glitching in certain circumstance, can get programs that should play my audio file to play them, dvd are not playing, I cant seem to find any good driving games/ simulators. I know some of this should be expected with a free os but i want to be done with windows. But i also want an easy system.. I am old enough to know what oragon trail is so i have used dos so i get that side of it a bit but there is deffenty a learning curve. Is there anything you all can suggest to help me.. PS feel free to debate it does not bother me is people have different opinions. the more sometimes that is the best way to generate my own opinion since i don't even know what im asking yet
ps sorry for my poor grammar and long winder thread

Well, tbh, some form of Ubuntu is often suggested to people new to Linux.
What I suggest (& others will as well), is to provide specific info for one problem per thread and we will help you.

You definitely need to specify the exact version of Ubuntu (try 'cat /etc/issue' on the cmd line for instance) and also the basic HW specs ie make/model/RAM/cpu type/disk space.

Also what technology/technique you used to install it.

Help us to help you

Also, Welcome to LQ!

this.

one problem = one thread.

chances are that the problems you listed are not specific to ubuntu, so just trying one distro after another won't fix it.

This may become a chain-letter, but Ondoho's point is a recurring observation: THE solution is to replace what you have by anything else.

The solution is to solve a problem. Unfortunately, “problem-solving” is a process and comprises several different steps. At the end, the best one of all: Learning by insight. After that, you just take a decision and it will be okay (and curiously, it will be okay, even if it turns out to be the wrong decision.)

If Ubuntu (or Mint) is not good for you and is giving you tons of issues, I don't know what will bar Windows.

1) Which instructions did you follow and what kind of printer
2) It's a bug I've had in Ubuntu
3) Which graphics driver are you using
4) You probably need to install the codecs
5) You probably need libdvdcss

After the masters have said their good thoughts above, before the OP responds, allow me to comment against what is not only awkward and clumsy but extremely unhelpful for the needed help.

The title goes:

Quote:

ubuntu just ain't cutting it. is something better

I did not expect that someone will use Ubuntu as a cutting tool. well I understand he/she is using an *idiomatic* expression. A caution to all newbies: That one is a poor idiom when you are in dire need of help, or begging for something better hence coherent reply would be "Get a chain-saw to cut it sure!"

Okay. To the point.

I have noticed once again that Ubuntu is becoming difficult to newbies. I may change my suggestion to newbies: Go install Debian without systemd perhaps this option might reduce the chances of obstacle to a newbie.

Hope that helps.

m.m.

1 members found this post helpful.

Ok, so thank you for all the reply. Some of the thinks you are all saying are in a different language... I tend to have that problem when reading these forms. I don't know what some things mean. At some point I might just have to take a class..

"You definitely need to specify the exact version of Ubuntu (try 'cat /etc/issue' on the cmd line for instance) and also the basic HW specs ie make/model/RAM/cpu type/disk space." What does "(try 'cat /etc/issue' on the cmd line for instance" mean

I down loaded ubuntu about 3 weeks ago. I used that latest version and a created a bootable USB. I am running a dell with an intel i3 ? processor.

Go install Debian without systemd can you tell me more about this?

as far as the printer i did :go to Printers, click "Add". See my printer listed there. Select it. Click "forward". Select the default option (install an existing driver). Go through a couple of steps confirming the manufacturer and make.: but there was no list of compute to find

I'd be surprised if you got anymore help, you have to help yourself before we can/will help you.

I'd start by typing all your issues as a search string or your favorite search engine. I know I'm out

Open a terminal, and type into it cat /etc/issue

Ignore this. While there are tons of technical reasons to dislike systemd, for the most part it works just fine for a basic user that has no need to be concerned with how his machine boots, as long as it boots

I don't understand what you're saying. no list of compute to find??? This doesn't make any sense.

Lets take the points one by one.

1. Whenever you get an iso image and creat a DVD or USB stick, there is always a small risk of an accident. Whenever a distro seems to be having a lot of problems, it's worth making sure that's not the problem. When you downloaded Ubuntu, did you check the checksum for the download? When you ran the live image, if you press ENTER before it starts up, I seem to remember that you can get it to check itself.

2. When Ubuntu is installing, it asks you if you want to download media support. If you didn't do that, you would have problems playing media files.

3. Printer support. If you didn't find your printer listed, then you need to get the driver. Search on-line.

4. A lot of your problems are so vague that we're never going to understand. "the screen kinda glitching in certain circumstance" does not tell us anything: what exactly did it do and under what circumstances?

You need to take things slowly and solve one problem at a time. You need to make your problems clear to us. Some of us may be experts, but few of us are psychics!

Perhaps the real solution is to stick with Windows.

OK well maybe i should just go back to windows I dont really have time to go through each problem and learn to fix every little thing. That is why i was just hoping there would be a much easier version to use. Maybe one that would fix itself when there was a problem. But half the time i dont know what they hell you are all talking about. I have a windows xp and windows 7 disc. I was just tire of microsoft BS. I got a virus on windows 10 and lost my OS. and the random updates while im trying to use my computer and windows 7-8 with the stupid thing that pops out on the side. If i could find a computer repair person that i trusted that was a linux wize i would just bring it to them and have them fix it all up for me.

The nice thing about Linux is you can try it (as a Live USB or Live DVD) before you install it. So, it is a very small time investment to test whether or not Linux is right for your needs. My personal favorite Linux for beginners is Linux Mint 18 Cinnamon. I would recommend you at least try Linux Mint before you give up on Linux entirely: https://www.linuxmint.com/

If you are looking for "an easier version of Windows with no learning curve" then Linux is probably not the right choice for you. Have you considered buying a Mac?

I am not looking for something easier than windows. but i want it to be as good or better the windows.. I understand there is a learning curve but the idea of having to fix so many problems is too much. I will try linux mint. That is the type of advice i wanted. something else to try. and you are right i should try it on a live usb not just go straight to download. I dont really like mac either lol i guess im a bit picky thank you for the advice

I agree with Linux Mint for beginners, it doesn't get any easier than that.
My personal favorite is Debian, but the installation process is more complex than Mint.