Desktop Linux

Da Nag

Da Nag

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Staff member
For many, the choice of a new computer comes down to one primary decision: Windows or Mac. Yet, there is a third option, that while not for everyone, has advantages that will never be matched by a proprietary operating system: Desktop Linux.

Now is a great time to kick the tires. Desktop Linux is advancing at an incredibly rapid pace, and many people are finding themselves with "spare hardware" as they switch from PC to Mac, or upgrade their PC's due to Vista's hefty hardware requirements. One's older PC still has plenty of life left in it. Don't toss it to the curb - download a free OS, and get your hands dirty in the geek's playground.

Enough preaching...let me try and keep this somewhat brief, and get folks curious about Desktop Linux pointed in the right direction.

In my mind, there are only two choices for Desktop Linux: Ubuntu or OpenSUSE. And between these two, I tend to recommend Ubuntu for new users, even though I prefer and use OpenSUSE.

Reason being: Support. The Ubuntu community expects rank amateurs with Linux, and has a support structure that most folks new to Linux are comfortable with. Their forums are well laid out, very complete, and have an excellent reputation for resolving issues quickly.

OpenSUSE has a decent support structure, but it's a bit more spread out. My primary reason for using OpenSUSE is due to familiarity; we use SUSE Enterprise distributions on our servers at work, and I find myself "under the hood" quite frequently, away from the point and click of a GUI desktop. In this environment, Linux distributions each have their own personality; I'm just more comfortable with those that are SUSE based. I've also noticed OpenSUSE is a bit snappier than Ubuntu on the same hardware, but it's not a huge difference.

Regardless of which distribution you choose, there are several issues that many new Linux users encounter.

Hardware Support

Modern Linux hardware support is excellent, and for older hardware, it's actually much more complete than Windows. But there are a few hurdles that many encounter. Perhaps the two most common: video and wireless.

Your older video card is probably supported just fine, but if you have a newer card with more advanced graphics, you may be quite disappointed when your fancy new Linux desktop is presented to you. If video is jerky and sluggish, it's probably a driver issue. Many modern video card manufacturers do not release specs for their hardware. This forces you to use their proprietary drivers if you want decent performance, which are not included with Desktop Linux distributions. If you find yourself in this situation, use the support forums above to learn how to acquire and install these drivers. The two most notable video card/chip manufacturers where this problem exists: nVidia and ATI.

Also, related to video - most folks will want to fetch and install the Microsoft Web fonts, as they are so widely used and are of a pretty high quality. Before you complain that your Internet surfing is ugly, do a little research and figure out how to install these - it makes a big difference in appearance.

RE wireless cards - this issue is not as prevalent as the video card issue, but the problem can be far more frustrating. Reason being, you end up with a laptop with Desktop Linux on it, that can't get online. And the only way to fix it, is to get online. :lol:

When this happens, you need to resort to a backup PC to fetch appropriate drivers and installation instructions. Again, while most wireless cards will be recognized and work just fine after installation of the Linux OS, those that don't are due to the proprietary nature of many wireless card manufacturers. Broadcom is perhaps the most notorious, but there are others.

Desktop Environment - Gnome or KDE

In the Linux Desktop world, the debate between Gnome and KDE takes on every bit as much enthusiasm as the Mac vs. PC wars. Without getting into all the gory tech details, Gnome and KDE determine how your desktop looks, and how you interact with it.

I'm not going to suggest which one is "better" - but I use Gnome, which is the default desktop on both Ubuntu and OpenSUSE now. I think it's safe to say, that Gnome presents a simpler interface, which is of benefit for somebody new to Linux. Once the shock of your non-Windows, non-Mac world dissipates - give both KDE and Gnome a shot, and pick for yourself.

Desktop Linux is an absolutely huge topic, but hopefully the above will get any of you curious about it a head start.
 
Bill,

I am interested in trying out Linux.

How can I find out if my Sprint PCS Connection card PC 5740 (air card or broadband card) will work with Linux?

The user guide only shows---DUI and driver...Windows 2000/XP.

Can a Windows XP computer and a Linux computer work together on a local area network?

I have two computers running XP. One has the connection card and they are hooked together with a cable. Both computers can now access the internet thru the one connection card. I would convert one computer to Linux.
 
