Considering a new OS
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Forgot to include this before: http://lifehacker.com/lifehacker-pack-for-linux-2013-our-list-of-the-best-li-815376368
Should cover most of your application questions.
Should cover most of your application questions.
I believe you would be good trying Linux Mint "cinnamon". The desktop is similar to the old XP desktop and is easy to navigate. However Ubuntu is the easiest to add new programs to without using the terminal window.
Originally Posted By: InhalingBullets
I believe you would be good trying Linux Mint "cinnamon". The desktop is similar to the old XP desktop and is easy to navigate. However Ubuntu is the easiest to add new programs to without using the terminal window.
Mint *is* Ubuntu and features the *exact* same collection of software ("repositories": Mint uses the Ubuntu repositories directly, building on top it), plus some Mint-specific items (like Cinnamon and MATE along with some backup utilities, etc.) It is just as easy to get software for Mint as Ubuntu, as the only differences are almost exclusively cosmetic. Both feature an easy-to-use software management application.
EDIT: Here it is - Just browse or search and click "Install":
I believe you would be good trying Linux Mint "cinnamon". The desktop is similar to the old XP desktop and is easy to navigate. However Ubuntu is the easiest to add new programs to without using the terminal window.
Mint *is* Ubuntu and features the *exact* same collection of software ("repositories": Mint uses the Ubuntu repositories directly, building on top it), plus some Mint-specific items (like Cinnamon and MATE along with some backup utilities, etc.) It is just as easy to get software for Mint as Ubuntu, as the only differences are almost exclusively cosmetic. Both feature an easy-to-use software management application.
EDIT: Here it is - Just browse or search and click "Install":
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Thanks for all the help guys.
If I were to make a switch, I would need to still be able to create .doc documents for school. Would that be possible? Or do I need to just stay with windows?
If I were to make a switch, I would need to still be able to create .doc documents for school. Would that be possible? Or do I need to just stay with windows?
Originally Posted By: ClutchDisc
Thanks for all the help guys.
If I were to make a switch, I would need to still be able to create .doc documents for school. Would that be possible? Or do I need to just stay with windows?
Please look above:
Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Forgot to include this before: http://lifehacker.com/lifehacker-pack-for-linux-2013-our-list-of-the-best-li-815376368
Should cover most of your application questions.
There, you'll find: www.libreoffice.org/
Thanks for all the help guys.
If I were to make a switch, I would need to still be able to create .doc documents for school. Would that be possible? Or do I need to just stay with windows?
Please look above:
Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Forgot to include this before: http://lifehacker.com/lifehacker-pack-for-linux-2013-our-list-of-the-best-li-815376368
Should cover most of your application questions.
There, you'll find: www.libreoffice.org/
Oh okay thanks. Now I just have to look them all over and decide if I want to make the change.
Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
I've tried them all and prefer elementary on my old (2006) laptop that I browse BITOG on. Installed Chrome, AdBlock, and VLC, along with wingpanel slim to maximize screen-space on the 15", 720p display. It's very fast on this relic (dual-core processor, discrete graphics/hardware accleration), stable, and does everything I need.
I need to check that out. I have an ancient Dell 12" laptop that only gets booted up every few months. I think it's running Lubuntu, but your screenshot looks much nicer. Did Midori have issues that made you switch to Chrome?
I've tried them all and prefer elementary on my old (2006) laptop that I browse BITOG on. Installed Chrome, AdBlock, and VLC, along with wingpanel slim to maximize screen-space on the 15", 720p display. It's very fast on this relic (dual-core processor, discrete graphics/hardware accleration), stable, and does everything I need.
I need to check that out. I have an ancient Dell 12" laptop that only gets booted up every few months. I think it's running Lubuntu, but your screenshot looks much nicer. Did Midori have issues that made you switch to Chrome?
Originally Posted By: ClutchDisc
If I were to make a switch, I would need to still be able to create .doc documents for school. Would that be possible? Or do I need to just stay with windows?
LibreOffice (a fork of OpenOffice) not only reads and writes Microsoft formats, but runs natively on Linux, Windows and Mac. It is included by default in every mainstream Linux distribution.
Originally Posted By: LazyPrizm
Did Midori have issues that made you switch to Chrome?
