Linux users?

Noseyears · « **on:** 7 Nov 2011, 05:17 pm »

Im new to this linux thing, are there any linux users around? will appreciate your input guys.

Bizarroterl · « **Reply #1 on:** 7 Nov 2011, 06:52 pm »

I support Linux servers. It's a good OS for server use - pretty much set it up and it just runs.

JohnR · « **Reply #2 on:** 7 Nov 2011, 11:04 pm »

I was about to say that this site is delivered from a Linux server, but actually it's not

Oops

Not much experience with Linux as a desktop - assuming that's what's being asked?

BPoletti · « **Reply #3 on:** 7 Nov 2011, 11:52 pm »

There are a couple of variables in your question.

The answer depends on the distribution and your intended use.

If you're just a browser and email user with some light office app needs, then generally speaking it will work just fine (depending on the disto).

My personal preference is Mandriva, but Red Hat has a nice package. I usually just install from the Mandriva One package rather than going through all the individual package and driver installations. Mandriva One is fast and compact with plenty of apps pre-installed in the "demo" disto Mandriva One.

All that said, if your needs are more specialized, you need to really ring out your system.

Since it's essentially a freeby, download a few and try. With anything, its a matter of doing your research and trying different packages.

Noseyears · « **Reply #4 on:** 8 Nov 2011, 11:22 pm »

Thanks for the replies guys.

Im interested on both, desktop/server.

Is there any guide on how to setup a server using it?

JohnR · « **Reply #5 on:** 8 Nov 2011, 11:30 pm »

Not sure. However you might like to look at webmin/virtualmin.

jmc207 · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 Nov 2011, 12:45 am »

You may want to take a look at Distrowatch to better understand the numerous Linux distributions available. If your really new to it then Ubuntu, Linux Mint (based on Ubuntu) or Fedora would be a good place to start. All of these have active Forums to help you out. Ubuntu also has an easy to setup server version.

http://distrowatch.com/

http://www.ubuntu.com/

http://fedoraproject.org/

Bizarroterl · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Nov 2011, 04:15 pm »

Quote from: Noseyears on 8 Nov 2011, 11:22 pm

Is there any guide on how to setup a server using it?

Pick the distribution you want, and then install it. Some, like Red Hat, will have a server install. The only real difference is that desktop installs focus more on desktop & applications, while server focuses more on services. You can do a desktop install and then add server services/applications as you need them.

Be prepared to spend some time learning Linux. Windows insulates you from command line stuff via their GUI. Linux does too, but to a much lesser extent. Some things will require you learn your way around the command line.

wushuliu · « **Reply #8 on:** 9 Nov 2011, 05:53 pm »

LinuxMint is a very good distro for beginners...

totoro · « **Reply #9 on:** 10 Nov 2011, 04:14 am »

My understanding is that linux mint is a derivative of ubuntu, without the "mac-like" Unity interface. Ubuntu is a good solid distro, with a decent package manager, and is really easy to set up. I do big data/hadoop/machine learning stuff on it, so I know it's not just for web browsing, either

.

If I were setting up a new box, I would probably try mint, but I think that ubuntu is probably a better bet for a newcomer, as it has a larger user community and more active fora.

If you install ubuntu, install desktop, not server: server doesn't have a windowing environment installed by default. You definitely don't want to deal with that.

Æ · « **Reply #10 on:** 10 Nov 2011, 05:21 am »

LINUX has changed quite a lot through the years. I attended the first ever LinuxWorld Expo, Torvalds was the keynote speaker. I'm somewhat experienced with UBUNTU both for PCs and pre iNTEL Mac. My friend uses UBUNTU too. Easy to install and configure, well supported, likable. They have several distributions/versions which can be confusing.

totoro · « **Reply #11 on:** 10 Nov 2011, 05:36 am »

I just took a look at the current ubuntu download site. They no longer have links to kununtu, xubuntu, etc there. So you can just go there, choose the correct number of bits for your processor, and choose between 10.04 and 11.10. I would choose 11.10 if I were you, simply because it will be supported longer.

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/download

I personally don't like unity much, but you can put that decision off until later.

One way to try this is to download vmware player and install ubuntu on a vm to play with. This leaves the rest of your computer intact, is free, and will let you decide best what you want to do.

http://downloads.vmware.com/d/info/desktop_end_user_computing/vmware_player/4_0

skunark · « **Reply #12 on:** 10 Nov 2011, 06:47 am »

Quote from: JohnR on 7 Nov 2011, 11:04 pm

I was about to say that this site is delivered from a Linux server, but actually it's not Oops

Not much experience with Linux as a desktop - assuming that's what's being asked?

That's why it's slow from time to time..

skunark · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 Nov 2011, 06:51 am »

If you want wireless networking to work easily, select Ubuntu. I've preferred redhat/fedora, but there's very little differences in terms of features, just slightly different way to configure them.

For guides to set up a server, How-To-Forge.com is a good place for step-by-step instructions. It's a little slanted toward web hosts, but more there are several HowTo guides.

wagnju · « **Reply #14 on:** 10 Nov 2011, 12:35 pm »

I just changed from Windows Vista to this Linux based system (Zorin OS) and it works great with lots of extra Apps .Normally I have 2 left thumps in computers but even I got it installed and running. You can install it and can switch between Windows and Zorin OS . I use the program just for E-Mails and web surfing and it is much faster with no issues so far.

http://zorin-os.com/index.html

chip · « **Reply #15 on:** 10 Nov 2011, 02:38 pm »

Quote from: wagnju on 10 Nov 2011, 12:35 pm

http://zorin-os.com/index.html

I have not seen this OS before. Might have to give it a whirl for some fun.

chip · « **Reply #16 on:** 10 Nov 2011, 03:14 pm »

Actually I didn't realize that there were so many Linux distributions available. Do most of them work in Virtualbox? I have used Ubuntu desktop/server before but some of these other distributions look interesting.

wilsynet · « **Reply #17 on:** 10 Nov 2011, 05:03 pm »

Quote from: JohnR on 7 Nov 2011, 11:04 pm

I was about to say that this site is delivered from a Linux server, but actually it's not

Oh, what operating system are you running?

gregcss · « **Reply #18 on:** 10 Nov 2011, 05:37 pm »

I used Linux desktop for a few years, I started with Ubuntu (i want to say 7.04) and moved to Linux Mint. With the many distros available you should try both Gnome and KDE versions of the distros you are considering. Gnome and KDE are desktop managers.

gregcss · « **Reply #19 on:** 10 Nov 2011, 05:46 pm »

Quote from: chip on 10 Nov 2011, 03:14 pm

Actually I didn't realize that there were so many Linux distributions available. Do most of them work in Virtualbox? I have used Ubuntu desktop/server before but some of these other distributions look interesting.

I've used Virtualbox with Windows and Linux as the host and installed Windows and Linux (Ubuntu, Mint, some others) clients on them without issue. You'll want to be sure to have enough RAM for the client to run smoothly.

You should also consider using a 'live' disc to try out the different Linux distros...if they offer it. You burn the installation files (or image in most cases) to a disc then boot to it. You can instead of installing you choose to run from disk. This will allow you to navigate around the application as if it were installed though in my experience it runs a lot slower than if it were actually installed. Here is an example: http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/download