Second Life Forums Archive - Linux: How to make the move?

Einsman Schlegel

Disenchanted Fool

Join date: 11 Jun 2003

Posts: 1,461

02-12-2006 09:33

I'm curious now. Seeing how a Linux SL client is now available for testing, I have no further reason of keeping M$hit on my machine.

How does one go about figuring out which distribution is the right one for me, etc etc, all the usual questions. I want so badly to ditch MS, but not sure as to the distributions and what they're for.

Suggestions?

Reitsuki Kojima

Witchhunter

Join date: 27 Jan 2004

Posts: 5,328

02-12-2006 10:03

Most people who hit this point run screaming from Linux

It's not an easy OS to learn.

Do you have any familiarity with *nix systems already?

_____________________

I am myself indifferent honest; but yet I could accuse me of such things that it were better my mother had not borne me: I am very proud, revengeful, ambitious, with more offenses at my beck than I have thoughts to put them in, imagination to give them shape, or time to act them in. What should such fellows as I do crawling between earth and heaven? We are arrant knaves, all; believe none of us.

Einsman Schlegel

Disenchanted Fool

Join date: 11 Jun 2003

Posts: 1,461

02-12-2006 10:09

I'm not entirely familiar with how the OS works, however, I had it installed on my machine before, tinkering with it awhile back, but I'm determined to learn it.

Richie Waves

Predictable

Join date: 29 Jun 2005

Posts: 1,424

02-12-2006 10:16

I installed suse 9.0 Duel boot on my XP system a while back.. it wasnt a hard process at all.. that is until I went to install my videocard.. I got scared and ran off ; ;

_____________________

no u!

Christopher Omega

Oxymoron

Join date: 28 Mar 2003

Posts: 1,828

02-12-2006 10:21

If you can, have a windows-based computer accessable to you (aka, it booted on a second computer) throughout your linux setup, preferably one with internet access. It makes worlds of difference when you can google-search problems you have with the setup system without needing to reboot into windows.

It also helps if you make a Fatal Mistake (TM), and break the dual-boot process. I have a weird motherboard setup (multiple IDE controller cards) so I had to do some experimenting on that front, to get it working.
==Chris

_____________________

October 3rd is the Day Against DRM (Digital Restrictions Management), learn more at http://www.defectivebydesign.org/what_is_drm

Edav Roark

Bounty Hunter

Join date: 4 Sep 2003

Posts: 569

02-12-2006 18:44

What is a good version of Linux to use for a beginer?

_____________________

Satchmo Prototype

eSheep

Join date: 26 Aug 2004

Posts: 1,323

02-12-2006 18:57

Fedora Linux (formerly Red Hat) is a decent distribution for beginners. It has nice gui's and lots of documentation. There are also a lot of Fedora/RH users out there.

I've also always been fond of Gentoo's documentation but it's often presumed for the hardcore. I actually disagree, and if your technically savvy and want to learn a lot about your OS, Gentoo is a fun way to go.

_____________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Electric Sheep Company
Satchmo Blogs: The Daily Graze
Satchmo del.icio.us

Mulch Ennui

15 Minutes are Over

Join date: 22 May 2005

Posts: 2,607

02-12-2006 20:00

From: Christopher Omega

If you can, have a windows-based computer accessable to you (aka, it booted on a second computer) throughout your linux setup, preferably one with internet access. It makes worlds of difference when you can google-search problems you have with the setup system without needing to reboot into windows.

very good point. u need to slowly ween yourself off Windows. Cold turkey will piss you off

also, note that linux is free, unless you by the box

go download a ton of linux distros and install them all 1 at a time

you will find one you like, ranging from the 100% geeky to trying to make it difficult for the average user to know they are not on windows

you have now achieved rank 13 in geekdom =)

(seriously, some people geek out on getting ancient computers run on linux. this is some very serious geeking out!)

try this: http://www.linux.org/dist/index.html

_____________________

I have of late--but wherefore I know not--lost all my mirth, that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory, this most excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave o'erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire, why, it appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours.

http://forums.secondcitizen.com/

Tod69 Talamasca

The Human Tripod ;)

Join date: 20 Sep 2005

Posts: 4,107

02-13-2006 05:00

Ok, my turn....

