Hi, I was a Linux fan when I was studying in University.
To setup a cron job on machine that has only vi editor - it was so cool! It was some kind of romantics. Now I have married and and I become a little bit older... And I can't spend night any more finding why this rpm does not want to install. I want something more predictable.
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... what if given Linux distributive has no package required? As a live example - I want python library cx_Oracle (this is a data connector for Oracle RDBM) in OpenSUSE 11.1 ?
with apt-get and (blech) yum getting larger repositories and the ability to add repositories at will, means you really don't need rpm anymore..
Sure, some stuff I'll still build from source, but that's because I want to control how it's installed.
Sure, some stuff I'll still build from source, but that's because I want to control how it's installed.
I agree. As someone who has recently moved to CentOS, I am impressed with how much easier it is to install software. They have a "software updater" gui which wraps around YUM. But for the average user, this means you can get a ton of free software, and all you have to do is click on it. I am so impressed, I am moving my Windows based home recording PC to Ubuntu Studio and Ardour. It is better than the recording software I paid $600 for, and they fix bugs faster.
in Linux easier than double-clicking on setup.exe? Or, for that matter, just popping in the CD?
You have to order or obtain that CD, and browse to a directory to click setup.exe. Linux is even easier. You start the GUI software manager from the desktop and type in the name of the software you want to install (say XMMS). Then you install it. You don't have to creep around the file system for a .exe to click on. You don't have to order a CD or go to CompUSA and buy something. That's how software installation on Linux is even easier than on Windows. I am new to Linux, and everything I see, I am like -- why does Windows suck so bad?!? I expected Linux to be very hard to use. It is even easier than Windows. I hear countless stories of 80-year old grandmas using Ubuntu with ease. I don't think that's Linus Torvald's granny...
Sorry, but I have reached my max message level.
Anyway, isn't that what Google is for? I have found tons of free software for Windows. I click on the link, select 'Open' and it installs. No problem. Having a built-in interface to do the search isn't what I would call an overwhelming advantage.
Anyway, isn't that what Google is for? I have found tons of free software for Windows. I click on the link, select 'Open' and it installs. No problem. Having a built-in interface to do the search isn't what I would call an overwhelming advantage.
I'll be booting up the machine and logging in as local admin.
- I'll open Firefox and run it's update utility
- I'll then visit Adobe's site for flash ActiveX and standard plugins
- open Adobe Reader and run through it's updates checker
- visit quicktime and java's updater utilities through the control panel
- then the machine brand vendor's "value add" software updater
- then Windows Update....
I don't do automatic updates on Windows boxes for several good reasons. A management appliance to do most of this centrally but if we're talking about searching Google and clicking on links, such a device is outside the scope of the topic and likely far outside the budget of the user.
After that, I'll update my Mandriva workstation:
urpmi --auto-update
- read the list of update recommendations for anything questionable and hit Y if I accept.
Then, I'll check for updates to my servers
aptitude update && aptitude full-upgrade
In this case, I'll do a little reading once I see the list of expected updates but I never blindly update my production servers regardless of platform.
In both the latter cases, it would be as easy as opening the local GUI package manager and pressing update. If I where adding new applications, it's nice to be able to browse what's in the repositories or browse the results of the search field.
Searching Google or Download.com really doesn't compare to a local package manager. Having indavidual update processes for several different applications is also a mess compared to a centralized package manager.
For a comparison, imagine that you only had to visit Windows Update. During that visit, you are shown the updated patches and software versions along with the full library of software vetted against Windows for stability and compatability. This list would include several applications which compete directly against Microsoft's own offerings and you would be free to mix and match as you saw fit. Now, imagine that Windows Update could be done through a GUI (as is now) in very few mouse clicks or directly through the utility behind that fancy GUI by three or less keyboard commands (including "y" to accept).
- I'll open Firefox and run it's update utility
- I'll then visit Adobe's site for flash ActiveX and standard plugins
- open Adobe Reader and run through it's updates checker
- visit quicktime and java's updater utilities through the control panel
- then the machine brand vendor's "value add" software updater
- then Windows Update....
I don't do automatic updates on Windows boxes for several good reasons. A management appliance to do most of this centrally but if we're talking about searching Google and clicking on links, such a device is outside the scope of the topic and likely far outside the budget of the user.
After that, I'll update my Mandriva workstation:
urpmi --auto-update
- read the list of update recommendations for anything questionable and hit Y if I accept.
Then, I'll check for updates to my servers
aptitude update && aptitude full-upgrade
In this case, I'll do a little reading once I see the list of expected updates but I never blindly update my production servers regardless of platform.
In both the latter cases, it would be as easy as opening the local GUI package manager and pressing update. If I where adding new applications, it's nice to be able to browse what's in the repositories or browse the results of the search field.
Searching Google or Download.com really doesn't compare to a local package manager. Having indavidual update processes for several different applications is also a mess compared to a centralized package manager.