I know I am not the one whom you asked, but I have tried Midori at darn near every version they've ever made because I want to like it soooooo badly: It is light, screaming fast, standards-compliant and it integrates much, much better into a Gnome environment than does Chromium/ Chrome and even Firefox. Sadly, even with some User Agent string modifications (in an attempt to fool some sites that want you to use specific browsers into thinking that you are using those specific browsers) rendering becomes a little funky on some sites and downright frustrating on others. Same with Gnome's stock browser, Epiphany. It is not the fault of the developers of Midori or Epiphany, but the meatheads that develop browser-dependent web sites!
If I were to make a switch, I would need to still be able to create .doc documents for school. Would that be possible? Or do I need to just stay with windows?
LibreOffice (a fork of OpenOffice) not only reads and writes Microsoft formats, but runs natively on Linux, Windows and Mac. It is included by default in every mainstream Linux distribution.
Originally Posted By: LazyPrizm
Did Midori have issues that made you switch to Chrome?
I know I am not the one whom you asked, but I have tried Midori at darn near every version they've ever made because I want to like it soooooo badly: It is light, screaming fast, standards-compliant and it integrates much, much better into a Gnome environment than does Chromium/ Chrome and even Firefox. Sadly, even with some User Agent string modifications (in an attempt to fool some sites that want you to use specific browsers into thinking that you are using those specific browsers) rendering becomes a little funky on some sites and downright frustrating on others. Same with Gnome's stock browser, Epiphany. It is not the fault of the developers of Midori or Epiphany, but the meatheads that develop browser-dependent web sites!
uc50ic4more, that is sad about web sites that are browser-dependent making a browser look bad. I have encountered enough sites that only support IE. There has been some improvement in the last year or two, but it is still frustrating on occasion. And I use Firefox which has a good share of users, it must be a lot worse for a smaller player like Midori. I haven't done the research, but as your post implied, I wonder why one cannot make Midori present itself as Firefox or Chromium (depending on its code base) to the sites.
Originally Posted By: LazyPrizm
I need to check that out. I have an ancient Dell 12" laptop that only gets booted up every few months. I think it's running Lubuntu, but your screenshot looks much nicer. Did Midori have issues that made you switch to Chrome?
In my experience, Chrome is considerably faster (hardware acceleration certainly helps), does a much better job of rendering, and has built-in flash.
I need to check that out. I have an ancient Dell 12" laptop that only gets booted up every few months. I think it's running Lubuntu, but your screenshot looks much nicer. Did Midori have issues that made you switch to Chrome?
In my experience, Chrome is considerably faster (hardware acceleration certainly helps), does a much better job of rendering, and has built-in flash.
Originally Posted By: BearZDefect
I wonder why one cannot make Midori present itself as Firefox or Chromium (depending on its code base) to the sites.
You CAN; and in fact Midori may have "User Agent string spoofing" built right into it (EDIT: Yup: https://midori.jottit.com/user_agent). But that does not mitigate against (non-standards-compliant) code that requires a specific browser to render it properly. Midori and Epiphany, for example, cannot use the document editing features at Google Drive while Firefox, IE, Chrome and Safari can.
I wonder why one cannot make Midori present itself as Firefox or Chromium (depending on its code base) to the sites.
You CAN; and in fact Midori may have "User Agent string spoofing" built right into it (EDIT: Yup: https://midori.jottit.com/user_agent). But that does not mitigate against (non-standards-compliant) code that requires a specific browser to render it properly. Midori and Epiphany, for example, cannot use the document editing features at Google Drive while Firefox, IE, Chrome and Safari can.
Ok guys, I have access to an older computer that I'm going to try the OS on. I've decided on going with Kubuntu, I like the interface the best. Depending on how I like it, I'll then decide if I want to put it on my computer. I'll let you all know how I like it. Thanks again guys!
KDE (ex, Kubuntu) would be my last choice of the mainstream Linux desktops to use on old hardware. I haven't tried Unity, maybe KDE is no longer the most demanding on hardware resources.
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Originally Posted By: ClutchDisc
Ok guys, I have access to an older computer that I'm going to try the OS on. I've decided on going with Kubuntu, I like the interface the best. Depending on how I like it, I'll then decide if I want to put it on my computer. I'll let you all know how I like it. Thanks again guys!
You will enjoy it I think. I have a buddy running it on an old Core2Quad Q6600 rig with just a cheap NVidia card and it runs very well.
