I'm about to dive into Linux!!!

[TechHead87]

I just downloaded Ubuntu yesterday, and will probably be installing it to my 2ndary drive tomorrow. If you got any tips, they're much appreciated. I've heard it takes some time getting used to, and can be a pain installing the kernels and different librarys and such. I do plan on keeping WinXP on my main HDD, as Ubuntu will (hopefully) end up on my secondary 40gb drive. I've got a few questions about Ubuntu, and Linux in general:

1. What windows-able programs can I and CAN'T I use on Linux? (Please say WinAmp)
2. After the installation, how much time will I spend using the command language?
3. What's the usual learning curve of Ubuntu?
4. What are some of the cool startup programs that come with Ubuntu?

Any other help/links/advice is GREATLY appreciated!

 

[xanis]

1) With WINE, you can run just about all of your Windows programs

2) Since you're using Ubuntu, the OS does a lot of things for you, but you will spend some time here and there learning code

3) The learning curve is not that high seeing as Ubuntu was made for Linux noobs

4) Firefox, OpenOffice.org and that cool file manager

I'm just going to warn you now, even though Ubuntu is probably the easiest Linux to use, you will still need to put in some work in the command line to accomplish some things. Also, if you have a wireless network, I wish you much luck trying to set it up.

 

[TechHead87]

Originally posted by: Xanis
1) With WINE, you can run just about all of your Windows programs

2) Since you're using Ubuntu, the OS does a lot of things for you, but you will spend some time here and there learning code

3) The learning curve is not that high seeing as Ubuntu was made for Linux noobs

4) Firefox, OpenOffice.org and that cool file manager

I'm just going to warn you now, even though Ubuntu is probably the easiest Linux to use, you will still need to put in some work in the command line to accomplish some things. Also, if you have a wireless network, I wish you much luck trying to set it up.

No wireless network here. Just a cable modem, a netgear router, and loads of cat5 cable! I'll probably be networking an older system to my router in the near future. How does Linux handle that?

 

[SleepWalkerX]

Originally posted by: TechHead87
1. What windows-able programs can I and CAN'T I use on Linux? (Please say WinAmp)

If you use something open-source in windows, its most likely available in linux (gaim, azureus, firefox, openoffice, etc). As for WinAmp, use XMMS as it's a WinAmp clone for linux. Here's the skin I'm using. As you can see, it looks quite similar to the old skool winamp skin which is why I like it. And you can use 2.x winamp skins in XMMS, although they have nice looking skins at their site.

Originally posted by: TechHead87
2. After the installation, how much time will I spend using the command language?

You'll most likely use it a lot, but it'll be a good thing. When it comes to linux tutorials and instructions, its mainly used because there are so many window managers when it comes to linux so the command line will unify them.

Originally posted by: TechHead87
3. What's the usual learning curve of Ubuntu?

Hmm, not sure. Personally Ubuntu has had a much higher learning curve than most distros I've used. There are much easier ones like Suse and SimplyMepis.

Originally posted by: TechHead87
4. What are some of the cool startup programs that come with Ubuntu?

Dunno about Ubuntu. I personally like Super Karamba that came with Suse (or at least my modified version SUPER). I wouldn't want too many programs loading on startup.

Originally posted by: TechHead87
Any other help/links/advice is GREATLY appreciated!

Ubuntu Unofficial Starter Guide and definantly check out the Automatix program.

 

[SleepWalkerX]

Originally posted by: TechHead87

Originally posted by: Xanis
1) With WINE, you can run just about all of your Windows programs

2) Since you're using Ubuntu, the OS does a lot of things for you, but you will spend some time here and there learning code

3) The learning curve is not that high seeing as Ubuntu was made for Linux noobs

4) Firefox, OpenOffice.org and that cool file manager

I'm just going to warn you now, even though Ubuntu is probably the easiest Linux to use, you will still need to put in some work in the command line to accomplish some things. Also, if you have a wireless network, I wish you much luck trying to set it up.

No wireless network here. Just a cable modem, a netgear router, and loads of cat5 cable! I'll probably be networking an older system to my router in the near future. How does Linux handle that?

Connecting through ethernet? Linux pretty much supports 99.9% of all ethernet cards.

 

[P0ldy]

Using virtually any distro that isn't source-based, you won't ever have to compile a kernel.

First, follow the Ubuntu Starter guide (<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UserDocumentation">https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UserDocumentation</a>) and grab the mp3/win32 codecs so you can play music. Grab XMMS (winamp clone). Avoid using WINE unless there is absolutely positively no other way.

