Which Linux is best for a command line idiot?

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Hi Guys, Okay, so I was having a blast with my brand spanking new cable modem when all of a sudden everything just stopped… never had it happen quite like this before but it happened, then it happened again… and again… :frowning:

Anyway, I’m sure you can guess I was using Windows and quite frankly I’m sick of my problems with it. However, I’m horrible at command line stuff. I’ve been a gui-guy from day one and frankly if I could afford a new comp I would buy a Mac.

Add onto this the fact that I love Blender and all the GNU stuff I’ve used and you can see why I want to go over to Linux. My problem is that I’ve been looking at all the distros and I get this twisty feeling in my stomach when I look at the instructions for installation.

To make matters worse I have a small website design business that I need to get back up and working ASAP and the only way I can afford replacing a lot of the software that I’m loosing is by going Linux and GNU (which I was planning on doing soon anyway but it isn’t as fun when you are in a big hurry and loosing money the more you wait).

So with this all being said, what is the easiest, most point and clicker friendly version of Linux you can get? I know that SUSE is put out by COREL so I’m sure it’s got to be more user friendly since it’s for a mainstream market and I hear a lot of good stuff about the new Debian, but then Kubuntu looks really good . I just want to be able to burn a couple Live CDs to see what they are like but I only want to burn the ones that won’t burn my brain if I decide to actually install it! As little typing and memorizing stuff as possible is what I need. I can worry about speed and power later… right now I just have to buck up and get the thing on my computer NOW!!!

Any help would be gratefully accepted,

Take it easy,
Rob

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Try Ubuntu. Download cd-image and burn it to cd and then boot your pc with that cd inserted. Then you can check if you like it or not without installing anything. If you like it, then you can install it.

Many distros have live-cds so why not try others as well. Or buy Linux-Format, it has usually some live-cds in its cover disc.

EDIT: Sorry, I did not read your message properly :frowning: You allready know this live-cd stuff. But still i would recommed (K)Ubuntu.

EDIT2: Choosing linux-distro is like choosing a shirt. The best shirt is that fits you best!

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Thanks, to be honest though I’m more worried about the installation than if the system is to my liking (I know there are several desktops out there to customize Linux so I’m not so worried about that. I’ve seen a lot of difficulties with installing software mentioned on he boards. So I really need to know what the easiest way to switch over to Linux is assuming the person in question (i.e. me) is a complete and utter moron lol.

I am definitely putting Ubuntu on my list though, I’ve been looking around and I think it’s between Ubuntu, Mandriva and SUSE. Like I said I can worry about speed and power later. I need to get up and running fast… I have little to no time to wory about a learning curve at this point otherwise I would spend a week or so studying up!

Thanks for the heads up by the way… I keep hearing Ubuntu… UBUNTU! Any other Opinions?

Thanks again,
Rob

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Ubutu for Blenderheads and troublefree? Harharhar.
http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=95805

I have little to no time to wory about a learning curve at this point otherwise I would spend a week or so studying up!
Changing and getting used to a new OS will take more time. Reinstall Win. Or try something like Damnsmalllinux. If you have an Nvidia-card i could offer you some help getting 3D-accelleration working, should you need it.
Installation time from Live-CD < 10 min. No troubles at all. It’s very snappy and you can fatten it yourself easily. You might want to think about a double-boot Linux/XP system, well, just in case.

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coyoteknight, I agree with 3D-Penguin, you will need to learn if you switch your OS. But maybe we can help you minimise that time in the beginning.

I’m a Linux user for 4.5 years, first Debian, now Ubuntu/Kubuntu since October 2005. I can’t say anything about Mandriva or SUSE but I’m sure they are also good distros. If you end up going for Ubuntu, here are some tips:

If you like to have a lot of config options, try Kubuntu with the KDE desktop. You can customize almost everything, but it tends to overwhelm new users. If you like it simpler with sensible defaults, try Ubuntu which comes with the GNOME desktop.

Recommendation: try Ubuntu first. (You can even install both desktops to compare, no need to reinstall should you change your mind.)

