Akron Linux Users Group Google Group

This Noob

2008-05-13T16:06:56Z

Sorry. I accidentally sent that last message without finishing it. I wanted to express my concerns about things that Linux needs to bring it up to speed with Windows. Not under-the-hood things, but stuff like very handy right-click things Windows offers, Explorer windows with columns that can be easily widened and populated with other data. and so on. As I am playing with Ubuntu, I try to write down wish-list things that Linux needs to have to get the everyday Windows users to switch.

This Noob

2008-05-13T15:39:49Z

As I mentioned in a previous message last week, I managed to install Ubuntu 08.04 via Wubi.
I'm not new to computers, having assembled my first in 1978 by hand soldering my 8KB memory 6500 computer.
Since then was TRSDOS, LDOS, NEWDOS80, MSDOS, BASIC and then Windows, of course. (I skipped Apple in my lifetime.)

Which is best for Noob?

2008-05-13T12:32:34Z

I use PCLinuxOS. I know many bad mouth it as a strictly noob distro,
but my time is valuable. I don't sit at my keyboard to work on a
distro after it is installed. I sit down to work on the things I use a
computer to accomplish. PCLinuxOS gets me closer to that than most of
them.
I know what you're thinking; I'm a closet Mac user. Well, someday,

Re: [ALUG] Re: Which Linux distribution is best for a new user?

2008-05-12T18:45:29Z

I agree with Steve on what most end-users want from an OS ... install and
forget about the OS with occasional updates. Most of the popular distros
today are 1. easy to install, 2. upon installation have a GUI that is
similar looking to MS Windows. Beyond that the end-user expectation of what
is in the menu ends. A noob that has some desire to learn, experiment, do

Re: [ALUG] Which Linux distribution is best for a new user?

2008-05-12T16:19:06Z

So you'd throw a kid in the deep end of the pool to teach him to swim ?
I don't think it's a good approach unless you know the person has
good technical/computer skills.
Fedora is a VERY POOR choice for noobs. On fedoraforum there
is a constant stream of posts by noobs complaining, whining and saying

Re: [ALUG] Re: Which Linux distribution is best for a new user?

2008-05-11T21:17:00Z

I guess it depends on who the "user" is that you are recommending it to.
Someone "tech savy" who is learning about linux would benefit from the
rigor of a slackware or gentoo install.
For my user base, I have mostly "mom and pop" type scenarios (IE: A
windows user sick of all the windows virus/malware/crashing

Re: [ALUG] Which Linux distribution is best for a new user?

2008-05-11T20:38:51Z

I would say it would matter on the skill set of the user.
I would say for my mom and dad (just need a computer that can get to email
and websites) ubuntu works great for them.
For someone who has some tech exp. I would then say fedora, mandriva, or
opensuse is a good start.
Or for people who want to really learn linux via the school of hard knocks

Which Linux distribution is best for a new user?

2008-05-11T09:55:41Z

I get asked this question a lot... which Linux distribution would you
recommend?

My answer has always been, shoot for one that is very involved.
Slackware, Debian, Fedora.
If the user wants to truly learn how an install works, what is
involved, & learn a lot about Linux, then I say take the high road.

WUBI & Ubuntu

2008-05-08T13:25:59Z

Linux for the Weak-of-Heart people like myself is available.
I have painlessly installed Ubuntu on my computer and have most everything intact using the WUBI proggie.
I know that's meaningless to you experts on Linux in this group, but for me it's an achievement. I think I have enough working that I can concentrate on using the 'puter via Linux rather than using the computer to use Linux, if anyone recalls my past poor experience with Linux.

Re: [ALUG] Re: Upcoming ALUG presentations

2008-05-03T15:24:48Z

This is precisely why companies like Red Hat and Novell exist. Yes,
anyone can download a debian disk and roll their own Asterisk box.
If I buy from Red Hat, and get a support contract on Asterisk from
Digium I've got all sorts of sue-worthy targets. I'm going to buy
hardware from a vendor like Dell with a support contract attached for

Discussion on alug-home-page

2008-05-02T04:42:04Z

Nice meeting tonight. Many topics were discussed for future meetings,
including Basic Linux 101 and bring your machine for troubleshooting.
Hope we don't have too many machines when the bring your machine for
troubleshooting topic occurs. Steve Alexander has taken the reins for
scheduling future topics. Rick has been given a much needed hiatus

Re: [ALUG] Re: Slightly OT -- who gives the best Cell Phone service in Summit County?

2008-05-02T04:29:18Z

Verizon phones use *228 option 1 and option 2 for program update and program
upgrade, too. The download is minutes free to the client. When the download
is complete, the phone cycles off, then back on again. Verizon recommends
performing the update/upgrade every 2 months to correct software/add new
software to your cell phone. Oops, I haven't reprogrammed since the end of

Re: Slightly OT -- who gives the best Cell Phone service in Summit County?

2008-05-02T04:14:14Z

I almost forgot to mention, I have known John for many years now and
by no means was he trying to cause problems in our threads. He is an
awesome friend, and a true lover of the Linux world. He was just
lookin out for me and my family.

Thanks!

Re: Slightly OT -- who gives the best Cell Phone service in Summit County?

2008-05-02T04:06:01Z

Hey Bill,

Which phone do you have?

Is it a blackberry?

If you do *228 one the key pad and then send it, follow the directions
on the recording to upgrade your phones software. This helps alot
with things like the phone believing you are in a roaming area when
your really not.

When I first powered on my HTC 6800, Ya I know it is a windows device,

Re: Slightly OT -- who gives the best Cell Phone service in Summit County?

2008-05-01T22:04:48Z

Whew! This is a long running post. Didn't it begin around September
2007?

Still using Verizon. Very few problems in local area. On my visit to
Columbus, GA (Fort Benning) I had spotty signal dropouts. Couldn't
receive a good signal inside ex-daughter in law's domicile. Had to go
to parking lot to send/receive calls. Replaced 4 year old phone with