If all you do is listen to music, write documents, browse the web, and send email, you probably wouldn't see the difference between Linux and Windows. It's the more complex tasks that display the learning curve.

 

[TechHead87]

Originally posted by: P0ldy
Using virtually any distro that isn't source-based, you won't ever have to compile a kernel.

First, follow the Ubuntu Starter guide (<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UserDocumentation"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UserDocumentation">https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UserDocumentation</a></a>) and grab the mp3/win32 codecs so you can play music. Grab XMMS (winamp clone). Avoid using WINE unless there is absolutely positively no other way.

If all you do is listen to music, write documents, browse the web, and send email, you probably wouldn't see the difference between Linux and Windows. It's the more complex tasks that display the learning curve.

I used to game (before I bent some pins in my 3ghz p4). What games does Linux support?

 

[drag]

Originally posted by: TechHead87

Originally posted by: P0ldy
Using virtually any distro that isn't source-based, you won't ever have to compile a kernel.

First, follow the Ubuntu Starter guide (<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UserDocumentation"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UserDocumentation"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UserDocumentation">https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UserDocumentation</a></a></a>) and grab the mp3/win32 codecs so you can play music. Grab XMMS (winamp clone). Avoid using WINE unless there is absolutely positively no other way.

If all you do is listen to music, write documents, browse the web, and send email, you probably wouldn't see the difference between Linux and Windows. It's the more complex tasks that display the learning curve.

I used to game (before I bent some pins in my 3ghz p4). What games does Linux support?

http://www.linuxgames.com/
http://www.happypenguin.org/
http://www.linux-games.com/


A partial list of Linux games:
http://icculus.org/lgfaq/gamelist.php

Cedega is a subscription based software designed to allow you to play Windows games in Linux.
Lists of games and compatability:
http://transgaming.org/gamesdb/

 

[P0ldy]

If you're using Ubuntu, check out these for games:

Native : http://doc.gwos.org/index.php/Native_Games
Non-native : http://doc.gwos.org/index.php/Non_Native_Game

 

[Nothinman]

1. What windows-able programs can I and CAN'T I use on Linux? (Please say WinAmp)

Don't expect to run any Windows programs in Linux, if you do you're just setting yourself up to be disappointed. Most Windows apps have Linux alternatives that are just as good or better, you just have to find them.

2. After the installation, how much time will I spend using the command language?

Hopefully a lot, becoming comfortable with the cli will make your life a lot easier. That's true of any OS.

 

[magomago]

Originally posted by: Xanis
1) With WINE, you can run just about all of your Windows programs

Whoa hold on nelly....that is SOOOO not true. I'm a huge Linux advocate as well, and I spent 95% of my time in Linux (unless stupid matlab won't run a certain command...its weird how non specific toolbox commands that are assumed to be basic don't work in the linux version~ extremely ridiucolous. That and File transfer is horrible in Gaim) but this is flat out not true.

Expect SELECTIVE support of the most POPULAR programs.

 

[firewall]

Don't jump into the world of Linux unless you have enough time to learn it. I did tried with Ubuntu but the lack of time created a lot of problems for me. Here's a thread that might help you:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=34&threadid=1776263

 

[TGS]

Also Ubuntu IIRC does not come with MP3 or DVD playback without loading "unsupported" modules.

Link That should show you how to add or rather uncomment the non-standard repositories.

Thought the important critical piece of any linux installation...is make sure the kernel supports the network adapter you are using, or you download it beforehand. If you have networking you can typically get anything fixed if you run into issues.

Synaptic is your front end package management system in ubuntu. It's a very nice interface for finding software, and it makes it extremely easy to get official kernel updates done.

 

[magomago]

Originally posted by: TGS
Also Ubuntu IIRC does not come with MP3 or DVD playback without loading "unsupported" modules.

Link That should show you how to add or rather uncomment the non-standard repositories.

Thought the important critical piece of any linux installation...is make sure the kernel supports the network adapter you are using, or you download it beforehand. If you have networking you can typically get anything fixed if you run into issues.

Synaptic is your front end package management system in ubuntu. It's a very nice interface for finding software, and it makes it extremely easy to get official kernel updates done.

Well to be fair, the only "supported" thing for Windows would be mp3 and microsoft's own propeitory codecs. Most everything else, DIVX, DVDs(My roomie had to reinstall powerdvd the other day to watch a DVD. He reformatted due to virus headaches and he never bothered to install and came to me asking why he couldn't play his DVDs) , OGG, whatever format you are interested in are all "unsupported"