Larry H":38acdypw said:
How can I find out if my Sprint PCS Connection card PC 5740 (air card or broadband card) will work with Linux?
Click to expand...

Don't know anything about them, but it appears like things work fine - here's a link from a quick Google search.

Can a Windows XP computer and a Linux computer work together on a local area network?
Click to expand...

Yup...you can share files and printers back/forth, just as you can with two Windows boxes. Samba on the Linux box does the magic...the server portion makes it look like a Windows box to Linux, the client part allows it to connect to resources on other Windows boxes. Both Ubuntu and OpenSUSE have GUI front ends to Samba, that makes it pretty easy.

I have two computers running XP. One has the connection card and they are hooked together with a cable. Both computers can now access the internet thru the one connection card. I would convert one computer to Linux.
Click to expand...

That's a bit more advanced...sounds like you are using Window's Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) right now? I'm not familiar with it, just aware of it's existence.

Sharing a network interface under Linux can certainly be done, but the methods I'm familiar with would not apply to two desktop computers, and have no simple GUI front ends.

Over in the Ubuntu forums, it seems like many use Firestarter to get the same functionality as ICS under Windows.
 
Bill,

I think this is already 'over my head' ,as I read in the first link,

"If you're using another EVDO card, before you insert it, open a terminal window and type the following command as root"

I don't know what "open a terminal window" or "type in the following command as root" means. Is this dos? If so, I may join the Mac kids in the sandbox. LOL

Thanks,

Larry H
 
OK, am at Birch Bay, the Birch Bay PC is running Debian at the moment, which Bill tells me was a bad choice! I grabbed the minimal installation CD from Debian, installed it, completely wiping out Windoze (hooray!), the minimal system went out to the net to get the rest of what it needed, the install was completely trouble free, EXCEPT that I did not know my video card, ended up with a lame 640 x 480 resolution, and don't (yet) know how to change it. Both KDE and Gnome desktops are working fine.

Anyway, following Bill's advice, I have an Ubuntu bit torrent session running on the MacBook, will re-do the install when I have a fresh Ubuntu installation CD.

Now that I use the MacBook for everything anyway (and believe me, I do), I will gleefully wipe out Windoze on the PC at Fall City as well...
 
By all means, jump in the Mac sandbox! A "terminal window" WILL remind you a lot of the good old DOS prompt - only the commands are pretty much all different. Mine looks like this (silly me, I named the machine pat and pat is my username too):

pat@pat:~$_

What you need is one system you already know how to use and will keep functioning while you learn Linux, especially if you screw your Linux installation up somehow, which seems a moral certainty to me at this point.

The Mac is Unix-based and has terminal windows that look pretty much the same as Linux. I have looked around a bit, but so far resisted the temptation to muck with anything...



Larry H":36p41tm7 said:
I don't know what "open a terminal window" or "type in the following command as root" means. Is this dos? If so, I may join the Mac kids in the sandbox. LOL

Thanks,

Larry H
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the information, Bill.

I am considering using Linux on one of my older computers, and since my son's girlfriend is a Linux programer- (and my son is now running it) it is a natural.

If it is necessary to get drivers for wireless use, can one just plug into the router or modeum with an ethernet cable, rather than downloading with another computer?

Thanks, Bob Austin
 
Pat,

So you have completely dumped Microsoft in favor of Mac and Linux?

I came into computers at Windows 95 and have never learned anything about dos. I have not needed it so far.

A real basic question....How do I open a "terminal window"?

Like in boating, some basic computer stuff is assumed to be known by everyone and is not apparent to those who don't know.

If my Sprint broadband card won't work on a Mac or Linux system, I will have to stick to Windows, as that card is my only internet connection here in the woods(no phone or cable wires).

Thanks

Larry H
 
If you have a PC running WIN XP and it is running ok which is relative, you can install dual boat software GRUB boot loader for RedHat or Mandrake. Here is a tutorial
http://www.devhood.com/tutorials/tutori ... ial_id=405

Try different linux distros, try dual boot, find one you like then you wipe the HD and do a clean install.
I seen dual or menu boot PCs having 20 plus OS.

m2cw

BTW Ubuntu's orgins is Debian.
 
