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Re: [OCLUG-Tech] help switching over to Linux

Wow, why is everyone rushing to install linux when live cd's are
available to try.  On a modern pc/laptop there is more than enough
memory to run a live CD to get some idea of what linux is like/about.
While Mr. Bennett's computing resources haven't been established, no
one should rule out the possibility of using one of these Live CDs as
a starting point.

regards,
eds

On Tue, Jul 17, 2012 at 8:58 AM, John C Nash <nashjc [ at ] uottawa [ dot ] ca> wrote:
> Looks like we have several folk interested. And we've already got an old hard drive to
> allow for an install without having to mess with repartitioning Dale's. There are also
> several offers of liveCDs.
>
> So it is now a matter of logistics. This week for me may be awkward, but sometime in
> next 10 days should work out.
>
> JN
>
>
>
>
> On 07/17/2012 02:22 AM, Justin Richard wrote:
>> On 15 July 2012 14:10, Dale Bennett <easydoesit45 [ at ] gmail [ dot ] com> wrote:
>>
>>> hi there
>>> i am wondering if you might be able to help me out. i was watching TVO the
>>> other day and Don Tapscott mentioned Linux. how the Linux OS is a online
>>> collaboration, and is also open source.
>>>
>>> so i have been reading a bit online about Linux and i like what i see. i am
>>> a big believer in open source.
>>>
>>> anyway here is my problem. i am a disabled man who uses a wheel chair to
>>> get around. i have very very little money to survive on as i rely on ODSP.
>>> i was put up for adoption and have no family support so life for me is very
>>> difficult.
>>>
>>> i read that i might be able to get a dvd mailed to me with the Linux
>>> operating system on it so i can then put it on my computer.
>>>
>>> i would burn my own but i can not afford to buy the writable dvds. plus its
>>> way over my head how to load the OS to my computer just from online with
>>> out a dvd.
>>>
>>> if there is any way you can help it would would be greatly appreciated.
>>>
>>> my address is
>>> 2969 Fairlea cres.
>>> apt 606
>>> Ottawa ON K1V-9N2
>>>
>>> i also came across something called Computers For Community's. i would love
>>> to get more information on this as i need all the help i can get.
>>>
>>> Thanks for your time.
>>>
>>> Sincerely Mr Dale Bennett.
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Linux mailing list
>>> Linux [ at ] lists [ dot ] oclug [ dot ] on [ dot ] ca
>>> http://oclug.on.ca/mailman/listinfo/linux
>>>
>>
>> Hello,
>>
>> Your ambition to use Linux is very well recieved here.  Reading about it is
>> a great start, too.  There's no need to rush into installing it until you
>> have a sense of what to expect.  I think that's where Rob is coming from --
>> make backups and prepare first.  There are many useful, searchable terms in
>> this mailing list to expand your reading material.  I certainly do not mean
>> to discourage you, but I believe it is important to provide a fair
>> warning:  Linux tends to suit the tinkerer.  Linux requires patience and
>> enough curiousity to continue learning as long as you use it.
>>
>> Many of us would be happy to provide an etched CD or DVD copy of a
>> distribution of Linux of your choice.  If you can't make it to the
>> meetings, a delivery is certainly possible.  In fact, I live nearby.  If it
>> comes down to it I'll etch a copy and drop it in your mail.
>>
>> Now about that choice of yours.  As John points out, Linux is about
>> choice.  Right from the beginning you need to choose which distribution of
>> Linux to try.  Consider this a first step in liberation.  Linux
>> distributions are the result of a company selecting particular sets of open
>> source software and neatly packaging them into a pre-configured Linux
>> operating system for the user.  The most popular and compelling differences
>> between distributions seem to be; the origin of the distribution, the
>> desktop environment used (look and feel), installation procedure, and ease
>> of system maintenance.  There are hundreds of options, so let us narrow
>> down the list to a few popular/novice-friendly options:  e.g.
>>
>> * Ubuntu (based on Debian) http://www.ubuntu.com/
>> * Fedora, (based on Red Hat) http://fedoraproject.org/
>> * Salix, (based on Slackware) http://www.salixos.org/wiki/index.php/Home
>>
>> * list here:  http://distrowatch.com/
>>
>> I chose this list simply because they are 3 popular distributions each with
>> a unique heritage in the 3 most notorious and original linux
>> distributions.  If hockey has an original 6, Linux has an original 3.
>> (Sorry to the historians and the purists, but let this slide for now.)
>> Each of these options feature different default desktop environents.  It
>> may be worth looking at desktop screenshots or videos on youtube to get an
>> idea of how they differ as it makes a huge impact on intuitively using your
>> computer:  e.g.
>>
>> * Unity -- http://unity.ubuntu.com/
>> * Gnome 3 -- http://www.gnome.org/gnome-3/
>> * KDE -- http://www.kde.org/
>> * XFCE -- http://www.xfce.org/
>> * MATE -- http://mate-desktop.org/
>> * Awesome -- http://awesome.naquadah.org/
>> * et cetera  (Note:  Many distributions are configured so that installing
>> an alternative desktop is painless.)
>>
>> Most other people on this mailing list are likely better suited to pick for
>> you if you wish.  I won't pick for you out of principle (get used to
>> choice!), and because I have very little experience with desktops and GUIs.
>>
>> I wish you the best!
>>
>>
>> - Justin
>> _______________________________________________
>> Linux mailing list
>> Linux [ at ] lists [ dot ] oclug [ dot ] on [ dot ] ca
>> http://oclug.on.ca/mailman/listinfo/linux
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Linux mailing list
> Linux [ at ] lists [ dot ] oclug [ dot ] on [ dot ] ca
> http://oclug.on.ca/mailman/listinfo/linux