What to do with Linux Ubuntu?

[Mr.CookieMonster]

Hi,

I am currently Trialing Linux Ubuntu 11.04 (to see if it will meet my requirements), I have allocated 20GB to Linux Ubuntu.

I downloaded Linux Ubuntu 11.10 for Desktop, the GUI is confusing. Is there any way I can move the task bar that displays on the left of the screen to the bottom of my screen (like Windows)?

Next, Is there any way I can access what is on my hard drive? I cant seem to get into my hard drive, my drivers for linux are on my hard drive.

Does Linux also need an Antivirus and spyware program like Windows does?

Finally, I want to setup Ubuntu for gaming. Is Linux Wine going to be enough and easy to install? I would like to play almost any game as well as windows applications on Windows.

Thanks alot

 

[MyWorld]

Hi,
I downloaded Linux Ubuntu 11.10 for Desktop, the GUI is confusing. Is there any way I can move the task bar that displays on the left of the screen to the bottom of my screen (like Windows)?

Nope, not in Unity. You should rather maybe try Linux Mint, most people are very happy with it. Unity is a love/hate affair, you either love it or hate it, I hate it!

Next, Is there any way I can access what is on my hard drive? I cant seem to get into my hard drive, my drivers for linux are on my hard drive.

What drivers for Linux? You should not need to install any drivers, it is handled with the installation. The only drivers that gets installed post install is the graphics drivers.
To access your NTFS partition you need to install ntfs-3g.

Does Linux also need an Antivirus and spyware program like Windows does?

No, in over 10 years I have used Linux I have never needed it, not once.

Finally, I want to setup Ubuntu for gaming. Is Linux Wine going to be enough and easy to install? I would like to play almost any game as well as windows applications on Windows.

WINE is a hit and miss, either the app/game will work or it will be a disaster.

For instance, if you want to play SC2, Google:
SC2 linux installation
to see what needs done.

Linux is not Windows, Windows app are not meant for Linux, it is a different OS all together, you will need to learn most everything afresh.

 

[dj_jyno]

To access your NTFS partition you need to install ntfs-3g.

Included by default from 9.04 (might be 8.10, not too sure). I didn't have to install it to access my NTFS partition.

 

[10i]

Hope you enjoy it! Another distro to check out is Peppermint OS.

Very user friendly and no Unity interface.

Install PlayOnLinux, should help you along some with running Windows games and programs.

From the command prompt type:
sudo apt-get install playonlinux
Then press enter, enter your password again and press enter.

Or you can download it from the Software Centre (suddenly not sure of the name and on my Black Berry so can't check it right now).

 

[ponder]

I downloaded Linux Ubuntu 11.10 for Desktop, the GUI is confusing. Is there any way I can move the task bar that displays on the left of the screen to the bottom of my screen (like Windows)?

Linux Mint.

 

[Avenue]

Hi,

I am currently Trialing Linux Ubuntu 11.04 (to see if it will meet my requirements), I have allocated 20GB to Linux Ubuntu.

I downloaded Linux Ubuntu 11.10 for Desktop, the GUI is confusing. Is there any way I can move the task bar that displays on the left of the screen to the bottom of my screen (like Windows)?

maybe give it a chance. I know its not for everyone, but there are those who have come to love it.

if you're really not sold on the interface there are a few alternatives:
install gnome shell through the software center- google for images. its similar to the default ubuntu interface (unity) but more streamlined I would say.
once you've installed it, you access it by logging out then at the log in screen, selecting gnome from the dropdown menu next to your name.

you could try mint- as suggested- more traditional interface

zorin os- windows emulated interface

Kubuntu- uses the KDE desktop which is also quite cool.

Next, Is there any way I can access what is on my hard drive? I cant seem to get into my hard drive, my drivers for linux are on my hard drive.

in the left taskbar there should be a folder icon that opens up a file browser
in the left toolbar of that file browser you will find shortcuts to your CD drive, flash drive etc as well as any other partitions. Just double click and you're in.

Does Linux also need an Antivirus and spyware program like Windows does?

no, which is why it is so good for browsing, internet transactions and finding viruses on infected flash drives. There is no where those things can hide.

Finally, I want to setup Ubuntu for gaming. Is Linux Wine going to be enough and easy to install? I would like to play almost any game as well as windows applications on Windows.

Thanks alot

yeah look, wine can run some things, but not everything, and even then not always that well. I duel boot, and stick to windows for games.

 

[greenman]

I strongly suggest not trialling Ubuntu 11.04. It was the first to implement Unity, and has many issues. 11.10 is a vast improvement, and 12.04 (still alpha, but will be released as stable in April) will be a long-term support release, with support for 5 years, and has seen further significant improvements to Unity.

 

[Mr.CookieMonster]

Hope you enjoy it! Another distro to check out is Peppermint OS.

Very user friendly and no Unity interface.

Install PlayOnLinux, should help you along some with running Windows games and programs.

From the command prompt type:
sudo apt-get install playonlinux
Then press enter, enter your password again and press enter.

Or you can download it from the Software Centre (suddenly not sure of the name and on my Black Berry so can't check it right now).

Do you know where I can download PlayOnLinux locally? Im on local cap for the rest of the month.

 

[froot]

Do you know where I can download PlayOnLinux locally? Im on local cap for the rest of the month.

Do you have your repositories set up as local?
ftp.mirror.ac.za
ftp.up.ac.za
ftp.is.co.za
ftp.wage.co.za
Has local mirrors (and there are more).