Pat Anderson":3o4co7h3 said:

....
The Mac is Unix-based and has terminal windows that look pretty much the same as Linux. I have looked around a bit, but so far resisted the temptation to muck with anything...


[/color]
Click to expand...

You can even run X on a MAC, and so can run most KDE or GNOME
apps, plus standard X apps.

Mike
 
Larry H":1ceaz70z said:
I think this is already 'over my head' ,as I read in the first link,

"If you're using another EVDO card, before you insert it, open a terminal window and type the following command as root"
Click to expand...

Nerd-speak may be a bit daunting at first, but it's no different than tackling any other new endeavor. I guarantee you, it will start making sense after a while...

What the above says, in more or less plain English:

- Start your Terminal Application. Doing so, is like any other application in a GUI environment - find it and click on it.

- In the window that appears, type the commands indicated. The "root" part is bit more complicated - let me try and explain it, in relativley non-technical terms.

In a UNIX-based system (which includes Linux), you purposely interact with the computer by logging in as a user with limited permissions. Notice I didn't say limited functionality - the vast majority of day-to-day tasks can be performed just fine. You just can't change or query many things that are core parts of the operating system, without doing it as "root."

This is by design, and is one of the reasons UNIX-based systems tend to be far more secure and immune from attack than their Windows counterparts. If something does break through while you're logged in with lowered privileges, the harm the code or attacker can inflict is drastically diminished.

So...how do you do something as root? As is the case with virtually everything Linux....it depends. There not only are several ways, but it varies by Linux distribution.

Ubuntu makes heavy use of something called "sudo", for performing privileged commands when logged in as a "normal" user. sudo is a nerd acronym that stands for "Super User Do". Basically, you preface whatever command you need to execute as "root" with "sudo". You are then prompted for a password, and the command executes as the user "root".

If the above sounds a bit daunting, and needlessly complex, that's a valid observation. Nobody is suggesting that every function in Linux, is going to be accomplished via a simple point-click operation.

The vast majority of commonly used hardware, is recognized during installation and automatically configured. The vast majority of commonly used applications (web browsing, email, office productivity, graphics) are available with Ubuntu and OpenSUSE, and most people adjust to them with minimal effort.

But there's no doubt, that more esoteric hardware/software needs will require one to get their hands dirty a bit. For many, this challenge is enjoyable - for others, it's simply a pain in the butt. The good news is, Linux desktop development continues at an incredibly rapid pace, and these issues are getting farther and fewer between.

A year ago, I wouldn't have recommended Linux to anyone other than a die-hard nerd for desktop use - I only switched over a few months ago myself. Now...I'd have zero concern about installing it for my 81 year-old Dad. His needs are basic, and my support role would actually be reduced.
 
thataway":11906hvj said:
Thanks for the information, Bill.

If it is necessary to get drivers for wireless use, can one just plug into the router or modeum with an ethernet cable, rather than downloading with another computer?

Thanks, Bob Austin
Click to expand...

Generally, yes. Most wired network devices are supported without
needing special drivers. I have a really long cat-5 cable that
I occasionally need to use when upgrading or working on someone
elses computer and we happen to be upstairs.

When I went through this wireless garbage, I just decided to find
and order a card with open enough specs that a driver can be
written. Otherwise, you end up having to run the Windows drivers
under Linux (yes, this can be done). Or the manufucturer supplies
source code based drivers.

So, this computer has an ASUS branded wireless card. The driver
is an rt2500. The card works well in a difficult environment. Not
very expensive. A couple of companies make rt2500 based cards.

Broadcom is a PITA and best avoided if possible.

It's been at least a year since I've researched this. Things may
have changed.

Mike
 
mikeporterinmd":nfbqm2q7 said:
When I went through this wireless garbage, I just decided to find and order a card with open enough specs that a driver can be written.
Click to expand...

This is excellent advice...for anything more than strictly a "hobby box", this is what I do.

Unfortunately, it's not always possible or easy - many laptops have integrated wireless adapters, or the adapter is buried inside the unit, making replacement difficult. Dell tends to be one of the worst offenders - getting at an internal wireless card is not for the meek, and many of their laptops use the problematic Broadcom chipsets.

If one can simply add to or replace a problematic wireless adapter, I'd do as Mike suggests. Cards with open specs and well supported Linux drivers are plentiful and very inexpensive.
 
