Changing OS Linux, Ubuntu, Debian i got lost, help!

[NARAKU_KAT]

Well, i'm having a lot of troubles with my old Win XP, i screwed it up so hard i think i've got multiple infections and bugs in my actual system so i'm really thinking about moving on to another OS, i don't have the money, nor the specs to get Win 7 or 8, so i'll go for a free OS.

My troubles began when i asked myself "wich system do i need", i don't know anything about OS but my experience with windows versions, and there are some critical things i have to check out before formating my HDD and starting again, first about, let's begin with my specs:

 

DELL LATITUDE D600

 

Intel Pentium (m) "Centrino" 1400Mhz

512Mb RAM 

Almost 40 Gb HDD

Mobility Radeon 9000 32Mb graphics

 

That's a really old thing i know, but it ran perfectly before having "bluescreens" and malware crap all over.

 

So, the critical point i mentioned are basically.

 

1.- Adobe Reader, this is absolutely one of things i can't live without.

2.- Microsoft One Note, i think this is the only reason i haven't done anything with another OS, i can't live without this one since the day i first used it, i'm studying high school, (i'm not young though ) and i basically read my books with Adobe R. and make my briefings with One N. in the next window.

3.-I'm really worried about drivers since i'm not actually using my internal Wifi card but instead a TP-Link TW-722N USB adaptor.

4.-About programs, i know nothing is as compatible as Windows but i'd like to be able to use most of the programs i use right now, plus, i heard about something called "Wine" i think that allows Ubuntu users to run Windows programs.

5.- I suck in command-related stuff, i've always tried to keep as far as possible from more complex systems 'cause i feel i will screw it up.

6.- I read many good things about Ubuntu and Linux's security, hope some of you could make it more clear.

 

That's pretty much what i want to know, the more i think about it the more doubts i have, my fisrt option is LUbuntu, or Ubuntu 12.04 (i can't remember it clearly).

 

Thank you.

[MrBucket101]

for the sheer simplicity of it all, I recommend you stick to Ubuntu or Mint. They are very beginner oriented, obviously ubuntu has a huge following and you WILL find support for whatever it is you need help with.

 

Depending on how old your system is, you could use Lubuntu or Xubuntu. The only difference between the 3 different versions is the window manager/front end. xubuntu uses xfce, lubuntu uses lxde.

 

There are two variations of Linux Mint as well. One that uses Cinnamon and one that uses MATE.

 

behind the scenes, there are no differences between the different versions of ubuntu, or mint.

 

Look at the various screenshots of the listed OS's and just make a choice about which one you would like to use. Keep in mind though that linux is very flexible, and you can most likely reposition/resize/colorize most of the desktop elements on anything.

 

I've used Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu and even vanilla Ubuntu. KDE(kubuntu) and XFCE(xubuntu) felt a bit clunky, and LXDE(lubuntu) was very snappy but lacked a lot of the features I had grown used to when using the other 3 OS's.

 

don't worry about adobe, your drivers, or the command line. Everything should just "work" after you install.

 

I installed ubuntu on my 80 year old neighbors computer, he literally told me he wanted to be able to look at porn whenever he wanted. Haven't heard a peep from him since I put ubuntu on it 3 years ago lol. I doubt he even knows what the command line is. Then again, neither did I when I first started using ubuntu. You get more proficient as you use it. The trick is to just stick it out and roll over the speed-bumps instead of giving up. I'm pretty good with the terminal now, I run Ubuntu Server on my personal server, and I don't have a monitor connected to it. I just control everything over terminal SSH. 

 

Wine is really flaky. It's hard to find anything that actually runs WELL within wine. Usually if it runs in wine, something won't work 100%. If you can get over it great, but it's way easier to just find a linux alternative, than it is to jump through the hoops within wine installing various windows libraries and requirements. There's linux alternatives of just about everything out there, the hard part is just finding it.

 

If you can't tell, I've never used Linux Mint, I keep meaning to try it out. I have read really good things about it. But I just game primarily now, so I don't really want to waste my time on a linux install I probably won't use.

 

EDIT: Also, stick with the LTS versions of ubuntu, 12.04 14.04 etc.. they get additional updates for 5 years, while the 12.10, 13.10 etc.. die out after 9 months or so.

 

512MB is the minimum requirement for the baseline version of ubuntu. xubuntu needs 256mb, Lubuntu only needs 128MB.