For a comparison, imagine that you only had to visit Windows Update. During that visit, you are shown the updated patches and software versions along with the full library of software vetted against Windows for stability and compatability. This list would include several applications which compete directly against Microsoft's own offerings and you would be free to mix and match as you saw fit. Now, imagine that Windows Update could be done through a GUI (as is now) in very few mouse clicks or directly through the utility behind that fancy GUI by three or less keyboard commands (including "y" to accept).
"
Mac users are always quick to point out the benefits of their self-contained applications; one package to download, no installation procedures, easy to remove. While this seems ideal, there are many problems with the actual Mac OS X implementation of this idea. Applications in Mac OS X are generally not easy to remove at all, because they leave a trail of files around outside of /Applications that normal users rarely encounter. Over the course of time, this can amount to quite the mess. In addition, Mac OS X provides no way of updating applications in a central way, resulting in each application in OS X having its own updater application; hardly the user-friendly and consistent image Apple tries to adhere to.
The Windows world is not much better off - in fact, it is probably worse. Not only does it have to deal with the same problems as OS X, it also has too deal with dreadful installers. Some of them are such usability disasters they make me want to curl up in foetal position and cry. And then, when I'm done crying, I can start all over again because the uninstallation procedure is just as dreadful.
This leaves us with the Linux world. They have the centralised, easy updating application - the update application in for instance Ubuntu is an excellent example of proper balance between providing enough technical information for experts, but still hiding all that fluff from normal users. However, Linux suffers from other problems. Dependency hell, while not nearly as huge a problem as it used to be, still exists to this day. Downloading a package outside of the repositories is a risky business, but it really shouldn't be. You are completely dependent on your distributor updating his repositories and keeping them clean - nothing is as annoying as knowing there is a new version of Super Awesome Garden Designer Ultimate Edition, only to realise all the distributions except yours already packaged it.
"
http://www.osnews.com/story/21135/Blind_or_Deaf_Program_Management_on_Modern_Systems
I thought it was a nice comparison of install methods along with the rest of the article and had to share.
Mac users are always quick to point out the benefits of their self-contained applications; one package to download, no installation procedures, easy to remove. While this seems ideal, there are many problems with the actual Mac OS X implementation of this idea. Applications in Mac OS X are generally not easy to remove at all, because they leave a trail of files around outside of /Applications that normal users rarely encounter. Over the course of time, this can amount to quite the mess. In addition, Mac OS X provides no way of updating applications in a central way, resulting in each application in OS X having its own updater application; hardly the user-friendly and consistent image Apple tries to adhere to.
The Windows world is not much better off - in fact, it is probably worse. Not only does it have to deal with the same problems as OS X, it also has too deal with dreadful installers. Some of them are such usability disasters they make me want to curl up in foetal position and cry. And then, when I'm done crying, I can start all over again because the uninstallation procedure is just as dreadful.
This leaves us with the Linux world. They have the centralised, easy updating application - the update application in for instance Ubuntu is an excellent example of proper balance between providing enough technical information for experts, but still hiding all that fluff from normal users. However, Linux suffers from other problems. Dependency hell, while not nearly as huge a problem as it used to be, still exists to this day. Downloading a package outside of the repositories is a risky business, but it really shouldn't be. You are completely dependent on your distributor updating his repositories and keeping them clean - nothing is as annoying as knowing there is a new version of Super Awesome Garden Designer Ultimate Edition, only to realise all the distributions except yours already packaged it.
"
http://www.osnews.com/story/21135/Blind_or_Deaf_Program_Management_on_Modern_Systems
I thought it was a nice comparison of install methods along with the rest of the article and had to share.
Okay, I concede the point. Linux seems to have (finally 
) reached the epitome of convenience when it comes to software. 
I still don't consider the Windows way to be so onerous as to abandon Windows and adopt Linux (more than I already have).
) reached the epitome of convenience when it comes to software. I still don't consider the Windows way to be so onerous as to abandon Windows and adopt Linux (more than I already have).
"there are several good package managers out there"
And dozens of different distros. That is the problem. If you think that people complain about 6 different versions of Vista, what do you think they say about the number of Linux distros?
The Linux community would do itself a world of favor if it would find 2, 3 or 4 distros to stick with and develope....
And dozens of different distros. That is the problem. If you think that people complain about 6 different versions of Vista, what do you think they say about the number of Linux distros?
The Linux community would do itself a world of favor if it would find 2, 3 or 4 distros to stick with and develope....
distros but a lack of cross-distro standards for file structure and package format.
Debian and Fedora use a slightly different structure for user files and installed programs (can't remember exact differences atm, but I ran into this while setting up nagios).
The other issue is .rpm vs .deb Source code can be ignored since it is distro neutral. This is further complicated by Red Hat rpm and Suse RPM, vs vanilla Debian .deb and ubuntu .deb. In many cases, they can be used on their counter part, but not to the extent that its a guarantee.
This is the confusion to Windows users switching to linux. Its even more complex then .msi vs .exe.
Debian and Fedora use a slightly different structure for user files and installed programs (can't remember exact differences atm, but I ran into this while setting up nagios).
