10 Things To Do After Installing Linux

You've finally decided to try Linux. The installation went without a hitch (they usually do these days) and you've got a shiny new desktop sitting in front of you. What do you do next?

It's a whole world of limitless possibilities. Thanks to the nature of open-source development, thousands of applications, games, tools and utilities can be installed with just a few mouse clicks.

[BubbleSniper]

number 1. uninstall windows

command line interface>window

[ThatCanadianGuy]

Correct

[Timesplitter14]

Why would you want to do that?

Losing game compatibility and complicating your life just for the sake of being a nerd sure seems fun....

[ThatCanadianGuy]

okay we get it, if anyone uses linux they are a nerd.Gotcha.

Stop crying.

[Timesplitter14]

...but the tears won't stop. I'm such a kid, you see

[ThatCanadianGuy]

Use this
http://kathyescobar.files.w...

[Timesplitter14]

thanks

[madpuppy]

Why does everyone (Windows users) think that Linux is only about the command Line? Anybody can use Linux, and I mean ANYBODY. you never have to use the command line if you don't want to. installing software is as easy as searching for what you want from a list and clicking on it. everything from Google apps
(google earth, Picasa, Googel desktop) to audio video codecs (last time I checked if you want to watch a dvd in a clean install of Windows you have to pay for a codec from Intervideo (Microsoft suggests).
Office suites, dvd rippers, transcoders. cd/dvd burning software (K3B) that works better that the junk (nero/roxio)you pay for in windows. It is all just a click away. If you don't know about this and claim you have "tried" installing Linux and is was all command lines and unconfigured hardware, then you haven't tried installing it in the last year or so.
also, another great thing about Linux, if for some reason you need to reinstall Linux or just want to install a new version of Linux all your user settings will still be there after the install, that means that when you finish installing the new version of Linux your emails and your server settings will still be there. and that go's for all your software. all user settings are saved in each users home directory and the home directory is usually on it's own partition. protected from a fatal OS crash. granted, native game support is non existent but, other than that the OS is rock solid and will run for years without the need for a reinstall. another thing, the file system is self organizing and journaled, so there is no need to defrag the hard drive, ever.

[Major_Tom]

Looks like some one doesn't know how to use Linux and is crying about :'(.

[Jamescagney]

Sounds fascinating. I think my favourite one out of the list was -

8. Create notes

That's just blown my mind. It could be the straw that broke the camels back I think, I'm uninstalling Windows tomorrow.

[FragMnTagM]

is to uninstall it.

[Major_Tom]

Lol, if you think Linux is worse than Windows you should just step away from ever using computers again.

[Kakkoii]

@Major_Tom: Depends at what you define as worse.

Barren non virus targeted OS? Sure, Linux is better.
Ease of use? Windows is better.
Compatibility with a wide range of applications and games? Windows..
Ages of experience dealing with computer security? Windows..
Easily attach a new piece of hardware? Windows...

It depends on what you need in an OS. For the average consumer, Windows is the best choice. For a hacker or someone who doesn't game on their computer, or even use their computer for much other than surfing the web, then Linux can be better, sure.

[Timesplitter14]

11. Become a huge Ubuntu T-shirt wearing nerd with an arrogant attitude.

Also, what a great list. I mean listening to music, taking notes, painting pictures, playing tetris.... FANTASTIC

[tdrules]

12. Uninstall Windows. realise that something being open source never makes it better than something crafted with million dollar budgets. And oh dear i cant play any games now, i guess i could turn it into a linux server cos that would be the closest i could get to gaming

[Viper7]

Well why is it that even with low budget linux is still

- A lot lighter and more stable to use than windows?
- A lot more customizeable than windows?
- Doesn't need to be reinstalled once or twice a year to keep it from getting slower?
- Starts up hellishly fast no matter what your hardware?

Not to mention that
- doesn't need a heavy firewall or virus protection.
- Can update all the software in the computer with just one click?

There are plenty of good features that make linux distributions a really good choice for people who just want to use their computer for normal things such as surfing the web, office programs, listening music, watching movies, using irc or Messenger. There's plenty of FREE good software available for most of the things people use their computer.

as for me, the only thing keeping windows xp on my system are visual novels("games" with a lot of text) that my friend hooked me up with and possibly school (visual studio mainly, would be better to learn qt tough :/).

Linux is a great system, and you don't really need to be a nerd to like it. It just isn't a operating system for gamers at least for the time being.

[HolyOrangeCows]

Realize that not everyone is a gamer.

#12
Burn some more incense for Windows, your god. Your God for whom you must go forth and hate Linux and MAC for. All hail Windows!

