Some nice GNU/Linux distros to consider!

[swarfendor437]

1. Zorin OS - described as the Gateway to Linux for Windows Users.

2. If you prefer a Mac Look then there is Pear Linux 5

3. Ultimate Edition 3.4 (What Ubuntu should be like!) from here

4. Lightweight distributions for Netbooks/older machines: Zorin has a Lite version, Not sure if Pear has released one for 5 but did for 4; Last one for Ultimate Edition was 2.9 or 3.0 I think.
Qelitu from softpedia is also based on Ubuntu 12.04 ('Perfect Pangolin') which will run with 80 Mb RAM and uses the Lubuntu desktop.

I am sure there are other users who will argue for Fedora 17, SuSE Linux (Community Version), LinuxMint etc (Other lightweights are VectorLinux, Dream Linux, and BodhiLinux - all good stuff). And let's not forget PC-BSD 9.0!

If you never get round to installing, you can at least try mos of these live to see what you think.

PS I am a moderator on Zorin forum

[moderator2]

PS I am a moderator on Zorin forum (Link removed)

You may well be. Bearing that in mind you will appreciate that your post looks and smells like Spam.

If you wish to continue posting, contact UHM. I'm sure you will be able to work out how to.

[swarfendor437]

PS I am a moderator on Zorin forum (Link removed)

You may well be. Bearing that in mind you will appreciate that your post looks and smells like Spam.

If you wish to continue posting, contact UHM. I'm sure you will be able to work out how to.

Done and dusted!

[joinerjohn]

I use Ubuntu 12.04, so I'll have a look at Zorin (give it a whirl at least).

Biggest problem I've found with Linux OS's is that "Linux assumes the user knows what they are doing."

[swarfendor437]

I use Ubuntu 12.04, so I'll have a look at Zorin (give it a whirl at least).

Biggest problem I've found with Linux OS's is that "Linux assumes the user knows what they are doing."

Hi joinerjohn,

I can understand what you are saying - I think the biggest problem that has faced a lot of users (including myself) is Gnome 3 - life was an awful lot easier with Gnome 2 and Zorin 5 upwards was simpler to configure - but I am getting there - and when I discover something I offer it up to the Zorin forum as workarounds or solutions depending on the situation. Zorin (and the other 3 distros mentioned) are based on Ubuntu 12.04 but tweaked in different ways. PearLinux 5 was a bit disappointing compared to 4 as it has no Office Suite installed (unless it has been updated - been busy with hols and DIY project shortly after it was released - Floor Sanding is such a pain!

swarf'

[joinerjohn]

So far, I managed to bu&&er up my first 12.04 installation by trying to get it to display the "Cube". Somehow disabled some settings on it and I couldn't even get the recovery screen up (had to re-install)
I've seen a lot of people complain about Unity, since it was introduced, but I've got no complaints about it and find it 's even better in 12.04 now.
Nice fast OS and not memory hungry (like Windoze) Fast boot times,,, 0-blazing away in 15 -20 seconds.
Only problem I have is the lack of support for usb floppy disk drives ( I know it's old hat, but I still use floppy's with my Yamaha keyboard, and don't fancy forking out for a floppy emulator (but may well concede defeat and go down that route)
Have had another problem with Java , recently. Keeps asking on some websites to update the IcedTea plugin, but I already have the latest one, but selecting "run this time" loads Java anyway.
I'm not a big fan of using the terminal, much preferring to load programs from the repositories through the software centre.
Ahh well... Still a nice OS.

[swarfendor437]

This may work:

sudo mount -t vfat /dev/fdo /media/floppy0 [But change /dev/fdo for /dev/sd? where ? is whatever the usb floppy shows up as in device manager.

What worked for me (internal floppy drive) - been trying for ages - so your prompt has helped me:

Open up a terminal (Alt+ F2 and enter 'gnome-terminal' - without the quotes).

Next enter this command: udisks --mount /dev/fd0 (again changing 'fd0' for whatever 'sd?' your USB floppy shows up as!

I must add that I tried something else that did not work but might be needed beforehand:

http://www.ubuntugeek.com/tiphow-to-mou ... buntu.html

before getting to my first bit of this post:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p= ... ostcount=5

Hope it helps.

[swarfendor437]

When you say nice OS are you referring to Ubuntu or Zorin? Installation can be by three methods with Zorin:

1. Ubuntu Sofware Centre

2. Synaptic Package Manager ('traditional method')

3. Download .deb packages from websites and install using Gdebi package installer.

With regards to Java I would check that all your dependencies are present. If still an issue, open up a terminal and enter:

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get purge IcedTea

Then try to reinstall it.

