A few questions about Linux/distros. Update: I fail.

[jonessoda]

Let's not make this into an OS or distro war, guys.

I'm a beginner at Linux (but most definitely not at computers in general) and am looking for a distro to run on my laptop. It's a brand new Acer (Intel Core Duo T2300, ATI MR x1600, 2gb RAM, 120mb HDD space), so it shouldn't have problems on its end.

I've done as much research as I really can on my end into this, and I've found a couple likely candidates. OpenSuSE, K/X/Ubuntu, Debian... leaning towards OpenSuSE. I don't want a for-pay version, I don't want a LiveCD, I don't want to dual-boot, and I don't want a CLI-only OS or one that doesn't let you use the CLI. Any other suggestions, or will I be fine with OpenSuSE?

As to applications, the ability to game would be nice but, since I have a gaming rig, it's unnecessary. I'm used to OpenOffice, so as long as that works that's fine. GIMP is okay for image editing. I prefer Opera as a browser, and I assume I won't be using the Sparc or PowerPC version, so I assume that I want to download the "Linux i386" version?

Also, I've heard some issues about getting wireless to work with Linux. Is that a real issue (with 802.11 b/g)? If so, how do I fix it? Any issues with the ATI card I mentioned? USB 2.0 works fine? How about with thumbdrives? Any solutions for connecting a PSP?

Thank you in advance for all your help.

 

[hans030390]

Ubuntu comes with a nice collection of software, and it's easy enough to use (I'm a n00b at Linux, and even I like it). I wouldnt recommend Xubuntu for that rig, because its a very bare OS.

Kororaa uses Xgl for the desktop, and it looks really cool. It's in beta now, but you can get a direct install cd for it. I've tried it, it also comes with good software...not to mention its very pretty.

Thats about all I can recommend...because it's all I know.

 

[thehstrybean]

I'm in the minority on this probably, but I recommend Fedora Core. 5 is the newest. What wireless card do you have? I have a HP L2000 (Broadcom bcm4318 rev 2). Broadcom is a pain to get working, but it can be done. I'd be happy to help you out with it. Fedora has a very slick GUI and, as a linux newbie, I love it.

 

[Nothinman]

Any other suggestions, or will I be fine with OpenSuSE?

What's stopping you from trying all of them? Sure it'll take a while longer, but you'll have a better idea of what's really out there.

Also, I've heard some issues about getting wireless to work with Linux. Is that a real issue (with 802.11 b/g)? If so, how do I fix it? Any issues with the ATI card I mentioned? USB 2.0 works fine? How about with thumbdrives? Any solutions for connecting a PSP?

Wifi depends on the chipset manufacturer, some care and some don't. Most can be made to work but the amount of work it requires varies. Since you say it's a Core Duo I'll assume that it comes with the IPW stuff from Intel which isn't too bad, all you should need to do is download their firmware after installation since it's not redistributable. I don't know anything about the ATI card though one would assume it would work with their fglrx drivers.

USB2 and most drives have worked since they were first introduced, I doubt you'll have any problems with them. I have no idea about the PSP though since I don't own one.

 

[jonessoda]

Its WiFi chipset is the Intel Pro Wireless 3945ABG, according to the Acer website.

How about MP3s? What's a good management and playing software? I have a good-size collection of MP3s, WMAs, and I might just have a few AACs in there.

 

[thebigdude]

Originally posted by: jonessoda
Its WiFi chipset is the Intel Pro Wireless 3945ABG, according to the Acer website.

How about MP3s? What's a good management and playing software? I have a good-size collection of MP3s, WMAs, and I might just have a few AACs in there.

Try this one called VLC player. It plays a wide variety of file types.

 

[imported_LoKe]

XMMS for your audio needs. With that being said, Ubuntu is the only way.

 

[jonessoda]

I think I have that on my gaming rig, actually. Edit: VLC, that is. Had to download it to watch Elephant's Dream. Does it support playlists?