The other issue is .rpm vs .deb Source code can be ignored since it is distro neutral. This is further complicated by Red Hat rpm and Suse RPM, vs vanilla Debian .deb and ubuntu .deb. In many cases, they can be used on their counter part, but not to the extent that its a guarantee.
This is the confusion to Windows users switching to linux. Its even more complex then .msi vs .exe.
There must be thousands of phones to choose from and they all have different OS and application managers on them. This won't due. There should be one mobile phone design, one cellular radio technology, one mobile phone OS..
Or.. maybe each brand of phone is different and somehow we manage to choose among them.
For the purpose of clarity:
"Linux" = "mobile phone"
"Connonical" = "Nokia"
"Ubuntu" = "Symbian" or "3230" if you want a product model number.
http://www.nokiasymbianthemes.com/your-phone
Now, in terms of 2, 3 or 4:
Mandriva
Ubuntu
PCLinuxOS
That's three, pick one and get on with it. If you don't want to deal with choices, default applications are selected already and all provide a liveCD.
The problem is not having many distributions assembled from the same parts in similar fashion; it's thinking that any new user has to understand and choose from the complete list over at distrowatch.org
Or.. maybe each brand of phone is different and somehow we manage to choose among them.
For the purpose of clarity:
"Linux" = "mobile phone"
"Connonical" = "Nokia"
"Ubuntu" = "Symbian" or "3230" if you want a product model number.
http://www.nokiasymbianthemes.com/your-phone
Now, in terms of 2, 3 or 4:
Mandriva
Ubuntu
PCLinuxOS
That's three, pick one and get on with it. If you don't want to deal with choices, default applications are selected already and all provide a liveCD.
The problem is not having many distributions assembled from the same parts in similar fashion; it's thinking that any new user has to understand and choose from the complete list over at distrowatch.org
Or do you honestly think that building two identical machines by hand versus by script somehow makes them more secure. You don't actually work with servers or large rollouts do you..
I understand that if you (an admin) have built a solid and secure image you are going to use it.
the problem is trusting the industry.
MS has proven that they cannot be trusted (look at all the avs and malware apps out there). If everyone uses MS, then one exploit hit them all (and it does today).
that's all.
I trust my admin to have a secure image, I don't trust MS to have a secure Email server or SQL server.
the problem is trusting the industry.
MS has proven that they cannot be trusted (look at all the avs and malware apps out there). If everyone uses MS, then one exploit hit them all (and it does today).
that's all.
I trust my admin to have a secure image, I don't trust MS to have a secure Email server or SQL server.
I see your point now. Sorry, the humor was missed in text on that one my first few reads through.
Timbo poses a very good point. Though, 6 distros a far less than the actual.. There are, virtually hundreds of distros, from base level to variations there-of.. And each one, changes in mere seconds, meaning everyone else must now catch-up. If you don't catch-up, you're left behind in the dust with yester-month's version. Granted, I don't like Micro$oft any more than I need to.. I'm tied to Vista's quirks & limits only because it's what came with the computer. But, what irks me most, is most of this hardware, requires external drivers. The Smart Modem of old, became the Win-Modem because the smarts were removed, and delegated to the operating system. (which seemed to have it's usual strangle-hold in .DLL's and .INF's. which, obviously Micro$oft claimed proprietary and intellectual rights. (Hey, it has to work with our OS, It needs to follow OUR guidelines, and limitations.)
The hard part, is making the manufacturers of various peripherals and hardware loosen up, and allow their drivers to cross both paths, rather than limit themselves to Micro$oft's demands of "Rights".. But, it seems instead of "pissing-off" the mother of all OS's, they would stay with, and never stray. result, people must now reverse engineer (Anyone ever hear of Seattle Computer?) and create drivers from scratch, rather than the manufactures step-up and allow access. They want us to stay out of their "look & Feel" because someone else has already seen, grabbed, and prevented access to..
Is it me, or has anyone else noticed new distros of live CD's are getting as bloated, and security paranoid as Win? I tried to run a copy of KNOPPIX, and it refused to allow access to a DVD video.. Claiming I did not have authorization to use the player, or access to the DVD drive. Even SUDU failed.. totally blocked.
I imagine this is because of the lack of recent drivers for the hardware. But, did we need these drivers? no.. Why do we need them? Because the hardware is no-longer smart enough to know it's purpose.. The drivers, are required to access.. guess what OS already has drivers? Is there a linux version? Nope! can one be obtained? probably, but is it on the live-cd? nope, Not without a compleat rebuild.
The hard part, is making the manufacturers of various peripherals and hardware loosen up, and allow their drivers to cross both paths, rather than limit themselves to Micro$oft's demands of "Rights".. But, it seems instead of "pissing-off" the mother of all OS's, they would stay with, and never stray. result, people must now reverse engineer (Anyone ever hear of Seattle Computer?) and create drivers from scratch, rather than the manufactures step-up and allow access. They want us to stay out of their "look & Feel" because someone else has already seen, grabbed, and prevented access to..
