LINUX: should you use it if you don't know much about IT?!?

gorski · May 17, 2007

After some testing and enquiring other knowledgeable and experienced blokes, more testing and re-testing, installing and re-installing of a few Linux "distros, meaning different versions of this gorgeous Operating System [OS] - my verdict, as a 'lay person', averagely informed, at least when it comes to IT, is:

BLAG - if you're seriously into Linux and can mess with it at a deeper level [it has many jolly goodies, including WEP crackers and much more...

and

UBUNTU - if you're not that knowledgeable - it's "more user orientated" and therefore friendlier if you can't mess with the Terminal and so on...

Linux has now grown considerably towards the broader audience with these two versions!!!

Their Forums and How to's are also very friendly and with their help... Even the manifold of peripherals should start working very quickly...

Great hardware detection, plenty of drivers covered, even the USB BB Modems like Speedtouch can be installed by the likes of me, by following the clear and simple Ubuntu HOW TO, so more-or-less ANYONE can do it!!! I warmly recommend Ubuntu to [almost

] anybody at all!!!

Before you start inform and equip yourselves: you need to see exactly which HW and peripherals you have [for instance, which modem] and download all the documentation and drivers, plus potentially necessary tools, as it's all explained on their site. I know, as I installed the USB BB Speedtouch modem I mentioned, which has to be installed afterwards, once the main installation is over...

============THE INFO and DOWNLOAD============

Here are the details for UBUNTU 7.04, the latest release, called FEISTY FAWN

Code:

ftp://releases.ubuntu.com/releases/7.04/

- the UK ftp to download...

Most people need a desktop version for their older 32b machines, i.e. something like this:

Code:

[URL="ftp://releases.ubuntu.com/releases/7.04/ubuntu-7.04-alternate-i386.iso"][COLOR=#a89655][COLOR=black]ubuntu-7.04-alternate-i386.iso[/COLOR][/COLOR][/URL]

, unless you have a newer version of 64b processor and even then you have a choice, AMD or...

Just have a look here for more info:

Code:

[URL="http://www.ubuntu.com/"][COLOR=#a89655][COLOR=black]http://www.ubuntu.com/[/COLOR][/COLOR][/URL]

======THE BEST HUMANITY HAS TO OFFER - BUILT INTO IT!!!======

It is based from the best principles Humanity has on offer, with best values at heart:

The Ubuntu Promise

Ubuntu will always be free of charge, including enterprise releases and security updates.

Ubuntu comes with full commercial support from Canonical and hundreds of companies around the world.

Ubuntu includes the very best translations and accessibility infrastructure that the free software community has to offer.

Ubuntu CDs contain only free software applications; we encourage you to use free and open source software, improve it and pass it on.

==========COMMUNITY, FORUMS AND INFO==========

Code:

[URL]https://help.ubuntu.com/[/URL]

- the HOW TO, i.e. "documentation"

Code:

[URL]http://www.ubuntu.com/support/community/webforums[/URL]

- many forums, in many languages

Code:

[URL]https://wiki.ubuntu.com/[/URL]

- Ubuntu WIKI, as in get informed and get involved...

Code:

[URL]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_(Linux_distribution[/URL][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_(Linux_distribution"])[/URL]

- on Wikipedia, always nice to read and inform oneself!!!

=====HOW TO INSTALL, INCL. PARTITIONING YOUR DRIVE=====

Just put the UBUNTU 7.04 CD in and boot from it, wait 'till it's ready and then double-click on INSTALL, of course... Now follow the prompts...

Code:

[URL="http://www.easy-ubuntu-linux.com/"][COLOR=#a89655][COLOR=black]http://www.easy-ubuntu-linux.com/[/COLOR][/COLOR][/URL]

- overview...

