Ideal Software And Setup For A Friend With A Mental Handicap

Hey guys, im a long time Mac user but I want to have a Linux computer in my office for web based stuff and fixing hard drives.... I'm going to buy a used computer from eBay to install my Linux software as I believe that Linux is a lot faster than Mac or windows and doesnt need the latest hardware to compete.

In order to be at least as fast as a windows computer but no more than $100. What range of computer should I be looking at? What specs should I look for? And once I get it should I run Ubuntu or mint for web based things and hard drive repair? As you no doubt know, the Linux lingo is a bit difficult sometimes so please bear with me. I'm doing the best I can.

Weird question I know, but I'm sure you know what I mean.

Hello

As a learning experience, I want to jump from Windows 7 to Linux full time on my laptop. This isn't because of some antiWindows bullshit or because its free or anything like that. I just want to learn the ins and outs of Linux like I pretty much know on Windows.

I plan to go with Ubuntu. LTS or latest stable version? Thoughts?

First off, compatibility. I do need that all my hardware on my laptop be compatible. From shortcut keys to wifi. This is not a brand new laptop so there shouldn't be any problems. Its a Dell Vostro 1510.

Next, software. Basically on this laptop software I use in and out: uTorrent, Teamviewer, WMP, mIRC, Skype, vSphere Client, Microsoft Office......That's pretty much it IMO. Also Facebook and YouTube (Flash) are a must. I will run all this software in WINE. I don't want (most) of the Linux ports. Im not looking to replace programs I like and use daily. Just looking to replace the operating system.

Next, virtualization. Due to some things (like Office) cannot be ran in Linux, I use a VM. VMWare with its unity feature pretty much gives me what I want.

Next, streaming. I need to be able to stream media from a WS2012R2 to this Linux installation. Special setup?

Anything that is blowing over me, please mention.

Thank you

Hi. Sorry to be so stupid, but I just managed to load and install this Linux (which I really like a lot) on my previously windows <--(bad) system.
But now I need to upgrade some software (like Adobe flash), and I have no clue how to do this. I understand I should go to my original linux distrubutor, and select software thru them (my "Linux distro").
But actually, it's been awhile since I did the install, and I dont exactly remember where I even got this distribution. (I know, I'm dumb--sorry).
Is there a way I can look at my linux system files and see who my distribution is thru, and where is their website. Or would it be easier if I just went thru the whole download and install of linux again <--(not really looking forward to that).
Or even, am I wrong about going thru the distro to do installs/upgrades?
Anything you can tell me will be greatly appreciated.

Long Live Linux !! David K

First time Linux Mint user and fist time poster to this forum. Need to install a Linux distro on my family member's HP Mini 1000, an older netbook with minimal hardware (1 GB memory stick, Intel Atom N270 processor, 80 GB ATA HDD, and it runs XP SP3. . I advised her to uninstall XP and buy Windows 7, but she doesn't want to spend the $93. So ...

I have been testing different Linux distros from flash drive on my HP Probook 4530S laptop. Have tried Ubuntu 14x and now Mint, which I prefer. Ubuntu wouldn't boot to desktop on the netbook after choosing "Use without installing." Mint runs OK on it, but I can't configure the wireless connection. I suspect that either the network hardware isn't compatible or I am missing something when trying to manually configure the settings. I read some info from the Mint web site about this issue, but not sure about whether the Mini's wireless card is compatible: Broadcom 802.11b/g WLAN. Does updating Windows drivers help with this?

TIA,

Don

Dear all,

I recently installed, for the first time, Linux to my Lenovo X220 .
First impression is good, everything is running smooth so far :-)
I do though have ran into a wall when trying to integrate my company Outlook calendar into Thunderbird Mail.
Ubuntu 14.04 and Thunderbird 1:31.6.0 is what I have.
In our company we do use shared Outlook calendar to track and update many events on daily bases and I'm the only Linux user and would hate to give up making this work on my end. Now updating my entries via mobile phone and Ipad..
Any simple solution to this to work on my Laptop? ;-)

