Lost my Firefox cherry !!

[tigler]

Interesting. How is Linux better than Ubuntu then ?

 

[knoba]

They're both linux variants. The world of *nix is way different from windows.

Linux is the engine that drives the o/s (kernel), the heart & soul. All the applications that run on top of that are made, and designed, to run on it separately. It's a modular system, like a mecano set.

Ubuntu is a collection of software bundled with the linux kernel. Mint is a collection of software bundled with the linux kernel. These collections of softwares are referred to as distributions, or simply "dists". I'm running Debian Linux here, another popular dist.

 

[Robotstar5]

Interesting. How is Linux better than Ubuntu then ?

Some info for you here and here

 

[tigler]

Thanks for that. Just did a bit of reading about Unbuntu and Linux Mint on Wiki, I just about grasp the overview but as a non computer tech the rest makes my brain hurt !
Am becoming very inclined to make the change though, the security architecture particularly appeals to me, I'm sick of the need for external AV software in windows !
Also, boot up time, even on the much vaunted Win 7 is still a pain.
Just the improvement that FF has shown is enough motivation !! I'm still scared about the actual process though !!

 

[Robotstar5]

I'm still scared about the actual process though !!

Just download a "live CD", allows you to test drive Linux, then decide if you want to install it as main OS or dual boot with Win 7, all the options will be on the CD

 

[knoba]

tigler
I'm still scared about the actual process though !!

That's natural, & very understandable. It can be a big move.

As Robo says: a "live CD", allows you to test drive Linux.

Nothing bad will happen. You won't lose any files. Windows will not be harmed in any way. Once you've loaded the linux disc, from boot, if you don’t like it, shut it down, take the disc out and restart as normal.

Windows will never know!

Most live CD's place an icon on the desktop, that the user can click on, if they want to install Linux permanently. Some linux users run the o/s from a 4gb usb pen drive, all the time, and never bother installing it at all.

 

[shenion]

Yes, I was at my brother's house and popped in a Knoppix CD and booted it. Up came Linux. Everything worked. A bit slow at times as it was running off the CD.

I have been running Linux since about 1996. I use it on my server and also my router.

I don't use it for my work PC as I need windows as most of what I do won't run under linux.

I do use FF and Open Office. I have long uninstalled MS Office and don't miss it. OO is a bit quirky, but I can open/save MS files and not have to pay to upgrade MS software all the time.

Ubuntu looks good for the average user. I use a low-level linux called Gentoo as I have had no problems keeping it up to date. Other's I have tried needed reinstalls to upgrade.

I have used Slackware (back when it came on floppies), Red Hat, Fedora, Gentoo and Debian. Give several a try with their live CD's and see what you like.

I'd recommend dual boot for linux. Addinga drive and installing it there is the simplest option. You can boot to linux and if you find some things you need windows for, you can reboot to that.

For a while I had a dual boot setup on one. I only rebooted to windows for games.

 

[knoba]

Check out Distrowatch for trusted download sources. Also lists the top downloads (lower right column)

Last I heard, a lot of linux users were having "issues" with the latest and greatest interface from ubuntu...


Is Linux Mint the Most Popular Distro?

 

[Sean]

There are issues with the latest linux kernel and the way it behaves in laptops as well

going straight from windows check out the "10.04 lts" option as its a more familiar feel to it the latest offerings are kind of like some android phone/Ipad interface.

 

[Nomad]

Can't comment on the *nix systems but anything that avoids Microsoft has to be worth a shot - I tried installing Linux a while ago but the install never completed prorperly as the (eldery) laptop kept hanging.

I use Firefox but still need to go back to Explorer sometimes for sites which don't read properly in FF. They look like some writing is over the top of another page. The Kia Global Information site doesn't work in FF either and it has all the info for their cars on it.

I was using Chrome and/or Firefox (or the more basic Mozilla broser),now using Opera as it seems to work well even on a very low-spec laptop.
Have been with Opera for about a year now, no complaints

edit for typo

 

[tigler]

Found an issue with FF !!
When bookmarking a page or site it doesn't seem to be able to fill in the web address automatically like IE did. Having to fill in the web address every time I want to bookmark a page would be a real pain !! On IE you just clicked favourite and confirm to do it.

Any helpful suggestions ?

 

[Sean]

In the bar where the address is click the white star at the rhs
Or right click somewhere in the blue bit and add "bookmark toolbar" and simply drag the tab at the top or the page onto the new space where it will stay forever.

 

[rtbcomp]

I just use Ctrl-D and select the folder I want to store the boookmark in.