[SOLVED] Why do I have to use Windows?

_vaago · 12-02-2011, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc CPU

Hi there,

is this supposed to be a kick in the ass of the Unity desktop?
If so, there seem to be lots of people who think the same way. I'm one of them. I kind of played with Unity for a short while with a live system, and I couldn't get warm with it. Actually, I can't get warm with most of today's desktop environments, Gnome still being the most agreeable. Better even old-style Windows 2000. That's one reason why I still refrain from updating from Ubuntu 10.10.
I don't like all that cool and fancy stuff, and much less a system that does things without being asked. Yes, I'm rather into the sturdy, rustic fashion; I want an OS and a user interface that is simple and efficient, while I assess clarity, simplicity and efficiency from the machine's view. Oh, of course I do use the console a lot; even on my Windows PCs there is always a console window open somewhere in the background, because many things can be done a lot easier on the command line.

I'm afraid so. So far, the Ubuntu developers have done a good job in imitating many of the nuisances we have been complaining about in Windows.

[X] Doc CPU

I have been forcing myself to use the terminal in everything I do. It is slow going but I finally was able to conceptualize the difference between windows files systems and how linux file system is set - that was a major break through.

jkirchner · 12-02-2011, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _vaago

6.06 was my first try at linux - many years ago. I've just loaded 11.10. I tried to get Simply Mepis but it stopped in mid-sentence.

I bought this for her to go back to college and she changed and forgot the administrative password and I'm only guessing but because of the repeated trying to guess the password it froze the hard drive password - but I'm only guessing.
After repeated failures at removing password, I downloaded, burned to disk, a live Ubuntu and copied all of the files.
Then the Administrator - who had not introduced himself into the conversation or asked me if I was legit in what I was trying to do - closed the thread. I roostered up and decided that I was going to make this work no matter what this time and removed Windows 7.

Well, let me say first the folks here are great. They will help like crazy to get issues solved as long as you are willing to work with us.

What state is the computer in now? If I understand correctly, you have Ubuntu 11.10 installed but it needs some configuration done. Is this correct? If so, let's start with a list of issues and fix as we go.

Also, this is a great site for more Ubuntu specific help. Search for issues like yours first. http://askubuntu.com/ Ubuntu has more help here: http://ubuntuforums.org/

So, if you want to get it up and running, let's get started

Advice from one still a learner, take notes, it helps on reinstalls and to say what you did if something breaks.

sycamorex · 12-02-2011, 02:15 PM

Wifi doesn't work:

Could you post the output of:

Code:

/sbin/iwconfig

Code:

/sbin/lspci

or if it's a usb wifi adapter:

Code:

/sbin/lsusb

floppy_stuttgart · 12-02-2011, 02:18 PM

stay with window if you want.
And put linux as multiboot.
Then you can try it when the kids are in the bed.
Probably you will migrate to something like linuxmint, tinycorelinux, slackware.. (see www.distrowatch.com).
And: windows is good for the kid-games which are not running under linux. I dont see another reason for window.
(ubuntu? 10.04 is fat..buggy with the root permissions.. dont like.. I cannot imagine you will be happy with your version.. I stay with ubuntu only for not annoying again my wife with another linux.. but my own SD card or old desktop has tinycorelinux as a main distro and few others for a try).

MTK358 · 12-02-2011, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _vaago

(1)I can't cut and paste. I try and right click on something and then move cursor to copy but the context menu disappears before I can get to the copy command.
(a) I cannot open a new or click on a link by placing the cursor on a link left clicking and move cursor down to 'open in new tab' because the context menu will not stay open long enough for that to happen.

I never had any issues with that, for me the context menu stays open forever until I click the mouse. Maybe it's a Unity thing.

Also, you don't need context menus for copying and pasting, it's probaly the slowest and most difficult way. You can either use Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V to copy and paste, or just select to copy and middle click to paste (no keys or menus).

Hevithan · 12-02-2011, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _vaago

I have been forcing myself to use the terminal in everything I do. It is slow going but I finally was able to conceptualize the difference between windows files systems and how linux file system is set - that was a major break through.

http://linuxcommand.org/tlcl.php ... How to use the terminal. It was a big help (and still is) to me. It starts at the most basic operation: Navigating the directory and leads up to advanced stuff like writing your own scripts.

I totally feel your pain. My first linux experience was on an outdated,un-supported, moderately-hard-to-use distro. It took me 3 1/2 days just to get it to LOOK the way I wanted, Let alone function. After that first time though and learning how most of the setup worked, If I want to try a new distro, I am comfortable with it now and can set them up pretty quick. one of the drawbacks to linux is that you can READ all the stuff in the world, sometimes one problem will lead to another and each case is special based on your hardware,needs,distro,etc ... Best way to learn it is to get in there and **** up a little bit.

