Social \ Linux

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Shocker says:

I've decided to get linux *cheer* but i need to know which is better before i download a 700mb file. Xubuntu? Kubuntu? What are the differences? And is it possible to have it boot from a flash drive rather then a CD?
Thanks.

19/01/2008

Bonny Hills

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abuu91 says:

The difference between Xubuntu and Kubuntu is the windowing systems they use. Regular Ubuntu uses what is known as Gnome, Xubuntu uses the light and easy Xfce windowing system and Kubuntu uses the also popular KDE.
Xubuntu is best for running on lower end computers since XFCE doesn't take much toll on the RAM or CPU to run. When picking a version always get the latest one because unlike the Windows family of operating systems the newer they are the better they will run.

If you want to boot from a USB drive then I'd say totally forget about Ubuntu and install NimbleX or Dyne:bolic instead. NimbleX is a fully customisable system and you can make your own on their website. It uses the KDE windowing system and is based on what is known as Slackware, a version of Linux optimised for running off of USB drives. I've been making use of NimbleX for a long time and haven't faced any problems with it so far. NimbleX can even fit right down onto just a 128mb USB drive with it's sub100 version. You just pop in the CD, it will boot the OS from the CD, then in the Home folder you will find the USB installer. If your computer doesn't boot from USB then you are still in luck because when you place the CD in at the beginning all you need to do is press F2, then type probeusb from=/dev/sda1/nimblex. Moist.

19/01/2008

pinked - Kiama, NSW

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abuu91 says:

Dyne:bolic is larger in size and is better suited for using if you want to obtain a full multimedia experience. It can be booted off of a CD drive with more ease then NimbleX, but when I used it I found that on my laptop it did not support wireless the way I'd have liked it to so. To boot Dyne from a USB drive all you need to do is copy a single folder off the USB drive onto the root of the USB drive or your harddrive. This is known as docking. When you start up your computer just be sure that your Dyne CD is in there and it will automatically recognise the presence of dyne docked on the USB drive and ask if you would wish to boot from that instead.

It's your pick in the end because there's a difference linux for all different people.

NimbleX: nimblex.net/
Custom NimbleX generator: custom.nimblex.net/
Dyne: dynebolic.org/

If you got any further questions on those then don't be afraid to ask me.

EDIT: If it's all pretty 'out there' when you read that then I can dumb it down for you or walk you though it step by step.

19/01/2008

pinked - Kiama, NSW

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Shocker says:

Thanks abuu .
I understand pretty well
My xomputer is fairly old 4-5 years, 224mb of RAM, what do you think would be the best for me?
They are all free right?

19/01/2008

Bonny Hills

Kudos: 5,302

Mates: 68

abuu91 says:

Fairly much all linux distributions are free. There is a rare few that aren't. If you plan to run any of the Ubuntu variations then I'd say you should stick with Xubuntu as it will get the most out of how old the computer is. All around I would say in my opinion that NimbleX has been the best for me since it has run flawlessly on me.

Booting off of USB devices is a very new feature in computers and so judging off the age of your rig I would very highly doubt that your motherboards BIOS would support it. This however, isn't anything to be very worried about because there are simple solutions around it. I'd suggest giving the NimbleX custom generator a whirl. Make sure you pick Libraries when choosing the things you want to include in it.

19/01/2008

pinked - Kiama, NSW

Kudos: 895

Mates: 29

Shocker says:

Thanks verrry much abuu.
one last question, any last suggestions as apps needed? if i dont include them, can i just dl them later?

19/01/2008

Bonny Hills

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insectoid says:

wow abuu, most of that went over my head...

19/01/2008

http://www.games-den.blogspot.com/

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damex95 says:

err...what is linux exactly

19/01/2008

@ MyWii and MyPSP--- --- Sydney,NSW!!!

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abuu91 says:

It's confuddling at first but you'll soak it in after awhile.

Shocker said: Thanks verrry much abuu.

one last question, any last suggestions as apps needed? if i dont include them, can i just dl them later?

The modules can be added for the programs later without any problem on both NimbleX and Dyne. Your probably best of including everything you need when you make your distro up though.

damex95 said: err...what is linux exactly

Operating system. Penguin power.

19/01/2008

pinked - Kiama, NSW

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BJ2 says:

the ubuntu and xubuntu have a special thing where you can get all the apps you will ever need off. and you can choose

19/01/2008

Kudos: 5,302

Mates: 68

abuu91 says:

The Synoptic Package manager is easy to use but on Dyne and NimbleX you just download then drag and drop the module in.

19/01/2008

pinked - Kiama, NSW

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Mates: 28

maxiboy says:

damex95 said: err...what is linux exactly

Linux is an operating system like windows, except its open source and you can modify it any way you want.

21/01/2008

I am the revolution - Sydney, Australia

Kudos: 5,302

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abuu91 says:

Linspire and Xandros are linuxs that aren't free though.

22/01/2008

pinked - Kiama, NSW

Kudos: 895

Mates: 29

Shocker says:

Awesssommeee... downloaded nimblex, but not my CD drive is being weird and not burning it. Anyone who found me a guide on making it usb-able would be my hero .

22/01/2008

Bonny Hills

Kudos: 5,302

Mates: 68

abuu91 says:

Well you'll still need the CD to be in to boot it off the USB device. Did you make a custom one? Anyway, from the ISO of the CD just drag all it's contents onto the USB drive. Pretty simple eh? If you got MSN then I can help talk you through it even further.

22/01/2008

pinked - Kiama, NSW

Kudos: 895

Mates: 29

Shocker says:

yep, i do ill pm it to you.

22/01/2008

Bonny Hills

Kudos: 1,097

Mates: 25

Alex_TXD says:  

I use ubuntu linux for our server

Its very reliable!

Go Linux!

25/01/2008

Sydney, www.teamxdesigns.downthe.net

Kudos: 2,239

Mates: 28

maxiboy says:

Shocker said: Awesssommeee... downloaded nimblex, but not my CD drive is being weird and not burning it. Anyone who found me a guide on making it usb-able would be my hero .

use a virtual drive program like alcohol 120% (think thats the proper name) or Deamon tools. They're programs that let you open CD and DVD ISOs (the good and legal kind) and use it like it was on a CD, though it is actually on your hard drive and your computer just believes that it had a disk in it. It works fine for games given out on ISO form (like C&C 1 free anniversary edition), though you are trying to use an operating system, so I don't know if they work with bios.

25/01/2008

I am the revolution - Sydney, Australia

 

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