[GamerSciz]

Two things to note about your comment. Most ALL games are now being released through STEAM. Because of this your thoughts are incorrect. STEAM has been proven to work on Linux just fine with no crashing whatsoever. The only thing I believe that sucks is servers are Windows based and you can't play on a Window based server with Linux. I could be wrong and their could be a way around that (haven't done much research) but I do know for a fact that STEAM works on Linux. So you can still game.

[CyberCam]

It's such a shame that there are so many people like you out there that are woefully ignorant when it comes to linux but yet still manage to post incorrect information and try to pass it off as fact.

GamerSciz is correct you can use Steam on linux and it works great! Also, you can connect to Windows servers without any issues... many games usually come with a linux server version. I have had actual faster gaming experiences on linux in some cases, than windows when gaming.

Anyone reading tdrules's post please do yourself a favour and research "linux gaming" info yourself and not take these types of dumba$$ statements at face value.

Happy computing!

[Kakkoii]

@Viper7:

"- A lot lighter and more stable to use than windows?"

Because Linux has a lot less operating system features. It also doesn't contain a huge library of drivers to aid in instant use of new hardware. Windows has accumulated a lot of features into it's frameworks and system over the ages that programmers use to make more efficient and complex programs. If you want an accurate comparison, take one of the really old versions of Windows and compare it too Linux. Such as Windows 95.
Or ever heard of TinyXP? It's incredibly lightweight:
http://thepiratebay.org/tor...
http://thepiratebay.org/tor...

It's about a 50mb install. Most good Linux/Unix operating systems with a user interface are bigger than that lol. The CentOS on our dedicated server was over 100mb, that's without any GUI, just pure dedicated server functions. We had Debian before that, which was only a bit smaller than CentOS.

"- A lot more customizeable than windows?"

Linux is open source, thus your able to modify it to your heart's content. Windows is not. But there are a plethora of programs out there that can modify the look of Windows to be completely different. Even to look and act like that of OS X. So this point is moot.

"- Doesn't need to be reinstalled once or twice a year to keep it from getting slower?"

This isn't the fault of Windows, but the fault of certain programmers and users. Some people tend to install too many programs that they end up not using and don't bother to uninstall them. Programmers like to set the programs services to "Run on Startup". Thus you have a system that get's bogged down with background processes. My Windows installation stays quite clean. If your smart enough to figure out how to use Linux, your smart enough to keep Windows clean.

"- Starts up hellishly fast no matter what your hardware?"

This comes back to the lightweight point. Linux doesn't have a ton of different services and features it has to boot up. It's a pretty barren operating system. Most things are run through extended software that's booted by itself when needed instead of at start.

"- doesn't need a heavy firewall or virus protection."

This comes back to the user base point. Hackers don't bother targeting Linux, it's not worth the effort due to the small user base. If you guys got your way and Linux became the most popular, you'd have virus's up your ass also and would need virus protection software and features put in place.

"- Can update all the software in the computer with just one click?"

False. That's only if a suppository has been setup for that software, and that you have also placed the location of the suppository in your lookup file. And if your merely talking about updating your build of Linux, then all I have to say to that is "Windows Automatic Update". No click of a button lol. And many applications for Windows will automatically check for updates every now and then, or have a button to check.

[uie4rhig]

try everything working out of the box after install.. that good enough for your huge library of drivers? how about, an whole office package FOR FREE preinstalled? open source you say? try no source editing needed.. great program support? try wine, yes wine isn't perfect.. but i dont see microsoft doing something similar :/ ... hell, linux is so good, that it can be run off windows without any trouble..

[Kakkoii]

@superaktieboy:

Uhh, everything working out of the box? That makes no sense lol. Maybe your talking about buying a computer that's preloaded with Linux, and is thus made sure before hand to have the correct linux drivers installed. I'm talking about installing linux on a random machine, or adding new hardware. You'll have to hope there's linux drivers. And even if there are, depending on the Linux/Unix distro your using, it might need to be recompiled for yours.

And I didn't say source editing was needed. I said that was the reason for the easy ability to customize it. Because installations can easily modify any aspect of your linux install.

I have tried wine, in fact I use it on our CentOS dedicated server for running games servers that only have a windows version available.
Windows does have similar, it's called VMWare.

And saying Linux is so good because it can run in Windows is kind of nullified by the very thing you touted: Wine. Which is running a completely bare version of Windows XP on Linux.

Try out TinyXP.

