ACER ONE A150 AB £129.99 + P&P @ Currys, PC World, Dixons (refurbished)

Donnie

Spikey wrote: »

did you get the email to say it was?

Yes... third and fourth today.

Steve_xx

I guess thoughts now turn to which Anti-virus software to install on this Linux kit. According to this link you don't need one:

http://www.linux.com/feature/60208

What do you guys reckon?

Gatos

Steve_xx wrote: »

I guess thoughts now turn to which Anti-virus software to install on this Linux kit. According to this link you don't need one:

http://www.linux.com/feature/60208

What do you guys reckon?

This is correct. You do not need antivirus software for Linux. Simple as that. The only reason you might require an antivirus in Linux is in case you receive a file from a person who has windows and forward it to a person who has windows too. You will unknowingly pass on the virus to your friend. You can safely open that file in Linux and nothing will happen to your system.

If you really need to install an antvirus, then you can install ClamTk antivirus which should be available in the repositories.

With regards to firewall again you can do without one as Linux has all ports closed in contrary to windows having them all open and requiring you to get a firewall software to close them:rotfl:. However, there is no such thing as a 100% bullet proof OS, so i would recomend you install "iptables" which is a firewall application in Linux. Again you can find it in the repositories.

And finally with regards to Spyware/Crapware/Adware etc, you dont have this problem in Linux as they again only exist in the Windows world.

I moved to Linux Ubuntu a year ago and never looked back. Stop worrying about buying antivirus and firewall software that half the times did not work properly and have been virus free ever since. :T
Linux should be the default OS for MSErs as is it free, stable and much much much faster. :rolleyes:

Hope this helps

Steve_xx

Gatos wrote: »

This is correct. You do not need antivirus software for Linux. Simple as that. The only reason you might require an antivirus in Linux is in case you receive a file from a person who has windows and forward it to a person who has windows too. You will unknowingly pass on the virus to your friend. You can safely open that file in Linux and nothing will happen to your system.

If you really need to install an antvirus, then you can install ClamTk antivirus which should be available in the repositories.

With regards to firewall again you can do without one as Linux has all ports closed in contrary to windows having them all open and requiring you to get a firewall software to close them:rotfl:. However, there is no such thing as a 100% bullet proof OS, so i would recomend you install "iptables" which is a firewall application in Linux. Again you can find it in the repositories.

And finally with regards to Spyware/Crapware/Adware etc, you dont have this problem in Linux as they again only exist in the Windows world.

I moved to Linux Ubuntu a year ago and never looked back. Stop worrying about buying antivirus and firewall software that half the times did not work properly and have been virus free ever since. :T
Linux should be the default OS for MSErs as is it free, stable and much much much faster. :rolleyes:

Hope this helps

Thanks for the information. That sounds excellent.

You mentioned 'repositories' and I wonder where these repositories are to be found?

You also mentioned Linux Ubuntu and I am assuming that this is a variant of the Linux OS I have on this new piece of kit? Why would I need to change what I curently have, whatever it is, to Linux Ubuntu?

Gatos

That is the problem with Linux. It takes some time to get used to all the new terms.

First of all there are two modes you can have for your desktop:

Simple Mode: Makes small screen easy to see and helps those unfamiliar with computers

PC Mode:Good option for those who want a Windows-style desktop environment

I have never used Linpus before, but it is known to be far too simplified and not the best for tweaking. On the other hand, due to its simplicity it loads faster.

There is an option " add/remove programs", where you can search for different software and install it. I am not sure where exactly it is in Linux Lite but when you search "add/remove programs" for new programs, the search will look in the repositories automatically. You do not have to manually go to the repositories on the internet to find the program you need. I am sorry i cant be of any more help, but i am not that familiar with Linux Lite.

If you are unfamiliar with computers and not a very technical person, then i would suggest you stick to Linux Lite. If however you are comfortable installing new OS's then i would suggest Ubuntu Netbook Remix(UNR). It is a lot better supported by a very large community and it is a lot more user friendly than Linpus Linux Lite.


Have a look here for a guide to install UNR

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UNR

It took me a few weeks to understand the jargon of Ubuntu and Linux in general but once i got the hang of the basics it was easier and easier to work with. A year on, i find windows harder to operate than Linux. Good luck and feel free to ask more questions or PM me

gjchester

Gatos wrote: »

And finally with regards to Spyware/Crapware/Adware etc, you dont have this problem in Linux as they again only exist in the Windows world.

Hmm, Someone who believes the Apple / Linux fanboi's hype. Whilst many of the latest exploits are windows only don't forget that anything that runs in Adobe Flash or Java will by it's nature run cross platform.

