Category Archives: Linux

What is the best linux distribution for learning to use many?

First, a bit about my background.. I currently work as a Network Engineer, mainly with Cisco routers/switches and VPN devices. I am thoroughly familiar with Windows, both as a workstation and server, and have one more test to go to complete my MCSE. However, I have no real experience with Linux, and feel like this is both a hole in my personal knowledge and in my resume. 🙂 I can do basic user stuff both from a command line and in Xwindows, but have no real command of it.

That said, I intend to rectify this. I want to start using Linux as my primary operating system on my personal PC, as I feel this is a great first step to really force myself to learn it. I need to know what distribution would be best for me to use. My concern is some of them seem to have a lot of proprietary tools that are not found in other linux distros, I want to find one to learn on that will best allow me to be comfortable on any linux distro I run into in the future. Thanks much for your advice!

Ubuntu for Older Machines

Ubuntu is a great version of linux if you just want to drop in a CD and have the software install and set up your computer.  They really have a very simple to use installation system with their version of linux (Debian).  However, there are some issues that you should understand when you are trying to use Ubuntu with older equipment, especially laptops.

I first installed Ubuntu on a suped up Dell Dimension latop and everything worked just fine right out of the box.  I had just downloaded version 9.04.  After a few minutes I was able to get the wireless networking running and the laptop has performed perfectly ever since.  I was truely amazed at how easy it was to install and have the lap top working just fine.

However, I recently installed Unbuntu 9.04 on a Dell D610 machine.  While the installation went very well and was easy to use, I found that the wireless feature of the laptop was not working.  I checked around the internet and found out that the ndiswrapper is no longer installed for Ubuntu 9.04 and now 9.10.  I spent quite a lot of time downloading packages and drivers and trying to get them to work.  However, for some reason, I was unable to get the installation to load the driver and have a working wireless card.

I dug around a bit further and I found that people had used Ubuntu 8.04 on their Dell D610 laptop just fine. I found the older version and installed it as a clean install on the Dell D610 and "viola", the wireless card works perfectly.  

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Testing Ubuntu

On my Dell D610 laptop everything works out-of-the-box, including wi-fi. After the first boot the touchpad stopped responding, but, using the trackpoint I gave it a reboot and now it is working. […]

Trying to install wireless drivers on my dell latitude d610

Ive got an old dell latitude d610 running the latest version off ubuntu, however the drivers for my wireless card did not come pre-installed. […]

Will Windows Software Work on Linux?

Whenever you move from one operating system to another there are always a few of your favorite programs that you wish you could use on the new platform.  So now you want to move to the open source linux platform and you have some Windows programs you want to be able to continue using.  Well, you are in luck, there is an application on the linux platform which acts as a platform loader where you can run Windows programs.

That application is called WINE which stands for Wine Is Not an Emulator.  This application is always being enhanced because the fact of the matter is that the application must be revised to create an API for each Windows Application that you are trying to run.   However, do not let ths get you down as WINE is used to port such programs as Ofice Installer, Photoshop CS3, iTunes, and many games such as Guild Wars and the World of Warcraft.

The primary thing to remember is that  under linux you can run applications under open source that are very similar to the look and feel of the same programs in Windows, but without the out of pocket expense.

Switch from Windows to Linux

Speaking of VirtualBox, even if a Linux application you want to use doesn’t have a Windows-compatible version, you don’t have to give up Windows in order to install Linux and run your program.

Run Windows apps on Linux

Wine enables Linux, Mac, BSD, and Solaris users run Windows applications without a copy of Microsoft Windows. Wine is free software under constant development. Wine does not require Microsoft Windows, as it is a completely free.

Install Windows Games in Linux

All these use wine which is a free software for running Windows applications in Linux. Though paid, Cedega and Crossover Games don’t support as many applications as PlayOnLinux. And when you are not sure that whether your games are going … Do as directed, then under “What do you want to do?” select “Install a program in a new prefix“ in case you are installing the application for the first time.