Chris Posted April 7, 2004 Report Share Posted April 7, 2004 The idea is simple: Complete ALL 7 challenges. Get help from here or where ever you can to complete each challenge.Challenge:1 Install Linux StartedChallenge:2 Install a program StartedChallenge:3 Burn a file to a CD Started Challenge:4 Play a sound file StartedChallenge:5 Change the appearance of your desktop StartedChallenge:6 Connect to the internet StartedChallenge:7 Successfully post to WF through Your Linux Browser StartedVery simple you might think but Linux is different to Windows so it will not all be plain sailing...Try and produce some evidence that you have completed a challenge, how you do this is up to you.Information:If you are wondering what Linux is, then please click here.Challenge1: Installing Linux is actually easier than installing Windows because Linux has a graphical installer, so you'll see images, colour and generally it is much easier to understand compared to installing Windows.However as you are installing an Operating System there is a caution, there is the potential that you will lose data on your hard drive. If you have two hard drives then installing Linux to the second hard drive is easier and you leave your first hard drive Linux free.If you have only one hard drive then you would have to install Linux to a separate partition. It is possible to resize partitions when installing Linux but I would advise against it as you could potentially make your computer useless and a reinstall of Windows would be required!It is because of this of this that a BACKUP is a must. There can be no argument when installing another Operating system that a backup must be made.For information on "Backing up" please click here.Linux Distributions: There are several distributions of Linux that you could use but if you are new to Linux some distributions will be of no use because you need to know what you are doing. Luckily there are easier Linux distributions to use...You could consider the following:Red HatThe Fedora ProjectMandrakelinux[Each of the above come bundled with many applications]Downloading Linux Obtaining a Linux Distribution is easy; you download it. However it is a large download that will take a few hours. A BROADBAND CONNECTION WILL BE REQUIREDThe file you have downloaded is known as an IMAGE. You have to burn this image to a CD as an IMAGE; Do not simply burn the file to CD.For Example in Nero; Click File, Burn Image and point to the file that you have just downloaded.You will have to download three images and burn each image to a CD and because of this it will take sometime.An image file can be over 600MB and because of this I would recommend a download manager. If you have any problems for example you are disconnected from the internet you can RESUME your download.To install Linux you will need to boot from the first CD, for instructions on how to boot from the CD click here.Md5sumYou may notice this file on all download locations where Linux is available. It is a very useful file that you could download. This file holds a finger print of the three Linux files. The finger print can be compared with the finger print of the Linux files that you have downloaded. This purpose of this is to check that the files are complete and not corrupted. Click Here to learn how to check the files with the Md5sum.Note: You do not have to check your files with Md5sum and you can go straight to the burning, but it is useful tool.Linux Mediacheck is a Linux command that is used to check a disc for any problems, unfortunately if any problems are found they cannot be corrected so you will more than likely have to download the image file again. You could also try burning the image at a slower speed.Depending upon your Linux Distribution, when you boot from the CD you will see:boot:Type: Linux MediacheckYour CD will then be checked.If you are shown a PASS then you can continue to use the CD. However if you are shown a FAIL then the CD will be useless.The above Linux distributions have a total of three CDs but you can use only two but with only two you will be limited to what you can install.Buying Linux: It is possible to buy certain Linux Distributions which come with several CD's and a user guide [a thick book]. If you do not have a broadband connection then this is an easier way to obtain Linux.Challenge2: Installing a program in Windows is simple, you either double click a file then click a few more times, enter some information and the program is installed. However with Linux it is different, there is no file to double click. There is a command to be typed and run.Challenge3: Burning a file to a CD is very easy, you can use one of many CD burning applications to which with a little time are easy to master.Challenge4: Playing a sound file is probably the easiest challenge to complete.Challenge5: Changing the appearance of your desktop is very easy in Linux and you'll be suprised at how easy and customisable the Linux desktop is. There are many websites that offer Themes and Styles to further enhance your Linux Desktop.Challenge6: Connecting to the internet can be straight forward with an Ethernet card but with a USB modem can you connect to the internet?Challenge7: Successfully post to WF through Your Linux Browser and SHOW OFF!Final Thoughts: You will have to download three image files of which can be 600MB so a Broadband connection is a must. You will also need three CD-R and a CD burner.IMPORTANT: Please make sure you have made all your backups before attempting to install Linux. If you manage to install Linux along side Windows you will have a Dual Boot meaning you can use either Linux or Windows [but not at the same time]. When you switch your computer on you will have a menu of which you can chose Linux or Windows.Each week will be a seperate thread which will start on the Monday. The Linux challenge 2004 will begin on the 12th April. For a different look on Linux please click here.Think you can do it?Any comments Welcomed.Update: Challenges can run as long as they want and not weekly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Blink_182_fan Posted April 7, 2004 Report Share Posted April 7, 2004 Is there a prize? