Losing my patience with Ubuntu...

[Merlin]

Yes there is, Virtualbox. your best bet to install Virtualbox is to go to their website and download the one they have there (and follow the easy installation procedure). It's a tad better than what you get in the default Ubuntu repositories (last I checked). From there on you can have Windows in a VM for the little 'dows programs you just can't do without.

Duly noted. Thanks.

If you spend a bit of time getting acquainted with Ubuntu, just how different/hard is it to use other distros?

I know that's a broad question because they can look very different, but would you say a proficient Ubuntu user is a capable 'nix user?

 

[ponder]

Where does a newbie go to learn how to do anything other than click on what's available?

Is what you find in the software centre the only available software for Ubuntu?

How does one install software?

What are the necessary basic Linux commands?

For example, I battled my rear end off to install Firefox 4.0 until I came across a website detailing the install procedure. I would never have figured that out.

First check Ubuntu Software Center and then Synaptic Package Manager.
Next do a google search for a PPA and simply add the PPA to your system and install as per normal via Synaptic, USC or terminal.
Next go check www.getdeb.net
Next do a google search for Ubunu 10.10 application name .deb, download it, double click it and install.
If you know the app name go to the developers homepage and check if he has precompiled .debs available for download.

Example: Firefox 4 https://launchpad.net/~mozillateam/+archive/firefox-stable

 

[Merlin]

First check Ubuntu Software Center and then Synaptic Package Manager.
Next do a google search for a PPA and simply add the PPA to your system and install as per normal via Synaptic, USC or terminal.
Next go check www.getdeb.net
Next do a google search for Ubunu 10.10 application name .deb, download it, double click it and install.
If you know the app name go to the developers homepage and check if he has precompiled .debs available for download.

Example: Firefox 4 https://launchpad.net/~mozillateam/+archive/firefox-stable

Gold star, ponder. Defo. =]

I might be niggling here, but if you take a look at that...it's quite an involved process and not necessarily one most newbies are going to figure out easily.

Yes, there are the forums - but I reckon some sort of heads up, link or quick guide on installation would be a serious bonus to most. Maybe that's just me though.

Apart from the processes, I am encountering a huge array of 'nix terminology. That's also on my To Do list, because at the moment it's about as good as a Greek love poem from Aphrodite to me - foreign.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

I think the most frustrating and and time consuming part of using linux is getting certain hardware devices to work. Its easier in Windows because the manufacturers of the hardware cater for Windows users and don't give a crap about us Linux users. 9 out of 10 times you will be able to get the device to work, but it can be a hard road if you don't first make sure the device is well supported before you buy it. I'm still trying to get my tv card to work properly on mythtv.

 

[Bismuth]

I think the most frustrating and and time consuming part of using linux is getting certain hardware devices to work. Its easier in Windows because the manufacturers of the hardware cater for Windows users and don't give a crap about us Linux users. 9 out of 10 times you will be able to get the device to work, but it can be a hard road if you don't first make sure the device is well supported before you buy it. I'm still trying to get my tv card to work properly on mythtv.

This is true. When I was looking for a printer, I started and linuxprinting.org, and eventually chose an HP that was said to work "out the box" in Linux. And indeed it did, didn't even need to follow the installation poster that came with, just plugged in the printer usb, powered it up, after a short wait a message confirmed printer was installed. Printed a test page just to make sure, and never looked back. Scanning function works flawlessly with xsane.

B

 

[BigAl-sa]

Yes there is, Virtualbox. your best bet to install Virtualbox is to go to their website and download the one they have there (and follow the easy installation procedure). It's a tad better than what you get in the default Ubuntu repositories (last I checked). From there on you can have Windows in a VM for the little 'dows programs you just can't do without.

Virtualbox from the repositories is the open source version. One of the major problems is that the open source versions can't handle USB devices directly.

