Posted on 07/06/2005 4:11:29 PM PDT by SaveTheChief
I thought I would make jump into the open source world today. Linux is supposed to be more stable, robust, and powerful than Windows, and the relatively easy system requirements made it a good choice to load on my older Athlon 1000 PC.
The installation process was simple enough too. I threw in the SUSE disc and waited as the computer did the rest. The new OS is up and running without a hitch.
But for some strange reason, I cannot get the darned thing to make my Sound Blaster Live soundcard to work. In an attempt to Google a solution, I found out that a fix might not be as simple as downloading a driver and running an executable file.
I've read bits of the documentation that came with the OS, and bits from websites concerning the issue, and it is apparent that I might need to do some things with the Kernel as well.
I know there are Linux groupies here. Do any FReepers have any suggestions how I might tackle this challenge? Am I making it a bigger challenge than it really is?
While I am at it, I want to be able to run MythTV. I currently have an ATI TV card but the MythTV site says that ATI cards are not supported. Do any of you run this program? I'd appreciate knowing what you've found works best, especially in terms of hardware.
Thanks!
Must have been recently added. According to the chart, it still doesn't support all the features such as FAX or memory card slots, nor is it a simple install:
Open a console window.
Follow these steps to log in as the super user:
Enter su.
Press Enter.
Enter the root password.
Note: The root password gives you administrative privileges on the system.
Press Enter.
Enter this command:
# yum install cups-devel
After the cups-devel package is installed, enter this command:
# yum install python-devel
After the python-devel package is installed, enter this command:
# yum install PyQt
5a. For Fedora C3, also enter this command:
# yum install sip
After the PyQt package is installed, enter this command:
# yum install net-snmp-devel
Make sure the following package is installed.
# yum install libjpeg-devel
I'm running Mepis Linux on a laptop right now, an ancient, decrepit, 433 Athalon with 196 MB ram. Everything works perfectly without any tinkering. I can surf the net, listen to music (like I'm doing right now), rip CD's, edit photos with GIMP, work on my website, word process, run my school's grading program through Wine, and even watch VCD movies with Xine.
I too had to adjust the volume at the start, but Mepis makes it foolproof by automatically opening the mixer on the first boot.
As a rule, the older the hardware, the more likely it is to work. One thing that will present a problem is dialup...if you're connecting with a modem, as I am, finding a PCMCIA modem can be a hair tearing experience. My Compaq Presario just happens to have a built in Lucent Winmodem. Most of these are automatically recognized and installed with the better Linux versions, and Mepis works with this one flawlessly.
But, anything that involves a network card and DHCP is usually a sure thing. Mine didn't have a network adapter, so I bought a $7 USB ethernet adapter, which Mepis recognizes and sets up a network connection through when I need it.
This thing was crappy with Windows 98, and XP would have been marginal on it, I fear. But, with Mepis, it runs just fine.
I believe Suse runs KDE...if that's the case, it should be under Multimedia in the K Menu.
If not, you can search for it.
All else fails, open a terminal and type kmix.
Doesn't look that difficult to me. Just command line package manager stuff. I've never used Yum, but it looks really similar to Apt, which is pretty darn easy.
Admittedly, it would probably be easier with Apt, because it resolves dependencies automatically, so you'd only have to type the first command, or something similar to it. The rest would be downloaded automatically. Once you learn the very simple syntax (apt-get install "program"), it's a hell of a lot easier than installing things in Windows.
Taking it a step further, if you use Synaptic, you could install it "point and click" without ever opening a terminal or browsing the web or local drives to find whatever files you needed.
nor is it mine, back to trolling I see..
Well then I guess the linux footprint is far smaller than teh windows footprint right?
Yep. You can have an installed size of under 2 gb for Win XP. Just make sure you don't need antivirus, antispyware, firewall, spreadsheet capability, chat, photo editing, audio editing, FTP, web editing software, and that you really, REALLY like Windows Write.
In other words, don't install all the stuff that is either already included or not necessary with the average Linux distro.
But, to it's credit, Microsoft Pinball is really fun.
but seriously, mac is probably the os i would go to if it comes down to changing...
but for linux/unix people i do have to say this: the average linux/unix user is far more capable and knowledgeable than the average windows user!
GE,
B2K and I have been through this. Fedroa comes with yum, and gyum (graphical yum). Instructions are usually posted in commandline yum because its easier to follow that then to click here, move the mouse there.
But if youre absolutly desperate for a graphical updater gyum is a no console way to do it that has been on FEDORA from at least core two upwards. Here is a screenshot (http://www.geocities.com/riordantn/install1.png) All you do is open it in the same manner as windows update, select the package you want to install and click install..
GoBoLinux-very cool. I just booted up with it for the first time, and am surfing from it now. The only thing it would not load is my sound drivers. Also, for some strange reason, the apostrophe key does not work (which is why I am not using any contractions).
Wouldn't activate my sound either....but then Fedora Core 4 seems to have a problem as well....Xandros Vs OC seems to handle it ok.
It's a Via chip I think.
And GoboLinux already had 1.04 of Firefox....
Must be. I installed FC4 on my laptop, and everything runs perfectly smoothly. I'm currently playing around with fluxbox and I really am beginning to get hooked on it.
Let me know what you think. It may not be for everyone. It's a very minimalist WM, but the DL is less than 1 MB, and it uses very few resources.
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