 

The cool thing about ubuntu is that each install CD is actually a LIVE version of the OS. Download and burn each of the different variations and use the OS for a day or so. Compare the performance you get on each and make a decision then. Lubuntu might make your computer feel new and young again. 

[NARAKU_KAT]

for the sheer simplicity of it all, I recommend you stick to Ubuntu or Mint. They are very beginner oriented, obviously ubuntu has a huge following and you WILL find support for whatever it is you need help with.

 

Depending on how old your system is, you could use Lubuntu or Xubuntu. The only difference between the 3 different versions is the window manager/front end. xubuntu uses xfce, lubuntu uses lxde.

 

There are two variations of Linux Mint as well. One that uses Cinnamon and one that uses MATE.

 

behind the scenes, there are no differences between the different versions of ubuntu, or mint.

 

Look at the various screenshots of the listed OS's and just make a choice about which one you would like to use. I've used Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu and even vanilla Ubuntu. KDE(kubuntu) and XFCE(xubuntu) felt a bit clunky, and LXDE(lubuntu) was very snappy but lacked a lot of the features I had grown used to when using the other 3 OS's.

 

don't worry about adobe, your drivers, or the command line. Everything should just "work" after you install.

 

I installed ubuntu on my 80 year old neighbors computer, he literally told me he wanted to be able to look at porn whenever he wanted. Haven't heard a peep from him since I put ubuntu on it 3 years ago lol. I doubt he even knows what the command line is. Then again, neither did I when I first started using ubuntu. You get more proficient as you use it. The trick is to just stick it out and roll over the speed-bumps instead of giving up. I'm pretty good with the terminal now, I run Ubuntu Server on my personal server, and I don't have a monitor connected to it. I just control everything over terminal SSH. 

 

Wine is really flaky. It's hard to find anything that actually runs WELL within wine. Usually if it runs in wine, something won't work 100%. If you can get over it great, but it's way easier to just find a linux alternative, than it is to jump through the hoops within wine installing various windows libraries and requirements. There's linux alternatives of just about everything out there, the hard part is just finding it.

 

If you can't tell, I've never used Linux Mint, I keep meaning to try it out. I have read really good things about it. But I just game primarily now, so I don't really want to waste my time on a linux install I probably won't use.

 

Thanks for that, i kinda understand your neighbor's position , i guess i'll first try my new OS on a partition until i have it running OK, then i'll move to the newer one.

[MrBucket101]

Thanks for that, i kinda understand your neighbor's position , i guess i'll first try my new OS on a partition until i have it running OK, then i'll move to the newer one.

you don't even need to partition to "try it out" the install CD's have an option which will load the OS into your RAM and run off that.

 

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD?action=AttachFile&do=get&target=804+Live+2+.png

 

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD

 

Reasons for Using a LiveCD Session

LiveCD sessions are good to:

give a 'demo' session on a machine before installing or upgrading

checks hardware works as expected

check the look & feel of the distro

repair or preparation for awkward installations

repair/replace/install grub perhaps after (re)installing Windows

fix Windows problems on a machine that doesn't have a dual-boot

anti-virus problems on a Windows system

data recovery

resizing partitions to give Ubuntu more (or less) room

adding a new partition(s) to your hard-drive for other distros or for a new Windows

preparing a machine for installing Ubuntu, if you are shy of using default or automatic settings or if the hardware is too unique or awkward

'showing off' Ubuntu to people on their own machine

using on a random computer where access is limited

a familiar desktop environment on an unfamiliar machine

safely using a computer which seems to have poor security or lacks privacy. This is particularly good if you have a Usb stick or something to save your data and settings on (see 'persistent image')

[NARAKU_KAT]

you don't even need to partition to "try it out" the install CD's have an option which will load the OS into your RAM and run off that.