[uie4rhig]

imagine installing ubuntu on Acer Aspire 5920G laptop, and everything works! and opened it up, installed a bluetooth module (official one) and works just as perfect right after install.. obv i should have said "works right after install" only thing i had to install is graphics drivers, which ubuntu found for me, i just had to click "activate" and within seconds it was up and running.. and NO RESTART NEEDED! windows on the other hand, you would have to search for the drivers online (usually not hard for new hardware), and then install them, and then even restart.. the only thing i didnt need to install was the wifi and bluetooth.. rest i have to download from the internet and then install them, and usually also needs at least one restart..

no, VMware is not the same as wine, remember WINE stands for "Wine Is Not an Emulator" ( http://wiki.winehq.org/Debu... ) infact, read that page to see what wine REALLY is, no it is not windows xp running on linux either

i was just implying, that coz linux is open source, you can do pretty much whatever you want with it as long as you have the knowledge, that includes running it on other OS's without having to emulate anything (yes i do mean porting) and again, wine is not a bare version of windows xp on linux, read that page

and i have TinyXP.. running on my ages old desktop.. yes it is amazingly fast compared to normal xp (i wonder who changed the plans at microsoft).. but its still not as fast as ubuntu is for me, i can literally get on the internet within 30 seconds (that includes writing my password)..

before you say it, i am not a windows hater, but you are saying "windows is inferior in every way to linux" which is not true, now i am not saying linux is superior in anyway coz it is not (unless you are talking about vista lol), however, linux is much better than the idea of linux you have in your head (not sure if it makes sense lol)..
just an FYI, i am dual booting Ubuntu 9.10 beta, and windows 7 RTM.. windows 7 is my main os, but they have fix quite a lot of stuff in 9.10 that bugged me, i am actually now considering to make ubuntu my main OS from now on..

[AuToFiRE]

11. use Linux to completely destroy every windows computer in the neihgbourhood with hacking and password changing all from the comfort of your car

[Timesplitter14]

Yeah I'm sure that'll help you getting girls and friends

[AuToFiRE]

Backtrack, look it up

and yes it does, people fear me MUWAHAHAHAH

[fear88]

Backtrack gets you laid easily. Only write a few commands and BOOM!!1

1nsta-laid.

All seriousness though linux sucks....except Backtrack.

And Hackintosh rocks my socks

[Kakkoii]

Oh yeah.. Ya know cause no hackers use Windows right... lol. I know a few hackers, one really awesome one and they all use Windows XP. One of them developed a very awesome technique for tunneling into web servers. It was hilarious to watch over remote desktop video.

[roybatty]

Realise after install that Linux graphics drivers SUCK BALLS and you have screen tearing even when dragging 2d windows across the screen. And that with a monster gfx card.

[madpuppy]

screen tearing when moving windows around the screen. what the heck are you installing Linux on? a 486 with 4 megs of ram?

just because you installed Linux at one time in your life doesn't make you an expert on Linux or how it functions.

[FragMnTagM]

I have a fairly recent graphics card and could not find out how to get updated drivers for it.

I installed Linux and immediately after installing it, my screen went blank due to not having the right driver for it. Somehow I managed to make it to the Linux desktop and messed with it for a whole day before I uninstalled Linux and turned my back on it.

I would be willing to give it another go if someone can give me an easy way to friggin set everything up.

[Major_Tom]

Don't blame Linux, blame yourself for sucking at being resourceful.

[CyberCam]

Anyone can use linux these days it's so easy to install (actually much easier than windows), there's no need to go searching for drivers and such, it's all included in the initial install!

[FragMnTagM]

I could not get my graphics card to work correctly...

[madpuppy]

you should always try more than one version of linux, personally a great one to start with is Mandriva or PclinuxOS, they have great HW detection and will setup your video card without issue. Ubuntu is OK in my opinion, I prefer Kubuntu and am using that right now. so far so good. another one to try that is really good about getting your hardware setup correctly is Mepis linux.

[CyberCam]

FragMnTagM... first off, how old is your graphic card? If it's cutting edge brand new tech, you will definitely have issues until ATI or Nvidia release drivers for them (there are even issues with windows pc too). Second, what version of linux are you using?

For an average everyday user, their best bet would be to use a distro like Mint OS, it comes with everything but the kitchen sink, on the other hand ubuntu requires a bit more brain power and for a users to actually do a little reading on the default Firefox ubuntu support page, where it walks you through installing drivers, codecs and other required apps.

I don't know why you had so much trouble installing linux, but I can bet you that someone else has had the same issue you have had and with a quick search on the distros support forums will most likely get you your answer!

I've had 70 year old ladies & busy single moms (that can afford to be taking the pc's in to get it fix every other day) installed ubuntu without any problems because they know how to read, so if they can do it and loved the experience... what do you think your problem is?