 

[brainwrinkle]

Most distro's don't have MP3 support built-in, but it's usually just one download away. Check the FAQ for the distro you choose, should be in there. In Gnome, the default music player is Rhythmbox and I believe it is juk in KDE (not sure on that though). Ryhthmbox works pretty well for me. I've never tried juk. Once you pick a distro, it is easier to decide on specific programs. Google around a little on your chipset; you may find some instructions or at least figure out how difficult it is.

 

[SleepWalkerX]

Originally posted by: jonessoda
Let's not make this into an OS or distro war, guys.

I'm a beginner at Linux (but most definitely not at computers in general) and am looking for a distro to run on my laptop. It's a brand new Acer (Intel Core Duo T2300, ATI MR x1600, 2gb RAM, 120mb HDD space), so it shouldn't have problems on its end.

I've done as much research as I really can on my end into this, and I've found a couple likely candidates. OpenSuSE, K/X/Ubuntu, Debian... leaning towards OpenSuSE. I don't want a for-pay version, I don't want a LiveCD, I don't want to dual-boot, and I don't want a CLI-only OS or one that doesn't let you use the CLI. Any other suggestions, or will I be fine with OpenSuSE?

I'd recommend Suse. There's just some things you need to know beforehand. From a fresh install Suse 10.1 has a nasty bug in zmd updater which is used to install updates. This can be remedied by running the Online Configuration Update from Yast and then running Online Update. Just remember to do this and you should be fine.

Originally posted by: jonessoda
As to applications, the ability to game would be nice but, since I have a gaming rig, it's unnecessary. I'm used to OpenOffice, so as long as that works that's fine. GIMP is okay for image editing. I prefer Opera as a browser, and I assume I won't be using the Sparc or PowerPC version, so I assume that I want to download the "Linux i386" version?

Suse can run games. I play a couple native FPSs for linux. Warsow, Alien Arena 2006, and Nexuiz. Here's a tutorial on getting 3d acceleration with ATi cards by installing the proprietary ATi drivers allowing you to play these games and even run XGL. And yes look for the x86 version.

Originally posted by: jonessoda
Also, I've heard some issues about getting wireless to work with Linux. Is that a real issue (with 802.11 b/g)? If so, how do I fix it? Any issues with the ATI card I mentioned? USB 2.0 works fine? How about with thumbdrives? Any solutions for connecting a PSP?

Its not too big of an issue. If there are no native wireless card drivers available, you always have a 95% chance of getting your wireless card working with ndiswrapper.

Originally posted by: jonessoda
Thank you in advance for all your help.

No problem. Let me know if you have any other questions. If you're interested in running XGL I'll be glad to show you how to get it up and running. Its super easy in Suse.

And if Suse's not your thing, there are a ton of other great linux distributions. But I'm sure you'd love it. Its my favorite distribution I've ever tested and used.

 

[SleepWalkerX]

Originally posted by: jonessoda
Its WiFi chipset is the Intel Pro Wireless 3945ABG, according to the Acer website.

Your card should be easy to setup in Suse. Make sure to download the Add-On CD alongwith either the 5 CD Release or the DVD release. Then when installing there'll be an option to "Include Add-On Products from Separate Media" during the install.

Originally posted by: jonessoda
How about MP3s? What's a good management and playing software? I have a good-size collection of MP3s, WMAs, and I might just have a few AACs in there.

If you get the Add-On CD you're able to play mp3s with the installed audio player software. If you want to play mp3s in other software then you'll need to install certain packages. If you're into an "iTunes"ish type player use Amarok. If you're into WinAMP check out XMMS. Installing the codecs depends on which player you use. Let me know which one you choose.

 

[Nothinman]

Isn't XMMS still GTK1? I would recommend BMP (beep-media-player) over XMMS any day, unless you need a specific XMMS plugin that hasn't been ported.

 

[imported_LoKe]

Originally posted by: Nothinman
Isn't XMMS still GTK1? I would recommend BMP (beep-media-player) over XMMS any day, unless you need a specific XMMS plugin that hasn't been ported.

