Trying Linux

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Ken
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I am going to try and download a copy of Linux to replace Vista on my laptop, as it is quite an old machine it has a CD drive, this may seem a silly question, but is there any reason why I shouldn't download onto the laptop as opposed to a PC?
 
A lot of the more recent distros take up a DVD, however if your lappy can boot from USB, you can copy a bootable ISO image to a pen drive, and install from that.
 
I am going to try and download a copy of Linux to replace Vista on my laptop, as it is quite an old machine it has a CD drive, this may seem a silly question, but is there any reason why I shouldn't download onto the laptop as opposed to a PC?

Depending on the brand/model of the laptop compatibility can be more complex than with a desktop. There is a lot of variety with the drivers in a laptop. The common issues are getting wifi and suspect/hibernate to function properly. You may also get some touchpad weirdness on some laptops.
 
I am going to try and download a copy of Linux to replace Vista on my laptop, as it is quite an old machine it has a CD drive, this may seem a silly question, but is there any reason why I shouldn't download onto the laptop as opposed to a PC?
The last 5 laptops I installed Linux on had no issues at all. I didn't try hibernate though. I used Ubuntu, Solus and KDE Neon.
 
A lot of the more recent distros take up a DVD, however if your lappy can boot from USB, you can copy a bootable ISO image to a pen drive, and install from that.

There is a workaround that may allow you to boot from USB even if your BIOS doesn't normally support it:

https://www.pendrivelinux.com/boot-from-usb-without-bios-support-via-plop-cd/
https://www.plop.at/en/bootmanager/download.html

If you can boot directly from a USB stick, or using PLoP as above, then you could install something like Ubuntu MATE using one of their ISO images:

https://ubuntu-mate.org/

MATE works a lot like Windows, and runs well on older hardware like a Vista-era laptop. To burn the ISO to the USB stick, you can use a Windows tool like Rufus:

https://rufus.akeo.ie/

If you can't get USB booting to work, you can choose a distribution that still provides 650MB ISOs, like Debian:

https://www.debian.org/CD/http-ftp/#stable

These can be burnt to CD using a tool like ImgBurn, which you can get from Ninite:

https://ninite.com/

(don't get it from anywhere else, including the author's site, since it is often bundled with adware).

Although it's always possible you'll have driver issues, older laptops are often a better bet, since there's been a long time to sort this stuff out (where possible).
 
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Go on to the Linux forums and ask. Some of those guys are the most advanced computer geeks in the world.
 
Lubuntu is a lightweight version of Ubuntu makes even the oldest computer super fast and all Ubuntu software works on it. On my laptop it boots in 20 seconds where as Windows 10 ( which is what the laptop came with) was taking 2 or 3 minutes. I have been using Linux for 10 years or so. I do have to say it is a very steep learning curve just because Linux is different. I no longer have a clue how to work Windows !
 
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Lubuntu is a lightweight version of Ubuntu makes even the oldest computer super fast and all Ubuntu software works on it. On my laptop it boots in 20 seconds where as Windows 10 ( which is what the laptop came with) was taking 2 or 3 minutes. I have been using Linux 10 year or so. I do have to say it is a very steep learning curve just because Linux is different. I no longer have a clue how to work Windows !
I guess that depends on what you're used to. My daughters took to it without issue. And showed me a thing or two. (Ubuntu and Solus)
But yes, lubuntu is another great distro.
 
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Also Xubuntu and Mint
 
Give Manjaro or Antergos a spin. The OS just auto updates so easy to maintain and has plenty software out of the box and runs well. I've replaced a few Vista installations with both.
 
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You've all big girl's blouses.
There is only one true distribution and it is Debian.
Download a small or tiny cd image.
Boot and join your network.
Install exactly and only the packages you need using apt-get.
Learn vi so you can edit configs.
Set aside 3 weeks so you can work out exactly which drivers you need to install to get the obscure laptop hardware working close to properly.
Wear your geek wings (level 1) with pride.
 
You've all big girl's blouses.
There is only one true distribution and it is Debian.

Debian is for pussies. Slackware is the true linux - you build everything you need from sources :D
 
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Debian is for pussies. Slackware is the true linux - you build everything you need from sources :D
I did a LFS build perhaps 15 years ago, maybe a little more. Fun as an exercise, but not something i'd use day-to-day.

Been using debian for my servers since potato (aside from a spell with ubuntu as there was a time when stuff was very slow in getting to stable or even security in debian), but they are all headless, I only access them via ssh.
 
This seems overly relevant given the direction this thread is heading ;-)

https://xkcd.com/456/

cautionary.png
 
Debian is for pussies. Slackware is the true linux - you build everything you need from sources :D
Phfttt. You're soft the lot of you. Build your own OS based on Tanenbaum's MINIX! If it's a good enough starting point for Linus, it's good enough for you.
 