This is true. When I was looking for a printer, I started and linuxprinting.org, and eventually chose an HP that was said to work "out the box" in Linux. And indeed it did, didn't even need to follow the installation poster that came with, just plugged in the printer usb, powered it up, after a short wait a message confirmed printer was installed. Printed a test page just to make sure, and never looked back. Scanning function works flawlessly with xsane.

B

I have a Canon printer and scanner, and Canon has *very* limited linux support (with no support for my particular printer and scanner). I run both the printer and the scanner from XP in a virtualbox, using Oracle's closed source version to get the USB connectivity. (To me, XP is just another linux app!)

 

[w1z4rd]

I think the most frustrating and and time consuming part of using linux is getting certain hardware devices to work. Its easier in Windows because the manufacturers of the hardware cater for Windows users and don't give a crap about us Linux users. 9 out of 10 times you will be able to get the device to work, but it can be a hard road if you don't first make sure the device is well supported before you buy it. I'm still trying to get my tv card to work properly on mythtv.

Linux supports more hardware than Windows, pity you had a bad experience, Ive not had incompatible hardware in about 3 years. What bad luck you are having.

My wireless works fine, my CellC works fine, my Nvidia works fine, my webcam works fine, my all in one printer/fax/scanner... works fine. I didnt have to install a single driver except for the nvidia restricted drivers.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Linux supports more hardware than Windows, pity you had a bad experience, Ive not had incompatible hardware in about 3 years. What bad luck you are having.

My wireless works fine, my CellC works fine, my Nvidia works fine, my webcam works fine, my all in one printer/fax/scanner... works fine. I didnt have to install a single driver except for the nvidia restricted drivers.

Yes I was a bit unlucky, have had 2 difficult devices in the past few months. I must say though, most of the it kicks Windows any day of the week in this department.

 

[w1z4rd]

Yes I was a bit unlucky, have had 2 difficult devices in the past few months. I must say though, most of the it kicks Windows any day of the week in this department.

Ever since I found out how easy it is to turn over a windows machine with something like metasploit I have gone the google way and banned Microsoft from our office Anyone who works with accounts or sensitive passwords is not allowed to run MS

 

[ponder]

Virtualbox from the repositories is the open source version. One of the major problems is that the open source versions can't handle USB devices directly.

Best to add the virtualbox repo but then new people probably would not know that either.

 

[w1z4rd]

Best to add the virtualbox repo but then new people probably would not know that either.

Just download and install the .deb off the site, it puts the repo`s in automatically afaik.

Also, you want the virtual box off the website, rather than the general repos that come with Ubuntu, cause then you can install guest plugins and do the whole seamless integration.

 

[sidai]

Ola,

I installed Ubuntu on a virtual machine a while back with the intention of testing it out for use as my primary OS.

I'd like to ultimately move away from Windows as much as possible. Options are always good.

It seems fairly widely acknowledged that Ubuntu is the best option for absolute Linux beginners.

Fair enough, it looks like an OS.

The constant nags for a password when I want to do anything are @#$%ing annoying, but I can get past that...

Where does a newbie go to learn how to do anything other than click on what's available?

Is what you find in the software centre the only available software for Ubuntu?

How does one install software?

What are the necessary basic Linux commands?

For example, I battled my rear end off to install Firefox 4.0 until I came across a website detailing the install procedure. I would never have figured that out.

Is there an easy and comprehensive guide available somewhere that you would specifically recommend?

Thanks.

Here is one. sudo rm -rf /

Lol. Best place is the ubuntu forums as previously stated. There is 1000's of posts helping new users. Also see the wiki...

 

[w1z4rd]

Here is one. sudo rm -rf /

Dont type that command.

 

[Merlin]

Dont type that command.

I figured as much.

Reminiscing about past BOFFs and IRC chatrooms instructing newbies to unwittingly format their C:...always caused a chuckle and a worry when the user suddenly disappeared from the room with an unexpected disconnection.

For the record, I never succumbed to posting that command.

 

[w1z4rd]

I figured as much.