Is it me, or has anyone else noticed new distros of live CD's are getting as bloated, and security paranoid as Win? I tried to run a copy of KNOPPIX, and it refused to allow access to a DVD video.. Claiming I did not have authorization to use the player, or access to the DVD drive. Even SUDU failed.. totally blocked.
I imagine this is because of the lack of recent drivers for the hardware. But, did we need these drivers? no.. Why do we need them? Because the hardware is no-longer smart enough to know it's purpose.. The drivers, are required to access.. guess what OS already has drivers? Is there a linux version? Nope! can one be obtained? probably, but is it on the live-cd? nope, Not without a compleat rebuild.
Try a Mandriva liveCD and it should over your multimedia needs.
Knoppix is a great distribution and the first to run as a liveCD but it's also meant to run as a liveCD only in general. It's a little like using SystemRescue liveCD and wondering why it doesn't do DVD.
The other potential issue is a matter of patents and codecs. It has the drivers to read from the DVD drive but the video codes are not there. If it includes VLC video player then that may cover your movie needs though.
But, Mandriva liveCD hasn't let me down for Flash, music or DVD yet.
Same issue is on Windows. When I got my ATI graphics card with DVD video processor, it included the DVD codec and still asks for the original install disk to confirm a valid DVD codec from before updating the player.
Welcome to patents synthetically restricting conumser's legally obtained hardware.
Knoppix is a great distribution and the first to run as a liveCD but it's also meant to run as a liveCD only in general. It's a little like using SystemRescue liveCD and wondering why it doesn't do DVD.
The other potential issue is a matter of patents and codecs. It has the drivers to read from the DVD drive but the video codes are not there. If it includes VLC video player then that may cover your movie needs though.
But, Mandriva liveCD hasn't let me down for Flash, music or DVD yet.
Same issue is on Windows. When I got my ATI graphics card with DVD video processor, it included the DVD codec and still asks for the original install disk to confirm a valid DVD codec from before updating the player.
Welcome to patents synthetically restricting conumser's legally obtained hardware.
"I was a Linux fan when I was studying in University. To setup a cron job on machine that has only vi editor - it was so cool! It was some kind of romantics."
Wow. Did you go to Pacific Tech and have a roommate named Lazlo Hollyfeld, by any chance?
Wow. Did you go to Pacific Tech and have a roommate named Lazlo Hollyfeld, by any chance?
...we were measuring online transactions processing speed:
Oracle - 280 tr/s
DB2 - 450 tr/s
MySQL with InnoDB engine - 600 tr/s
PosgreSQL - 1100 tr/s
MS SQL - 1500 tr/s
.. when he's said to me - You know what? Free soft will NEVER reach performance of commercial software !
Oracle - 280 tr/s
DB2 - 450 tr/s
MySQL with InnoDB engine - 600 tr/s
PosgreSQL - 1100 tr/s
MS SQL - 1500 tr/s
.. when he's said to me - You know what? Free soft will NEVER reach performance of commercial software !
is it "good enough"?
if so, save the money.
if not, get ready to pay pay pay.
how much is that MS SQL Server license again?
how many people have it installed illegally just to do simple little things?
if so, save the money.
if not, get ready to pay pay pay.
how much is that MS SQL Server license again?
how many people have it installed illegally just to do simple little things?
I am a tech lover but by no means a computer expert. I consider myself an advanced user. I installed a dual boot Ubuntu / XP on my home PC and have defaulted to Ubuntu as my primary but what a pain in the backside to get it running on my Nvidia and ATI cards. It was doable and I got it working but there wouldn't be any possible way this would happen with my parents. When hardware vendors can ship a CD with Linux and Windows and Mac drivers we will see a better balance emerge.
Palmetto, is it possible the Linux Distros are putting out "new" OS's too often? Ubuntu has changes every 6 months compared to Windows 6+ years or 3+ in Vista's case. As you mentioned each distribution could put out a new OS that the end user would have to learn how to use each time. I know you don't have to upgrade each time but, seeing the UPGRADE AVAILABLE button gets me all excited! So, I do it only to find after a night of downloading my ATI drivers have gone away and X is running is low graphics mode or just plain black.
I have no problem with Windows I just love the fact that we are able to finally have some serious discussion and competition in the OS marketplace which is driving change and enhancements that are tuned to world wide users and not based on one companies good ideas only.
Palmetto, is it possible the Linux Distros are putting out "new" OS's too often? Ubuntu has changes every 6 months compared to Windows 6+ years or 3+ in Vista's case. As you mentioned each distribution could put out a new OS that the end user would have to learn how to use each time. I know you don't have to upgrade each time but, seeing the UPGRADE AVAILABLE button gets me all excited! So, I do it only to find after a night of downloading my ATI drivers have gone away and X is running is low graphics mode or just plain black.
I have no problem with Windows I just love the fact that we are able to finally have some serious discussion and competition in the OS marketplace which is driving change and enhancements that are tuned to world wide users and not based on one companies good ideas only.
"Palmetto, is it possible the Linux Distros are putting out "new" OS's too often?"