[FragMnTagM]

So basically you are saying I am dumber than a 70 yr old woman? Way to make your case for Linux. For your information my graphics card is a Nvidia Geforce 9800gt and I was using Ubuntu. After installing, the screen went blank for a long time. I restarted the computer and it went into a compatible color mode. I messed with it all day looking at forums and stuff and just got pissed and didn't give it another shot. I seriously wanted to get into it, but it is not user friendly. Plus I am busy in college and working all the time. I also work on the side repairing computers as I have a digital entertainment and game design degree from ITT Tech, but we never did anything with Linux. If you would be kind and point me in the right direction, I may just give it another shot, but attacking me for not having time to mess with something when Windows works just fine, is just mean. Don't be an elitist Linux snob. Not sure if you really are that way, but that is how your posting reads.

[CyberCam]

it was an open ended question that lets the reader draw their own conclusion.

As for your Nvidia 9800GT card... installing the drivers for that card is just 3 clicks away. Here are the simple steps to install Nvidia drivers for ubuntu 8.04 & up (the latest distro is 9.10);

1. In the top menu bar click "System", then point to "Administration", then point to "Hardware Drivers" and click it.
2. It will show you a list of compatibility drivers made by Nvidia... select the most recent one and click the "Enable" button, which will automatically download & install the driver.
3. Log out of your Gnome window shell or you can reboot if you want but it's not necessary (unlike windows). Once you have logged back in, you now have your Nvidia drivers up and running and you're ready to game.

Using that tool is even simpler than installing drivers on m$ windows... 3 clicks with a mouse and it's done, no driver cd's or searching on the internet for drivers at all!

[Jamescagney]

Look at the Windows compatibility list :)

[madpuppy]

The average Windows user "boo hoo, I tried installing Linux a few years ago and it sucked." usually, they never even finished the install and aren't qualified to talk about Linux. And No one has claimed that Linux is a Gaming OS, you want an OS to mainly play games on, stay with Windows. If you want a stable OS that will do what most people use computer for, going on the Internet, Email, ripping DVD,CD's transcoding video and audio files, Photo touch op and album creator, etc...
you know, all the stuff you do on a computer sans playing games. and on top of it all no need for an antivirus program.
and most software is free (legally free) and work just as good.
unless you want Linux and it's software to look and work EXACTLY like Windows and are to stupid to adapt to the differences Linux is superior. and will work for someone new to computers all the way to an expert with an open mind.

[Jamescagney]

The thing is, this is a site for gamers. So an article on Linux, which you quite rightly state is of no use for games, has no real place here.

It's an irrelevent article on a site like this, it serves no real purpose. And even on a non-gaming front I'm not too impressed on the articles 10 things to do.

All your reasons for using Linux I can do already. I have no problem using the internet,emailing,dealing with video and audio files or whatever else you feel Windows can't do that Linux can. None of the things you mention cause me any grief doing.

And I can do all those things with the added capability of playing my games.

And it's the gaming I mostly concern myself with anyway.

[madpuppy]

but, windows cannot do alot of those things for free (legally) and without the fear of getting viruses. I have been using Linux for over 10 years and have never gotten a virus and have never used antivirus software.
Also, Windows, even after all these years and millions of dollars is still not reliable enough to run years continually without a reboot. and it lousy file system is still not journaled and still needs to be defragged. Linux has many different filesystems to choose from that are journaled and are self organizing ( that means that it NEVER needs to be defragged)

But, you are right, I really don't know why someone would post Linux articles on a Gaming site? Unless it was about the hosting software that is made for Linux for alot of on line windows games.

After all Linux is a serious industrial OS and not an OS for games. I don't consider my Computer a toy. It needs to be reliable and bullet proof.

games is what my PS3 is for.

[CyberCam]

No matter what you have to say, linux IS a gaming platform as well as any console or windows pc. Just because you have no idea about it, doesn't mean it doesn't exists! Question for you.... what do you think the PS3's OS derived from? Not windoze thing again.

Just for your info there are linux distros dedicated just to gaming! Yes gaming, most of the games are more retro based games, but non the less it is still gaming. I don't know if you are aware this but all of id's games run better on linux!

[Jamescagney]

So Linux can play some retro games and some Id games and that's supposed to convince me it's a gaming platform?

Get over yourself, it's not a gaming platform.

[CyberCam]

I only care that the general public know that the what you are saying is totally WRONG! Read and learn... these companies, say linux IS a gaming platform.

http://www.cedega.com/

Also, look at their compatibility games list

http://www.cedega.com/games...

----------------------------- ------------------------------

http://www.codeweavers.com/...

And their compatibility games list too

http://www.codeweavers.com/...