Redhat was fine. I like it.

But for a total beginner, I'd suggest Mandriva (formerly known as Mandrake).

The day they make Linux as easy (as in dumbed down) to use as Windoze, the quicker it will catch on. Ever try to explain to computer illiterates how to update a kernal? It's like explaining sex to a virgin blind man!!

_____________________

really pissy & mean right now and NOT happy with Life.

Mike Westerburg

Who, What, Where?

Join date: 2 May 2004

Posts: 317

02-13-2006 06:33

I will agree wih the statements made above, if the boot loader that gets installed to manage a dual boot config gets borked, good chance of loosing both O/S's. I would recommend getting a secondary HDD just for Linux if you are going to dual boot and instead of configuring the bootloader to run from the HDD, have it create a boot floppy (pending your system has a floppy drive). This will help to protect your working Windows install. I would recommend working with the latest Fedora Core. Linux has really come a long way in user freindlyness. The default Gnome GUI is pleasent to look at and easy to navigate. Integrated and easy to use firewall using IP Tables, the source CD's allows you to install Open Office.org which kicks MS Office's butt in speed, reliability and performance. If you need to run some MS apps like Office (for whatever reason) I would recommend CrossOver Office, an implementation of WINE but without all the hassle of setting it up manually, IE runs fine as well.

During install, I would recommend doing a custom as opposed to choosing a preset config such as workstation or server, some junk does get installed. Manual partition of HDD as well, no need for a ton of partitions as Linux's filesystem is a heck of a lot tidier than Microsoft's.

At the moment, SL is the only reason I have Windows installed on my primary machine (out of 4). Once the Linux client works, buh bye Windows for good ^..^

_____________________

"Life throws you a lemon, you make lemonade and then plant the seeds"

Claude Desmoulins

Registered User

Join date: 1 Nov 2005

Posts: 388

02-13-2006 07:12

I plunged in, building an ubuntu box from components. I too had fits with my video card. It turns out they were because I didn't get the card properly seated in the AGP slot. It's not my only machine, so that might make a difference. I'd give my wife the Mac in our house 100% if I didn't need it to sync the iPods.

