Trying out Linux for the first time, but can't even get it installed.

Not the best choice going with SuSE.
I would have recommended Ubuntu or even Fedora core.
Both have more support and have evolved their desktop offerings to be more in line with what you expected.
 
Find some niche function you would want Linux to do (web server, SQL etc) and try get it up and running, then go back to Windows and give it a big hug and say how sorry you are for leaving it.
 
Fudzy said:
Find some niche function you would want Linux to do (web server, SQL etc) and try get it up and running, then go back to Windows and give it a big hug and say how sorry you are for leaving it.
Click to expand...

I have to agree with this, Im still not willing to live with desktop linux.
Server linux is a whole other animal though.
 
HideInLight said:
Isn't there like one bloody distro that would just allows me to download something VLC as one file, allow me to put it on a USB drive and double click it?

Also one that doesn't have a bunch of random crappy names. Checking the installation instructions and Linux seems awfully pointless without a working internet connection on that machine.
Click to expand...
You can do this with everything what has internet access and be it your phone:
PortableLinuxApps is it called.

No problem.

You may try FatDog Puppy Linux what is pretty much complete, very fast and will not need internet access and reinstall everything for thats so funny. Only about 250MB! When downloading check if all applications you need are included and if something is missing download the related .txz or .sfs file, the .txz can be installed locally and .sfs are standalone runners anyways. .sfs can be loaded and unloaded on the fly thats nice too.
FatDog homepage

Ask here or PM me if necessary.

/P
 
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I'd recommend OpenSuse over all others :) Def my distro of choice. It couldn't be much simpler to install if you follow the wizard.


I personally just use the text only minimal install. Pfff all this gui rubbish :)
 
I've honestly spent far less time occupied with drivers on Linux than I have with Windows. Nine out of ten times everything will just work straight out the box.

I think the only thing I've had issues with in the past was some cheap no name brand webcam. Even my Focusrite USB soundcard worked without any additional configuration.

I also find it far easier diagnosing problems on Linux systems, but then I guess for somebody that doesn't know the operating system it seems like Greek.
 
HideInLight said:
Isn't there like one bloody distro that would just allows me to download something VLC as one file, allow me to put it on a USB drive and double click it?
Click to expand...

That is not how linux works. Unlike windows where you download an app with all the .dll files included linux share libraries whic reduces the application download size and keeps library versions consistant.

Do me a favour and download the latest Mint Cinnamon, Xubuntu or Manjaro XFCE (this will be the most up to date as it's a rolling release distro, my personal choice) and we'll take it from there.

Can you give us some detailed hardware specs?
 
HideInLight said:
Isn't there like one bloody distro that would just allows me to download something VLC as one file, allow me to put it on a USB drive and double click it?

Also one that doesn't have a bunch of random crappy names. Checking the installation instructions and Linux seems awfully pointless without a working internet connection on that machine.
Click to expand...

I think Linux Mint has "gdebi" which lets you do this.

http://community.linuxmint.com/software/view/gdebi
 
From a linux noob perspective: Zorin's pretty good and it's very much like windows, got it installed on a pen drive as well which I use at work.
 
HideInLight said:
I couldn't even get LAN to work, nor my Vodafone modem.
When I tried to install VLC it wanted the internet.

It's one big deadend.
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Hello. I'm from the internet and here to help.

You're new to Linux. What you need more than anything else is:
1. Proprietary driver support out of the box.
2. Easy software installs via a "software center" of sorts.
3. More than anything: information and guides. From either Google, how-to sites, or massive community forums.

Go Ubuntu and don't look into another distro until you've at least tried it.
 
Seems to me the OP is really unhappy with his Linux experience so far, and even worse, unhappy to put in the effort to learn and understand it. Do we know why he is even using it in the first place? Sounds like someone else made the choice for him.

Running Linux, in my opinion, is no different from running a classic car (which to some is just an old car). You run such a car for the love, fun, and satisfaction that comes from keeping it. You don't necessarily think it is better than or matches other cars, but you find it more intriguing, and you are happy to invest time, energy, money, and even emotions into keeping it running. The fact that true classics cost a lot is an indication that the value of such a vehicle is not just 'in your head.'

Linux is a great OS, but as has been mentioned here and elsewhere already, it is different from the two other major OSes (in functionality, philosophy, and even purpose). Either a person puts in the required effort to learn something new, or they should just use Windows again (which they likely already had years to learn). Perhaps this is why the rather unhelpful RTFM was so common in the Linux community in years past.

ponder was spot on in his previous post.

I would like to believe Windows would do what the OP need from a computer anyway
I want something that can be a HTPC, Do MySQL and QT.
Basically something that could potentially use in a job environment.
Click to expand...

FWIW, my Linux journey started with DamnSmallLinux (verrrry amazing 50MB distro). Then Knoppix, and afterwards Debian until now.
 
i remeber when I had the ubuntu cd, linux was a scary thing but with determination I learned a little n today I know a lot of things
 
qhubekela said:
Seems to me the OP is really unhappy with his Linux experience so far, and even worse, unhappy to put in the effort to learn and understand it. Do we know why he is even using it in the first place? Sounds like someone else made the choice for him.

Running Linux, in my opinion, is no different from running a classic car (which to some is just an old car). You run such a car for the love, fun, and satisfaction that comes from keeping it. You don't necessarily think it is better than or matches other cars, but you find it more intriguing, and you are happy to invest time, energy, money, and even emotions into keeping it running. The fact that true classics cost a lot is an indication that the value of such a vehicle is not just 'in your head.'

Linux is a great OS, but as has been mentioned here and elsewhere already, it is different from the two other major OSes (in functionality, philosophy, and even purpose). Either a person puts in the required effort to learn something new, or they should just use Windows again (which they likely already had years to learn). Perhaps this is why the rather unhelpful RTFM was so common in the Linux community in years past.

ponder was spot on in his previous post.

I would like to believe Windows would do what the OP need from a computer anyway

FWIW, my Linux journey started with DamnSmallLinux (verrrry amazing 50MB distro). Then Knoppix, and afterwards Debian until now.
Click to expand...
It's for people who like to tinker. Like a mechanical watch vs. digital.
 
It works well in business too :)
But not if you're forced. That's what is not so clear with the OP here. Does he want to use Linux? Or is someone forcing him to?
 
qhubekela said:
Seems to me the OP is really unhappy with his Linux experience so far, and even worse, unhappy to put in the effort to learn and understand it. Do we know why he is even using it in the first place? Sounds like someone else made the choice for him.

Running Linux, in my opinion, is no different from running a classic car (which to some is just an old car). You run such a car for the love, fun, and satisfaction that comes from keeping it. You don't necessarily think it is better than or matches other cars, but you find it more intriguing, and you are happy to invest time, energy, money, and even emotions into keeping it running. The fact that true classics cost a lot is an indication that the value of such a vehicle is not just 'in your head.'

Linux is a great OS, but as has been mentioned here and elsewhere already, it is different from the two other major OSes (in functionality, philosophy, and even purpose). Either a person puts in the required effort to learn something new, or they should just use Windows again (which they likely already had years to learn). Perhaps this is why the rather unhelpful RTFM was so common in the Linux community in years past.

ponder was spot on in his previous post.

I would like to believe Windows would do what the OP need from a computer anyway

FWIW, my Linux journey started with DamnSmallLinux (verrrry amazing 50MB distro). Then Knoppix, and afterwards Debian until now.
Click to expand...
Spot on
 
He said what he wanted to do in his second reply to this thread.
 
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