----------------------------- ------------------------------ -

http://www.linuxgames.com/

----------------------------- ------------------------------ -

Here's a great article you should read as well!

http://ubuntulinuxhelp.com/...

----------------------------- ------------------------------ - -

Now what was that you were saying? LOL!

[KRONie]

#1 Install Virtual box with windows
#2 Install WINE
#3 Use all your windows apps on Linux
#4 Go on forums and tell everyone that you love linux, support open source, and hate microsoft..

How did this article even made it on gaming news-board?

[CyberCam]

just not in this section. It should be put in the industry section.

[Jamescagney]

This article doesn't belong here, at all.

[CyberCam]

gamers that game on a linux pc's don't count at all. LOL! That's like saying humans in a developing country don't matter (only people with money count).

A typical way most humans (that can afford almost anything) think! Deal with the majority... the minorities (not talking about race) don't matter.

There's more linux o/s gamers out there than you think!

[Jamescagney]

You need to take that chip off your shoulder Cyber.

[Major_Tom]

This is a pretty crappy article.

[Kwertie]

Here's something you can do after installing Linux. Spend hours looking for drivers for your sound card or wireless card, only to find that it's too new and not supported.

[roybatty]

I have a nice rig for your information (4 gig ram quad core 2.4 ghx cpu, ati 4870 gfx card) and yes, I tried many different distros, Ubuntu, open Suse, Sabayon (which is really nice) but no matter how complete they seemed to be, the graphics drivers were crap on ervery one. Using their 'suggested' proprietary driver or the latest build from AMD/ATi.
Scoff all you want but I did GET TEARING WHEN DRAGGING REGULAR WINDOWS FAST ACROSS SCREEN.
And compiz, well I got that runnng sweet but, pffft...still screen tearing.

I'm not knocking Linux, I loved messing about with it, especially compiz, and all the custom themes with emerald etc, but no matter what I tried I never got full smooth, non tearing graphics out of my rig.
Which in Windows btw, runs like butter. Now maybe this is down to my card being knew I'm not sure, but all the same it just doesn't run as stable as Window, period.

[madpuppy]

I always preferred Nvidia and never had a problem with them. as for your stability comment, stability, has nothing to do with a crappy 3d driver causing screen tearing. that is like calling the 360 more stable and reliable compared to the PS3 because 3rd party games look better.
Linux on my system has been running 24 hours a day 7 days a week for 6 months now without a reboot. without antivirus/antispam software. now a program may crash but the OS NEVER has on me thus far.
and to be honest, I have no desire to game on my PC, I need it to be stable and reliable for all the other things I do with it.
That is probably Why Linux/Apache is the number one server combo on the Internet as opposed to any MS OS.
And if your main reason for owning a PC is to game on it, Windows is fine, I keep an extra HD in my system with windows on it to use steam and play a few games but, I would NEVER trust it with my important documents and e-mails, I have had too many system failures with MS OS's to take that chance. heck just installing a driver could take windows down. or that nightmare registry could become corrupt (what a lame brain idea, merge ALL system and program settings in one giant convoluted file) and I have no problem working directly with the registry. Windows is great for one thing and that is for the computer tech, I have made alot of money off of Windows users and am really appreciative for MS for creating such a mess of an OS to create a whole side business for me.

[roybatty]

But ATi are just better Hardware than Nvidia and I have used them for years (apart from a 6800gt...was crap) and I never had a problem. Ati cards run cooler, quieter and cost less for more power than Nvidia in my experiance, and when you hit higher resolutions and jack up the AA and AF, they smoke Nvidia.

As for losing important files, well I have never had windows crash and burn on me on it's own, but I have ruined the system many times LOL! By trying hair brained schemes (usually dual boot installs of which I know nothing about) and I end up corrupting the MBR or something worse......sigh
reinstall.
Right now I have W7 RC on main boot and a fully working MAC OS X 10.5.7 on a second partition, and yes, I even got the 4870 working with full quartz extreme and everything hardware gfx supported.
Now this sh1t isn't even supposed to be working on a non apple rig (screw apple) but it's running sweeter than I ever got Linux too.

Anyway, if Ati cards ever run at full power on linux, I'm sure I will install again. I want Windows, MacosX and Linux on one rig!
http://img10.imageshack.us/...

[madpuppy]

I actually have Windows 7 64 on my other hard drive. My friend is in IT and he has a professional subscription to all of MS software with 10 licenses for each product. and he gave me one. Sounds like you have a real nice box but,
don't bother setting up a dual boot, what is better to do is get a couple of serialATA hard drives and some hotswap racks.
http://www.monoprice.com/pr...

that is safer and in the long run easier.