Code:

[URL="http://www.ubuntu.com/products/whatisubuntu"][COLOR=#a89655][COLOR=black]http://www.ubuntu.com/products/whatisubuntu[/COLOR][/COLOR][/URL]

- more on the main site

Code:

[URL="http://www.easy-ubuntu-linux.com/resize-windows-partition.html"][COLOR=#a89655][COLOR=black]http://www.easy-ubuntu-linux.com/resize-windows-partition.html[/COLOR][/COLOR][/URL]

- how to partition your Hard Disk Drive [HDD]

One more:

Code:

[URL="http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Partition/requirements.html"][COLOR=#a89655][COLOR=black]http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Partition/requirements.html[/COLOR][/COLOR][/URL]

If you have enough RAM, say 1GB, you do not need a SWAP partition. Even if you have 512MB, you will still be OK with that, so don't have to bother with that, if you decide to manually partition the HDD and come across this point...

You will just need to create a "mounting point" and for that all you need to do is to put this: / [a "forward slash"] - in the drop down menu you may have that option, too. It's that easy.

Ubuntu will most likely recognise your hardware and install the correct drivers for it.

==========NO SOUND? NO PROBLEM!!==========

If at the end [when you are finished and you take the CD out and reboot] do not hear the sound, just go to the "loudspeaker" icon on your Desktop [upper right hand corner] and right click on it, then go to "Properties" or "Options", if memory serves. Then, from the 3rd tab untick "Only digital output" or words to that effect. Now, you will most likely have the sound going, too.

======[ALMOST] AUTOMATIC UPDATES FOR YOUR SYSTEM========

Once you're done and you're on the net Ubuntu will warn you if you need to update your packages and it's dead easy to do it, just follow the prompts.

======YOU'RE DONE, NOW YOU WANT MORE PROGRAMS======

If you want more programs [= packages, in Linux lingo] than the original installation has, all you need to do is go to your Synaptic Package Manager and choose which ones you want.

This is what Jonti told me:

{...} (System->Admin->Synaptic Package Manager) and the default repositories for the distro. This will enable you to browse thousands of software packages, select what you want, and follow it through with "one click" managed installation (and removal) of trusted software from a trusted source.

They are divided into section, so you can go for Scientific stuff, or Audio-Visual or Entertainment, like Games and so on... Very easy. You click on something and read what it is. Then, if you want it, right click on it and mark to install. After that just click on APPLY and it'll be downloaded and installed.

=====SOME FOR ALL AND ALL FOR THOSE "SOME", HEHEHEHE....=====

KISS is their philosophy: Keep It Simple, Stupid!

And I love it! No more 3 days of installing and configuring your Windows and third party SW and drivers and so forth... It's all done in a matter of couple [or maybe few] hours if you want to download a lot of additional stuff after the main installation is over or if you need the additional drivers for your peripherals. But the HW/drivers dance shouldn't take too long, unless it's really specific and very old or ultra new or something - most of main HW is nicely covered!!

The young South African millionaire who is bankrolling this Linux [from Linus Torvalds, the Master Yoda of the whole thing, who wrote the core part of the system and has given it freely to everyone, creating something very much alive and growing!!!] Ubuntu project [all the developers helping out in making it cool and usable for all!!!], i.e. who's realised he has much more than he needs and is now giving his money freely to ALL - is giving Bill Gates [Seth Lords, yuck, yuck, spit, spit...] a run for his money and - we all love it!!!

ENJOY the BEST!!!!:thum: And give a big cold shoulder to Windoz!!!:clapping:

:thum:

gorski · May 17, 2007

Blag

Code:

http://www.blagblagblag.org/

- one of the the best, most friendly Linux "distros" [=version of the O~S] so far...

Plenty of good and methodical info here:

Code:

http://wiki.blagblagblag.org/Main_Page

- including how to install it all, with pickieeeessss....

I read about it on this site:

Code:

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=35264

A response by Jonti:

Code:
I think BLAG is well cool, almost cryogenic. I've got it on one of my boxes
-- it's worth it, almost for the default browser bookmark collection, which includes
the Urban75 site. The default software selection is something of an eye-opener
as well. And the blasterisk VOIP project. And more!
I wrote a little review of BLAG in another thread...