Reminiscing about past BOFFs and IRC chatrooms instructing newbies to unwittingly format their C:...always caused a chuckle and a worry when the user suddenly disappeared from the room with an unexpected disconnection.

For the record, I never succumbed to posting that command.

... I did... on UNITRA`s main proxy server.... that was the same day I learnt SQUID. I was such an idiot noob.

 

[Merlin]

I once came across a guy who 'hid' the format command. I'm not sure what he typed, but it didn't resemble the 'right' command at all. Quite convincing.

It was in the '90s though, so the memory's definitely in the advanced stage of the blur process.

 

[ponder]

Also, you want the virtual box off the website, rather than the general repos that come with Ubuntu, cause then you can install guest plugins and do the whole seamless integration.

Referring to the virtualbox site ones.

 

[kingmilo]

Mikroz,


Ubuntu is built in such a way as not to teach you the things you are looking to learn. It's aimed mostly at beginners who do not want to know what a linux command line looks like.
My suggestion to you is for you to get a better understanding of what linux is and how to work with it. Trying your hand at installing Gentoo Linux as a VM will do you wonders.
There website has step by step excellent documentation that teaches as you install, check it out and you will start to move around Ubuntu much more easily.

 

[Bismuth]

I have a Canon printer and scanner, and Canon has *very* limited linux support (with no support for my particular printer and scanner). I run both the printer and the scanner from XP in a virtualbox, using Oracle's closed source version to get the USB connectivity. (To me, XP is just another linux app!)

Yeah, if you already have the hardware, then VB is the way to go. But I had the OS, so did what I did. Lol@XP being another linux app, the nice thing is you can shut it down and carry on, when you are done with it!

Here is one. sudo rm -rf /

Lol. Best place is the ubuntu forums as previously stated. There is 1000's of posts helping new users. Also see the wiki...

Oooh, naughty, the Ubuntu forums has warnings for the various "dangerous" commands to warn newcomers.

Ubuntu is built in such a way as not to teach you the things you are looking to learn. It's aimed mostly at beginners who do not want to know what a linux command line looks like.
My suggestion to you is for you to get a better understanding of what linux is and how to work with it. Trying your hand at installing Gentoo Linux as a VM will do you wonders.
There website has step by step excellent documentation that teaches as you install, check it out and you will start to move around Ubuntu much more easily.

I started with FreeBSD years ago, what I have found with Ubuntu is that there are often cases where you can choose to use the command line, but don't have to as there is a GUI alternative. When looking for a solution, I use whichever one works, GUI or CLI. If you are in the command line, just be careful when commands start asking you for your admin password, as the one above would, ask yourself why it needs admin privileges, and you should be ok for the most part.

I want to try this "linuxfromscratch" I discovered awhile ago, I imagine that would give you a deeper understanding of Linux and it's inner workings as well. Heh, maybe less hair as well as you try to put it all together. My crowning glory for me, with FreeBSD, was getting a GUI up and running, but didn't use it that much as I had gotten used to the command line.

B

 

[w1z4rd]

Mikroz,


Ubuntu is built in such a way as not to teach you the things you are looking to learn. It's aimed mostly at beginners who do not want to know what a linux command line looks like.
My suggestion to you is for you to get a better understanding of what linux is and how to work with it. Trying your hand at installing Gentoo Linux as a VM will do you wonders.
There website has step by step excellent documentation that teaches as you install, check it out and you will start to move around Ubuntu much more easily.

Its aimed at people who want a complete desktop and have decent hardware for a modern desktop, its not aimed at people who have too much time on their hands (gentoo) , or for people with terrible hardware (where you need the most cut down basic specs).

Im certainly no beginner to linux (all my servers are centos), but Ubuntu is without a doubt, the best desktop solution for me. I need more than vi and grep in my life though. Sure Ubuntu has made things easier, you no longer have to spend half an hour using cli to setup a pppoe session for your usb Vodacom or CellC dongle. You can just click "connect" (as it auto detects the settings for your mobile network).