So the learning goes on...

I found thru google that a 'terminal window' is Linux thing, a window where you can access the inner workings of the OS.

I also found a router, here http://www.dlinkshop.com/product.asp?sku=3135228
that will accept a Sprint or Verizon broadband card and create a local wireless hotspot, in your car, home or BOAT! It can also accept a CAT 5e crossover patch cables to hook-up up to 4 computers thru their 10/100 ethernet ports.

I already use the CAT 5e cable to hook up my two computers so both can share the broadband card which is in one computer.

The above mentioned wireless router could be used on a boat at a gathering and allow nearby wireless computers to access the internet!

By using this router at home or on my boat it seems like I could use any combination of Windows, Mac, or Linux computers.

Nerds, any comments or suggestions?
 
Great work, Larry - that's some fine sleuthing, and you are well on your way to obtaining your nerd merit badge.

Larry H":205yxefh said:
I also found a router, here http://www.dlinkshop.com/product.asp?sku=3135228
that will accept a Sprint or Verizon broadband card and create a local wireless hotspot, in your car, home or BOAT! It can also accept a CAT 5e crossover patch cables to hook-up up to 4 computers thru their 10/100 ethernet ports.
Click to expand...

I've no experience with this device, but the concept is sound. If it works as advertised, it's a far superior solution to using a computer as your Internet gateway - whether it's Windows or Linux.

Linux, Windows or Macs can function as routers, access points or firewalls. None of them are especially well suited for the job in the typical household environment, and a dedicate device like you found is typically more secure, and easier to set up.

The above mentioned wireless router could be used on a boat at a gathering and allow nearby wireless computers to access the internet!
Click to expand...

You bet - although performance would probably suffer with any more than a couple people using it at once. Still, it's a slick idea.

By using this router at home or on my boat it seems like I could use any combination of Windows, Mac, or Linux computers.
Click to expand...

Yup...routers, firewalls and access points are typically OS agnostic.

See Larry...that wasn't so painful, eh?
 
Pat Anderson":1n96aclx said:
OK, am at Birch Bay, the Birch Bay PC is running Debian at the moment, which Bill tells me was a bad choice! I grabbed the minimal installation CD from Debian, installed it, completely wiping out Windoze (hooray!), the minimal system went out to the net to get the rest of what it needed, the install was completely trouble free, EXCEPT that I did not know my video card, ended up with a lame 640 x 480 resolution, and don't (yet) know how to change it. Both KDE and Gnome desktops are working fine.
Click to expand...

Uhh...just a clarification for any nerds in the audience. I wasn't knocking Debian as a Linux distribution - it's one of the best. I just don't consider it an ideal desktop distribution for people unfamiliar with Linux. Ubuntu is based on Debian, but has more cutting edge applications and drivers, at the expense of some stability. Debian is typically used in a server environment, where stability and uptime trumps having the latest features.

So Pat, I'm guessing, there's a good chance you won't have the video problem with Ubuntu. And if by chance, your video card supports it - check out Beryl. If your video card doesn't support it, you might consider forking out $75 or so for one that does.

Beryl is an accelerated windowing/desktop environment, that runs on top of Gnome or KDE. The feature set is pretty incredible, and it's highly customizable.

This page has links to installation instructions for many popular Linux distributions, including Ubuntu and OpenSUSE.
 
Da Nag":30j28szf said:
A year ago, I wouldn't have recommended Linux to anyone other than a die-hard nerd for desktop use - I only switched over a few months ago myself. Now...I'd have zero concern about installing it for my 81 year-old Dad. His needs are basic, and my support role would actually be reduced.
Click to expand...

The biggest problem I face is people who insist they need Microsoft Office. I tried to get some of them to accept Open Office as a substitute but because it didn't feel just like M$oft they rejected the whole thing.

Same for you? How do you cope?

Warren
 
m2cw

I bought aGateway notebook for our micro group and installed OO then gave it our historian, She asked if it had MS Office esp word and Power Point and I said no. I said OO was just as good and try it. It works like MS Office and makes one click pdf files and flash files. She didnt know about Flash but one click pdf was the best.
A copy of this page is useful
http://www.openoffice.org/product/

Maybe say it is a 5 stars award winner! and it is hot!
They can read the wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenOffice.org
 
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