Linux and open-source afficionados may be interested in meeting up this
Thursday 26th April, in the Albert at 418 Coldharbour Lane, from about 9pm
(and the the last Thursday of every month, same time and place). The idea
is to get a fairly broadly based linux user group going in the area, prolly with
a lot of emphasise on Ubuntu, but essentially agnostic about distro, although
decidedly enthusiastic about software freedom. There's more details at

Code:

h**p://blug.org.uk

Maybe see you there?

Then I asked about a way to install easily without the text commands under
Linux, i.e. a simple GUI [Graphical User Interface] for non-techies and he said:

Yes, I know better

Just stick to installing and uninstalling packages using your package manager (System->Admin->Synaptic Package Manager) and the default repositories for the distro. This will enable you to browse thousands of software packages, select what you want, and follow it through with "one click" managed installation (and removal) of trusted software from a trusted source.

ETA: about that anti-virus software and firewall software... a default Ubuntu or BLAG installation offers no services over the network. Also, the underlying design and the default configuration means that it does not need extra layers of third party software to fix anything! You just install and go -- can plug your machine into your router and hit the 'net quite safely.

You don't need spend hours after installation changing the default configuration to make the box adequately secure; nor do you need to spend hours finding and installing extra software to make your system secure. It's secure by design from the get-go.

Did I mention one can order a CD for free? Oh, yeah!!

arty:

Code:

http://www.thelinuxstore.ca/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1244

Code:
Note: One free disk only. If you need more disks, please explain what they will be used for and we'll see how many copies we can send you.

BLAG is a 100% Free Software distribution with all the tools you want from a desktop computer, plus more. It comes on a single CD, is easily installed, and user friendly. Power users have the resources of a repository that combines bits from Fedora Core, Fedora Extras, freshrpms, Dries, ATrpms, livna, Planet CCRMA, and our own special brews.

BLAG 60000 (flout) is a new series with a new base (FC6) and many new applications.

Featuring all of the applications below on JUST ONE CD. Burn copies and hand them out! It's got it all. Did I mention it's all on just one CD?

Democracy Player
Very cool Internet TV program. Download high-quality shows straight to your hard drive. Don't settle for little windows in a web browser!

Video editor
That's right, edit video--it's on the CD. Kino for basic editing or the more powerful cinelerra for movie production. Then edit DVD menus with qdvdauthor.

inkscape
enabled with inkboard so you can collaboratively work on drawings with other users via the Internet using jabber!

kiax
Make free phone calls around the world to landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP phones with this unique service from the BLAG project BLASTERISK.

Audio players
"listen", is a cool app that integrates playlists, album covers automatically, lyrics, wikipedia lookups, group playlists, everything. The minimal rock-solid xmms is there as always.

mplayer & xine
Two top-notch video players, plus mencoder to re-encode audio and video

DVD Ripping
Well, that's what it does. Thoggen! So easy to use, straight to theora format. For CDs, there's the venerable grip.

audacity
Edit soundfiles with a lean, easy to use, but powerful sound editor.

Gaim
Handles jabber, AOL, MSN, IRC, ICQ, Yahoo, and other Instant messaging ng networks--all in one program. Includes encryption and "off the record" plugins for privacy.

Firefox
The famous web browser, of course

Thunderbird
Nice email client

streamtuner
Tune into streaming radio stations on the 'net! Plus with streamripper, you can record 'em.

MuSE
Or instead of just listening, broadcast your own station with MuSE and icecast! Free music is even included.

Package/Application Management
Both yum and apt are available with pirut and synaptic GUIs. Download from our repo of over 8,500 free packages.

Gnome
User friendly yet powerful, Gnome is the main desktop that BLAG is built upon. Fluxbox is on the CD too....

games
A few of those even....

3D Modeling
World famous blender is on the CD should you decide to make the next great computer graphics movie!

