Any Linux Users Here?

John--

Odds are you've got a defective downloaded ISO file.  Did you verify its checksum after the download?

(Help on checking checksums)

I've had that happen to me.  I've also had extraordinarily long download times, especially when a popular distro has been recently released.

It really doesn't take much of this to make OSDisc's prices seem like bargains.

Ned
 
John Stegall said:
I suspect something is wron too. I will report back because I will have lots of ?s. I tried out a couple of Linux forums and immediately ran into posters trashing each others ideas. A surefire deal breaker for me.
Click to expand...

I belong to both the Ubuntu and Kubuntu forums, and they are generally very friendly, as is the general Linux community, but once in a while someone causes a few negative ripples.  Note: Kubuntu is a form of Ubuntu that uses a different "desktop environment."  Ubuntu uses something called Gnome, and Kubuntu uses something called KDE (hence the "K" in its name).  There is a raging debate about which one is "better."  I mention it here only because you are likely to see it come up as you get into the Linux community.  Don't worry about this right now!

You raise a relevant point.  Having a supportive community is vital, especially when you're first making the switch to Linux from Windows.  You need to be able to ask questions openly and not get trashed for doing so!  If you're like me, you will ask a few silly questions and go through a few stages of learning.  Again, if you're like me, it won't take long to see the benefits of making the switch.  Having patient people in the user forum makes you much more likely to go down the Linux path, and it makes you more likely to stick with it.

So, pick a distribution with a friendly community.  I know from personal experience that these distributions have friendly user forums:

Those are not the only friendly ones, just the ones I have direct experience with.  Ubuntu and PCLinuxOS also happen to be the two most popular distributions at the moment.

When you receive the Ubuntu CD, feel free to post here for questions.

In the meantime, I would suggest you figure out how to burn CDs.  You will be much happier in the long run being able to do this yourself.  New releases of Ubuntu come out every few months, so it would be good to get the CD burning procedure working smoothly.

Feel free to keep posting here.  I'm definitely interested in helping more people make the switch to Linux!

Matthew
 
Matthew: Yeah, more of what you said.  :D

I was about to jump in and offer to send a burned CD, but my history with mailing stuff is such that John would be better off spending the $7 to get the CD from a commercial place. I'd also suggest finding a local group, I don't know where John lives, but if he's in the Bay Area I'd meet him for coffee and drop a CD on him, and if he's near Chattanooga Tennessee the Chugalug (CHattanooga Unix, Gnu And Linux User Group, yes, they were stretching a bit...) folks are friendly and helpful.

(Of course my first reaction was "Give him instructions on how to boot a LiveCD to burn that ISO", but... well... chicken, meet egg. And, yeah, I haven't been a Windows only house in well over a decade, so I've never had to face that particular problem...)

But I'm happy to answer the questions I've actually got answers to right here.
 
To start with, thanks to everyone who has replied...this was the first reason that I seriously considered Linux in the first place, I value the opinions expressed here...after all you guys were instrumental in my purchasing a Domino!!!
I live in Kerrville, Tx about 65 miles NW of San Antonio. I have already ordered the disc from the posted source.

I was not really too concerned about the arguing back and forth on the Forum, but it did say it was a forum for brand new users and I kind of felt sorry for the poor original poster. But I have definitely seen worse on woodworking forums so it really was not a big deal.

I should mention that I teach emotionally disturbed students and at this time of year the stress levels are really high in that environment and I probably was in no mood to watch  people arguing back and forth at this time of the year. So I just came back here where everyone agrees with everyone  ;D

We have a party to go to tonight but I am going to download again and then check out the file for issues. I am very anxious to look Linux over because my BIL wants to stop using Windows on his machine and wants someone to install Linux for him and I need to know what I am doing first...always a good idea.
Thanks to all again,
john
 
Dan Lyke said:
...I was about to jump in and offer to send a burned CD, but my history with mailing stuff is such that John would be better off spending the $7 to get the CD from a commercial place. I'd also suggest finding a local group, I don't know where John lives, but if he's in the Bay Area I'd meet him for coffee and drop a CD on him, and if he's near Chattanooga Tennessee the Chugalug (CHattanooga Unix, Gnu And Linux User Group, yes, they were stretching a bit...) folks are friendly and helpful...

