Linux question

[XanwolF]

Hey everyone, I've been thinking about putting Linux on my laptop (Acer Aspire 5738G) and was wondering what version of it I should install?

Also is it suitable to watch films/edit text documents on etc?

Just fancy a change from Windows :thumb:

Thanks in advance!

[waba]

you ever tried linux before? ubuntu is good for driver/hardware support, iv got it on my lappy. very user friendly, although if you like tweaking things then you might want another distro.

i watch all my films on it, and you can use open office for documents etc. it weill come bundled w ith most things you want.

[Spaceboy]

Another shout for Ubuntu - most people's "issues" with linux are down to driver/hardware support and Ubuntu has one of the best ranges of support out there imo.

OpenOffice is great for an office suite, or there's more basic text editors bundled with it too. For vids I thoroughly recommend VLC (for linux or windows) although I think Totem comes bundled and plays most things. It's been a while since I played with Ubuntu thought so maybe things have changed :D

[Burn-IT]

I like Puppy

[Lorem-Ipsum]

If you are unused to linux then Ubuntu is a very good starting place.

In 10.10 as you install it asks if you want to install restricted extras, which I would highly recommend.

Just read up on it before hand as there are some huge differences between linux and windows.

The biggest jump most people seem to find is that you don't generally download and install programs.

Instead you use the package repositories which then keep the packages up to date.

I recommend you read THIS (http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm) all the way through before deciding to install.

I personally use Linux for everything and try to touch windows as little as possible, but I do admit it may not be for everyone.

[mikeyuk3]

Ubuntu is the one i use. And I would recommend.

[waba]

yeh, the main difficulty i found with ubuntu was that you dont download and install programs like you do with windows...although i realised that the software suppositories (not repositories :P ) are full of stuff that you would want, you really dont need any more...and if you do want more, the forums are good for support. sayin that, i found this forum fantastic for ubuntu help (a couple of linuxy users in particular :D )

definatly installed the restricted stuff though. i dont know if its the same in 10.10, but i had to authorised the medibuntu suppository to get dvds working (again, ends up sounding a lot harder than it actually is).

[XanwolF]

Awesome, thanks for all the replies guys. I'll probably have a go at it in the upcoming week and post back here to let you all know how I went :thumb:!

[XanwolF]

If you are unused to linux then Ubuntu is a very good starting place.

In 10.10 as you install it asks if you want to install restricted extras, which I would highly recommend.

Just read up on it before hand as there are some huge differences between linux and windows.

The biggest jump most people seem to find is that you don't generally download and install programs.

Instead you use the package repositories which then keep the packages up to date.

I recommend you read THIS (http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm) all the way through before deciding to install.

I personally use Linux for everything and try to touch windows as little as possible, but I do admit it may not be for everyone.

Thanks for the article link you provided mate...I can't believe I've never tried it before, it sounds pretty damn awesome from what I read there :thumb:!

[bjpenn]

here is the download link for ubuntu http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download
(http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download)

[XanwolF]

Good news, got myself a dock for my HD today, so hopefully I'll be able to back-up my laptop tomorrow and install Ubuntu :weeee

[Lorem-Ipsum]

Good news, got myself a dock for my HD today, so hopefully I'll be able to back-up my laptop tomorrow and install Ubuntu :weeee

Just installed the latest version on my laptop for testing as I usually use arch linux, and the install was a piece of cake.

Just make sure you read each step thoroughly as there are a couple of checkboxes you will want to tick.

[XanwolF]

Just installed the latest version on my laptop for testing as I usually use arch linux, and the install was a piece of cake.

Just make sure you read each step thoroughly as there are a couple of checkboxes you will want to tick.

Nice, will do mate :), been waiting all week to get some time to do it lol.

[waba]

installed it now, xanwolf?

[XanwolF]

installed it now, xanwolf?

Hey mate, I had a couple of problems to start with as I couldn't download 10.10 64-bit at first, but eventually managed to get it, then I had to get 200GB of data off my laptop and then it kept freezing on install from USB.

But good news, the rest seems to be going in fine (at this very moment :D)

Getting excited about messing with it...Even though I need to get to bed for uni in 6 hours :p.

Just a quick question, with the Ubuntu's open office, would I be able to open the files in Microsoft office if I need too? (mainly for uni work...Damn I hate Microsoft's word too lol)

[iGoD ReLeNtLeS]

Just a quick question, with the Ubuntu's open office, would I be able to open the files in Microsoft office if I need too? (mainly for uni work...Damn I hate Microsoft's word too lol)

yup you just need to change the file format when you save it :) but it will open and edit all you MS Office files :thumb:

[XanwolF]

yup you just need to change the file format when you save it :) but it will open and edit all you MS Office files :thumb:

Awesome thanks mate!

[waba]

the nice thing about open office is that it can create pdf files in word. remember tho, if you are going to edit it again on a windows computer, save it as a doc - its unlikely to affect the formatting.

when i first used ubuntu it took me away from uni for ages!!! i loved makin it look snazzy - look up compiz on google if you want the same (and youtube)