Beats me, I'm not the Linux expert. Different distros have new releases on different schedules. Some, as you noted, are on a regular semi-annual routine; others may go a year or two (or more). However, the learning curve shouldn't be as steep with a new Windows release. A new release may not contain a new desktop, so you may not see any immediate difference. And you're going to have more success replacing a new Linux desktop GUI with an older one than you will trying to get Windows Vista to look like 2000.
Remember, just because you see a "Upgrade Available" button doesn't mean you have to click it, regardless of your operating system or application. Instead, wait a couple of weeks and then Google to see what others have to say. Let them do the graphic and wireless debugging. Use Ford Prefect's 'SEP' approach - let it be 'Somebody Else's Problem'!
Beats me, I'm not the Linux expert. Different distros have new releases on different schedules. Some, as you noted, are on a regular semi-annual routine; others may go a year or two (or more). However, the learning curve shouldn't be as steep with a new Windows release. A new release may not contain a new desktop, so you may not see any immediate difference. And you're going to have more success replacing a new Linux desktop GUI with an older one than you will trying to get Windows Vista to look like 2000.
Remember, just because you see a "Upgrade Available" button doesn't mean you have to click it, regardless of your operating system or application. Instead, wait a couple of weeks and then Google to see what others have to say. Let them do the graphic and wireless debugging. Use Ford Prefect's 'SEP' approach - let it be 'Somebody Else's Problem'!
MS Users just tend toward lemming-hood. You have to really, otherwise you're leaving exploits open.
I am currently running Fedora 10 on both my systems, a tower and a laptop. Answer a few networking questions such a dhcp or static IP, computer name, timezone and away it goes. The system reboots and I am online and running. Installing a Windows system should be so easy.
Pugged in my HP photosmart and the printer is detected and ready to go. In Windows, you have to load drivers and software. Plugged in my digital camera and I am asked where I want to store my pictures. In Windows, grab the CD and install more software and drivers.
No, linux today is much easier and simpler than Windows. I will continue to install linux on my clients systems, and the Windows to linux conversions continue to grow.
I have never had a linux system crash, but the Vista OS which came with the laptop bluescreened constantly.
You like Windows? Fine, but I would rather get my work done and be secure than use a badly designed OS such as Windows.
Pugged in my HP photosmart and the printer is detected and ready to go. In Windows, you have to load drivers and software. Plugged in my digital camera and I am asked where I want to store my pictures. In Windows, grab the CD and install more software and drivers.
No, linux today is much easier and simpler than Windows. I will continue to install linux on my clients systems, and the Windows to linux conversions continue to grow.
I have never had a linux system crash, but the Vista OS which came with the laptop bluescreened constantly.
You like Windows? Fine, but I would rather get my work done and be secure than use a badly designed OS such as Windows.
I find this hard to believe, any computer no matter of the operating system will crash at some point in time.
I remember crashing Ubuntu alot when trying to install my new Graphics Card. It was a real pain. With the new releases the hardware is much easier to get working because its becoming more compatible but i must agree with the post above yours when he says drivers are hard to install.
Find a card that isnt naturally supported by the OS and then try and install it. Not much fun
I remember crashing Ubuntu alot when trying to install my new Graphics Card. It was a real pain. With the new releases the hardware is much easier to get working because its becoming more compatible but i must agree with the post above yours when he says drivers are hard to install.
Find a card that isnt naturally supported by the OS and then try and install it. Not much fun
several times trying to deal with personal folders in Outlook (wine).
Ok, the system was unstable until I killed wine and outlook, but hey..
For the most part though, linux has been more stable for me. Once I got rid of the wine and Windows apps at least.
Ok, the system was unstable until I killed wine and outlook, but hey..
For the most part though, linux has been more stable for me. Once I got rid of the wine and Windows apps at least.
All I did each time was mess in Synaptic.
The first time I selected more apps to install than the hard drive had room for = had to do a complete OS re-install.
The second time, all I did was "update" some screen saver files that where stared and I figured it would be OK to simply apply an update. NOT so!
Now an OS re-install is again necessary. Only this time I have files on there I need to figure out how to get off of the machine. It's an old laptop with no cd burning ROM and PCLOS won't recognize the floppy which does me little good anyway because a couple of the RPMs that I've found (Lord only knows from where) are too big to fit on floppy.
The first time I selected more apps to install than the hard drive had room for = had to do a complete OS re-install.
The second time, all I did was "update" some screen saver files that where stared and I figured it would be OK to simply apply an update. NOT so!
Now an OS re-install is again necessary. Only this time I have files on there I need to figure out how to get off of the machine. It's an old laptop with no cd burning ROM and PCLOS won't recognize the floppy which does me little good anyway because a couple of the RPMs that I've found (Lord only knows from where) are too big to fit on floppy.
try creating a new user. Often it is the user account that goes bad, and a new user account will fix things up nicely.
the best part of linux is all your user settings are separate from the system, so a reinstall of the OS won't be as catastrophic as with windows.
just do it, reinstall a few apps and ALL your settings (for those apps too) are there.
just do it, reinstall a few apps and ALL your settings (for those apps too) are there.
to do those things.
techman, how do I do that?