The installation should be straightforward. You have the options to use the live CD with a user friendly graphical installation. Sometimes people want/need to use the alternate CD which comes with a text based installer. You get more install options, and sometimes works better when the live CD doesn’t, for some hardware compatibility reason.

Recommendation: try the live CD first.

Most problems with installation come from incompatible hardware where the manufacturers didn’t release neither drivers nor specifications for the kernel developers. Most hardware should work, especially if it’s not the latest where no drivers have been written for yet. If the live CD runs, it’s a good sign.

There are some incompatibilities with some wireless hardware, so it would be good to test net access with the live CD, and make sure you have other means to get online for help if you have problems. I don’t know anything about cable modem support, so you should check that too.

The Ubuntu community is one of the most helpful and friendly people I ever came across, especially for new users, so don’t hesitate to ask for help in the respective chanels/forums.

I don’t want to write a novel here, so I leave you with some useful links:

Ubuntu installation docs
Graphical install walkthrough (older version)
Ubuntu help
Ubuntu wiki
Software installation
Irc channels
Forums

Good luck,
Sanne

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SUSE <=> Corel :confused:
SuSE has been acquired by Novell, nothing to do with Corel and their try to create a Linux distro, which has been acquired by Xandros AFAIK…

Anyway, YaST is arguably the most colorful cicky-clicky configuration tool, and people are apparently divided into those that love it and those that hate it.

I argue that you’re always better off with discovering the power of the unix shell anyway, so the flashiness of the configuration utilities is secondary…

-edit-
oh i’m yet another ubuntu user btw…

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or you could just buckle down and learn how use a commandline. It is not that hard. Most of the commands and their options make sense (ie copy => cp, remove files => rm, list directory contents => ls, etc).

The most important command of all is “man <name of program>” (for manual pages) :slight_smile:

Essentially you tell the commandline what you want to do and how you want it done. I find it is often less of hassle than using a gui.

BTW…to use linux to its full potential, count on learning the commandline. :yes:

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hey coyoteknight,

I am in the process of choosing a Linux distrubution myself

my advice - download a couple of versions to test using a virtual machine
(rather than re-partinitioning you hard drive for dual boot) a virtual machine is not a real partition just disk space) so I am setting up a number of virtual machines on my windows PC

I have downloaded Ubuntu and have been using it for the past week and am quite impressed. Also installing (as I type) Kubunto - to see what the KDE is like
I am also downloading Mandriva, and puppy but waiting to test Ferdora cos there is a new one coming out in a week or so

you can set up a virtual machine for free using vmware player
http://www.vmware.com/download/player/
the also have some iso’s on the site that you can download and test

also go to easywmx.com
that is a site that you can easily create you virtual machines

there is a couple of tutorials online that will take you through the process set by step

good luck, and happy choosing

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Ubuntu studio is out now …

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuStudio?action=diff

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I really like linux a lot. However, I would not recommend you use it. If you don’t have time or patience to spend getting stuff to work you’d be better off with windows. If you do decide to go with linux I’d really recommend Ubuntu. Its really the most polished linux that I have used. Lucky for you UbuntuStudio was just released which has a lot of you graphics apps already installed and optimized.

TorQ

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Thanks guys, I really appreciate it. Ubuntu it is then! And 3d Penguin, I just might take you up on that, I’ve got an Invidia 5200 with 256of ram… and I guess doing a dual boot might just be the way to go… guess I’m getting a second hard drive lol.

For the record, I don’t have a problem trying to learn the command line stuff, it’s just that I need to be able to use a simple GUI until I come to grips with it and I know it will be a tough road.

Time to download the LiveCD… I’ll be back when I have some trouble… Thanks!!! :smiley:

Take it easy,
Rob

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with ubuntu it’s not that hard. just equipt yourself with superfast internet connection and stuffs will work better. Just a little effort to find out what “alternatives” softwares available on linux, specially codecs and things like that. Easyubuntu script eliminate this fuss.

But if you’re a gamer, forget using linux.

