Griffin Bain on 20/8/2009 at 16:29
What are the thoughts people have out there for Linux mint? Who uses it as primary OS and, what can it run 'out of the box' that standard Ubuntu or Kubuntu can not?
Also if you do not have the computer on the internet or on a networking is there a way to get programs and utlities without using the repository?
Right now I have two hard drives, one with XP sp2 and one with ubuntu 8.04. I only use the computer for watching tv becasue I have a tv turner card (needs XP for sure unless somebody knows a linux workaround) and sorting and archiving important documents, pictures and sound editing files.
This thread doesn;t have to be about me either, I wouldn't mind having a stronger linux forum in the ttlg area even if it is general in nature.:erg:
jay pettitt on 20/8/2009 at 17:12
I've not tried, but my curiosity is piqued so I'm downloading it and will give it a whirl on the netbook...
Gotta say though that Ubuntu is the bees knees, so it's gonna have to be good.
Installing software is easier with the internets, but in no way impossible without. Theoretically all you need is the appropriate debian package .deb file, which you could get from anywhere. If you're attached to the net though, your package manager will automatically go off and find anything that the package needs to work properly that might not be included in the .deb file or already on your system.
raevol on 21/8/2009 at 01:13
(
http://packages.ubuntu.com)
You can search for and download packages from there. It lists the dependencies, which you will need to download and install first. And all the dependencies for all of those dependencies and so on...
So it's possible. But probably more trouble that it's worth if you're installing something that's got a lot of weird requirements.
I've used Mint a tiny bit, and it seems nice. I like the menu system. Other than that, it's about the same as ubuntu. I know proprietary drivers are supposedly easier to install but I've never had a problem with that on regular ubuntu.
Also a linux forum here would be awesome...
EDIT: Link seems to be down atm... wonder what's up.
The Alchemist on 21/8/2009 at 01:39
In before The Alche.....o shit.
Ladron De La Noche on 21/8/2009 at 08:47
Nothing prevents anyone from discussing Linux in the 'Tech & Troubleshooting Arena' forum section. It's not only just for broken 'puters and Bikerdude. ;)
Screwing around w/ Linux myself. PuppyLinux (woof! woof!) and DamnSmallLinux. Nothing major. :)
(
http://distrowatch.com/) Distrowatch Whew! Lots of Linux to choose from.
raevol on 21/8/2009 at 09:02
Quote Posted by Abysmal
Really what's needed is a user-friendly version of this.
This.
I use xubuntu for a lot of the reasons that you mention, but I also would like a rolling release distro. I've messed with arch in a virtual machine, and while I managed to get it configured, it was more trouble than it was worth.
Matthew on 21/8/2009 at 10:46
Quote Posted by Ladron De La Noche
Nothing prevents anyone from discussing Linux in the 'Tech & Troubleshooting Arena' forum section. It's not only just for broken 'puters and Bikerdude. ;)
TechTroub really should just have a sticky thread called 'Ask Biker'.
Edit: oh shit on topic errr how about that UNIX eh? 40 years old this week? Errr GParted is ace yeah.
Renzatic on 21/8/2009 at 15:15
I'm always kind of interested in Linux stuff, despite ever having barely used any form of it. Thanks to this thread, I'm once again considering grabbing VirtualBox and grabbing a copy to try out. I just have one question before I do. The one question that cuts right to the quick and addresses the single reason why I have yet to give it anything other than a interested cursory glance. That question is...
What can I do with Linux? Sure, it's about the most solid OS around, it's free, flexible and, thanks to Ubuntu, fairly user friendly nowadays. Despite all those very nice pluses, it's kind of a waste considering how hugely lacking it is on the software side of things. You have Wine, sure. But that's alot of extra effort to go through when I can just pop a disc in the drive in Windows, wait 5 minutes for the install to finish, then go about my day trouble free. Open source software? Hit or miss. When it's good it's great, but most of the OSS apps I'd be interested in still aren't as good as the software I've paid for. Like Blender for instance. Nice, sure, but kinda clunky (also has a creepy cult-like fanbase). Gimp. Decent, but still missing alot of features I regularly use in Photoshop. I could always use Wine to get Modo and PS up and running, but then I've come full circle to the issue stated above.
From my experiences, most people who use Linux use it because they like to screw around with Linux and occasionally watch movies/listen to music. For anything else, they usually have a Windows partition for those just in case moments. And that's what gives me pause. Makes me wonder why I should go through all the trouble when, sooner or later, I'll have to go back to Windows for something again eventually.
So hardcore Linux geeks, dispute me. Convince me.
Griffin Bain on 21/8/2009 at 16:11
I wish i was a linux geek, but I failed miserably at that. I basically was reliant on the damn repository and only used the command terminal when the commands were spoon feed to me.
Anyhow I got into Linux for a differentr reason than most, i got into it because at the time, (just finsihing up college) I did no gaming whatsoever and was on the internet all the time. I got so tired of constentially updating my virus software and messing with firewalls so I gave it a whirl, i got dvds to work and internet printing was ok and I liked that I could find a program to do anything I wanted (other than some games and tv card). I was pissed to give up linux back for XP but I had to because the tv turner card was a gift and it was a pinnacle model.
I understand that for most, linux ends up being a useful toy and that's it. I use it for, and some windows users get butt hurt over this, for freedom uses. I like being virtually virus proof and surfing faster and having faster boot and system times. Further, even though support sucks on some stuff, the innovative spirit is still there. I don't like how the 'common' person just accepts windows as the only standard and that they have to use it lest the sky turns red or their homes melt. If everybody at least gave it a whirl for basic tasks, enough educated people would be inspired to get some real driver support on it and eventually it would be as good as, say XP.
I wish I could help but my computer skills suck.
Some people like linux because it is DOS like. Supposedly someone who knew how to operate dos could manipulate their system to do amazing things that were eventually "locked out" in later versions of windows. Again, what do I know I only use internet at the office or at parents house for work use and internet use only so what do I know. My business uses specialized software which has micorsft stuff built right into it
raevol on 21/8/2009 at 18:25
Quote Posted by Renzatic
What can I do with Linux?
Everything but play most commercial games and do video editing. And that's what usually keeps people away from it. And Wine sucks btw, it's not going to replace windows anytime soon.
But other than that, you have good, full featured applications for everything. Sure some are dodgier than others, but if it's a common task you want to accomplish, there's going to be multiple applications to choose from to get it done. And it's all free.
Aside from the freeness and security, I think my favorite thing about it is how everything is infinitely customizable. I can tweak my desktop to look *exactly* how I want to, and it's allowed and supported. Try to step too far outside the box on a commercial operating system and you're going to have to download hacks to get around the roadblocks the developers put in place.
