What linux version?

[aidenrelkoff]

So i didn't know what to do with the 7 random old pcs i have and about 200 random parts. so imma assemble the best one i can and put linux on it, i have never used linux ever so i was wondering how version to get? linux mint? also i wanna install on a USB (if possible) but i do have blank CDs/DVDs, so could i also have a link to a linux USB install or something, or maybe just tell me how if its easy enough.

[AlwaysFSX]

I use Mint at the moment (never liked how stock Ubuntu looks) and it's pretty easy. All you need is a usb.

[Wtalk2]

Personally, I would learn Linux on Ubuntu Desktop or Linux Mint and then after you get bored of playing with Linux install Ubuntu Server onto it and use it as a home server for backup, media streaming, web hosting etc.

[aidenrelkoff]

Personally, I would learn Linux on Ubuntu Desktop or Linux Mint and then after you get bored of playing with Linux install Ubuntu Server onto it and use it as a home server for backup, media streaming, web hosting etc.

 

 

I use Mint at the moment (never liked how stock Ubuntu looks) and it's pretty easy. All you need is a usb.

so you guys think i should get linux mint first, then maybe later try Ubuntu?

[Kevin_Walter]

If you download unetbootin, it will give you a list of Linux distributions including Ubuntu that you can choose to have it download and copy over to a USB, which can then be used to load the distribution of your choice onto any PC with a USB port.

 

If the PCs are older, I would definitely go with Mint. Ubuntu is fine if you have newer parts with dedicated GPUs and such. If you want something REALLY lightweight, you could try CrunchBang, but it's generally considered to be for more "advanced" users who are more familiar with running Linux.

 

Personally, I have Ubuntu 14.04 running on my desktop right now. Dual booting with Windows 7.

 

Linux is easy enough to get familiar with. The hardest part is figuring out how to install applications, but once you get familiar with using the terminal for such tasks, it's not so bad. Of course, Ubuntu comes with the Ubuntu Software Center, which allows you to install just about anything you'd need without too much hassle. Most distros also include the Synaptic Package Manager, which basically does the same thing.

[Wtalk2]

so you guys think i should get linux mint first, then maybe later try Ubuntu?

Ya, you should start with Linux Mint since I find it to be the closest to Windows and is quite easy to learn and is based off Ubuntu which is widely supported and then once you get the hang of Linux you can look around for different distro's and try whatever ones you want

[AlwaysFSX]

so you guys think i should get linux mint first, then maybe later try Ubuntu?

I think so, yeah.

[aidenrelkoff]

Ya, you should start with Linux Mint since I find it to be the closest to Windows and is quite easy to learn and is based off Ubuntu which is widely supported and then once you get the hang of Linux you can look around for different distro's and try whatever ones you want

 

 

I think so, yeah.

 

 

If you download unetbootin, it will give you a list of Linux distributions including Ubuntu that you can choose to have it download and copy over to a USB, which can then be used to load the distribution of your choice onto any PC with a USB port.

 

If the PCs are older, I would definitely go with Mint. Ubuntu is fine if you have newer parts with dedicated GPUs and such. If you want something REALLY lightweight, you could try CrunchBang, but it's generally considered to be for more "advanced" users who are more familiar with running Linux.

 

Personally, I have Ubuntu 14.04 running on my desktop right now. Dual booting with Windows 7.

 

Linux is easy enough to get familiar with. The hardest part is figuring out how to install applications, but once you get familiar with using the terminal for such tasks, it's not so bad. Of course, Ubuntu comes with the Ubuntu Software Center, which allows you to install just about anything you'd need without too much hassle. Most distros also include the Synaptic Package Manager, which basically does the same thing.

so guys, does this installation look good? just a noob question, this wont do anything to the computer i download this on right? only the pc i plug it into and boot from right?

 

[mooseducks86]

My first attempt at linux was redhat, after that never got used I tried ubuntu, and I found it extremely easy to use. You can download and burn the livecd to run on a PC with an optical drive, so even if you have windows or mint installed, you can boot right up into ubuntu, rip a few cds into flac with sound juicer, or install asunder with the software center. Just fool around and see if it suits you. Once you're done take out the disc and reboot, it's like it was never there (also great for troubleshooting)

 

My father has a ubuntu xbmc box, and has never swayed from windows. He does just fine with it. A friend of mine has her mother using ubuntu on their pc (no windows at all). She can't even use a smartphone and uses openoffice and firefox with no problem. I have not tried Mint personally, but I only started to hear about it during the whole XP meltdown. If the development community is there and it has comparable features to Ubuntu, go for it.

 

Apparently you can install Ubuntu software center on mint (but then... why mint?) to easily find and install software.

 

PS Youtube video on installing software center on mint (I'm sure there are better tutorials out there that you could probably just copy and paste from) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTYoB-fa9Sk