I wish you the best of luck in getting your system working the way you want it too, in the end it will be worth it and you can say "I did this."

Also, I like to recommend this when needed. Linux Wallpaper For Beginners

_vaago · 12-02-2011, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkirchner

Everything working straight out of the box on a fresh install? Not going to happen, not with windows either. There will be configurations to do.

You may want to try Linux Mint though. The newest is Linux Mint 12. They have many drivers and the codecs on the dvd and more will work straight away. Try the live dvd

OH - MY GOD! I'm running Mint 12 - live! WOW! This is crazy, I can't believe it. What a smooth experience! Yea I'm sure there will be hiccups but man - right out of the box! Goodbye Ubuntu.

Now there is a down side to this. This is so smooth that it would be very easy not to get to know the deeper things of Linux.

But this is the Operating System that I can take to grandma's house and she will break out into cooking (some break into song - she breaks into cooking).

Doc CPU · 12-02-2011, 03:12 PM

Hi there,

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTK358

Also, you don't need context menus for copying and pasting, it's probaly the slowest and most difficult way. You can either use Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V to copy and paste

or Ctrl-Ins (Copy) and Shift-Ins (Paste), which was about to become standard in the mid-nineties and luckily is still supported by most GUIs today (and Shift-Del for Cut), for I can't get used to this Ctrl-Letter thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTK358

or just select to copy and middle click to paste (no keys or menus).

I heard that it can be set this way - but being confronted to that on someone else's PC, I found that rather annoying.

[X] Doc CPU

MTK358 · 12-02-2011, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc CPU

I heard that it can be set this way - but being confronted to that on someone else's PC, I found that rather annoying.

I'm not sure what you mean.

It always worked for me on all the distros I've ever used it on. AFAIK it's part of X.

jkirchner · 12-02-2011, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _vaago

OH - MY GOD! I'm running Mint 12 - live! WOW! This is crazy, I can't believe it. What a smooth experience! Yea I'm sure there will be hiccups but man - right out of the box! Goodbye Ubuntu.

Now there is a down side to this. This is so smooth that it would be very easy not to get to know the deeper things of Linux.

But this is the Operating System that I can take to grandma's house and she will break out into cooking (some break into song - she breaks into cooking).

I thought that may be what you are looking for

You can still learn though. Read, try things in terminal...I used a practice folder and practice files to get used to different commands like cp mv rf and such.

_vaago · 12-02-2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floppy_stuttgart

stay with window if you want.
And put linux as multiboot.
Then you can try it when the kids are in the bed.
Probably you will migrate to something like linuxmint, tinycorelinux, slackware.. (see www.distrowatch.com).
And: windows is good for the kid-games which are not running under linux. I dont see another reason for window.
(ubuntu? 10.04 is fat..buggy with the root permissions.. dont like.. I cannot imagine you will be happy with your version.. I stay with ubuntu only for not annoying again my wife with another linux.. but my own SD card or old desktop has tinycorelinux as a main distro and few others for a try).

I had to load a puppy linux one time - I like the smallness. I'm going to try each one as I go along but right now - I gotta say this Mint - pretty cool.

_vaago · 12-02-2011, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkirchner

I thought that may be what you are looking for

You can still learn though. Read, try things in terminal...I used a practice folder and practice files to get used to different commands like cp mv rf and such.

I've had Mint up and running all day. I did have to do a hard reset - my own fault - I had like 27 windows up and the banshee music player. This is everything that Linux can be for the 'normal user' and still be (behind the bright shiny cover) a powerful o.s.

thom
Linux #443676

I'm not stopping though until I've got terminal.

sycamorex · 12-02-2011, 06:56 PM

LOL. 27 windows?! I don't think it has ever happened to me

aazkan · 12-02-2011, 08:09 PM

Hey _vaago,

Good to see you're back .. and with Linux Mint 12

I felt bad about the windows things, i should have (or have not) posted so I'd like to apologies if in any may, I got you in trouble.

Hope to see you around in the forum.

Randicus Draco Albus · 12-02-2011, 08:24 PM

@vaago
In my opinion, the majority of your problem is Ubuntu. I am not an Ubuntu fan and hate Unity. The switch to Unity is the main reason reason I stopped using Ubuntu. I also do not like KDE and the new direction of Gnome.
A previous post suggested trying LinuxMint. I suggest also giving Debian a try. (Yes, my opinion is a little biased.) Most things work "out of the box" and the stable version is still using Gnome2. If you do not mind doing a little tweeking, install the system with XFCE or LXDE. With Gnome2, XFCE or LXDE you would have a working system that only requires a minimal amount of configuration. I cannot give any advice about Mint, because I have never used it.

EDIT
I posted before noticing there is a second page. (my bad) If Mint works for you, great. If you want to try another OS in the future, I still recommend Debian.