Hello I am new

[Windux]

I need help with un-installing windows. I have tirelessly attempted to find a cure for my disappointment in the endless maintenance necessary to keep windows xp home edition functioning properly and without security breaches. I have installed Kubuntu in a partition, but i may have installed it twice. I don't know how to go back to windows to get rid of it now. I have a CD with Kubuntu on it for re-installation, if necessary, and I also have all the backup files from Windows I need to complete the mission.

I just want Kubuntu and free all the space Windows is occupying for it.

Please offer any guidance you can muster for a Linux convert who is mostly illiterate in how Linux works.

Peace,

Scott

[elnav]

Hi I am new as well. In my naive state I thought Linux was Linux. Suddenly I discover there is KUBUNTU as well as UBUNTU. Ohh! what's the difference? I don't even know where to look for an explanation. What is Debian? And all these acrynyms. Really confusing! Because I obtained a live disc from the computer shop Ubuntu Ver 8.04 is now installed in a spare computer. I like it, but don't know how to make it really work. I am familiar with Firefox because I had installed that on my WinXP machine and also Thunderbird. But no way can I get Thunderbird installed on the Linux machine. I downloaded it and it sits there on my desk top but refuses to install or open. Something about being archived. ???? Do I need a linux equivalent to Winzip? if so what is it called?

Thanks in advance
Elnav

[SkittleLinux18]

Welcome both of you!

[tylerwylie]

Elnav, so many questions, so many answers on Wikipedia. We can explain it here, but if you just do some searching I'm sure you'll be more satisfied with the answers you find there. If you are having issues, you should try posting in the support forums for help as well.

I tried to get Windows running on my Thinkpad and loaded my factory disks. I wasn't pleased with the results and performance... I forgot halfway through trying to get certain features working why I was even using Windows. As long as you realize Linux is different in terms of concept, implementation, and philosophy you'll be fine. Don't hate the command line, it's not an archaic tool to be avoided, but a flexible, powerful tool that fits in any admins utility belt.

[aluminumspleen]

Hey, welcome to the forums!!

I'm not exactly an expert yet at Linux (far from it) but I can answer a few of the questions!

Kubuntu vs. Ubuntu -- Ubuntu is an operating system based on the Linux Kernel with the GNOME desktop environment as the default. (In Ubuntu, on default, this includes three menus on the top bar on the left "Applications", "Places", and "System"). Kubuntu is a very popular version of this operating system, but is instead based on the K desktop environment, or KDE. (This has a "K menu" button in the left-hand corner of the lower bar with a menu that is rather remniscent of an older windows menu). Another popular version is Xubuntu, based on the Xfce desktop environment. Of course, these are just default DE's (desktop environments) of a highly popular distro (distrobution), and can be endlessly modified. After all, this is Linux, isn't it?

Debian -- Debian is a very popular distro of Linux. Ubuntu and many others are based on Debian. It is known for it's stability and it's package managers apt-get and synaptic. Debian is a very popular distribution in servers, but can also be used as a desktop distro.

WinZip -- I'm not positive if there is a version of WinZip for Linux. However, I do know that Linux typically does not zip folders into .zip files, but rather .tar.gz, or .tgz . These can be unzipped using a command I can never remember, but can be easily found on Google.

As for Thunderbird, I'm not sure how to install it in Linux, but I'm sure someone else can shed light. Also, Google is a wonderful tool, and can probably help also!

Windux -- I'm sorry I can't be much help with your problem. When I first partitioned my HD, I messed it up and deleted my Windows partition, so my only solution was to reinstall Windows *shudder*. However, your problem could be adding your WinXP partition to the GRUB bootloader, if you installed it with Kubuntu (I'm assuming you did). I don't know specifically how to do it, but a few minutes on Google or searching the threads, or a little longer until someone more knowledgeable reads this thread, and you should have your answer.

Sorry for my long-winded response, but I'm glad to finally be able to give back to the forums instead of just ask questions. You've found a wonderful community, and we welcome you!

P.S. People more knowledgeable than I, if I said anything wrong, PLEASE correct me! Thanks!

[elnav]

Thanks for the clarification of definitions. Al the weird acronyms begin t omake sense now. Yeah I know, every technical field has its own idiosynchratic language.

Somewhere I saw mention of command line. Hey I grew up on that. My introduction to computers predated the IMSAI and commodore PET. We used to assemble each byte bit by bit; then load each byte into the register with a momentary switch toggle. Oh yeah! it was painfully slow. now you know why I decided to become a hardware guy instead of a programmer. Cobol and Fortran was a big step forward. <grin> My first few personal computers were Apples plus and one IMSAI; but I was forced to conform by my work for a Government contractor. Our contract required us to submit all data, documents, etc. in Microsoft format and allied programs. <GRRR!>

The problem I have with command lines is two fold. At my age <retired> I simply can't remember all those acronyms and where the heck do I find the command line on the Ubuntu desk top? I need a cheat sheet hard copy to help with the commands.

[aluminumspleen]

The command line can be accessed through one of many 'shell' or 'terminal' programs. The easiest one to get to, though, is 'Terminal', which is under Applications --> Accessories in Ubuntu.

[Freston]

Welcome to the forums, y'all!

About Winzip. Winzip is a very old compression format implemented by Windows, it is exactly like the Gunzip Linux uses. So a .tar.gz is 100% compatible with a .zip.
I'd go even further, you can uncompress .zip with `tar` and if you rename a tar.gz to .zip, then Windows can uncompress that.

@Widux
The easiest way to do what you want is to re-install and during the installer choose the option to 'use the entire disk'. You can do it without reinstalling too, but that will mean you are going to repartition segments of your drive.

@elnav
For installing programs you will want to use the repository (or repo for short). Lust click 'add/remove programs' and let the magic guide you. There's how many? thousants upon thousants of programs ready to be installed. Just type in the search field what you want.

For the command line, you will want to use the terminal. Or, alternatively press [ctrl]+[alt]+[F1]. Remember the combination of ctrl+alt+ F1 to F6 gives you a terminal, and [ctrl]+[alt]+[F7] brings you back to the desktop.
If you want additional help in the command line, `man commandname` gives you the manual. So `man ls` will give you the manual of `ls` and a description of all it's options.
`apropos keyword` gives you a listing of all commands that hold 'keyword' in their description. So if you need an editor, but don't know how to get one `apropos editor` will give you a listing of all installed editors.