Ok guys, I have access to an older computer that I'm going to try the OS on. I've decided on going with Kubuntu, I like the interface the best. Depending on how I like it, I'll then decide if I want to put it on my computer. I'll let you all know how I like it. Thanks again guys!
You will enjoy it I think. I have a buddy running it on an old Core2Quad Q6600 rig with just a cheap NVidia card and it runs very well.
Originally Posted By: BearZDefect
KDE (ex, Kubuntu) would be my last choice of the mainstream Linux desktops to use on old hardware. I haven't tried Unity, maybe KDE is no longer the most demanding on hardware resources.
KDE is almost infinitely configurable; and by disabling all or most of the fancy-pants effects you can end up with an alarmingly light, fast UI.
Some of the KDE applications are also *absolutely* best-in-class: Amarok or Clementine as a music manager, DigiKam as a photo editor/ manager, K3b as a disc burning tool, etc.
I have not heard many flattering things about Kubuntu (it is also no longer a Canonical-supported project, and I guess that gives rise to concerns in me about support), and I do not know much about Mint's KDE "spin". Other options are OpenSUSE, who apparently rocks a KDE desktop; and Fedora's KDE "spin". Debian should never be counted out, either!
KDE (ex, Kubuntu) would be my last choice of the mainstream Linux desktops to use on old hardware. I haven't tried Unity, maybe KDE is no longer the most demanding on hardware resources.
KDE is almost infinitely configurable; and by disabling all or most of the fancy-pants effects you can end up with an alarmingly light, fast UI.
Some of the KDE applications are also *absolutely* best-in-class: Amarok or Clementine as a music manager, DigiKam as a photo editor/ manager, K3b as a disc burning tool, etc.
I have not heard many flattering things about Kubuntu (it is also no longer a Canonical-supported project, and I guess that gives rise to concerns in me about support), and I do not know much about Mint's KDE "spin". Other options are OpenSUSE, who apparently rocks a KDE desktop; and Fedora's KDE "spin". Debian should never be counted out, either!
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Originally Posted By: uc50ic4more
KDE is almost infinitely configurable; and by disabling all or most of the fancy-pants effects you can end up with an alarmingly light, fast UI.
...
That is good to know, because while I found both its apps and QT itself promising, last time I looked at it, which I admit was back at the end of Kubuntu 8.04
, it was near impossible to use on older hardware than ran Windows XP just fine.
KDE is almost infinitely configurable; and by disabling all or most of the fancy-pants effects you can end up with an alarmingly light, fast UI.
...
That is good to know, because while I found both its apps and QT itself promising, last time I looked at it, which I admit was back at the end of Kubuntu 8.04
I liked the KDE interface when I tried it, and even had it installed on my laptop for a few days, but there were some UI bugs that left me feeling that that interface was just a little "fragile" in terms of stability. Sometimes the program title bars down in the task bar area would open on top of each other, and once minimized, it opened BOTH programs and you had to close one to get back to the other.
Visually, I think I probably liked KDE the most. MATE is a close second, and it's what I do still have on my two with Linux distros. KDE looked great to me, but I found it a touch flaky.
Visually, I think I probably liked KDE the most. MATE is a close second, and it's what I do still have on my two with Linux distros. KDE looked great to me, but I found it a touch flaky.
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
KDE looked great to me, but I found it a touch flaky.
This has been said by nerds throughout history millions and millions of times. Apparently there are good implementations of KDE and not-so-good ones. It seems my experiences with KDE were all with the not-so-good variety. I hear tell that OpenSUSE is the distro to look at to really get a sense of what KDE can do. I do not hear many complaining about KDE on Debian, either.
I just stick with (stock) Ubuntu because of the incredible software selection, the (extended) support and the wonderful community. I administer about a dozen systems for friends, family and neighbours and cannot be bothered with flakiness, however pretty it is.
KDE looked great to me, but I found it a touch flaky.
This has been said by nerds throughout history millions and millions of times. Apparently there are good implementations of KDE and not-so-good ones. It seems my experiences with KDE were all with the not-so-good variety. I hear tell that OpenSUSE is the distro to look at to really get a sense of what KDE can do. I do not hear many complaining about KDE on Debian, either.
I just stick with (stock) Ubuntu because of the incredible software selection, the (extended) support and the wonderful community. I administer about a dozen systems for friends, family and neighbours and cannot be bothered with flakiness, however pretty it is.
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