I've never tried BMP. How's the skin selection?

 

[SleepWalkerX]

Originally posted by: Nothinman
Isn't XMMS still GTK1? I would recommend BMP (beep-media-player) over XMMS any day, unless you need a specific XMMS plugin that hasn't been ported.

Hey I know, but it looks clean (I have the perfect skin, reminiscent of the old-school winamp; maXMMS) and does exactly what I need it to do without being the least bit bloated. I still loves it.

Btw Beep's dead. Unless you're referring to BMPx. I think Audacious forked from Beep and its pretty much an XMMS (cause BMP forked from XMMS of course), but with GTK2 (which I assume BMP was). Its great, but you'd have to compile it yourself, which is actually quite easy.

 

[imported_LoKe]

I just installed BMPx. =]

 

[jonessoda]

Well, I downloaded the SuSE DVD ISO, going to burn it real soon. On the download site (at opensuse.org) it stated that the DVD ISO came with the contents of the addon CD, so I shouldn't have to download and burn that, too, right? My laptop and RAM should be arriving today (UPS lists them as "Out for Delivery" from the depot about 10mi south of here as of 0430 this morning, which means they should be here by 1900), and I'll then probably install the Vista beta and run that for about a week, then switch over to SuSE.

Since I'm used to WinAMP, I'll check out XMMS and BMPx. Now, what's the difference between GTK1 and GTK2 when applied to audio players?

 

[thehstrybean]

I personally use Xine media player. It was really a way for me to be able to play .avi's and .mp3s really fast. I'm probably gonna switch to VLC, though. Xine is nice, but I don't like the interface too much...

 

[Nothinman]

Btw Beep's dead.

Depends on your definition of dead. =) It's still maintained in Debian and normally that's good enough for me, as long as there's no huge bugs. Hell I still use enlightenment and before this year I don't think the code was touched since like '02 or '03.

Xine is nice, but I don't like the interface too much...

Yes, xine's UI is ass, I much prefer mplayer.

 

[imported_LoKe]

BMPx doesn't seem like anything special to me. The controls are slow and unresponsive, the playlist is organized like hell, it triesto play my album art confused and a couple other things.

 

[SleepWalkerX]

Originally posted by: jonessoda
Since I'm used to WinAMP, I'll check out XMMS and BMPx. Now, what's the difference between GTK1 and GTK2 when applied to audio players?

Pretty much aesthetics. I don't think performance is really too much of a factor. GTK1 is outdated while GTK2 is what's being worked on right now.

XMMS looks like this by default. Of course there are skins you can download. Its just always worked for me and I like how it looks so I never bothered getting anything else.

Not sure what BMPx looks like by default, but here are some screenshots.

 

[Nothinman]

Now, what's the difference between GTK1 and GTK2 when applied to audio players?

It's the tool kit used for the UI, GTK1 looks like ass and is unmaintained, GTK2 looks good and is what all current GTK apps should be using.

 

[jonessoda]

Installing SuSE linux now. Vista beta was good and all, but it's time for some Linux.

Edit: I pray to god I don't end up with the rampant and embarassing penguin worship/fetishism sometimes seen in the community. I hate penguins.

 

[jonessoda]

Update: Well, that was a total clusterf**k. The display only worked at 800x600 instead of the natively-supported 1280x800 that the laptop is supposed to run. The networking didn't work, it might have if I'd had a network cable plugged in at the beginning. The wireless didn't work. The cursor speed was way too fast (although I suppose it must be adjustable).

Oh, well. I'll try again!

 

[SleepWalkerX]

What wireless card do you have? What kind of video card do you have?

 

[jonessoda]

I got it running now, but I have a problem with the display still. It runs only at 800x600. I've downloaded the ATI drivers for Linux, but it's a .run file and I can't figure out how to run it. Clicking on it opens it as a text file and gives me a message saying it's a binary and saving it will result in a corrupt file.

Edit: It's an ATI mobility radeon x1600.