Irene Posted February 12, 2007 Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 Very good point. This is a future plan I have read to have companies like Microsoft and Apple work closely with Intel to develop applications that use the chip to it's full capacity. I hope someone workin on Linux will come up with it first, and release it as Open Source. ;)Linux??I have seen the word many times on this forum. Until joining, I had never heard the word.In my quest for new knowledge, I am asking the "Novice" question.....Please tell me about "it" in a limited , concise number of words (I loose interest if its' too wordy). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagwoood Posted February 12, 2007 Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 Irene, basically Linux is another form of operating system; i.e. it's an alternative to Windows.Linux can come in many different "flavors" called Distributions. Think of it as different versions of Windows that offer different ways of doing things. On the whole, Linux distributions are free, but it's becoming more common that some versions you have to pay for. The paid for versions are normally targeted at people who want an alternative to Windows that's easy to use and (a lot) cheaper than what Microsoft charges.The Linux community are now getting their act together with regards to making it more user friendly because in the past it's only been experts who could easily use Linux, but there are versions now that are easy to use, even for a beginner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted February 12, 2007 Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 Linux is a free open-source operating system based on Unix. Linux was originally created by Linus Torvalds with the assistance of developers from around the globe.Linux (lĭn'ŭks) - Pronunciation KeyMore Info:http://www.linux.org/http://www.linux.comhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linuxhttp://www.tldp.org/ (The Linux Documentation Project - TLDP)Common 'Distros' (Distrobutions):http://www.gentoo.org/http://fedora.redhat.com/http://www.debian.org/http://www.ubuntu.com/http://freespire.org/(Image from Wikipedia)------Freespire Screen Shot(By the way, it's not my back yard, but that is exactly what my back yard looks like during the summer B) ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan2273 Posted February 12, 2007 Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 If you do not play the latest games the Linux distros (Operating Systems) will do everything Windows will do for free.I have been using different distros for about two years, it is different from Windows so requires a learning curve.It is more secure than Windows, you do not have to bother with antivirus or spyware programs and it is progressing now so that you can install and run the distro without using the command line.I use Linux Mint at the moment but if I find one that is better I just download and install it, as it costs nothing unless you want to donate, which I do as all the free distros are done by people all over the world in there own time for no payment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagwoood Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 I use Linux Mint at the moment.......Haven't come across that one Alan2273. Do you know whether it installs the proprietary graphics drivers; i.e.Nvidia/ATI, as I haven't come across a free distro that does? Some of the GUI's look great for on some distro's, but without having an Nvidia graphics driver installed I can't even adjust my monitors gamma settings, so they look pretty naff on my system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason.b.c Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Linux is a free open-source operating system based on Unix. Linux was originally created by Linus Torvalds with the assistance of developers from around the globe.Pronounced - "lee-nucks" Was on a website that way. I've amended it with a propery Pronunciation and Key to go along with it. After saying it as I had spelt it, I was starting to second guess it. I thought perhaps I had been saying it wrong all along. I guess not! --SM :0 Uh ..? , No it isn't...!It is pronounced "Lynn-Ucks" Like "Win-Dows" There was an operating system created here a while back called "LinDows" Lindows - Mom meets linux... Lindows - Wich stands for: "Linux Is Not Windows."But you wouldn't pronounce it: "Leen-Dows" That wouldn't be differant that pronouncing "Ween-Dows" Besides that , I've heard "Lynn-Ucks" pronounced like that out loud.... :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seshomaru Samma Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 I use Linux Mint at the moment.......Haven't come across that one Alan2273. Do you know whether it installs the proprietary graphics drivers; i.e.Nvidia/ATI, as I haven't come across a free distro that does? Some of the GUI's look great for on some distro's, but without having an Nvidia graphics driver installed I can't even adjust my monitors gamma settings, so they look pretty naff on my system.I heard that the new Ubuntu ('feisty') will have nVidia drivers installed by default ,since Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu it would probably have the nVidia drivers in the next relaese as well...Anyway , installing nVidia drivers in Ubuntu is a piece of cake, many programmes will do it for you (automatix is one, easyubuntu is another) , I think it took me about 5 minutes to get them running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason.b.c Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 ,since Linux Mint is based on UbuntuAre you sure you didn't mean based on Debian..????How is linux mint based on ubuntu...?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan2273 Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Linux Mint is 98% Ubuntu, it is easy to install the Nvidia graphics driver, you just go to init3 (out of the GUI) then enter your user name and password then type sudo su then your password again then type envy then apart from selecting yes twice (which is the default) it does it automatically.Linux Mint also sails very close to the wind as it contains the proprietary drivers for running DVD's and the codecs to play all types of music.If you are interested iy can be downloaded here, but use the Bea download as the Bianca is still in beta stage.http://linuxmint.com/download.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason.b.c Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Linux Mint is 98% Ubuntu, it is easy to install the Nvidia graphics driver, you just go to init3 (out of the GUI)What do you mean by 98% ubuntu..? , Because it uses the gnome x-windowing system...?? Or is it actually ubuntu "altered"..?then enter your user name and password then type sudo su then your password again then type envy thenWhy are you trying to become super user twice...? I don't think you got that right...I don't think i would want to use mint much if it requires your password to do sudo installs or tasks , that is why i like freespire so much , you don't need to worry about a password... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene Posted February 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Well, thank you everyone. What a magnificent response. I think it will be my project for today to read all of the information in the posts and links provided! Within the first link provided by Scarecrow Man, I found the following information...."Many people are not sure of the pronunciation of the word Linux. Although many variations of the word exist, often due to native language factors, it is normally pronounced with a short " i " and with the first syllable stressed, as in LIH-nucks."Here endeth the first lesson. :D P.S. I think I'll need a new dictionary to accommodate all of these new terms, Ubantu, Debian etc., etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgate Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Linux is pronounced "good". Do not take any notice of the way those from over the water pronounce it...you know what they do with language. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan2273 Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Linux Mint is 98% Ubuntu, it is easy to install the Nvidia graphics driver, you just go to init3 (out of the GUI)What do you mean by 98% ubuntu..? , Because it uses the gnome x-windowing system...?? Or is it actually ubuntu "altered"..?then enter your user name and password then type sudo su then your password again then type envy thenWhy are you trying to become super user twice...? I don't think you got that right...I don't think i would want to use mint much if it requires your password to do sudo installs or tasks , that is why i like freespire so much , you don't need to worry about a password...Linux Mint is a variation on Ubuntu (or altered as you put it.Sudo gives you adminastrative powers, adding the su gives you superuser status, and yes you do have to put your password in twice.If freespire does not require a password does that mean you run all the time as superuser, that is dangerous!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene Posted February 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 :) For anyone who, like myself, has little or no knowledge of Linux, this is a very useful and informative link...http://www.linux.com/article.pl?sid=02/03/09/1727250 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagwoood Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 I heard that the new Ubuntu ('feisty') will have nVidia drivers installed by default ,since Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu it would probably have the nVidia drivers in the next relaese as well...Anyway , installing nVidia drivers in Ubuntu is a piece of cake, many programmes will do it for you (automatix is one, easyubuntu is another) , I think it took me about 5 minutes to get them running.Thanks for that Seshomaru Samma. I tried Kubuntu last year but I couldn't work out how to get them to install Linux Mint is 98% Ubuntu, it is easy to install the Nvidia graphics driver, you just go to init3 (out of the GUI) then enter your user name and password then type sudo su then your password again then type envy then apart from selecting yes twice (which is the default) it does it automatically.Linux Mint also sails very close to the wind as it contains the proprietary drivers for running DVD's and the codecs to play all types of music.If you are interested iy can be downloaded here, but use the Bea download as the Bianca is still in beta stage.http://linuxmint.com/download.htmlThanks for the clarification and link Alan2273. I wouldn't have downloaded the beta, but thanks for pointing me in the right direction :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene Posted February 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 It's wonderful to see that so many are benefiting from my very basic question. Even you experienced Linux users are collecting information from each other.This is surely what this excellent forum is all about?We all have our own personal experience in our own field, and can share it as and when others are in need. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason.b.c Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Linux is pronounced "good". Do not take any notice of the way those from over the water pronounce it...you know what they do with language.AND WHAT DO WE DO WITH THE LANGUAGE...???? What do you do with it...?? How would you pronounce it , "Loinix"..? http://mostlylinux.ca/pronounce/common pronunciation of Linux, which is "Lin-icks" (or sometimes "Lin-ucks"). This pronunciation has no basis as a linguistic derivative. It does, however, sound more like "Unix", which is probably the reason it came about.Linux Mint is a variation on Ubuntu (or altered as you put it.Sudo gives you adminastrative powers, adding the su gives you superuser status, and yes you do have to put your password in twice.If freespire does not require a password does that mean you run all the time as superuser, that is dangerous!!!Ok , I think you are a little mis-informed..( 1 ) I know how to give myself "SuperUser" status , Wich is done by using the "sudo" command - "NOT" by using "sudo su" or by "su"...! It is just "sudo"... ( Super User Do )Sudo su would be adding super user privleges twice in a row...( 2 ) No i don't run as root in my freespire system , i know that is not a good thing to do - but it ISN'T Dangerous...! Why do you think it is...?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seshomaru Samma Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Linux mint is based on Ubuntu which in turn is based on DebianFrom the linux mint website:Linux Mint is like a customized version of Ubuntu. It uses the same repositories and the same packages. It follows the Ubuntu releases and innovations. Basically, it is 98% Ubuntu, with a few differences:(http://linuxmint.com/about.html)In Debian based distos we use 'sudo' infront of a command to get super user rights, in other distros you do 'su root' or whatever. Running as root could be dangerous ,it can also be very convinient, it really depends on the user more than anything . I sometimes use Puppy Linux which logs you automatically as root and have no problems with it.I have used many distros - Suse ,Fedora, Ubuntu ,Debian ,Puppy ,Dsl ,Blag and found them all good and interesting.I chose to stick with Ubuntu cause I like 'aptitude'- its package manger and its helpfull forums.As for pronunciation of Linux Listen to Linus Torvalds pronouncing it himself (attached WAV)torvalds_says_linux.wav Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seshomaru Samma Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Since everybody is attaching a screenshot , I might as well post mine...Ubuntu with a 3D desktop manager(http://www.ubuntu.com/) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene Posted February 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Since everybody is attaching a screenshot , I might as well post mine...Ubuntu with a 3D desktop manager(http://www.ubuntu.com/)Lovely picture, Seshomaru Samma. It makes my desktop look quite 'flat'... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan2273 Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Seshomaru Samma what 3D desktop are you using, is it Beryl?. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seshomaru Samma Posted February 15, 2007 Report Share Posted February 15, 2007 It's pre-Beryl 'AIGLX' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuzzman Posted February 16, 2007 Report Share Posted February 16, 2007 Beautiful Beryl work, Seshomaru :-)Here's my current one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seshomaru Samma Posted April 29, 2007 Report Share Posted April 29, 2007 I don't know if it was mentioned before but:This forum is running on a Linux server Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgate Posted April 29, 2007 Report Share Posted April 29, 2007 I don't know if it was mentioned before but:This forum is running on a Linux serverWell it serves it right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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