Rat Poison is the way to go. Just remember to stock up on hair shirts before you begin installing. :p
 
You typed the kernel in from his book, didn't you?
Not too far from the truth! As part of Comp Sci degree back in late 80's we had to build our own BIOS for some murdered Atari ST computers, then we had to write our own C compiler for said Atari (which still fascinates me to this day - you write a simple one and then write a more complex one in the simple 'C', and repeat - I like the elegance of that) and then we built our own OS based on MINIX (I think his book came out the year before).

All pretty useless things to do now given the state of modern computing, but it was fun at the time (not that I can remember much!).
 
You typed the kernel in from his book, didn't you?
I still have his book :D , well two of them as I also have "Structured computer organisation". Set texts from my degree almost 30 years ago, and they both had the simple red covers . Didn't type in the source code though!
 
Didn't type in the source code though!
I knew someone who started to, but someone else pointed out a BBS that had sources for a complete distro build, so he maxed out his phone bill instead.
He built a 286/8 Minix box with four VT100's hanging off a multiplexed serial board, and his place became the local Geek Temple.
You could send email to someone in the next room. It was awesome.

80's sexism was his undoing though; a mass pilgrimage to the local chippy was organised, and it was decided it was safe to leave me behind unsupervised to wash the coffee cups.
I had root by the time they got back...
 
For anyone who've never looked at Linux, or hasn't seen what's going on there recently, just spend a moment to look at an impressive way to work:
News: New Ubuntu release out today.
 
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Alright, I'm not missing out on this Linux willie-waving err kudos fest, been using it on and off on a variety of machines since the mid ninties when the only optin was to download the source and build it yourself and we could only dream of distros..

<Flamebait> To the OP I would say good luck with it and have fun but generally don't exepct to use it as a main system, it is really good for certain niche applicaitons and for messing with computers but despite many false starts for "Linux on the Desktop" it never got there and never will because the main applications do not natively support it. Go on, someone tell me about WINE :D :exit: </Flamebait>
 
Alright, I'm not missing out on this Linux willie-waving err kudos fest, been using it on and off on a variety of machines since the mid ninties when the only optin was to download the source and build it yourself and we could only dream of distros..

<Flamebait> To the OP I would say good luck with it and have fun but generally don't exepct to use it as a main system, it is really good for certain niche applicaitons and for messing with computers but despite many false starts for "Linux on the Desktop" it never got there and never will because the main applications do not natively support it. Go on, someone tell me about WINE :D :exit: </Flamebait>
Yet so many people are using Linux on the Desktop as their main system, where their main applications run fine. And have no interest in "messing about with computers" or whatever WINE is.

It's just a shame that so much out of date, misinformation is still being spread about, holding Linux back.
 
Yet so many people are using Linux on the Desktop as their main system, where their main applications run fine. And have no interest in "messing about with computers" or whatever WINE is.

It's just a shame that so much out of date, misinformation is still being spread about, holding Linux back.

Are you?
 
Alright, I'm not missing out on this Linux willie-waving err kudos fest, been using it on and off on a variety of machines since the mid ninties when the only optin was to download the source and build it yourself and we could only dream of distros..

<Flamebait> To the OP I would say good luck with it and have fun but generally don't exepct to use it as a main system, it is really good for certain niche applicaitons and for messing with computers but despite many false starts for "Linux on the Desktop" it never got there and never will because the main applications do not natively support it. Go on, someone tell me about WINE :D :exit: </Flamebait>

While I totally agree with you, I think that is becoming less of an issue these days - so much is moving to pure online (Google Docs/Mail/etc) or even javascript based desktop applications (e.g. slack). I still doubt Linux well ever become a mainstream desktop OS (that said, let's not forget that Android has a Linux kernel). For most people on here it's likely LR/PS that keeps them on Win/Mac, Darktable just isn't as good or comfortable.

For me I have 2 "main machines" and they are:
  • Alienware M17x - Windows - though I'm considering moving to Dual boot because I really only use windows when I'm gaming. Linux would be much better for the work I do on it.
  • Surface Pro 4 - Windows - though I'd move it to linux if it weren't for LR and lack of hardware support
But to your point.. still not using it. Everyone has that one or two Apps that aren't available or have decent equivalents on Linux. :)
 
I have been on Mint for a couple of years now. I do not miss Windows at all. I have not had any PC problems at all, not like I had with Windows. Long live Linux and all who sail in her!
 
While I totally agree with you, I think that is becoming less of an issue these days - so much is moving to pure online (Google Docs/Mail/etc) or even javascript based desktop applications (e.g. slack). I still doubt Linux well ever become a mainstream desktop OS (that said, let's not forget that Android has a Linux kernel). For most people on here it's likely LR/PS that keeps them on Win/Mac, Darktable just isn't as good or comfortable.

