Switched...

[Snowl]

Ok. I finally did it :o

After many years of using Windows, having a technet, being an avid supporter, I have finally switched to Ubuntu.

Why? Because, Windows BSOD'd 25 times in 3 days (not the only time), and I reinstalled Windows, made sure all my hardware was in place etc.

So, my friend being the geek he is, brought a 8.10 cd to school and I asked him to borrow it, he looked at me funny and said sure.

I have four questions.

1. Is it possible to play iTunes DRM'ed files on Linux? I have my iPhone with all the music on there, if I grab it off there will it still have the DRM?

2. I want to install alien (rpm converter) but i'm scared I might install the wrong package. Synaptic Package Manager doesn't list it and i'm scared if I apt-get install alien it will install the wrong package...

3. Is samba easy to install? Is there any other alternatives that are easier? (for a home server)

4. Once 9.10 comes out, can I upgrade using the CD or using the inbuilt update manager? Will it give me the full feature set?

Thanks. :)

[Gary2MBz]

I can only answer 1 and 4 becuase I stopped using Ubuntu after 8.04.

1. No it isn't unless you burn each album to CD and re-rip it or you can use a program called TuneBite to convert the protected files to unprotected ones and this is the best method for this IMO

4. I suggest you do a clean install because as with any OS because problems do arise with the Update Manager "Distro Upgrade"

[Pablo2008jedi]

Its been a while since I used ubuntu but iirc you can update to the next release from the update manager.

[Snowl]

I can only answer 1 and 4 becuase I stopped using Ubuntu after 8.04.

1. No it isn't unless you burn each album to CD and re-rip it or you can use a program called TuneBite to convert the protected files to unprotected ones and this is the best method for this IMO

4. I suggest you do a clean install because as with any OS because problems do arise with the Update Manager "Distro Upgrade"

Thanks. I can't find TuneBite in the package manager so I assume it will be available online. (internet very slow).

Thanks :)

EDIT : ok ill install wine to run that xD

Edited October 21, 2009 by Kirbeh

[Lechio]

2. You can install alien using "sudo apt-get install alien" or using the synaptic package manager. To search for a package using the apt just type "apt-cache search nameToSearchFor", it will print a list of packages that match that keyword with a small description of what the package does.

Why would you want to install alien? Apt repositories have all of the software, you can enable universe repos add new repos. In synaptic go to Settings > Repositories.

3. Yes SAMBA is easy to use and configure. Basically you just right-click on the folder you wish to share. If you have a firewall enabled you have to open the necessary ports.

4. Yes. You can even order a free Ubuntu CD if you have a slow Internet connection. You should upgrade as 8.10 is outdated by now.

Welcome aboard. :)

[Prince Charming]

Ok. I finally did it :o

After many years of using Windows, having a technet, being an avid supporter, I have finally switched to Ubuntu.

Why? Because, Windows BSOD'd 25 times in 3 days (not the only time), and I reinstalled Windows, made sure all my hardware was in place etc.

So, my friend being the geek he is, brought a 8.10 cd to school and I asked him to borrow it, he looked at me funny and said sure.

I have four questions.

1. Is it possible to play iTunes DRM'ed files on Linux? I have my iPhone with all the music on there, if I grab it off there will it still have the DRM?

2. I want to install alien (rpm converter) but i'm scared I might install the wrong package. Synaptic Package Manager doesn't list it and i'm scared if I apt-get install alien it will install the wrong package...

3. Is samba easy to install? Is there any other alternatives that are easier? (for a home server)

4. Once 9.10 comes out, can I upgrade using the CD or using the inbuilt update manager? Will it give me the full feature set?

Thanks. :)

You've switched now, so it's a moot point, but BSOD in Windows Vista and 7 is a sign of hardware failure, usually memory, not an OS flaw.

[javagreen]

Welcome aboard :)

I'm a new switcher myself to Ubuntu 9.04 -- I couldn't be happier (Y)

[Zapadlo]

You've switched now, so it's a moot point, but BSOD in Windows Vista and 7 is a sign of hardware failure, usually memory, not an OS flaw.

Well that is just not true. A number of errors was arising for me through Vista failing to manage memory allocation.

Also if what you say is true, how is it that reformatting fixes BSOD's 90% of the time?

[Stokkolm]

Well that is just not true. A number of errors was arising for me through Vista failing to manage memory allocation.