 

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD?action=AttachFile&do=get&target=804+Live+2+.png

 

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD

 

Reasons for Using a LiveCD Session

LiveCD sessions are good to:

give a 'demo' session on a machine before installing or upgrading

checks hardware works as expected

check the look & feel of the distro

repair or preparation for awkward installations

repair/replace/install grub perhaps after (re)installing Windows

fix Windows problems on a machine that doesn't have a dual-boot

anti-virus problems on a Windows system

data recovery

resizing partitions to give Ubuntu more (or less) room

adding a new partition(s) to your hard-drive for other distros or for a new Windows

preparing a machine for installing Ubuntu, if you are shy of using default or automatic settings or if the hardware is too unique or awkward

'showing off' Ubuntu to people on their own machine

using on a random computer where access is limited

a familiar desktop environment on an unfamiliar machine

safely using a computer which seems to have poor security or lacks privacy. This is particularly good if you have a Usb stick or something to save your data and settings on (see 'persistent image')

 

Hmm...just like puppy Linux, i tried it lately but...that just didn't seem to be good enough  for me (i don't like puppies), i DO like that Ubuntu seems to have a lot of people using it and who  are willing to help;  that never happened  with Windows though  :unsure: .

[bac06]

No don't even think about ubuntu & mint!

 

 

It takes way too much ram!!!!!

 

You'll open a single program and your laptop will choke

 

I recommend Debian Xfce or Lxde they are very lightweight, ubuntu is based on debian unstable and adds tons of glitches bugs and is fat in ram.

 

1 Pdf readers = no problem

 

2 lots of alternatives

 

3 Drivers are non distro dependant and are most likely to work( but must install manually, lots of tutorials)

http://www.linux-hardware-guide.com/fr/2013-05-30-tp-link-tl-wn722nc-wifi-150-mbps-usb

Might scare you but read carefully and you'll see it just a copy&paste of a folder.

 

4 run will allow to use very simple programs but for one note and adobe reader there are alternatives

 

5 There is no magic, you'll have to learn the basics for updating the system for example, ubuntu, by trying to hide the terminal to the user is extremly bloated and slow

And istalling software&drivers(if you need them) It's as simple as:  apt-get update && apt-get dist-upgrade && apt-get install software

 

6 all updated linux distros are secure

 

 

For your laptop debian with a light desktop is better, trust me Xubuntu/Lubuntu do not work well with 512MB, I have tried.

The online documentation is excellent.

 

You can first try the system live to see if there are no hardware issues:

 

http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current-live/i386/bt-hybrid/

 

Chose the xfce or lxde flavor

Burn it to a cd/usb and boot on it and select live.

 

Trust me, ubuntu isn't good for lower/older systems.

[NARAKU_KAT]

No don't even think about ubuntu & mint!

 

 

It takes way too much ram!!!!!

 

You'll open a single program and your laptop will choke

 

I recommend Debian Xfce or Lxde they are very lightweight, ubuntu is based on debian unstable and adds tons of glitches bugs and is fat in ram.

 

1 Pdf readers = no problem

 

2 lots of alternatives

 

3 Drivers are non distro dependant and are most likely to work( but must install manually, lots of tutorials)

http://www.linux-hardware-guide.com/fr/2013-05-30-tp-link-tl-wn722nc-wifi-150-mbps-usb

Might scare you but read carefully and you'll see it just a copy&paste of a folder.

 

4 run will allow to use very simple programs but for one note and adobe reader there are alternatives

 

5 There is no magic, you'll have to learn the basics for updating the system for example, ubuntu, by trying to hide the terminal to the user is extremly bloated and slow

And istalling software&drivers(if you need them) It's as simple as:  apt-get update && apt-get dist-upgrade && apt-get install software

 

6 all updated linux distros are secure

 

 

For your laptop debian with a light desktop is better, trust me Xubuntu/Lubuntu do not work well with 512MB, I have tried.

The online documentation is excellent.

 

You can first try the system live to see if there are no hardware issues:

 

http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current-live/i386/bt-hybrid/

 

Chose the xfce or lxde flavor

Burn it to a cd/usb and boot on it and select live.

 

Trust me, ubuntu isn't good for lower/older systems.

 

Thanks i guess i will try it too, but what's the difference between Xfce and lxde?

[7850OC]

this   Lubuntu 14.04 LTS (Trusty Tahr)

[Roby]

Just a note if you decide to try the live CD/DVD versions of any of these distros: they will run slower when running off the CD/DVD than if it was installed on your machine. The speed you see from the live demos is unlikely the speed you'll see with the OS installed.

[LogicalDrm]

Pdf reader... just Foxit. About command line. I don't like using it but sadly with Ubuntu/Mint its best way to get troublesome stuff to work. Luckily most guides have listed all commands you need to enter. I knew how to launch dos based windows before I got shell account and started learning how to use command line. Basics aren't that hard.