Chris, how would I go about that while leaving my files alone? I've had another tell me the same as what you said but I need to know how. 
EDIT: Any of you PCLOS Gurus have my permission to e-mail me through my profile here with info you think may be of use to me. Thank you in advance.
techman, how do I do that?
Chris, how would I go about that while leaving my files alone?
I've had another tell me the same as what you said but I need to know how. EDIT: Any of you PCLOS Gurus have my permission to e-mail me through my profile here with info you think may be of use to me. Thank you in advance.
Go to the PC button (lower left side).
select System -- Configuration -- Configure Your Computer
Enter root password
On the Left panel, go to System
double click on
add/remove/or change users
go to Options (menu) -- Add User
select System -- Configuration -- Configure Your Computer
Enter root password
On the Left panel, go to System
double click on
add/remove/or change users
go to Options (menu) -- Add User
I followed Scummys instructions to the letter and 'Configure your computer' will not even open at all. 
Next?
Next?
logging back in as root. If you are already logged in as root, try a different user account.
If you are logged in as root, this may be why there is a problem. You should not need to log in as root except for a few tasks. If you primarily use the root account then problems that arise may need a rebuild instead of just switching users. And yes, I have made this mistake (even knowing better too).
If you are logged in as root, this may be why there is a problem. You should not need to log in as root except for a few tasks. If you primarily use the root account then problems that arise may need a rebuild instead of just switching users. And yes, I have made this mistake (even knowing better too).
This machine is set up with only two accounts: Root and my user account.
I run in my own account. I do not run as Root unless I'm prompted to in order to achieve a certain goal, i.e. getting into Synaptic. As soon as I'm finished accomplishing whatever task I'm prompted to log into Root as I close Root.
Basically, the same types of problems occur in both the Root and in my own account. So, I'm still stuck. EDIT: →insert frustrated/disgusted emoticon here← ...NOT at you, Scummy. At myself for messing in Synaptic to begin with.
I run in my own account. I do not run as Root unless I'm prompted to in order to achieve a certain goal, i.e. getting into Synaptic. As soon as I'm finished accomplishing whatever task I'm prompted to log into Root as I close Root.
Basically, the same types of problems occur in both the Root and in my own account. So, I'm still stuck. EDIT: →insert frustrated/disgusted emoticon here← ...NOT at you, Scummy. At myself for messing in Synaptic to begin with.
and break 
At least you dont have to re-activate for a re-install
If you cannot create a new user, it may be time for a do-over
At least you dont have to re-activate for a re-install
If you cannot create a new user, it may be time for a do-over
I finally popped the first of the DeICE disks. Now it's time to reboot the liveCD and see how clean I can do it.
The quieter you are, the more you are able to hear.
Ironically, the biggest hangup during my first go was a basic user command not one of the security utils doing the heavy lifting.
The quieter you are, the more you are able to hear.
Ironically, the biggest hangup during my first go was a basic user command not one of the security utils doing the heavy lifting.
Funny, I had the same thing happen to me, and I didnt know what I did (however, I was playing with settings and installing updates and cr@p).
Anyway, it sounds like a re-install, as that is what I had done. Since you dont have a cd burner, you can copy data to flash drives, or use the live cd to boot from and copy things off to a network share or external hard drive.
I am copying the email text here in case someone else has a better suggestion.
"Sorry to have to contact you this way but you seem to know what I need to know. I humbly ask your forgiveness and help. Thank you in advance for both.
Here's the story behind what I did THIS time to skroo up my system. It is PCLinuxOS 2007 KDE 3.5.9. and it lost its window decorations.
As I eluded to before, I made the colossal mistake up going into Synaptic and checking updates to the screen saver apps already showing installed but having those updates to add. During installation of the updates I got an Error message that stated over and over again that it could not connect with the Debian and internode mirrors. After that is when it lost lost most of the window decorations. E.G.: Window Boarders, the _ , minimize/maximize box and the red X up at the right hand upper corner of the window, etc. This occurs in ALL windows no matter where one navigates or what mode one is in and, as I stated before, in both the Root and User accounts.
Also, a couple of games come up in a minimized window that is totally unmovable. The clock, clipboard and volume icons are missing from the task-bar as well. I also lost some of the screen savers...one of which is the clock one that I like to use. Maybe it has to do with KDE? I don't know. I *can* still navigate by using the words at the top of the windows. Thank heavens they are still there!
The last time this sort of thing happened, the guys at my local LUG couldn't do anything with it and I had to do a clean re-install losing the data I had accumulated up to that point in my user account. Thank goodness that time I had nothing really all that important there. I'd rather not go that route again if I can help it in any way. I now have files in the User Account that I simply can not afford to lose if I can keep them in any way possible. As I said somewhere in the thread, the CD/DVD ROM is not a writer and PCLOS won't recognize the floppy.
