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As part of my challenge to try something new every week, I decided to see what is all this Linux rave computer nerds always gawk about.
With all of my challenges, I usually have a goal in mind.
Three weeks ago, I decided to install an aftermarket cooler on my CPU. Temperatures dropped nicely, and installation was easy, even though it took me multiple tries and a whole day. My main goal was to reduce the noise from my computer, which rest less than half a meter away from me.
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/42eUG.jpg)
Corsair A70, it's kind of large...
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Two weeks ago, I decided to continue reducing the noise, and bought a GPU fan. It looked easy enough, but for reasons unknown, my computer would not work properly. I would get a boot up, but the monitors would go to "Power Saving Mode" or Sleep, after five to ten seconds at maximum. Not that bad, since I now have a reason to replace my ridiculously loud Sapphire HD 4870, and I'm using my friend's GTS 8800, which is amazingly quiet.
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/BM3yQ.jpg)
Sapphire Radeon HD 4870, mine is much uglier...
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Last week, because I was too scared to do more computer related challenges, so I dove into the world of mechanical pencils. Of course, I needed to save money after wrecking my computer, so I only bought a $10 Staedtler, but the difference is amazing. It simply feels a lot more sturdy and spins so much better with its balance. The weight in the pencil is very comforting, and the pencil simply writes very well. I can understand how people spend up to $80 on their pencils and pens now.
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/rXFXg.png)
Staedtler Graphite 760, it's a triangle!
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This week, I chose Linux.
Now, I'm a pretty good problem solver. I can Google for links and instructions. But nothing I have searched really shows me how to set up Linux, what I need to use Linux, what versions are there, and all the regular questions you should expect from someone with no idea what to do.
I would very much appreciate if people could point me to where and how I can set up any Linux version. I'm using Windows 7 at the moment, and would prefer not to reinstall. I've also used Ubuntu very briefly in one or two classes, but never really paid attention (2 years ago).
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/tRTKV.png)
Random Linux background I shamelessly stole off Google
Essentially, to make things simpler, I'm looking for:
what Linux offers over other systems,
how each version of Linux differs,
where and how do you acquire and start using Linux (preferably without deleting my Windows 7),
any corrections or additions to my terrible knowledge of Linux,
and any suggestions, tricks or flaws I should be aware of.
I'm in no hurry, as this is simply a personal challenge, and if anything, it may help out others who are searching for something similar.
Thank you for your time.
I believe in the benefit of an active community with numerous suggestions and feedback based on personal experience is more worthwhile than reading guides, even if they sometimes can't be avoided.
I encourage everyone to try their own little new thing every week, or at least every month. It feels pretty nice to experience and do new things. This week's goal is to learn and be more open minded about different operating systems.
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Well, Linux is a different OS that does things differently.
Honestly, if you are using it for a desktop OS, you are probably just going to be annoyed compared to Windows.
Ubuntu is by far the most 'friendly' and easy to install without breaking Windows. That said, I think Ubuntu is pretty terrible, and run Debian on all my non-windows machines. Unfortunately Debian is a bit trickier to run. Each version of Linux (flavors or distros) has its own variations. As to what their strengths are, every fanboy will completely disagree, so no help there really.
I suggest reading Ubuntu's site, they have good tutorials/etc on installing and getting started.
As for actually using it, its a great programming environment, a terrible/mediocre gaming environment, a fine web-browsing environment, and the best server. I suggest getting familiar with the command line interface, as that is where the real use of Linux is.
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On April 20 2011 14:42 PunitiveDamages wrote:
Well, Linux is a different OS that does things differently.
Honestly, if you are using it for a desktop OS, you are probably just going to be annoyed compared to Windows.
Ubuntu is by far the most 'friendly' and easy to install without breaking Windows. That said, I think Ubuntu is pretty terrible, and run Debian on all my non-windows machines. Unfortunately Debian is a bit trickier to run. Each version of Linux (flavors or distros) has its own variations. As to what their strengths are, every fanboy will completely disagree, so no help there really.
I suggest reading Ubuntu's site, they have good tutorials/etc on installing and getting started.
As for actually using it, its a great programming environment, a terrible/mediocre gaming environment, a fine web-browsing environment, and the best server. I suggest getting familiar with the command line interface, as that is where the real use of Linux is.
Hmm, but Ubuntu is quite nice for people just starting to use Linux in my opinion. I had it on some $200 laptop I purchased just to see how well it ran and stuff and it was quite nice.
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Debian/Ubuntu are good for beginners.
if you have more time, and want to learn about some underlying systems use Gentoo.
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For relative newcomers, I usually recommend Ubuntu under Wubi. Installs under Windows like any other program without having to worry about partitioning at all, and it is easily uninstalled just as any other program.
Probably the easiest and most painless way to get a working Linux environment. Depending on your download speed, you'll be dual-booting in around 20 minutes. With how easy it is to set up and uninstall, try both GNOME and KDE (Kubuntu) for yourself.
As for functionality, it is a completely functional Ubuntu installation with no slow-down like a live CD.
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My advice for getting into linux is installing it on a Virtual Machine. That will let you run it on top of your current operating system, so that you don't have to reboot to switch back and forth, or use other shenanigans. I don't think you'll be using your linux install for anything too intensive, so the slight hit in performance won't be a big deal.
http://www.vmware.com/products/player/ Here's free VM software. You have to register, but if you REALLY don't want to, you can always register it to a throw away account.
So continuing on...
The Ubuntu suggestion isn't terrible, but it depends on what you want to "learn" linux for as well. Ubuntu does have all the functionality you need, the main issue is that it tends to be (in my opinion) easy-mode, compared to actual linux/unix/whatever distros.
I didn't know about Wubi, that seems to be the easiest way to test out a linux OS. Go for it if you're interested.
But to continue further, a much more lightweight OS can be found at: http://www.centos.org/
CentOS is essentially Red Hat Linux without the branding, and free which is very nice. It seems like the support for it is slowly disappearing, but that shouldn't be a problem.
Whatever route you choose, my biggest suggestion is to try to do everything you can in a command line window. Learning command line is extremely useful. Learn how to un-tar files, learn how to compile from source code. That's where the open-source nature of linux really shines.
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I think Ubuntu is usually the version casual users install. You don't have to worry about replacing your desktop OS, Ubuntu is designed to be dual-bootable. You just need a sufficient piece of space on your hard drive for the second OS. The installation will basically partition (carve out) a portion of your hard drive to use with it, so you will have to split your hard drive between the two OS's.
Installation is easy, although you may have some trouble getting all your drivers to work with Ubuntu. I've installed it once but never got the drivers to work, or was able to make sense of all the power user options. But the GUI is pretty intuitive like any other OS. Good luck dude.
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Zurich15362 Posts
It seems like you are mainly looking to Linux for educational purposes. The question is how much time are you willing to invest in learning? If it's just a thing to try for a week, go Ubuntu. You will like some things, play around with some new things, maybe be intrigued maybe not and you will return to Windows after a while.
If you really want to learn about Linux and computers in General AND you have a lot of time to invest into that start here:
http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/handbook/
This is a complete guide how to build your own Linux system from the ground up. It's fantastically fun to do and will take a LONG, LONG time. It can be frustrating as hell, but results are rewarding what you learn will stay with you forever and help you regardless of what OS you use in the future.
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EPT