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yeah if you play games keep windows on your machine -
I planning to have ubuntu (my favorite Linux distro I have tested so far) as my main OS,

run windows as a virtual machine through ubuntu - if I need it to use anything that is Windows only (also can run both at the same time)
but then dual boot with a smaller partition of windows just for gaming - (too slow on a virtual machine)

sounds like a lot of work but really I don’t play that many games or need windows that often anyway

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Ubuntu it is then! And 3d Penguin, I just might take you up on that, I’ve got an Invidia 5200 with 256of ram… and I guess doing a dual boot might just be the way to go… guess I’m getting a second hard drive lol.

My help offer was for Damnsmalllinux, cause there it’s easy and possible. I tried that a couple of years with Ubuntu to no avail. I don’t have it, want it and don’t touch it even with pliers. Better ask somone else.

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mepis linux, simple, windows like kde gui, comes with ati and nvidia drivers right away, easy to install from live cd.

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Or…just change tastes in games.

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Well, it looks like I’m going to be able to have Windows afterall, A friend of mine is going to help get the more expensive programs back on my comp for free.

I’m still going to get another harddrive and put linux on it though, I’m tired of being at the whim of Windows and I really like a lot of the stuff I’ve seen with regard to linux. At least it gives me some time to learn more about Linux, I’m downloading some Live CDs right now, Ubuntu, Mandriva, mepis linux and Damnsmalllinux.

Thanks for all the help!
Rob

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If you go with Ubuntu be sure to check the help files for “fstab”, this will give you access to your Windoze partitions. In Ubuntu the manual pages (in the terminal) are accessed with man -k “then insert what you want to know about here without quotations”.

(Most) executable files get installed to /usr/bin/ in case you get to wondering where the heck everything went.

There are an unbelievable ammount of directories in this puppy so prepare to get lost at times.

Don’t believe the hype about “How easy it is to learn” because it’s all a damn lie!!!

You will not get very far on Ubuntu without a basic knowledge of the shell (command line): man -k, remember?

I freakin hate windoze. My vista upgrade cd came in the mail a couple of days ago and I just laughed at it. No way will I install that schmoz. Windoze Blender HATES my Logitech middle mouse button in the uv/window with a render result or a viewer node and this causes Blender to crash with a ruthless regularity. I hear it’s even worse on Vista. This NEVER happens on Ubuntu.

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Thanks for the heads up RamboBaby. I’m having trouble with getting the LiveCD to boot from my cd drive so I guess it isn’t bootable… oh well, I guess I’m going to have to dust off a couple floppies. I tried Ubuntu on my friend’s comp though and I like what I saw. I still have the damnsmalllinux to look at and I really have to say that now that I have the time to study more about Linux I might just go the lite route and add desktops that I might need to it as I go. I already have plans to get one form of Linux or another and add kde and matisse to it, I like the idea of having different desktops at my disposal for different types of work.

For instance, when I do website design I sometimes have as many as 6 asset non-intensive programs open at one time when I’m stitching a site together so I can cut and paste from a bunch of different programs. With Mattise I could do that pretty easily thanks to the desktop zoom and the other windows managament tools (besides, I like the toolbar customizability, look it up on YouTube). Of course, when I’m using something more asset intensive like our good friend Blender I’d like to just use the bare essentials like GnomeLite. Of course it all looks good “on paper” but who knows what it looks like in reality!

Take it easy,
Rob

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My live CD wouldn’t work either. For some reason even though md5sum said my download was intact, grub was suspiciously absent (boot loader). I had to get a good CD from a friend who helped me get started with Linux. I can’t say that I really like it but I don’t hate it the way I’ve come to hate windoze. I DO like the package manager though. Having all this free software without having to go very far to find it is awesome.

As far as Blender goes I try to limit how many windows I have open at render time because it is intense. I use it more personally and professionally than any other software besides my OS. I can’t even open a 32 bit version on 64bit edgy unless I compile from CVS but I believe those versions have begun to compile in 64 bit since the official release because they’re rendering a lot faster since the release. render times have decreased by 24 - 25%. Just be sure you get OpenGL working or Blender won’t run.