For me I have 2 "main machines" and they are:
  • Alienware M17x - Windows - though I'm considering moving to Dual boot because I really only use windows when I'm gaming. Linux would be much better for the work I do on it.
  • Surface Pro 4 - Windows - though I'd move it to linux if it weren't for LR and lack of hardware support
But to your point.. still not using it. Everyone has that one or two Apps that aren't available or have decent equivalents on Linux. :)
Yes but if people make sweeping statements about Linux, that does not apply at all to a lot of people. Not everyone uses Adobe stuff. I find DigiKam and Raw Therapee great. Some people love Darktable. The limitations are with the Adobe programs failing to run on Linux, not Linux itself. Adobe don't care. And many people have a second computer not for photography. And happily, already use Firefox, Open/Libre Office, Spotify, Skype, Minecraft and many other apps anyway, all native to Linux.

Which is why I posted. To clear up some outdated misunderstandings.
 
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I regularly use Linux from C & Fortran coding on a 6000 node HPC cluster at work to my virtual Linux web server to my mini-ITX Linux box that mainly runs as a headless server for things like SVN at home. I really am OS agnostic, I also regularly use Solaris and 3 versions of Windows, I’ve used and coded on everything from IBM Mainframes, PDP-11 through VAX and SPARC workstations, PCs down to android phones and embedded like PIC and Atmel. I even use my daughters Mac from time to time J.

I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.

And like tears in the rain many outstanding features of those ancient systems have been discarded by people who didn’t see their beauty or have been buried under a pile of patent litigation but for me, personally, in most aspects of life including stuff as arcane as operating systems, I generally prefer the line of least resistance
 
Yes but if people make sweeping statements about Linux, that does not apply at all to a lot of people. Not everyone uses Adobe stuff. I find DigiKam and Raw Therapee great. Some people love Darktable. The limitations are with the Adobe programs failing to run on Linux, not Linux itself. Adobe don't care. And many people have a second computer not for photography. And happily, already use Firefox, Open/Libre Office, Spotify, Skype, Minecraft and many other apps anyway, all native to Linux.

Which is why I posted. To clear up some outdated misunderstandings.

Agreed, I said most (not all) use LR. I could be wrong. While it's not the fault of Linux that Adobe doesn't develop for the platform, sadly it's just business :-(. There is limited incentive for them to do it from a business standpoint.


I regularly use Linux from C & Fortran coding on a 6000 node HPC cluster at work to my virtual Linux web server to my mini-ITX Linux box that mainly runs as a headless server for things like SVN at home. I really am OS agnostic, I also regularly use Solaris and 3 versions of Windows, I’ve used and coded on everything from IBM Mainframes, PDP-11 through VAX and SPARC workstations, PCs down to android phones and embedded like PIC and Atmel. I even use my daughters Mac from time to time J.

I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.

And like tears in the rain many outstanding features of those ancient systems have been discarded by people who didn’t see their beauty or have been buried under a pile of patent litigation but for me, personally, in most aspects of life including stuff as arcane as operating systems, I generally prefer the line of least resistance

I too am agnostic - I dislike all operating systems equally.
 
I regularly use Linux from C & Fortran coding on a 6000 node HPC cluster at work to my virtual Linux web server to my mini-ITX Linux box that mainly runs as a headless server for things like SVN at home.
I'm not an IT person. I need computer things to be easy to do. Hence I am familiar with the easy, mousey way to do things.
Yes. I put it on our home PCs, as I like the choice of different, nice, easy desktop environments. A choice you don't get with other OSs. You can try them all out so easily off a USB stick. I also don't need to mess around with virus checkers or have other Windows problems.
 
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Agreed, I said most (not all) use LR. I could be wrong. While it's not the fault of Linux that Adobe doesn't develop for the platform, sadly it's just business :-(. There is limited incentive for them to do it from a business standpoint.
Yes. That is just the "reason" they don't care. But they still don't care.
I too am agnostic - I dislike all operating systems equally.
A very healthy attitude. I find all operating systems poor.
 
By contrast I have enjoyed almost all OSs that I've used - even OSX, although the novelty wears thin after a while with that & it becomes a pain in the bum. My main home computer has run linux since the early 2000s, but once I became serious about photography I have kept a windows/OSX machine for lightroom, having tried the various linux based image editors and found them wanting in some way. Like sirch said, it's the path of least resistance.

For many purposes, especially casual browsing, email etc linux is every bit as useful as the commercial OSs. Except when the OS gets broken by an upgrade, of course, but that can happen to every system.
 
By contrast I have enjoyed almost all OSs that I've used - even OSX, although the novelty wears thin after a while with that & it becomes a pain in the bum. My main home computer has run linux since the early 2000s, but once I became serious about photography I have kept a windows/OSX machine for lightroom, having tried the various linux based image editors and found them wanting in some way. Like sirch said, it's the path of least resistance.

For many purposes, especially casual browsing, email etc linux is every bit as useful as the commercial OSs. Except when the OS gets broken by an upgrade, of course, but that can happen to every system.
If you are happy with them great. But I have high expectations about usability. And they all seem to be in the dark ages when it comes to dealing with information. With the same old files and applications interface.

Still, in a few years they won't look anything like they do now.
 
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