Sure Linux or even Macs have a lower risk of infectin but don'tfor one moment kid yourself there are any safer. A trojan keylogger running in Java or FGlash cna steal your credit cards just as easily as one on a Windows Unit.

Windows is targetted as most people have windows, if Macs or Linux took off to any great extent they'd be infected just as much.
I'm sure someone will be willing to say how wrong I am, but remember for all the hype about Macs being virus proof the first real virus in the wild was Elk Cloner and that was written and ran on an Apple.

Steve_xx

Gatos wrote: »

That is the problem with Linux. It takes some time to get used to all the new terms.

First of all there are two modes you can have for your desktop:

Simple Mode: Makes small screen easy to see and helps those unfamiliar with computers

PC Mode:Good option for those who want a Windows-style desktop environment

I have never used Linpus before, but it is known to be far too simplified and not the best for tweaking. On the other hand, due to its simplicity it loads faster.

There is an option " add/remove programs", where you can search for different software and install it. I am not sure where exactly it is in Linux Lite but when you search "add/remove programs" for new programs, the search will look in the repositories automatically. You do not have to manually go to the repositories on the internet to find the program you need. I am sorry i cant be of any more help, but i am not that familiar with Linux Lite.

If you are unfamiliar with computers and not a very technical person, then i would suggest you stick to Linux Lite. If however you are comfortable installing new OS's then i would suggest Ubuntu Netbook Remix(UNR). It is a lot better supported by a very large community and it is a lot more user friendly than Linpus Linux Lite.


Have a look here for a guide to install UNR

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UNR

It took me a few weeks to understand the jargon of Ubuntu and Linux in general but once i got the hang of the basics it was easier and easier to work with. A year on, i find windows harder to operate than Linux. Good luck and feel free to ask more questions or PM me

OK I understand what you say. As it is it's fine for me. I only want it to browse the net while Im away from home to be honest.

Steve_xx

gjchester wrote: »

Hmm, Someone who believes the Apple / Linux fanboi's hype. Whilst many of the latest exploits are windows only don't forget that anything that runs in Adobe Flash or Java will by it's nature run cross platform.

Sure Linux or even Macs have a lower risk of infectin but don'tfor one moment kid yourself there are any safer. A trojan keylogger running in Java or FGlash cna steal your credit cards just as easily as one on a Windows Unit.

Windows is targetted as most people have windows, if Macs or Linux took off to any great extent they'd be infected just as much.
I'm sure someone will be willing to say how wrong I am, but remember for all the hype about Macs being virus proof the first real virus in the wild was Elk Cloner and that was written and ran on an Apple.

I take your point. So do you think I should have some antivirus and spyware software? If so, which ones are available for use on this Linux kit?

nowtsquared

When running Linux t is a very good idea to be sitting behind a firewall, Ubuntu now ships with a package called ufw but others are available.

sputty01

gjchester wrote: »

Hmm, Someone who believes the Apple / Linux fanboi's hype. Whilst many of the latest exploits are windows only don't forget that anything that runs in Adobe Flash or Java will by it's nature run cross platform.

Sure Linux or even Macs have a lower risk of infectin but don'tfor one moment kid yourself there are any safer. A trojan keylogger running in Java or FGlash cna steal your credit cards just as easily as one on a Windows Unit.

Windows is targetted as most people have windows, if Macs or Linux took off to any great extent they'd be infected just as much.
I'm sure someone will be willing to say how wrong I am, but remember for all the hype about Macs being virus proof the first real virus in the wild was Elk Cloner and that was written and ran on an Apple.

As a Windows & Linux user myself I hate to join in the rant, but any form of system wide key logging isn't possible in flash, on ANY platform, due to the way flash applications are contained within a closed off environment. As for java applications on Linux a user would have to manually download, install AND give the software their administrative passwords to gain enough rights to be able to access any keys pressed... If you were stupid enough to take it that far I'm sure even if anti virus was present you'd manually add an exception as well.

Linux has different levels of hierarchy which means a program wanting to do things such as keylog or create a server on your machine would not be allowed to unless you gave it your permission and entered your password, even if you did it would still be easily recoverable. On top of that the use of software repositorys means applications are checked by the community before users download them and are checked against a crc hash before they are executed.. the chances of you downloading malicious software in the first place are almost zero.

I'm not saying linux doesnt mean you can let your guard down, a fraudulent site could steal your card details if you gave them away, but it's secure enough not to be concerned about viruses trojan's and keyloggers, its whole design is far more secure than Windows or Mac.

Also: I just got my dispatch confirmation through, just wish i ordered two now! DSG have had some good bargains recently, nice to see there still competing with prices online.