Hi,

Could anyone please explain as understandable as possible how could I on my Windows 8 open either single file or install (and use) entire software which is supposted to work on Linux and/or Ubuntu? I have absolutelly NO experience with Linux and have never used it. Honestly, I don't know if there is any difference between Linux and Ubuntu. I want to be inside my Windows 8 while using Linux files/sofware. The only solution I could think of are actually two but neither of them is useful for me:

1. Vmware (i don't know how to use it)
2. Rent remote computer (vps/rdp) with linux OS installed (this would let me be in Windows 8 while being able to use Linux file/software [on remote computer] but sooner or later I would want to have Windows installed there too)

Tried program Linux Reader but didn't work on my Windows 8. Although I would need solution for installation/usage of software (that can be used only on linux/ubuntu), regardless of details***, the current problem is basically related to single files only: I have two files, both in IMG extension. Don't know how to open them because Deamon Tools doesn't handle IMG. The problem is that filesystem in one of them is "Linux" and filesystem in another is "142". The error I am getting when I try to open them is:

"File with harddrive/disc snapshot is corrupted."

But this is most likely because they are supposted to be used in linux environment, hence such question.

*** when i said "details" I was referring to basically anything: type of software, size, purpose, whether or not it needs network connection, whether or not it contains logging in (username password, etc) requirement, etc.

The following solution for current situation (quoted error above) works only partially:

http://www.sysprobs.com/simple-tip-h...thout-software

I am able to open/run/mount IMG if I do what is described on this link (im basically opening iso in this case - see the website) but when opening the virtual drive, the following error message proves that the file can be used in linux/ubuntu only:

"Windows cannot access that drive. Drive could be corrupted. Make sure the drive is in condition that can be recognized by Windows. If drive isn't formatted then format it before usage."

Would need detailed instructions, for total beginner, who has never used linux/ubuntu, what to do in such case: how to use in win8 files/software that are supposted to be used in linux/ubuntu. Also answer on how to open IMG would be highly appreciated.

Kindest regards and thank you a million in advance.

Hi, I'm a newbie. I've moved from windows 8.1 to Slackware a coupe days. They said If I want to know deeper about computer, I have to use one of Linux distro. So Slackware is very basic, that's why I try it. I used use Ubuntu a few time before but Slackware which it's harder. I begin search in the internet about driving the distro.

My language is not English. I used Lingoes in Windows. Now I'm lookin for same one. I need a help for downloading, installing software, maybe step by step because I don't have much experience at Linux in common.

im using the latest version of ubuntu on a 4 year old dell 780 optiplex and I am more than impressed with the speed and agility of the machine. Im so impressed that I have asked my friend for an old dell laptop so I can go mobile with this thing.
my question is.... do i install the same distro for a laptop as i am using on this desktop or is there a widely used laptop distro that the linux experts always use or at least on avarage use more than any other.
thanks guys

Hello everyone, I am a beginner Linux user. I have a had very little experience with it and would very much like to know more. Eventually I want to have my computer running strictly Linux.

I have experimented with a few distributions but almost all of them have had issues with my current setup. I always have trouble setting up the drivers for my video card and mouse. I have dabbled in Ubuntu(primarily), Fedora and Linux Mint.

My question is which distribution would you all suggest I use based upon my specs.

My System Specs:
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 925 @ 2.80 Ghz
RAM: 8 GB of DDR3
GPU: AMD Radeon HD 6870 w/ 1GB VRAM
Ethernet: Killer Xeno Pro 2100 & On-Board
Mouse: R.A.T 5

If anything else is needed to help determine the right distro please let me know.

All help is much appreciated.

Hi all,

Very basic question I'm afraid! I installed Linux (with difficulty) as it turned out that I had a duff copy of Windows on my 2nd hand laptop! I'm not as computer-literate as I used to be in the days of DOS and early Windows, nor am I as patient - it all seems to be so complicated now!

I cannot find out how to open a window that's minimised to the task bar. In windows it would just be a click, which as so much of the user interface is similar I'm mystified! It'll turn out to be something incredibly simple, please!

I can do it the long way with alt+tab and scroll through but surely there's a faster way?

How do applets in the panel on the right also get opened as alt tab doesn't work on them!

Any guidance would be SO much appreciated as I've faffed with this for weeks!!

Thank you.