Also if what you say is true, how is it that reformatting fixes BSOD's 90% of the time?

I think he's trying to say that if reformatting didn't fix it for you then it probably means it's a hardware issue.

Edited October 21, 2009 by jzetterman

[The Grasshopper]

Well that is just not true. A number of errors was arising for me through Vista failing to manage memory allocation.

Also if what you say is true, how is it that reformatting fixes BSOD's 90% of the time?

first time I heard of it.

How is it that anyone has a problem with vista now? Move up to 7 and you'll switch back without regret. OOTB its better than any linux distro, imho.

[justmike]

Yes, I'd say with Vista and Windows 7, it's 99.9% hardware or hardware driver problem. Many people do many crazy things with their home built rigs. Many times hardware timings are changed and (if it eventually works at all) will not function 100% because of the way the base drivers were made for Windows. If you stick to well supported motherboards (chipsets), and use qualified (tested) memory that the manufacture suggests, and at the timing they suggest. Well that usually narrows any problem down to a design or manufacturing hardware problem. So many times I?ve had to take some crazy expensive memory out of machines and stick in qualified memory that cost much less, then it works. Overclocking can be made stable sometimes, but not always. In the case of a Dell or the like machine, well it?s usually a driver (or extra junk program) problem. There once was a time where you could go and buy mostly random parts and get a homebuilt PC to work fine. These times are mostly over, most people read reviews of already built systems and choose their parts from what the articles/websites/overclockers are already using.

Well that is just not true. A number of errors was arising for me through Vista failing to manage memory allocation.

Also if what you say is true, how is it that reformatting fixes BSOD's 90% of the time?

This spicific problem sounds like a HDD or HDD driver problem. If it is RAID check that.

[ichi]

2. There's only one package named just "alien", and it happens to be the one you want. It should show in synaptic, though.

3. Doing simple stuff with samba (sharing a folder) is easy. Doing something more complex (setting up or joining an AD domain) not so much, but depends on your computer skills.

4. You can upgrade, but since you'll be running 8.10 I'd install 9.10 from scratch. Why? To begin with because 8.10 doesn't support ext4 and after upgrading you'd still be using ext3. That's not really a huge issue, but I've found ext4 to be fast enough to be worth switching to it.

[MikeChipshop Member]

first time I heard of it.

How is it that anyone has a problem with vista now? Move up to 7 and you'll switch back without regret. OOTB its better than any linux distro, imho.

This sort of comment makes the rest of us Windows users look bad.

It's personal choice if he likes Ubuntu better, it sounds like he has had a lot of experience with Windows but just prefers Ubuntu.

Although i do agree that having that many blue screens could indicate a rather large hardware problem.

[Snowl]

I don't have a raid, and it was giving me random BSOD errors ranging from BAD_POOL_CALLER TO IRQ errors and other ones, I don't see how that works after 4 months of Windows 7 RTM and it suddenly breaks...

Anyway, I prefer ubuntu now so it's good :)

Thanks for the help with point 1. 2. 3,

with upgrading, is there anyway to save all my packages that I have installed? Because im limited in bandwidth (2gig) and are right now on a shaped 1kb/s for like 15 days...

[ichi]

You don't want to keep your 8.10 packages when upgrading, since they'll be upgraded to newer versions and old ones become useless.

If you mean storing the new upgraded packages, they'll be downloaded to /var/cache/apt/archives.

You can also stick with 8.10 now and order the 9.10 CD at no cost. Keep in mind though that if you want to be able to upgrade from the CD and not install from scratch you'll need the Alternate CD, which is available for download but not (AFAIK) for shipment.

[Mega Goatlord]

first time I heard of it.

How is it that anyone has a problem with vista now? Move up to 7 and you'll switch back without regret. OOTB its better than any linux distro, imho.

Dude, let him use Linux. He'll either like it, learn to tolerate it, or come running back. The grass is always greener and all that...he'll learn, in time.

[Zapadlo]

My problems were largely due to nvlddmkm plus various other errors. Also you have to rule out hardware fault as the same rig has been running Linux for nearly a year now without a single fault (that could be put down as a hardware issue).

It is true I switched over to Linux as I was having a number of problems with Vista. Now however Linux suits my needs and I prefer it over Windows. I see no logical reason to switch back.

