Windows to Linux - What am I doing wrong?

[sevenworth]

This is how it is.

I spent the last 10 years of my life with Microsoft. Developing and changing, all the while Windows was my companion; easy to use and understand. I was truly amazed by the way that Windows revolutionized the home entertainment realm with Media Centre Edition, and while I may solicit criticism for saying this, I enjoyed every minute of Windows. Its simple, widely used and supported interface is the first choice of manufacturers worldwide, and ease of use is key. You generally don't have to know anything about computers to be able to get done what you set out to do.

Along comes Linux.

It's beautiful. For lack of better english, "A breath of fresh air". I have waited for so long for choice. I jump at the chance to get involved. I see the cover of my newly purchased SuSe Linux Professional 9.3 says things like: "Award winning" and "Complete operating system" and I get this strange impression even after I go through the remarkably easy and impressive installation procedure, that I've FINALLY FOUND THE ANSWER! And then...

While it kinda works well, and is kinda full of software and features.... I cant really do much with it, because.... I HAVE TO BE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO GET ANYTHING DONE IN LINUX. Am I wasting my time with linux because I am brainwashed by Windows, or is there hope for people like me: "Sick of Windows but too stupid for Linux".

All I really want is to be able to connect my Option Nozomi. If I can do this, I'll be happy. For Pete's Sake Please Help Me! I don't want to hate Linux, but I feel like I'm about to start........

 

[Gunny]

Have a look at the Linux sticky in the vodacom forum Tazz is really knowlegable and has posted stepps to do it.

 

[web]

SuSe 9.3 is kinda old aswell....

 

[JazzeD]

I would recommend Kubunto.

 

[Darth Garth]

I would recommend Kubunto.

Spoken like a true Linux geek ... am sure at least one must eventually work .

 

[bullfrog]

How many do I need to try to get my networking to work.

Have installed linux suse 10.1 on my system and just can't get my network to work at all. I can't ping any other machine on my local network or anything. If anyone has some useful networking guides for use with suse 10.1, please point me in the right direction.

 

[Glipsie]

@bullfrog: You need some patience to get linux working the way you want it to. Best way to start is to read up on some "how to's". The Linux Documentation Project is a good place to start. Specifically, I think you'll want to read this: http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Ethernet-HOWTO.html

 

[bullfrog]

cool thnx a lot. Will check it out a bit later to see if I can get things rolling

I used google and have downloaded a few guides and stuff, just haven't gotten anything useful aimed at the newer linux user. Now the gui on linux is great and all and I have messed arround with the settings in yast, just haven't been able to get it going.

 

[graviti]

Having used Suse 10.1, I found it pretty, but useless. I learn't on Fedora Core. I find it less pretty, but a bit sturdier to use. I can't say I've tried the Ubuntu family, as I don't have a net connection at home. Fedora does everything I want it to. Networking in Fedora is as easy as in Windows. Even Internet Connection Sharing. What a breeze. Setting up all the extra services is easy. And the one service that a lot of people complain about in linux distros in Samba. Fedora gets that right first time round. Even if hooking onto a Windows ADS. Not trying to say that Fedora is better, but openSUSE has only been public since version 10. Fedora has released 5 public versions, vs openSUSE's 1.2. I say 1.2, coz they still on version 10, and have made two minor update releases.

Mandriva is also another pretty interface Linux, but I find it is not as easy to configure. In an attempt to make it idiot proof, they over did it.

I went from Windows to Linux using Fedora. Was practically seamless. Only issues I had was with my Atheros Chipset Wireless PCMCIA card for my laptop, Which I've got working once. (Dud chipset). And my modem. (Soft-modem). That just takes effort and a driver download. Fedora Core 3 I had a sound driver issue, but again, that was due to the chipset being so new, which worked in version 4.

my 2c

 

[spiderz]

I install Simply MEPIS and the network was working ridht after the install, able to connect to internet and every thing. Have'nt played much with it yet.

 

[ic]

[post=219998]Start here...[/post]

 

[lilDeath]

All depends on how many *nix flavors you are willing to try...

 

[Skeptik]

At the risk of getting shot down - I wouldn't bother with Linux or PC UNIX. Unless you buy an Apple the rest of the flavours are really amateurish. OK so they are virus resistant and the software is free but it's truly a hassle to get things working. Linux was supposed to be suitable for a slower PC but in reality this is a myth. If you can get a working copy of UBUNTU (a task in itself) it won't impress a long-time Windows user. Most people get excited merely because they have an alternative and it's anti-Microsoft. If you don't mind chunky GUIs, cryptic filenaming conventions, have an unlimited internet account and the patience of Jobe then give it a spin. Otherwise wait for the next decade.

 

[sevenworth]

The reasons for the linux change-over is more "economical" than anything else. I'm trying to run a legal business, and as such, I'm definately not interested in paying for Xp pro, and DEFINATELY not interested in forking out a couple of thousand for photoshop. But one of the main things I need is an internet connection. I don't feel that linux is at fault itself here though. I'm left wondering why manufacturers don't deploy hardware with linux software included. Surely its not the responsibility of Linux to support all the world's hardware...

 

[ic]

At the risk of getting shot down - I wouldn't bother with Linux or PC UNIX. Unless you buy an Apple the rest of the flavours are really amateurish. OK so they are virus resistant and the software is free but it's truly a hassle to get things working. Linux was supposed to be suitable for a slower PC but in reality this is a myth. If you can get a working copy of UBUNTU (a task in itself) it won't impress a long-time Windows user. Most people get excited merely because they have an alternative and it's anti-Microsoft. If you don't mind chunky GUIs, cryptic filenaming conventions, have an unlimited internet account and the patience of Jobe then give it a spin. Otherwise wait for the next decade.

IMO you need to try a more recent version of Ubuntu or rather kUbuntu bcos it sounds like you tried an early version that wasn't quite up to scratch...?

 

[ArminM]

Some people just give up after NOT even trying.
I use CentOs, yes it's a RHEL4, a tad later on releases, etc. But sturdy as hell and can do a lot.
Yup, it took a bit of time to get out of windows mode, but now I have more control......

 

[sevenworth]

ok. had a visit to the local freedom toaster this evening. got hold of ubuntu dapper drake. looks and feels great, but usual problem with ubuntu is no root, so permission difficulties. have managed to get the system to notice when i insert or eject the card (option nozomi), but still cannot install a driver (unable to make install). Using pci to pcmcia bridge is obviously too awkward a situation for linux. have done everything Tazz's howto says but still no joy. the results i'm getting dont seem to match the howto...

 

[ic]

ok. had a visit to the local freedom toaster this evening. got hold of ubuntu dapper drake. looks and feels great, but usual problem with ubuntu is no root, so permission difficulties. have managed to get the system to notice when i insert or eject the card (option nozomi), but still cannot install a driver (unable to make install). Using pci to pcmcia bridge is obviously too awkward a situation for linux. have done everything Tazz's howto says but still no joy. the results i'm getting dont seem to match the howto...

Please post log snippets in code blocks in the sticky Linux thread

- your post there needs fleshing out with facts for the rest of us to look at, on the postivie side I can tell you that it took me a long time to get an Option 3G data card working in Ubuntu, but I stuck with it, and once it was working I was very very happy with average 40kBytes/s...48kBytes/s [that was before HSDPA], stick with it - Linux is worth the effort, but it requires a paradigm shift if [like I was at the time] you're stuck in a Windoze rut .