I would also check that you have the latest jre and that your Updates settings are set to 'Main Server'

[BillyGoat]

I'd rather break out the crayons that use Linux personally. Much rather spend my time USING my Operating System than spending countless hours searching how to compile this or change file x and y when Z has a missing dependency because it was designed with library R for OS D.

[northwales4u]

Hi swarfendor437, I'm currently using Ubuntu (latest one -is it 12.4) but after reading about Zorin Lite I thought that woul dbe perfect for me to switch to because I am using an old P4, 500mb memory and 80gb HDD (scruff, stop laughing with your new swanky set-up!).

As I use it 95% of the time just to surf the net I thought the switch would be sweet. Only one problem - my CD writer doesn't work! Do you know of another GNU/Linux Lite OS which isn't dissimilar to Ubuntu that can be installed off a flash drive or the HDD?

Cheers

[Icm76]

lot's of good ones to choose from, but I'll comment on ones I've used...

Fedora

Relatively easy to get on with, great forum support, and the installer script Autoplus (used to be called Autoten) by Dangermouse, is terrific and makes things very easy. I like Fedora a lot, but eventually the relentless pace of updates gets a bit tiresome.

SuSE

I just found this to be a PITA, aside from it running like a dog I found the attempts to make it 'more like windows' was harder work than than distros with vanilla GNOME

[joinerjohn]

I'd rather break out the crayons that use Linux personally. Much rather spend my time USING my Operating System than spending countless hours searching how to compile this or change file x and y when Z has a missing dependency because it was designed with library R for OS D.

BG, Ubuntu and Linux in general just isn't like that anymore. Ubuntu comes as a complete package these days. It includes Libre Office, Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird email client. The fun really starts when you try to install some programs other open source developers are writing, or some of the more arcane programs. (this is where you find unmet dependencies)
Wine ( a Windows interface)supposedly allows Win ** programs to run in the Linux environment. I tried to run Eve Online in Wine and had loads of problems trying to get it to run. Initially there were lots of things missing. MS corefonts, MS this , that and t'other. Almost all Win** programs will have unmet dependencies in Wine.
But,, why try to run programs written for Win, in another environment in the first place?
If I want to play Eve Online, I just swap over to my G/F's computer (running Win7) and it works perfectly on there.
When I eventually buy a new computer, I'm going to set it up so I can dual boot into Win or Linux and have the best of both worlds.
Surfing the web is extremely safe using Linux, as there are none (or at least very, very few) viruses for Linux. Whereas Win** machines need their Firewall, AV and Malware software. Even Apple Macs need AV and Malware software, these days.

[BillyGoat]

I'm pretty easy going John - each to their own. The correct choice of operating system is the one that does the job needed for the person using it!

I know what has changed, how it used to be and fully agree about people that try to run software on an OS and spend weeks trying when they could simply use the software on the host OS for which it was designed. I also get it's the challenge these people like to get the feeling of defiance and victory.

I still don't believe ANY of the OS's are ready for prime time or sales in shops. The returns rates of most netbooks preloaded with linux distributions is unreal when you look into it. You'll still find them in the shops so they can have 'market leaders' and 'hero' products in store - they are a nightmare to support too.

I'm a Windows man through and thorough and I don't see that changing any time soon. I've had Macs, Chrome OS, Linux, Unix - but, Windows for me is 127.0.0.1 (hahah...geek joke).

As far as viruses go - I can only assume it's down to personal use and the sites people visit, which is why they have so many issues. I for one don't download torrents or illegal software, so I'm not subject to the horrors contained within. Anyone who does, might look closer to home for an answer as to why they have so many issues - let alone WHAT is being done with their personal data that is probably being harvested (regardless of what amazing A/V package they have).

I'm also under the impression that a false feeling of security is far worse than bad security. I've seen linux distro's that have GLARING security holes in services that are either enabled by default or turned on and poorly configured. It only takes a worm or automated script looking for an open box and your box is toast. Which doe beg the question - do you know where to look and how to trouble shoot such things?

BG

[Icm76]

As far as viruses go - I can only assume it's down to personal use and the sites people visit, which is why they have so many issues. I for one don't download torrents or illegal software

Don't get too complacent, I've had malware hassles due to browsing forums a lot like this one i.e. nothing controversial, no piracy or porn. One piece of malware I found was delivered through a games forum, it was designed to steal account details for a particular online game. I've seen other malware attacks via TV//Hi-Fi equipment forums and landlord/tenant forums. One of the main reasons I now stick to linux for 99.9% of my browsing, email and online shopping.

[joinerjohn]

Probably the biggest risk Linux users present, is the unwitting passing on of win viruses via email attachments, to other win users. I have heard that Win viruses can run in Wine, and if the user is logged in as the super user (or root), a virus could potentially damage the OS. But it's rare for Linux users to be logged on as the root user.
I've been using Linux OS for over a year now, without any antivirus software.