Lastly putting it down to tolerance of Linux or use of Windows is highly ignorant in my view. A number of people using Linux are not 'tolerating' it, but genuinely prefer it.

[knightraider02]

I'm thinking of doing the same thing. How easy is it to install Linux? Will it run on a Pentium 4 with 1GB of ram?

[Zapadlo]

I'm thinking of doing the same thing. How easy is it to install Linux? Will it run on a Pentium 4 with 1GB of ram?

Installing mainstream distros is literally clicking through few screens entering details along. These distros have GUI installers and require minimal user input.

Any distro with any desktop environment should run comfortably on that system. If you are after performance you could use one of the lighter environments such as LXDE.

[redvamp128]

I'm thinking of doing the same thing. How easy is it to install Linux? Will it run on a Pentium 4 with 1GB of ram?

Any modern distro should run comfortably on that kind of specs.

Though if you are new to linux - I would suggest the following either start out with Ubuntu or Xubuntu- (install and setup for things like Flash/Video Drivers) then install The LXDE and choose it from the Login.

My Specs-

966mhz PIII

256mb Memory

40gig hard drive-

Geforce4 MX4000 (64mb video card)

Currently I have installed the following - and a memory use summary.

Kubuntu (on a second hard drive) takes a bit to load up but does run- though highly memory intensive- I haven't had time to get the memory numbers.

The following on the 40gig drive and currently if you minus my music only takes about 12gigs for all of these Window Managers to be co-installed. (choosen from the login menu under sessions)

LXDE - Which is lightning fast and very usable- However there are some things that take some getting used to- like creating a shortcut in your PCman or Thunar to your wine folder (those menu items don't show up on there) if you use wine. As well as some items you have to edit the .desktop to get them to show in the menu. Other than those little quirks it runs Fast- (current as of this post 6 tabs open of Shiretoko {Firefox 3.5.3} and Pidgin one of which is playing a video on Youtube.- and system monitor open- Memory use is 144mb of 256mb)

XFCE (Xubuntu)- It uses a lot less memory than Gnome and is totally usable once you disable the Weather from the Panel (I don't know if it is just me but just taking that one off you gain back about 9mb of memory) and with the same tasks open as mentioned in LXDE- its memory use is 170mb of 256mb.

Gnome- (Ubuntu default) it runs rather well but generally is quite usable- It uses less memory than a Kubuntu- and with Compiz off. And running the same tasks as LXDE posted above-- memory use ranges from 195-205mb of memory on my system.

All of those are on my system and my system is rather dated. Your system may not use as much memory since you have SSE2 with the P4's. And are probably a bit faster.

Edited October 22, 2009 by redvamp128

[Growled Member]

Welcome to Linux. I hope you enjoy the ride. It an get a bit bumpy at times but it's definitely worth it.

[bjoswald]

I, too, welcome you to Linux. :)

[Behemoth]

Dude, let him use Linux. He'll either like it, learn to tolerate it, or come running back. The grass is always greener and all that...he'll learn, in time.

+1

Welcome to the wonderful world of Linux. Enjoy your stay. :)

I'm thinking of doing the same thing. How easy is it to install Linux? Will it run on a Pentium 4 with 1GB of ram?

I concur with the other posters, most of the 'big' Linux distros are as easy to install (or easier) than Windows. You will be able to run any distro really well on those specs.

Since you're new to Linux, try to start with Ubuntu and get your feet wet. It's easy enough to do everything you need in a desktop without messing with the terminal, but if you want to dig deeper, you can do that as well.

[Gary2MBz]

The only BSOD I have ever gotten was on my laptop because of a stupid Bluetooth driver by Broadcom and I knew it was that because the culprit was (something)a2dp.dll . Windows is not at fault if nvidia in your case has a lousy driver. That is not the case for most people like when it was at Vista's launch but it still happens.

[Miuku.]

Windows is not at fault if nvidia in your case has a lousy driver. That is not the case for most people like when it was at Vista's launch but it still happens.

But Windows doesn't crash. It's all lies and driver manufacturers fault.

Microsoft told me that Vista was the best operating system of all time and it offered additional protection for me and my productivity work. Incidentally it looks like they said the same about 7 and I've already gotten it to crash a few times not to mention once gone to completely lock that was only repairable via the installation medium (x86_64 version of W7/U RTM MSDN)

Incidentally, openSUSE seems to work fine on the same machine. Must be those nVidia drivers, eh?