I posted a question in Yahoo Answers giving these details and got one answer back. This: >"If you installed it right the first time - Linux itself in its own partition - just reinstall that partition. If not, now's the time to learn how to install Linux properly, so if you have to reinstall again you don't lose anything but Linux itself.""The installation was done properly with help from the guys at my LUG, so Linux is in its own partition like it's supposed to be.
***$60,000 question: How do I re-install the Linux-only partition?"
Now, it is quite a distance for me to go to get to my LUG. I no longer have transportation that is reliable enough for me to be able to trust it that far. This is why I'm try to find out in places like Yahoo! Answers and here in TR how to re-install the Linux-only partition since I got that answer from both the person in Y! A and chris here in TR just above where you answered me in the thread starting here: http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-13583-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=303280&messageID=3032533
Again, Thank You so very much for any help you may be able to give me.
Sincerely,
betelgeuse58 "
Anyway, it sounds like a re-install, as that is what I had done. Since you dont have a cd burner, you can copy data to flash drives, or use the live cd to boot from and copy things off to a network share or external hard drive.
I am copying the email text here in case someone else has a better suggestion.
"Sorry to have to contact you this way but you seem to know what I need to know. I humbly ask your forgiveness and help. Thank you in advance for both.
Here's the story behind what I did THIS time to skroo up my system. It is PCLinuxOS 2007 KDE 3.5.9. and it lost its window decorations.
As I eluded to before, I made the colossal mistake up going into Synaptic and checking updates to the screen saver apps already showing installed but having those updates to add. During installation of the updates I got an Error message that stated over and over again that it could not connect with the Debian and internode mirrors. After that is when it lost lost most of the window decorations. E.G.: Window Boarders, the _ , minimize/maximize box and the red X up at the right hand upper corner of the window, etc. This occurs in ALL windows no matter where one navigates or what mode one is in and, as I stated before, in both the Root and User accounts.
Also, a couple of games come up in a minimized window that is totally unmovable. The clock, clipboard and volume icons are missing from the task-bar as well. I also lost some of the screen savers...one of which is the clock one that I like to use. Maybe it has to do with KDE? I don't know. I *can* still navigate by using the words at the top of the windows. Thank heavens they are still there!
The last time this sort of thing happened, the guys at my local LUG couldn't do anything with it and I had to do a clean re-install losing the data I had accumulated up to that point in my user account. Thank goodness that time I had nothing really all that important there. I'd rather not go that route again if I can help it in any way. I now have files in the User Account that I simply can not afford to lose if I can keep them in any way possible. As I said somewhere in the thread, the CD/DVD ROM is not a writer and PCLOS won't recognize the floppy.
I posted a question in Yahoo Answers giving these details and got one answer back. This: >"If you installed it right the first time - Linux itself in its own partition - just reinstall that partition. If not, now's the time to learn how to install Linux properly, so if you have to reinstall again you don't lose anything but Linux itself.""The installation was done properly with help from the guys at my LUG, so Linux is in its own partition like it's supposed to be.
***$60,000 question: How do I re-install the Linux-only partition?"
Now, it is quite a distance for me to go to get to my LUG. I no longer have transportation that is reliable enough for me to be able to trust it that far. This is why I'm try to find out in places like Yahoo! Answers and here in TR how to re-install the Linux-only partition since I got that answer from both the person in Y! A and chris here in TR just above where you answered me in the thread starting here: http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-13583-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=303280&messageID=3032533
Again, Thank You so very much for any help you may be able to give me.
Sincerely,
betelgeuse58 "
I did finally get my files off there. I uploaded them to my ISP e-mail and mailed to my Y! e-mail. Now all I need to know is "How do I simply re-install the Root partition while leaving the User partition intact?" Is this in fact possible? How do I do that?
here is more info
http://www.novell.com/coolsolutions/feature/11802.html
And yes, I know it is a SUSE page, however there is some good info here and it was written pretty well.
http://www.novell.com/coolsolutions/feature/11802.html
And yes, I know it is a SUSE page, however there is some good info here and it was written pretty well.
I totally appreciate you taking the time to help me out.
Just a little while ago (but before I got here), I attempted to go ahead and do a "non-destructive" PCLOS re-install. It did NOT destroy my files, but it did not fix all of the problems, either.
So, I'm going to just 'play' around with a for a day or two more and if I can't get it tweaked the way it needs to be, then I'm going to nuke the hard drive, do a clean install and start all over again.
At least I have my files copied off of there now.
YUP, it IS definitely a LEARNING experience! ...NOT all a bad thing, I guess.
So let's just call this "Solved".
Just a little while ago (but before I got here), I attempted to go ahead and do a "non-destructive" PCLOS re-install. It did NOT destroy my files, but it did not fix all of the problems, either.
So, I'm going to just 'play' around with a for a day or two more and if I can't get it tweaked the way it needs to be, then I'm going to nuke the hard drive, do a clean install and start all over again.
At least I have my files copied off of there now. YUP, it IS definitely a LEARNING experience! ...NOT all a bad thing, I guess.
So let's just call this "Solved".