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted April 7, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2004 Of course there is: The prize is the reward for installing and at least exploring the possibilites of another operating system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Blink_182_fan Posted April 7, 2004 Report Share Posted April 7, 2004 ok is there a set date for it to be done because i dont have enough room on the machine that has access to the internet but im getting a router + all accesories needed for my other machine to acces the internet at the start of june. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted April 7, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2004 Well you could say that as its a challenge we all have 7 weeks but it takes as long as it takes.If anything take your time, so you learn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted April 8, 2004 Report Share Posted April 8, 2004 PASS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expertec Posted April 8, 2004 Report Share Posted April 8, 2004 PASS!Go on andsome, why don't you give it a go. It's fun :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy-2004 Posted April 8, 2004 Report Share Posted April 8, 2004 PASS!Go on andsome, why don't you give it a go. It's fun :D IT IS ANYTHING BUT FUNIN FACT I THINK I MIGHT BE GIVING UP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expertec Posted April 8, 2004 Report Share Posted April 8, 2004 :oops: sorry andy, don't give up though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy-2004 Posted April 8, 2004 Report Share Posted April 8, 2004 READ THIS :ranting: :ranting: :ranting: :ranting: :ranting: My post near/at the bottom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty Posted April 8, 2004 Report Share Posted April 8, 2004 I have fancied trying this for a while. An attempt a couple of years ago never got past the installation. That was from a CD on the cover of a magazine. Do you know of a more friendly version available on a current magazine? (I don't fancy downloading a version using my 56k modem) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparks Posted April 8, 2004 Report Share Posted April 8, 2004 PASS!I'm with you on this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark2 Posted April 8, 2004 Report Share Posted April 8, 2004 PASS!Where's your sense of adventure ??? :D :D :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Besty Posted April 8, 2004 Report Share Posted April 8, 2004 PASS!I'm with you on this one. And im with you both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy-2004 Posted April 8, 2004 Report Share Posted April 8, 2004 PASS!Where's your sense of adventure ??? :D :D :D If your with them then im with him :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expertec Posted April 9, 2004 Report Share Posted April 9, 2004 Challenge:2 Install a programI've got Linux running now, what shall I install?BTW, I'm posting this from linux, I'll see if I can get a screenshot for you :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expertec Posted April 9, 2004 Report Share Posted April 9, 2004 a couple of questions for you, powerless (or anyone else if they know)How do I login as root?How do I get to my windows drives? (I know I can) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted April 9, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2004 To login as root....Open a terminal.Type: suand type yerrr password.Windows drive...File://mnt/ you can put that in the address bar of your IE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark2 Posted April 9, 2004 Report Share Posted April 9, 2004 Are you now trying to configure your system ?Start > system > configuration> configure your computer, you'll need to enter your root password.In here you can change user permissions to read files.Use nautilus file manager to explore your drives,Posting from Mandrake too. :D :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expertec Posted April 9, 2004 Report Share Posted April 9, 2004 OK, thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expertec Posted April 9, 2004 Report Share Posted April 9, 2004 Could anyone possibly explain (for someone else, not for me) any advantages Linux has over Windows? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy-2004 Posted April 9, 2004 Report Share Posted April 9, 2004 How much is linux to buy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted April 9, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2004 How much is linux to buy?PCWorld sell it.Dabs have it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted April 9, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2004 Could anyone possibly explain (for someone else, not for me) any advantages Linux has over Windows?Well it's free! :rolleyes: :unsure: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy-2004 Posted April 9, 2004 Report Share Posted April 9, 2004 I cant find it on dabs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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