Migrating to Linux (Ubuntu?)
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Migrating to Linux (Ubuntu?)
16-05-2008 12:51 PM
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I am seriously considering fleeing Microsoft in favour of Linux. Have you any valuable tips on issues avoidance? BT 210 ADSL router software seems to be Win oriented, is there a Linux equivalent? Any issues about IE6 replacement and connection to Plus??? I await with slightly bated breath!!
Colintivy
Re: Migrating to Linux (Ubuntu?)
16-05-2008 1:19 PM
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Ubuntu comes with most of the software that the average user needs. It installs OpenOffice, Firefox web browser, email client, photo editing, media player etc. It is also easy to install other software via the repository system - you basically choose what you want from a list and off it goes.
Hardware support is pretty good as well. Go for it, I doubt you will regret it. Do make a good backup before you start, just in case.
Re: Migrating to Linux (Ubuntu?)
16-05-2008 1:27 PM
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I trashed and re-installed XP. I will have another go later in the year.
As has been said before it's a steep learning curve if you dip below the surface.
Edit: Just as an afterthought. The laptop I installed on has a failed Ethernet port so I used USB to Ethernet which worked fine.
To argue with someone who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead - Thomas Paine
Re: Migrating to Linux (Ubuntu?)
16-05-2008 2:06 PM
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I like it, i guess the best advice i would give is check out the compatibility with your hardware and Linux.
You can use firefox as a browser.
If it helped click the thumb
If it fixed it click 'This fixed my problem'
Re: Migrating to Linux (Ubuntu?)
16-05-2008 2:20 PM
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read about dual-booting with windows. this is what many people do while they learn enough linux to no longer need it. an alternative some people use is to run windows in a virtual machine, like virtual box, within linux.
join a couple of forums. read the sort of problems that crop up regularly, like wifi, printers, and see how you like the atmosphere.
many drivers are built into the kernel, depending upon distribution, and the developers are constantly working to improve performance.
Re: Migrating to Linux (Ubuntu?)
16-05-2008 4:07 PM
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I have been using various flavours of Linux on various machines for over a decade. Currently Debian on desktops and an (Aldi) laptop. You talk to your modem/router through a browser, so set up is easy. As for wireless, that can be a challenge on less uptodate Linux distributions, but setting up the wireless card on my laptop using the latest Ubuntu was a simple matter of putting a few bits of data in the familiar window boxes.
There will be a learning curve and frustration, as with anything new. Stick with it: it will be worth it and you look back and wonder why you ever used M$ in the first place.
Re: Migrating to Linux (Ubuntu?)
16-05-2008 8:49 PM
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Thanks for near-instant replies. All very encouraging that you think it desirable. I intend to migrate my laptop keeping my tower on win98SE which does keep me intouch My query about 210 router as supplied by BT/Plus is that its driver software is Windows-based and may not allow the linux-ed laptop to talk to Plus if I transfer the cable to its Ethernet socket. Note USB did not want to work on the tower.
Re: Migrating to Linux (Ubuntu?)
16-05-2008 9:45 PM
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Re: Migrating to Linux (Ubuntu?)
16-05-2008 9:47 PM
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Re: Migrating to Linux (Ubuntu?)
16-05-2008 9:47 PM
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Quote from: artificer win98 didn't have support for usb.
Oh yes it did!
Re: Migrating to Linux (Ubuntu?)
16-05-2008 10:07 PM
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Re: Migrating to Linux (Ubuntu?)
17-05-2008 10:51 AM
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Quote from: colintivy My query about 210 router as supplied by BT/Plus is that its driver software is Windows-based and may not allow the linux-ed laptop to talk to Plus if I transfer the cable to its Ethernet socket. Note USB did not want to work on the tower.
That's the point - if you connect the router to a network port it doesn't need drivers as it is communicating using TCP/IP, which is independent of operating system. You only need a driver if you connect using USB. Even then, there may well be Linux drivers available, but setup via a network port should be better. All you do is type the local network address of the router (usually 192.168.0.1) into a browser, and the router web interface will appear. You can enter all your connection settings there.
Re: Migrating to Linux (Ubuntu?)
17-05-2008 11:13 AM
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Re: Migrating to Linux (Ubuntu?)
17-05-2008 11:44 AM
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If you're not a gamer and your PC is used primarily for office work or web surfing, then the Vesa display driver seems to be perfectly fine for general use - but it's very basic.
On a very old machine, stick with Gnome, don't even bother trying KDE.
Re: Migrating to Linux (Ubuntu?)
17-05-2008 12:00 PM
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