Thinking I'm too old to learn

[vektek]

Hi all,

Just a quick hello.

I have been a user of wi***ws since 3.1 but i want something to really get me "excited" again.... i have tried a few linux distros but have fallen as soon as i need to install some software on it.... I am really "shy" about asking silly questions so i tried to muddle through by myself.... It doesn't work!!! So i've decided to give it one more try and have promised myself that when I get stuck i will ask no matter how stupid i look because if i don't make it happen this time i will be Mr Gates b*tch forever

[Jonathan183]

Welcome to the forums vektek

Try this for software installs ... stick with the package manager for your distro and you should not go far wrong.

If you are still looking for a distro then try this as well.

[vektek]

Thank you very much for your input.... i quite like the look of OpenSuSE so i am downloading the live cd now..... i know it's a bit of a cop out but i would like to do a dual boot with winxp so i still have something i can use.... sorry.

[questio verum]

Hi all,

Just a quick hello.

I have been a user of wi***ws since 3.1 but i want something to really get me "excited" again.... i have tried a few linux distros but have fallen as soon as i need to install some software on it.... I am really "shy" about asking silly questions so i tried to muddle through by myself.... It doesn't work!!! So i've decided to give it one more try and have promised myself that when I get stuck i will ask no matter how stupid i look because if i don't make it happen this time i will be Mr Gates b*tch forever

Nothing will get you out of this mindset like a little success. Pick one piece of software you'd like to install, then ask for specific help and get it installed. Don't be shy about asking for help. If it takes a number of tries and you need to ask for help a half dozen times... so be it. I don't think most people here are keeping score.

After you've successfully installed that item, you'll more confidently approach the next task. Remember... no one here was born with a complete encyclopedic knowledge of linux. (um, except maybe 'D.C.')

qv

[Jonathan183]

Good choice - you might want to try Linux Mint as well (live CD try before you install), I started with and still use SUSE I still dual boot all machines now (been using Linux for a couple of years now)... its not a cop out & don't be sorry. The machine & OS is there for you to use, if you find it easier to run application X in Windows and applications Y & Z in Linux thats fine.

SUSE should be able to setup dual boot for you ... but backup user data first.

I tend not to use Windows much these days and never let it anywhere near the net.

Good luck ... let us know how it goes ... and start a new thread in the SUSE, installation etc forums if you have issues.

[vektek]

Thanks guys ( i feel like i've made some friends already) You cannot believe how much i want to make this happen.... I love the idea of using software that's been made with passion by the people for the people.

I have just done a quick run of the live cd and all looks ok except the graphics are poor... is this because i am running from a cd and can't upgrade my driver?

[Jonathan183]

You won't get the best performance without installing the driver for you graphics card. The other thing to keep in mind with the live CD is they will tend to run a bit slow because CD access is slower than hard disc access.

Fonts can be an issue ... but you can improve things once you have a system installed. I'd try a couple of the live CDs and see which you like the look and feel of. You can adjust most things after you have done the install ... text size, style, icon size etc. but if you can find something you like in the first place then it means you have less to do.

Ed: I must confess I prefer the look of Mint to SUSE ... but its all down to personal preference, you can pick themes and even change window managers if you want to.

[vektek]

Yeah.... I looked at the screenshots of mint so i think i'd better use some more bandwidth and download that one..... you guys are awesome

[Redman]

I am really "shy" about asking silly questions ...

There are no silly questions, only silly answers