Ubuntu and Linux distros , not just for computer geeks

[desertrat]

Any comments are welcome. This post is more for the people that have never heard of Linux and all the distros. If you hate Windows, Bill Gates , or just want to try a new operating system, you can run most distros of Linux as a live cd. A live cd boots from the cd drive and only mounts on the hard drive if you want it to. You can see if it will work with all your hardware. Many can be set up as a duel boot , windows and Linux .You can download a iso file , burn it to a disk or buy a boot disk or usb drive for a few bucks. Here are some links . Homepage | Ubuntu Mandriva DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD. The LiveCD List As I make this post I am using supper os DistroWatch.com: Super OS desert rat

[wstein]

I am going to recommend against this move unless you are really fed up with Windows AND MAC.

Sure you can put a ‘full’ version of Linux on your compute without too many problems. Support for devices has improved over the years though may of the latest devices do not have drivers (yet).

The main problem is that there is almost no documentation and little help available for beginners. Getting start in any new operating system is difficult as you don’t know the basics that allow you to find what you need (how to load programs, get your Email, set up your network, etc). If you go on Linux forums, they expect that you are an expert. If you ask a newbie question they ignore you or ridicule you. There are in theory lots of applications available out there but they are hard to find and many of them require you to do a build (which you likely don’t know what it is) for your particular flavor of Linux.

[VinceG]

Originally Posted by wstein

I am going to recommend against this move unless you are really fed up with Windows AND MAC.

Sure you can put a ‘full’ version of Linux on your compute without too many problems. Support for devices has improved over the years though may of the latest devices do not have drivers (yet).

The main problem is that there is almost no documentation and little help available for beginners. Getting start in any new operating system is difficult as you don’t know the basics that allow you to find what you need (how to load programs, get your Email, set up your network, etc). If you go on Linux forums, they expect that you are an expert. If you ask a newbie question they ignore you or ridicule you. There are in theory lots of applications available out there but they are hard to find and many of them require you to do a build (which you likely don’t know what it is) for your particular flavor of Linux.

This is ridiculous. The OP specifically recommended Ubuntu, whose forums are awesome and in no way reflect this.

[wstein]

I specifically tried Ubuntu (32 and 64 bit versions) in the last 3 months.

Disclosure: I have 27 years computer experience mostly on personal computers (Windows and Mac).

VinceG: please post URL to this wonderful forum for all our benefits.

[VinceG]

Originally Posted by wstein

I specifically tried Ubuntu (32 and 64 bit versions) in the last 3 months.

Disclosure: I have 27 years computer experience mostly on personal computers (Windows and Mac).

VinceG: please post URL to this wonderful forum for all our benefits.

And I have 17. Big whoop.

Ubuntu Forums

Never let me down.

[desertrat]

Linux is not for some one with little of no computer knowledge. There are books on setting up and using some of the distros of Linux. I recommended Ubuntu because it is very popular rite now . The answer to setting up my modem I got off there forum . , The supper os that I am using comes with more software , and you can down load more if you want. I was just letting forum members know there not stuck using Windows ( or Mac) . UBUNTU - World Forum of Civil Society Networks Comparison of Linux distributions - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia desert rat

[VinceG]

Originally Posted by desertrat

Linux is not for some one with little of no computer knowledge.

I make every senior citizen and novice who asks me for computer help switch to Ubuntu. The system is much cleaner and more reliable, and much easier to understand for someone with little computer knowledge. It Just Works.

[desertrat]

When I stated Linux is not for some with little or no computer knowledge , I was reffering to downloading an i.s.o. file , burning it to a disk , and setting it up on a system . Once set up its easy. Lets hope there lots of guys like you and me out there . GNU Manifesto - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia KNOPPIX Linux Live CD desert rat

[WarrenG]

Originally Posted by VinceG

I make every senior citizen and novice who asks me for computer help switch to Ubuntu. The system is much cleaner and more reliable, and much easier to understand for someone with little computer knowledge. It Just Works.

I agree with you about the ubuntu forums - wstein; they really are great.

But I've had some problems which I've had to do some terminal stuff to get working, plus some other issues that took some time to solve.

However, I still like it much better than Windows.

[VinceG]

Originally Posted by desertrat

When I stated Linux is not for some with little or no computer knowledge , I was reffering to downloading an i.s.o. file , burning it to a disk , and setting it up on a system . Once set up its easy. Lets hope there lots of guys like you and me out there . GNU Manifesto - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia KNOPPIX Linux Live CD desert rat

Ubuntu actually has a much easier install than Windows. The drivers are all built in, and the GUI install tool couldn't be any easier. It's about as painless as you can get.

[VinceG]

Originally Posted by WarrenG

I agree with you about the ubuntu forums - wstein; they really are great.

But I've had some problems which I've had to do some terminal stuff to get working, plus some other issues that took some time to solve.

Yeah, good luck getting free expert assistance with Windows on forums.

[justhopingandsearching]

I've recently had to delete everything off my computer (it kept crashing and had the blue screen of death), reinstalled Windows Vista, and have slowly been re-installing the most important programs back onto my computer. My question is about security programs: do the major free anti-spyware programs (Avast and Spybot) work with Ubuntu?

