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Re: [LUG] Help with my Linux (re-installing)

 

Peter M Le Mare wrote:

> I hope this works 'cos I have had considerable trouble actually 
> posting this and I'm not sure list recognises my e-mail address. If 
> all you and I get this then it's there is no need for this note!! Here 
> is pasted my original attempt at posting:-
>
> Dear All Linux Users
>
> I have been getting your e-mails for many years now but have not used 
> you. I am not even sure this will get through as I have forgotten my 
> Log On name and the Password.
>
> Some time ago (well a long time actually) I did boot up with a Linux 
> but had trouble at that time installing, the hardware in particular. I 
> could neither get a modem that would work and my video card seemed not 
> to work properly and printers. I did find out what to write on what I 
> think you call the command line but I never understood WHERE to write 
> it. Different programming commands presumable need to go in different 
> parts of the system. I know I may seem stupid but I could never find 
> anyone who would properly explain this and I read all the Linux for 
> Dummies and other instructions.
>
> Well I really want to try again, as my annoyance with Bill Gates is 
> probably greater than ever (notwithstanding Vista!!) and I have 
> recently had to rebuild my computer after a blown motherboard and a 
> scrapped hard disc. I have re-installed my W98se MANY times and even 
> spent money to a computer shop to try for me and it is now still not 
> working properly.
>
> How should I start? There are several distros in the magazines in 
> Smiths but I am confused as to which is which and exactly what is the 
> meaning of these distros. One says Fedora 6 core (another seems to 
> imply that this is also Red Hat) on 5 DVD's. Another says Ubuntu? and 
> says this is the easiest to use. I realise that a core is free but are 
> the distros merely some programmes or are you tied to a particular 
> desktop? Can you mix these different distros or are they completely 
> different systems? What do you suggest a beginner should start with?
>
> If I get it working can I import my MSword files directly to such as 
> Star Office and can I send them as attachments to people in a form 
> that they can receive (most can receive MSword.doc but I suppose I may 
> have to use Adobe PDF's?)? Or do I have to install WINE – and is it 
> possible to run a programme that was just on DOS? (it is an excellent 
> DTP, some of you may have heard of it, called Jetsetter and much 
> better than anything else I can find – except possibly the very 
> expensive Quark Express – unless you know different!)
>
> Better still is there anyone down this way - Penzance or St Just 
> (Penwith) - willing to help me get started? Or is there a course I can 
> go on (that is inexpensive as I live on a minimum state pension of 
> only £85 a week!)?
>
> Life, love, peace and freedom
>
> Pete (Le M)
>
> Peter M Le Mare
> Petanna Peace Barn
> Carnyorth, St Just
> Penzance, CORNWALL TR19 7QD
> Tel: 01736 787 056
> e-mail: pete@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:pete@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>
> PS I have my soft toy penguin already!

Welcome (Back ?),

Yes your email did get to group safely !

The distro you want to use is your choice, unfortunately you can't be 
told which linux distro is best for you, you can only learn by trying, 
which can be time consuming. However here are a few tips.

1. Different distros use different mixes of "free" and "open-source" 
(and sometimes) proprietary software. Depending on your own personal 
ethos / "religous beliefs " you may wish to mix and match, or stick to 
strictly GNU compliant.

2. Different distros have different perspectives.
Examples: Red Hat's fedora is the "community" version.

However its focus is on features that can be incorporated into its 
"commerically" focused GNU/Linux distros.

Debian is another distro which is very much free software based. Debian 
can be set to only allow downloads of total "free" software, that is to 
say only "products" that comply 100% to the GNU License (and 
compatibles). There are also non-free products that can be downloaded / 
installed in the Debian Distro but you have to decide to allow this.

Ubunto is another distro that is BASED on Debian, its philosphy is 
"GNU/Linux for humans", that is to say GNU/Linux should be easy for the 
"average joe / joette" to install and use. However Ubunto is less fussy 
about how compliant it is with the GNU license.

Ubuntu is a good starting point but their are cavets. And I am not going 
to tell you that you MUST use Ubuntu

There are loads of different distros out there, if you have specific 
"niche" requirements there is bound to be a distro out there for you, 
google is your friend in hunting these down (distowatch will show just 
how many distros there are out there).

The main distros have "live cd" versions which can be used to try before 
you install, they will run slower than an installed version, but they 
give you a flavour of how it will look and feel if you should decide to 
install it to your hard disk.

For office tool compatibility open office will do 99% of the job. It 
also has a PDF generator which can be useful or not depending on your 
views on PDF. Practically all mainstream distros of GNU/Linux that I am 
aware of include open office.

Your needs for software will be unique, looking for a distro that meets 
most of your needs is part of the fun.

Thanks for posting to the group.

Enjoy.


Tom.


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