GIMP
Edit photos & images, put Bush's head on anything you want, have at it...

Font Editor
Create fonts! Edit existing fonts.

Peer-to-peer
Bittorrent and a gnutella client, sitting right there on the CD waitin' for you.

Blogs
Get blog or any other RSS feeds with liferea, gpodder for audio blogs, and gnome-blog for uploading your own blog posts.

gnome-translate
Conveniently translate text or websites.

Document Layout
scribus for anything from pamphlets to long books!

Office slock
abiword a lightweight word processor, gnumeric lightweight yet powerful spread sheet, and glabels does its job so well.

GCC
Since 2002, BLAG has not had a compiler on the CD--compilers have been available on the DVDs or in the repo. With BLAG 60k, gcc, plus a few basic bits are available immediately should you need to compile a new kernel, modules, or whatever.

Server bits
apache for webserving, vsftp ftp server, and postfix for SMTP. Openssh's server is included, along with a dhcpd server and xinetd.

kernel
Yes! One of those. 2.6.18-1.2869. Note BLAG 60k is compatible with i686 (~Pentium II or greater) processors. BLAG disables SELinux by passing selinux=0 to the kernel boot line.

So freakin' much
And even more in the online repository. Thousands of more applications are available with a few clicks. No cost, yo.

Yes, all this is on one CD! 700 megs of Free Software.

If that's not enough, developers can grab the two BLAG binary DVDs and the two source DVDs. This has the entire repository of 8,500+ 100% Free Software packages.

Installation Instructions:

Code:

h**p://wiki.blagblagblag.org/Installation

Put in the CD, hit enter at the boot: prompt, and answer the few questions.

Alternately, if you want to ERASE EVERTYHING on your hard drive and do an automated install, you can type:
blagblagblag
at the boot: prompt of the initial screen of the CDROM. This makes installation fast and easy for computer labs, recycling centers, etc.

gorski · May 17, 2007

Then I asked a Q about me testing the integrity with BLAG checker, prior to installation, that came up negative each time and Jonti replied:

So your XP CD burner software reported good burns, but the BLAG integrity checker disagreed?!

It shouldn't really be an issue, but remember that CDs and burners are mechanical devices with a range of engineering tolerances. If you burn a CD on one machine, and try to use it on another, you can run into problems. Actually, you can get similar problems with floppy disks (they may format and accept data OK on one machine, but be unreadable on another one). That's why jebba and the BLAG crowd made sure you could check the CD burn on the particular machine on which you wanted to install BLAG.

The second time I installed it all went well, HW recognised, easily updated, just give it at least some 20 or more GB to play with, when installing, guys!

Code:

http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Partition/requirements.html

- thanx to Iam!

The good bit about my setup is that I installed my BB modem via XP and my router is sorted, so it's very easy to sort it all out and be on the net fast...

The installation of an almost fully functional BLAG OS is some 1-2 hours, depending on the HW/driver dance...:thum:

To my Q "how to make BLAG Linux recognise my Windows/NTFS partitions" Jonti replies:

Code:
Considerably more easily than you will get a windows system to recognise "someone else's" file system, that's for sure

Prolly best to check the BLAG Wiki, right here.

Code:

_h**p://wiki.blagblagblag.org/NTFS

In other words:

BLAG 60000 users and beyond should use the new "ntfs-3g" driver

Also, he says:

BLAG has an IRC channel. You can use X-Chat or Gaim to go to it!!

Server: irc.indymedia.org
Channel: #blag

A lot of people idle in the channel, so don't be offended if no-one responds for a while -- they might even have gone into the Big Blue Room for a while

BLAG configures Xchat with the right details to log into the #blag channel. Although (as I recall) there's still a little thrashing around to do, it's very easy to get connected. Some *very* knowledgeable and helpful sorts hang out there, so it can be a well useful source of detailed assistance.

Enjoy the best Linux distro around!!!

LINUX: should you use it if you don't know much about IT?!?

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