If I could make sure my computer was "protected," I wouldn't mind giving Ubuntu a try because Windows really is a headache. I end up spending hours searching for a solution for my Windows' problems anyway, might as well actually learn a little about my computer and switch over to Linux .

[Artelus]

"Hating Windows and Bill Gates" is overrated.
Linux is neat but I don't use it for my main OS for many reasons.
If you do nothing but browse the internet and your computer is really slow, switching to Linux might improve your experience.

[desertrat]

I dont know if there any windows forums I"ve never looked . Here is the perfect solution for the blue screen of death Active@ Kill Disk Hard Drive Eraser. Low Level Format. Kill disk puts all zeros on a hard drive, so you can install a better operating system. Ubuntu is easy to install and use . I have tried other distros as live cds or dvds and I go back to Ubuntu . desert rat

[WarrenG]

Originally Posted by Artelus

"Hating Windows and Bill Gates" is overrated.

Why?

[VinceG]

Originally Posted by justhopingandsearching

I've recently had to delete everything off my computer (it kept crashing and had the blue screen of death), reinstalled Windows Vista, and have slowly been re-installing the most important programs back onto my computer. My question is about security programs: do the major free anti-spyware programs (Avast and Spybot) work with Ubuntu?

If I could make sure my computer was "protected," I wouldn't mind giving Ubuntu a try because Windows really is a headache. I end up spending hours searching for a solution for my Windows' problems anyway, might as well actually learn a little about my computer and switch over to Linux .

At present, you don't need security programs for Ubuntu, as there aren't any worms or spyware or trojans or anything targeting it.

[justhopingandsearching]

Originally Posted by VinceG

At present, you don't need security programs for Ubuntu, as there aren't any worms or spyware or trojans or anything targeting it.

You sure about that?

[desertrat]

On Ubuntus forum I found 1 entry for a found virus , so I dont think it is much of a problem . [ubuntu] ClamTK found a virus HELP - Page 2 - Ubuntu Forums and I do see malware software for Linux Download Security - page 1 - sorted by last update descending - Softpedia On hate of Bill Gates and Windows, as an enlightened new ager who is above and beyond such things I should have been more carefull with my words. Words like unhappy , discontent , dissatisfyed , ect . desert rat

[cacheborn]

Originally Posted by justhopingandsearching

You sure about that?

Linux/Unix has a structure that is fundamentally different from windows. It's easier to get access in Windows environment. On Linux even if you do get a rogue file on to the system it would be extremely difficult to execute it. For this reason, Linux viruses are extremely rare. They do exist, but I have not encountered one so far.

[wstein]

Originally Posted by cacheborn

Linux/Unix has a structure that is fundamentally different from windows. It's easier to get access in Windows environment. On Linux even if you do get a rogue file on to the system it would be extremely difficult to execute it. For this reason, Linux viruses are extremely rare. They do exist, but I have not encountered one so far.

Mac owners say that they get very few virus attacks. Oh wait, OS X is in the UIX/Linux family. Even before when the Mac OS was a separate thing this was true.

Not surprisingly, malicious software writers most often choose the largest installed base in hopes of having maximum impact and return on their investment. While it’s true that Windows security is pathetic (or not that good), it is the largest target mainly because it has the largest installed base. If some other OS became the dominate one, it would be where most of the virus attacks would be regardless of the inherent security of the operating system. It seems that smart phones are going next in line to be plagued with hacking.

So yes, Linux will continue to enjoy few virus attacks in the near future but not for the reasons stated. Unless it becomes more popular . . .

[cacheborn]

Originally Posted by wstein

So yes, Linux will continue to enjoy few virus attacks in the near future but not for the reasons stated. Unless it becomes more popular . . .

It's a common misconception that there are few Linux viruses because there are not as many users. It's not true. The main difference is in the architecture. Simple thing is you cannot run any executable in Linux unless you have root permissions.

More on that here.

Linux vs. Windows Viruses ? The Register

[VinceG]

Originally Posted by wstein

Mac owners say that they get very few virus attacks. Oh wait, OS X is in the UIX/Linux family. Even before when the Mac OS was a separate thing this was true.

Not surprisingly, malicious software writers most often choose the largest installed base in hopes of having maximum impact and return on their investment. While it’s true that Windows security is pathetic (or not that good), it is the largest target mainly because it has the largest installed base. If some other OS became the dominate one, it would be where most of the virus attacks would be regardless of the inherent security of the operating system. It seems that smart phones are going next in line to be plagued with hacking.

So yes, Linux will continue to enjoy few virus attacks in the near future but not for the reasons stated. Unless it becomes more popular . . .

That's not the whole picture. There's security practices embedded in the design of Linux, Ubuntu especially, that will make it difficult for viruses to become the same depressing problem on them, if at all.

In the first place, security vulnerabilities get fixed much faster than in Windows.

Secondly, default installs of most distros enable automatic security updates, and unless you're updating the kernel, a reboot is not necessary. This only recently became the case in Windows.

Thirdly, security vulnerabilities are rarely as serious as in Windows i.e. a hacker typically can't get root/administrator access through a browser, whereas in Windows it's a standard mode of attack. Windows is making headway on this problem, but it's still a huge issue.

The state of computer security, though, is fast moving away from worms and viruses, and more towards attacking big companies like Sony, where it's not so much the design of the OS that matters as the competency of their security team.