Linux Users

[Foolish Old]

After decades of talking about it, I finally built a custom computer from parts. I want to install a Linux distribution and XP Pro in a dual boot. Never used Linux - but it's time. So here's the question(s).

Which is your favourite Linux distribution (please include version info)? Why?

Which Linux applications (packages?) do you like?

What Linux console commands do you find most useful?

I'm using a Fedora Live CD right now. So far so good!

[Steven Edwards]

I only use Linux for development, but useful console commands include:

ls (directory listing)
find (find files in certain directories by specified criteria)
grep (show only matching lines)
su (switch user)
sudo (execute command as root)
man (get help on specific commands)
vi (text editor)
tar (useful for archiving)
cd (without arguments, return to home directory)

Some useful packages (may be installed by default):

apt-get (http://www.omniscientx.com/howto-articles/howto-apt-get-on-fedora/) (for package installs... Synaptic (http://linux.softpedia.com/get/System/Software-Distribution/Synaptic-2028.shtml) for GUI package management)
wget (download files from the command line)
lynx (text-based browser)

[Foolish Old]

Very helpful. Thanks!

I only use Linux for development, but useful console commands include:

ls (directory listing)
find (find files in certain directories by specified criteria)
grep (show only matching lines)
su (switch user)
sudo (execute command as root)
man (get help on specific commands)
vi (text editor)
tar (useful for archiving)
cd (without arguments, return to home directory)

Some useful packages (may be installed by default):

apt-get (http://www.omniscientx.com/howto-articles/howto-apt-get-on-fedora/) (for package installs... Synaptic (http://linux.softpedia.com/get/System/Software-Distribution/Synaptic-2028.shtml) for GUI package management)
wget (download files from the command line)
lynx (text-based browser)

[Lazlo]

Ubuntu is a common distro of choice right now because of its ease of installation and wide selection of pre-configured software. The latest stable version is 8.10. You can download the live DVD, which also serves as an install disc, and try it out. It includes software that can substitute any common software most people use under Windows. If you have a decent graphics card, you can enable the fancy desktop effects (compiz fusion) which are fun and even useful at times.

If you are planning on dual booting Ubuntu and XP/Vista, here are some good guides to get you started. Check the "related articles" to find the specific setup you are aiming for:

http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windows_xp_and_linux_xp_installed _first.htm

[Steven Edwards]

FO,

If you go with Ubuntu, download the free Ubuntu Pocket Guide and Reference http://www.ubuntupocketguide.com/download.html. Chapter 5 does a good job covering the command line (bash).

[Foolish Old]

Great Distro! After reading your post, I downloaded the iso and burned a cd. I'm using it now as a Live session.. SLICK and very easy transition from XP. I've auditioned Fedora; Knoppix; Open SUSE; PCLinuxOS and now Ubuntu. I like something about all of them, but - so far- this (Ubuntu) is the easiest. I went with the 32 bit version. I have an Intel Duo Core 2 & 4g Ram, but...
Any opinions 32 v 64? I have on board video and I don't game, but eye candy is always cool if you don't trade too much for it.

Thanks for the Link to the dual boot article. Coincidentally, I had found it earlier today and read a little bit while I downloaded.

Ubuntu is a common distro of choice right now because of its ease of installation and wide selection of pre-configured software. The latest stable version is 8.10. You can download the live DVD, which also serves as an install disc, and try it out. It includes software that can substitute any common software most people use under Windows. If you have a decent graphics card, you can enable the fancy desktop effects (compiz fusion) which are fun and even useful at times.

If you are planning on dual booting Ubuntu and XP/Vista, here are some good guides to get you started. Check the "related articles" to find the specific setup you are aiming for:

http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windows_xp_and_linux_xp_installed _first.htm

[Foolish Old]

Thanks Steven. So far, Ubuntu has been intuitive point and click. MUCH more so than any of the other Distros (or maybe I'm starting to get more familiar with the concepts).

I will def get the gude. Thanks!FO,

If you go with Ubuntu, download the free Ubuntu Pocket Guide and Reference http://www.ubuntupocketguide.com/download.html. Chapter 5 does a good job covering the command line (bash).

[Lazlo]

I'm running both 32 and 64 bit Ubuntu. The 64 bit version is still just slightly more problematic, so I'd probably stick with the 32 bit version unless you anticipate the need to do some hardcore computing, number-crunching, video encoding, etc.

[Steven Edwards]

Enjoy FO. :) (I'm exploring OpenSolaris (http://opensolaris.org/os/).)

Zero, what's a good video encoder for 64-bit Linux? (Non-gui, preferably.)

[jryprt]

Be sure to backup your xp or vista first & defrag your computer 2 or 3 times.

[garvey]

I just downloaded the WUBI installer for the latest Ubuntu release (Ibix?)
http://wubi-installer.org/

I did it to play with and also to keep up on unix side of the universe because I repeatedly run into it in my work in software testing. I just interviewed for a project in a BIG pharma company where they're using Linux (I didn't ask about the distribution - I was too busy convincing them that I coiuld read Oracle scripts).

The install was easy and automatically presents dual boot options whenever I start up XP Home.
But..it looks like I'll have to role up my sleeves and manually install the driver for the old Linksys wifi card I have on this machine. That's a good way to learn the system I guess.

I'd also like to look into Open Solaris. That's another ubiquitous OS among bigger companies.

Party on.

[Lazlo]

Wubi is definitely a good way to go with a computer already running Windows, since you don't need to mess around with repartitioning and you can easily remove Ubuntu from your computer if you don't need it any more.

Steven I actually don't have much experience with video encoding on Linux, that's one of the only things I still use Windows for. I know people like Handbrake and K9Copy, but I haven't used them myself.

[Foolish Old]

Be sure to backup your xp or vista first & defrag your computer 2 or 3 times.

I'm dumping my new install of Media XP and doing a clean install of XP Pro and Linux. I do have all the data and XP hardware drivers saved on another hard drive that I will temporarily slave on the new machinef for data transfer.

Thanks for the heads up.

Garvey - about half of the distros handled the Linksys G WIF cardI smoothly, the other half - not so much. Ubuntu found my other machines on the MS Windows Network WIFI lan (mixed bag of 80211 B & G; Win98 & XP Pro) with one click. Ubuntu also gets points for addressing ACCESSIBILITY.

[Steven Edwards]

Steven I actually don't have much experience with video encoding on Linux, that's one of the only things I still use Windows for. I know people like Handbrake and K9Copy, but I haven't used them myself. Handbrake may work, thanks. (I want to test its 64-bit transcoding speed to Vista's 32-bit.)

I'd also like to look into Open Solaris. That's another ubiquitous OS among bigger companies. DTrace (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dtrace) is the big draw. (Guide (http://docs.sun.com/app/docs/doc/817-6223)) I haven't had time to play with it yet, but it looks very promising.

[Foolish Old]

Oh yeah, Unbutu promted me to download the needed plugiins for my music files (mostly mp3's) and installed them with a few clicks.