Linux Q & A

zekthedeadcow · 07-26-2006, 05:21 AM

plenty ... provided the processor speed is reasonable... which it should be... I'm running slackware (as a backup server) on a 200mhz PI with 24MB RAM

the GUI can take a bit... but anything that can run Win98 should be fine

Jubal · 07-27-2006, 05:52 PM

Another linux n00b question: It is pretty standard to have antivirus, firewall and spyware cleaning software as part of daily "Life-With-Windows".

What sort of apps like that are needed with linux? I just installed Ubuntu last night on my lappy, and I feel exposed without the prerequisite apps I would normally install on Windows.

As a side note, the last time I really played in linux, I had an old computer running the brand new Red Hat 6.2 distro, which ended up being hacked after only being up about a week. That is why I ask.

Thanks!

ApparentlyNothing · 07-27-2006, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jubal

Another linux n00b question: It is pretty standard to have antivirus, firewall and spyware cleaning software as part of daily "Life-With-Windows".

What sort of apps like that are needed with linux? I just installed Ubuntu last night on my lappy, and I feel exposed without the prerequisite apps I would normally install on Windows.

As a side note, the last time I really played in linux, I had an old computer running the brand new Red Hat 6.2 distro, which ended up being hacked after only being up about a week. That is why I ask.

Thanks!

Enjoy the world without Windows. Viruses, spyware, and adware are now obselete.

A firewall might be worth using, which might have been why you were hacked last time, but other than that, you're pretty safe. You can find a firewall in the "Add/Remove Programs"... unless you also need to enable certain repositories. Someone else might know exactly which one(s) you need to enable.

zekthedeadcow · 07-28-2006, 06:50 AM

I just use a router as a hardware firewall

tht00 · 07-29-2006, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtlmouth

So, once I get all the old documents off it, I've got the okay to install Linux on our old Windows 98 computer. As a Linux n00b, I'm under the impression that Ubuntu is going to be my best bet. The computer has 256 MB of RAM, is that going to be enough?

Sweet.

Yes -- 256MB should be plenty. Ubuntu defaults to the Gnome GUI, which might be slightly laggy, but it should be ok. There are more stripped down GUIs that can be run smoothly on computers 10+ years old (blackbox/fluxbox, Xfce, etc).

and yeah, I would recommend Ubuntu as a starting point. You can manage most everything through menu's and graphical interfaces, yet transition to using the terminal once you dig in and get comfortable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jubal

Another linux n00b question: It is pretty standard to have antivirus, firewall and spyware cleaning software as part of daily "Life-With-Windows".

I'll echo what has been said -- there are virtually no viruses for Linux. Because of the way software is aquired and installed, spyware does not exist (nearly everything is open-source, meaning others have clear access to code, ensuring reasonable safety).

Firewalls would be optional. SSH access is disabled in some distros by default (a way to log into the computer with an ip address, login, and password), and if it is installed and enabled, a strong password should be fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jubal

What sort of apps like that are needed with linux? I just installed Ubuntu last night on my lappy, and I feel exposed without the prerequisite apps I would normally install on Windows.

The only apps you need are the ones you want. The ones I like to have handy (more complete list in a few days when I get back):
Firefox
Gimp (photo editing)
gaim (IM)
Thunderbird (email)
Rythmbox (music player)
VIM (good movie player -- works when others don't)
Open Office (office suit)
Firestarter (firewall)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jubal

As a side note, the last time I really played in linux, I had an old computer running the brand new Red Hat 6.2 distro, which ended up being hacked after only being up about a week. That is why I ask.

Just keep a strong password and a firewall if you want. Keep SSH disabled/uninstalled unless you will use it (it does come in very handy for accessing/moving files between 2 *nix based computers... if only Windows had something like this...). Linux is pretty secure compared to Windows, and Ubuntu does a nice job at setting it up.

It's nice to see this thread is still going. I'll be back around again in a few days.

**mtlmouth** · 07-29-2006, 02:39 PM

So, the computer I'm hoping to install Ubuntu on doesn't currently have a working internet connection (which I know is a Windows issue). If I burn a live CD off another computer, will I be able to permanently install Ubuntu off that CD?
EDIT: Figured out the difference (I think). I'm downloading the Server Install CD instead.

ApparentlyNothing · 07-29-2006, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtlmouth

So, the computer I'm hoping to install Ubuntu on doesn't currently have a working internet connection (which I know is a Windows issue). If I burn a live CD off another computer, will I be able to permanently install Ubuntu off that CD?
EDIT: Figured out the difference (I think). I'm downloading the Server Install CD instead.

Server install? I don't think that's what you want.

It doesn't matter what computer you burn the iso off of. It'll install on any compatible computer.

**mtlmouth** · 07-29-2006, 04:05 PM

Basically, I want to make an install disk. I want to permanently install Ubuntu, but not on the computer I'm downloading on right now.
http://mirror.cs.umn.edu/ubuntu-releases/6.06/
What do I need, then?

ApparentlyNothing · 07-29-2006, 05:45 PM

Download the iso. Burn it to a CD-R. Put newly burned CD in the drive of the computer you want to install it on. Boot from CD. Bingo.

**mtlmouth** · 07-29-2006, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApparentlyNothing

Download the iso. Burn it to a CD-R. Put newly burned CD in the drive of the computer you want to install it on. Boot from CD. Bingo.

Alright, then. Thanks.

**mtlmouth** · 07-29-2006, 06:58 PM

So, the instructions said to use this to make the CD. I tried two different blank discs, and it said they weren't empty and to insert a blank one. Not a Linux question, but keeping me from getting Linux.

EDIT: Not a problem now. Sometimes, praying over your computer does work!

**mtlmouth** · 07-30-2006, 12:46 AM

Alright, so I'm on Ubuntu right now. And I can't figure out how to make the calendar in the upper-right corner disappear.

ApparentlyNothing · 07-30-2006, 12:55 AM

Click the date and time. When you click that, the calandar appears. Click it again, and it goes away. I'm pretty sure this is what your problem is.

On another topic, anyone heard of Freespire? It's another distro that's supposed to be based on ease of use and has all the propietary drivers, codecs, etc. preloaded. They just released the Release Candidate 1, so I'm downloading it now and hope the wireless drivers work with my Dell without having to resort to ndiswrapper. I'll make sure and let people know how it goes if I get it running.

**mtlmouth** · 07-30-2006, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApparentlyNothing

Click the date and time. When you click that, the calandar appears. Click it again, and it goes away. I'm pretty sure this is what your problem is.

Thanks, and in the future, I won't try to install things after 10pm.

Jubal · 07-30-2006, 08:46 PM

Thanks for the answers, everyone.

Lappy is up and running dual booting Ubuntu and WinXP.

Am typing now from my old desktop system (Athlon XP 1700+) running Ubuntu only. So far, so good. :-)

Thanks for the short list of apps tht00. I already found a couple comm programs (such as tapioca - GoogleTalk with voice, aMSN for webcam stuff with the inlaws, etc) and was able to install them. Also updated drivers for my ATI Radeon 9800 Pro too. So I am plugging along.

It is good to have a friendly place to ask my questions. Thanks!