Linux Learning

Zahc

Hi all,
Just got new PC on the way so the household PC shuffle takes place; everyone upgrades and the old machine falls of the end. I would like to learn about Linux using this old machine and would appreciate some guidance please.
To start with any views as to what distribution is best for us newbees? Can anyone recommend a forum (or forums) that go easy on people who ask basic questions (not unlike this fine vehicle)?

Thanks

Zahc

looby-loo_2

Hi
I used to have lynux and the inbuild games on the version I had were just he best! Now my laptop, which is from work, wont allow installation and they wont let me:mad:

Do you have the disc?

Fedz

Ubuntu - What is Ubuntu - The Ubuntu Forum Community.

Hope this helps

fwor

I started not tooo long ago with Ubuntu, and haven't regretted it.

There is great support from the Ubuntu wiki, the forums, and also www.ubuntuguide.org, which has a fantastic FAQ section.

The live CD has a very well behaved install process which makes otherwise complicated tasks such as dual-booting a PC from both Linux and Windoze really easy.

All of my PCs now run Linux, and I can access all of my old Word, Excel, powerpoint, etc files without a problem with OpenOffice which installs by default with Ubuntu.

For me, the best way to learn was to set myself a (fairly hard) task - creating a MythTV based PVR on a Linux box. It took a while!

Zahc

For me, the best way to learn was to set myself a (fairly hard) task - creating a MythTV based PVR on a Linux box. It took a while!

Interesting you should say this, I was just looking at the very same thing for a project. It gives me heart that (forgive me) a relative beginner can do it.
Do you think learning with Ubuntu first, then having a go at MythTv once I've got the hang of the coding, is the way forward?

Zahc

bat999

Yes, go with Ubuntu.
But don't worry about 'coding'.
You don't have to write any computer code (unless you really want to).
Sometimes you might need to enter 'command line' instructions - a bit like using DOS in the old days.
Though most applications that you will use are 'point and click' like Windows.
:cool:

fwor

It really does depend on how confident you are at working from a command line. If you know the old DOS command line then it will look vaguely familiar, but a lot of the details are different.

If you had asked the question 6 months ago I would have said "No - do not go there". But the latest Ubuntu release (Gutsy) has metapackages that make basic MythTV installs almost trivial.

~However~ if you are thinking of a master/slave install with several servers and tuner cards then it can still be difficult - I still have a third tuner on a slave backend which I can't get working...

Zahc

bat999 wrote: »

Yes, go with Ubuntu.
But don't worry about 'coding'.
You don't have to write any computer code (unless you really want to).
Sometimes you might need to enter 'command line' instructions - a bit like using DOS in the old days.
Though most applications that you will use are 'point and click' like Windows.
:cool:

See, learning already! I remember DOS, just. I might even get the hang of this yet:rolleyes: