Alternative to Windows

jamespir

fwor wrote: »

The last 2 (or 3?) versions of Ubuntu have this as a standard feature. Just go to System, Administration, USB Startup Disk Creator.

I've tried it and - at least on the PC I tested it on - it works.

is there anywhere i cna download this from ?

HO87

devizes18193 wrote: »

can anybody recommend a distro that will work with compaq laptops I have a presario cq60

If you felt brave it is likely that any of the distros would work although it would probably be a case of some doing better than others. However, I would suggest that you stick to one of the distros that has a large development/support community behind it so this really leaves you with Ubuntu, Fedora, Mandriva and OpenSuSe.
I have had some issues with the latest couple of Fedora releases (Fedora 10 was particularly bad) and would suggest that you try Ubuntu (especially if you are a Linux virgin) or Mandriva first.

As far as your lappie is concerned I would search to establish if there any known issues and go from there. The best way of discovering if there are any issues is to try the Live CD versions of the software (both available to be d'led) this will give you a test of the software on the machine without changing your current OS install (It runs straight from the disc).

In my experience it would be rare for there to be a major issue with an otherwise mainstream machine although it is not unknown and obviously have not tried them all! I ran Ubuntu 8.10 on a Dell Laptop a while back and the only issue was with the wireless card but a quick search revealed the solution and I was away.

HO87

jamespir wrote: »

i want a version i can stick on a usb

If you are already running Ubuntu then there is a tool to create a bootable pendrive in the Admin sub-menu. All you will need is a USB pendrive (obviously) and either an .iso image of the Live CD or the Live CD itself.

There are several tools that can be d'led that will allow you to set up a bootable USB version of Ubuntu from a Windoze platform - Google is your friend.

Esqui

I also use Ubuntu (Netbook Remix 10.04 alpha 2 on here), and the Ubuntu-based Linux Mint on my bigger laptop. Does everything I want, except ipod management for my touch, so I retain a Vista partition.

To paraphrase Microsoft, I'm an Ubuntu, and fixing bug 507923 was my idea Therein lies the greatness of open-source.

robredz

jamespir wrote: »

i want a version i can stick on a usb

You could try Puppy, this is designed to be small and fast, (around 100 Mb) boots from CD and runs in a RAMdisk. It can also be configured to run from a pendrive. It also has an antivirus program in it to help if Windows is seriously infected. and read the hard drive to recover data if it is broken, before applying the PC World solution (reformat and re-install Windows) As with most late distros it reads and writes to ntfs Windows filesystems.
Puppy can be downloaded here:

http://puppylinux.org/main/index.php?file=Download%20Latest%20Release.htm

Just used it yesterday to sort a mate's Vista lappy. No I didn't put a Linux on, just sorted it so Vista could be repaired.

Because it is small, you can fit it on a 128Mb pen (iso is 105Mb)

gaming_guy

jamespir wrote: »

is there anywhere i cna download this from ?

grab the ubuntu live CD, boot up from it and click system > administration > usb startup disk creator.

I've found this a lot more reliable than unetbootin

gaming_guy

Esqui wrote: »

I also use Ubuntu (Netbook Remix 10.04 alpha 2 on here), and the Ubuntu-based Linux Mint on my bigger laptop. Does everything I want, except ipod management for my touch, so I retain a Vista partition.

To paraphrase Microsoft, I'm an Ubuntu, and fixing bug 507923 was my idea Therein lies the greatness of open-source.

http://www.downloadsquad.com/2010/02/28/ubuntu-10-04-supports-iphone-and-ipod-touch-out-of-the-box/

according to that, the touch is supported out of the box

HO87

It seems that this is the case although you might be limited as to the GUI app you run. Rythmbox seems to be OK (although it still doesn't handle video) and Gtkpod (not my favourite). This is all provided you have upgraded your iphone/touch to version 3.x firmware. If the upgrade from 2 to 3 is anything like the horrendous experience of upgrading from 1 to 2 then I'll not be bothering for quite a while.

Marty_J

Darksun wrote: »

That's complete FUD, where on earth do you get the 1% statistic.

I think perhaps they're referring to the market share of Linux, which is around 1%.

The_Mighty_Gusset

I'm a happy techie, who after years of messing around with various Linux flavours, finally took the plunge and switched permanently to Ubuntu (currently 9.10).

My laptop is happier and runs faster too.

Everything works - it even recognises my HP printer/scanner, my Garmin laptop and Thomson MP3 player - all without having to load separate software (try doing that with Windoze !)
Initially my Orange wireless broadband dongle didn't want to play, but Ubuntu even comes with the necessary gubbins to get that working.