There is one market that only linux covers, and that's in IP-PBX's.
Yes there are versions of windows based IP-PBX's, but they tend to be incredibly expensive, incredibly power and ram hungry (noptice a trend here!!) and almost impossible to updare versions of.
Linux has customised distro's soley for the use as IP-PBX's and that's why i LOVE linux as pereferance to windows. My system runs much nicer, better and much mroe stable then any version of windows i've tried. Linux isn;t for geeks at all, that's just lazy emerican fat headed retards talking who can't be a@@ed to get up, learn something new for the possability they havn't got the brains to learn something brand spanking new.
I say if you ditch open source, your ditching free speech and free rights. Mr gates has made billions from microsoft.
He's worth $50 BILLION for chrisake!! Obviosuly he's overcharging for his software.
Yes there are versions of windows based IP-PBX's, but they tend to be incredibly expensive, incredibly power and ram hungry (noptice a trend here!!) and almost impossible to updare versions of.
Linux has customised distro's soley for the use as IP-PBX's and that's why i LOVE linux as pereferance to windows. My system runs much nicer, better and much mroe stable then any version of windows i've tried. Linux isn;t for geeks at all, that's just lazy emerican fat headed retards talking who can't be a@@ed to get up, learn something new for the possability they havn't got the brains to learn something brand spanking new.
I say if you ditch open source, your ditching free speech and free rights. Mr gates has made billions from microsoft.
He's worth $50 BILLION for chrisake!! Obviosuly he's overcharging for his software.
I have been using Linux since from last 4 years.I haven't experienced any crashes nor problems.
However,some distro set wrong screen resolution.(intel 845GLLY)
Installing software is very easy if you get acquainted with APT-GET.
However,some distro set wrong screen resolution.(intel 845GLLY)
Installing software is very easy if you get acquainted with APT-GET.
Never had an application suddenly close leaving you to reopen it through the X program menu?
Damn.. what distribution are you running?
Damn.. what distribution are you running?
Hi Neon,
For some reason Mandriva is not taken seriously by the American Computer press, but I have found it to be outstanding over 9 years of use. Jack Wallen, I believe, is a Mandriva user also - it just works. Ihave set a lot of people up with Mandriva, and only one has returned to Windows, largely because he was impatient and lazy.
Some people complain that Linux is not like Windows, they feel it should work the Windows way, well thank God it doesn't, or else we would have 2 crappy OSes instead of just Windows.
Linux is an alternative, not a replacement. Evolution is better than Outlook - it works differently. Digikam supports hundreds of digital cameras, has a fantastic data base and even uses fuzzy search to locate your photos. This is significantly better than needing dedicated software for every camera yo may attach to your system. Amarok runs rings around iTunes ... the Linux apps are getting better and smarter every day.
For some reason Mandriva is not taken seriously by the American Computer press, but I have found it to be outstanding over 9 years of use. Jack Wallen, I believe, is a Mandriva user also - it just works. Ihave set a lot of people up with Mandriva, and only one has returned to Windows, largely because he was impatient and lazy.
Some people complain that Linux is not like Windows, they feel it should work the Windows way, well thank God it doesn't, or else we would have 2 crappy OSes instead of just Windows.
Linux is an alternative, not a replacement. Evolution is better than Outlook - it works differently. Digikam supports hundreds of digital cameras, has a fantastic data base and even uses fuzzy search to locate your photos. This is significantly better than needing dedicated software for every camera yo may attach to your system. Amarok runs rings around iTunes ... the Linux apps are getting better and smarter every day.
I installed and tested the latest Mandiva over the weekend. And i was impressed. It was installed on a Dell Precision 470 desktop. No wireless, bluetooth, or other problematic hardware. So far all hardware has just worked (various degrees of work with video drivers) with any distro I have tried on it. Mandiva is clean, responsive, and attractive.
My only problem with it is that its not Debian, which is what I am use to. There are several hoops to jump to get Debian to do certain tasks Mandriva just does out of the box (video driver for one).
I will add Mandriva to my list of recommended Distros for new Linux users.
My only problem with it is that its not Debian, which is what I am use to. There are several hoops to jump to get Debian to do certain tasks Mandriva just does out of the box (video driver for one).
I will add Mandriva to my list of recommended Distros for new Linux users.
I've looked at other distributions over the years but I always ended up back with Mandriva.
Debian is really the first distribution that's been a serious contender and I wouldn't build a server with anything else. I even have to keep a Debian VM handy for things like netdiscover and some other tools since Mandriva's focus is on the average and new user rather than advanced specialty user.
If Debian did 64bit Flash and simplified wireless networking to the extent the draketools do...
Mandriva is definitely an ignored and under-rated gem though.
Debian is really the first distribution that's been a serious contender and I wouldn't build a server with anything else. I even have to keep a Debian VM handy for things like netdiscover and some other tools since Mandriva's focus is on the average and new user rather than advanced specialty user.
If Debian did 64bit Flash and simplified wireless networking to the extent the draketools do...
Mandriva is definitely an ignored and under-rated gem though.
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