Linux: How to make the move?
Einsman Schlegel Disenchanted Fool Join date: 11 Jun 2003 Posts: 1,461	02-12-2006 09:33 I'm curious now. Seeing how a Linux SL client is now available for testing, I have no further reason of keeping M$hit on my machine. How does one go about figuring out which distribution is the right one for me, etc etc, all the usual questions. I want so badly to ditch MS, but not sure as to the distributions and what they're for. Suggestions?
Reitsuki Kojima Witchhunter Join date: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 5,328	02-12-2006 10:03 Most people who hit this point run screaming from Linux It's not an easy OS to learn. Do you have any familiarity with *nix systems already? _____________________ I am myself indifferent honest; but yet I could accuse me of such things that it were better my mother had not borne me: I am very proud, revengeful, ambitious, with more offenses at my beck than I have thoughts to put them in, imagination to give them shape, or time to act them in. What should such fellows as I do crawling between earth and heaven? We are arrant knaves, all; believe none of us.
Einsman Schlegel Disenchanted Fool Join date: 11 Jun 2003 Posts: 1,461	02-12-2006 10:09 I'm not entirely familiar with how the OS works, however, I had it installed on my machine before, tinkering with it awhile back, but I'm determined to learn it.
Richie Waves Predictable Join date: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 1,424	02-12-2006 10:16 I installed suse 9.0 Duel boot on my XP system a while back.. it wasnt a hard process at all.. that is until I went to install my videocard.. I got scared and ran off ; ; _____________________ no u!
Christopher Omega Oxymoron Join date: 28 Mar 2003 Posts: 1,828	02-12-2006 10:21 If you can, have a windows-based computer accessable to you (aka, it booted on a second computer) throughout your linux setup, preferably one with internet access. It makes worlds of difference when you can google-search problems you have with the setup system without needing to reboot into windows. It also helps if you make a Fatal Mistake (TM), and break the dual-boot process. I have a weird motherboard setup (multiple IDE controller cards) so I had to do some experimenting on that front, to get it working. ==Chris _____________________ October 3rd is the Day Against DRM (Digital Restrictions Management), learn more at http://www.defectivebydesign.org/what_is_drm
Edav Roark Bounty Hunter Join date: 4 Sep 2003 Posts: 569	02-12-2006 18:44 What is a good version of Linux to use for a beginer? _____________________
Satchmo Prototype eSheep Join date: 26 Aug 2004 Posts: 1,323	02-12-2006 18:57 Fedora Linux (formerly Red Hat) is a decent distribution for beginners. It has nice gui's and lots of documentation. There are also a lot of Fedora/RH users out there. I've also always been fond of Gentoo's documentation but it's often presumed for the hardcore. I actually disagree, and if your technically savvy and want to learn a lot about your OS, Gentoo is a fun way to go. _____________________ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Electric Sheep Company Satchmo Blogs: The Daily Graze Satchmo del.icio.us
Mulch Ennui 15 Minutes are Over Join date: 22 May 2005 Posts: 2,607	02-12-2006 20:00 From: Christopher Omega If you can, have a windows-based computer accessable to you (aka, it booted on a second computer) throughout your linux setup, preferably one with internet access. It makes worlds of difference when you can google-search problems you have with the setup system without needing to reboot into windows. very good point. u need to slowly ween yourself off Windows. Cold turkey will piss you off also, note that linux is free, unless you by the box go download a ton of linux distros and install them all 1 at a time you will find one you like, ranging from the 100% geeky to trying to make it difficult for the average user to know they are not on windows you have now achieved rank 13 in geekdom =) (seriously, some people geek out on getting ancient computers run on linux. this is some very serious geeking out!) try this: http://www.linux.org/dist/index.html _____________________ I have of late--but wherefore I know not--lost all my mirth, that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory, this most excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave o'erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire, why, it appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours. http://forums.secondcitizen.com/
Tod69 Talamasca The Human Tripod ;) Join date: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 4,107	02-13-2006 05:00 Ok, my turn.... Redhat was fine. I like it. But for a total beginner, I'd suggest Mandriva (formerly known as Mandrake). The day they make Linux as easy (as in dumbed down) to use as Windoze, the quicker it will catch on. Ever try to explain to computer illiterates how to update a kernal? It's like explaining sex to a virgin blind man!! _____________________ really pissy & mean right now and NOT happy with Life.
Mike Westerburg Who, What, Where? Join date: 2 May 2004 Posts: 317	02-13-2006 06:33 I will agree wih the statements made above, if the boot loader that gets installed to manage a dual boot config gets borked, good chance of loosing both O/S's. I would recommend getting a secondary HDD just for Linux if you are going to dual boot and instead of configuring the bootloader to run from the HDD, have it create a boot floppy (pending your system has a floppy drive). This will help to protect your working Windows install. I would recommend working with the latest Fedora Core. Linux has really come a long way in user freindlyness. The default Gnome GUI is pleasent to look at and easy to navigate. Integrated and easy to use firewall using IP Tables, the source CD's allows you to install Open Office.org which kicks MS Office's butt in speed, reliability and performance. If you need to run some MS apps like Office (for whatever reason) I would recommend CrossOver Office, an implementation of WINE but without all the hassle of setting it up manually, IE runs fine as well. During install, I would recommend doing a custom as opposed to choosing a preset config such as workstation or server, some junk does get installed. Manual partition of HDD as well, no need for a ton of partitions as Linux's filesystem is a heck of a lot tidier than Microsoft's. At the moment, SL is the only reason I have Windows installed on my primary machine (out of 4). Once the Linux client works, buh bye Windows for good ^..^ _____________________ "Life throws you a lemon, you make lemonade and then plant the seeds"
Claude Desmoulins Registered User Join date: 1 Nov 2005 Posts: 388	02-13-2006 07:12 I plunged in, building an ubuntu box from components. I too had fits with my video card. It turns out they were because I didn't get the card properly seated in the AGP slot. It's not my only machine, so that might make a difference. I'd give my wife the Mac in our house 100% if I didn't need it to sync the iPods.

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Linux: How to make the move?