...

But I'm happy to answer the questions I've actually got answers to right here.
Click to expand...

Good thoughts.  If anyone here is interested in making a switch to Linux and is having trouble downloading and burning ISOs, I'd be happy to burn a Ubuntu/Kubuntu CD and send it to you.  Of course, if I get hundreds of requests I might have to reconsider, but I'll put the offer out there and see what happens!

And for everyone, feel free to use this board for all Linux/open source discussions.

Matthew
 
With the CD it was pretty straight forward with the exception that when Thunderbird was installed, it found e-mails from the first day I bought this computer...it took awhile to empty that inbox!! I still need to play around with things before removing XP. With Christmas stuff going on I will most likely have to wait until after New Years before really experimenting.

My son-in-law thinks I need a laptop but one step at a time.

Happy New Year by the way.
 
John,
So you installed Linux?  If so, which one did you install -- Ubuntu or Kubuntu?

In the beginning, most people want to "dual boot" their systems to run both Windows and Linux.  That way, you don't lose Windows, but you still get to see what Linux is like.  Is this what you have set up now?

The only issue with installing a dual-boot system is that the installation process makes a lot of people nervous, since it involves repartitioning your hard drive.  I know it made me hesitate!

What made dual-booting easier for me was an application called "Wubi."  With Wubi, you install Ubuntu or Kubuntu as if it were just like any other application in Windows.  When you start your computer, you'll see an option screen to boot in either Windows or Ubuntu/Kubuntu.  It does not require repartitioning and it does not affect your Windows installation.

I used Wubi for a while and liked it a lot.  When I was ready to get rid of Windows, I no longer needed Wubi.  Many people report using Wubi as a permanent set-up.

Wubi is supported as a third-party application by the Ubuntu community. 
The Ubuntu community discussion on Wubi is LOCATED HERE.
Download Wubi by CLICKING HERE.

Matthew
 
John Stegall said:
...it found e-mails from the first day I bought this computer...
Click to expand...

I think that means that your (non-Linux) email client hasn't been deleting the messages as it downloads them, leaving those messages on your ISP's post office server.  Check the settings on your non-Linux email client.  Something like "Leave messages on server".

Ned
 
That may be true, but I will have to add that my "to do" list when I get back home. I am adding a wireless connection and need to look for a laptop. I will also need to learn how to change my settings  ;D

My SIL will be there and I am sure he knows how...the instructions just need to be in French. He makes great wine too!!!
 
John,
In Thunderbird, it's just two simple steps to pull messages off your server onto your local computer:
1. Edit menu > Account Settings
2. Click on "Server Settings" and uncheck the box that says "Leave messages on server"

That's all there is to it.  A lot simpler than installing Linux, and simpler even than booting up Vista!

Matthew
 
I have heard that the fat guy in the red suit left a laptop under the tree for me...cannot wait to get home and see if it is true :D

Happy New Year everyone!!!!
 
Matthew thanks again for the welcome and the link. I've been running Ubuntu on 4 computers for 2 years now. I have two of the four dual booted with Windows (haven't logged into Windows in probably 3 months). My business computer runs windows special Mini Storage program,(Windows only), use that daily. My main computer I use 3-4 hours a day, its dual booted. Love Linux, no viruses to worry about, Ubuntu seem to keep security up to date. Great forums with Ubuntu, very similar to this forum. Lots of info, laughs, and friendly people. I'm not much of a geek, I've built one computer, can't code, not very good with the terminal. Thats whats nice about Ubuntu Linux you really don't need to know coding, or compiling anymore. I have set up a few web pages and I update my blog once or twice a month. Ubuntu Linux really is a great desktop OS, lots of programs to chose from. Just had to play with Gimp to upload a picture of my Ct22 with a mini cyclone added on. What a site, get to do my two favorite hobbies woodworking and computers. Have you checked out http://www.woodwhisperer.com/The Wood Whisperers Site Thanks again Bru
 
For some reason I forgot to post my last message after previewing it. I just had wireless installed through my cable company and the guy set it up while i was out but did not set it up to use Ubuntu. I admit that I am not all that technically savvy but I can usually follow directions, but I do not even know where to start with this one.

I tried the websites' FAQs but did not find any suggestions. Anybody here know where I should start?
john
 
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