Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

[simplykathy]

To all in the Linux community, THANK YOU for making Linux readily available to all of us out here. New to the scene, but enjoying every moment so far, I can't believe I waited so long to try it out!

I cut my teeth on Windows DOS, but I just want to say - Ubuntu is the bomb! I have a bit to do yet, learning Linux and the Ubuntu system, but so far it's been fun! Beautiful desktop and interesting layout (reminds me of mac somewhat), I only wish I'd tried this years ago!

Acer Aspire 5315-2153 Walmart special - from the posts I've read, it's a good thing I waited for this latest OS - Ubuntu Netbook 10.04 really works for me! Still no online sound for gaming, though... Any suggestions?

Again, Hello!

[Rubberman]

What happens if you try a headset plugged into the headphone jack? Also, a common cause of no sound on a lot of laptops is the mixer not having the PCM input turned up. That's the hardware input handler. I usually set mine full on and use the master volume slide to set the actual volume level. Here is a link to a site to get a book on using 10.04: A Complete Beginner's Manual for Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx), Free Ubuntu Manual Project Guide
You will have to register to download the book, but it comes via The Linux Foundation's linux.com web site.

[simplykathy]

You know, neither the headset NOR the mic work either... I guess I hadn't taken the time to put it all together, since I've been putting most of my time into getting java to work for online gaming (blush).
Got the answer at sites.google.com/site/easylinuxtipsproject/java#TOC-Install-JRE-32-bit-
And it worked - It was so absolutely cool accomplishing that!

Thank you so much for replying to my post, rubberman - I appreciate your help a lot.
I'm going right now to register and download the manuals immediately, and hopefully I can get to the root of the problem. Either way, it'll be fun getting there.
So, gotta go... so much to read! (But I bet I'm back soon) This forum is awesome!

[rokytnji]

You know, neither the headset NOR the mic work either

Since Ubuntu 10.04 uses pulse audio. I got my mic working (haven't tested external earplug and mic) using pavucontrol worked well on my Little Acer Aspire One (9' screen intel atom). Other than mic (worked in soundrecorder. but not skype). Everything worked out of the box for me with Ubuntu Netbook 10.04. I did not like the Netbook Desktop. Logged out. Changed Session (button on bottom after you type in user name) to Gnome and finished logging in.

Link

[MASONTX]

Welcome to Ubuntu and the forum. Glad you finally found us both.

[simplykathy]

Amazing! After the correctly installed Java took off, my online sound worked too. I'm so happy with this system, and there's so much I can do with it.
I will definitely try pavucontrol - it would be nice to have a working mic. Does anyone know if a combo headset will work? It sounds like Skype might be a challenge, but I think that's my next direction.

Thank you for your help, and for the welcomes... I'll be sure to keep stopping in!
The manual's going to take a while to get through, but it looks like it's going to be a fine asset. Thanks again for that, Rokytnji.

I appreciate the warm welcome from you, and from MASONTX. I've had nothing but cheers to give out considering the Linux forums.

P.S. I think I've sold the idea of revamping my son-in-law's, as well as my older son's, computers to the Linux way... I must say, the consideration here, and the great usability and promise of the operating systems, has really turned quite a few heads around me. Wish I'd have done it long ago!

[simplykathy]

Turned up the PCM and the headset is working! Such a simple fix... Hats off again!

[oz]

It's unfortunate that more new users can't adapt to Linux as quickly and easily as you have. You don't appear to be afraid of it, and that goes a long way toward succeeding with it. We hope things will continue to go smoothly for you, and that you'll have lots of fun running Linux!

[Manko10]

Most of the time the problem is not Linux but the manufacturer. Even many Linux notebooks with pre-installed Linux don't work acceptably and particularly Asus and I think Acer as well often sell machines with Linpus Linux (never heard of this before, but it seems to be crap) WITHOUT a graphical user interface and these computers are intended to be for END users.
So before Linux successfully gets into the market manufacturers have to take care of compatibility and easily usable distributions. Otherwise many users buying a Linux PC will still be frustrated and think Linux wouldn't work at all.

[elija]

Most of the time the problem is not Linux but the manufacturer. Even many Linux notebooks with pre-installed Linux don't work acceptably and particularly Asus and I think Acer as well often sell machines with Linpus Linux (never heard of this before, but it seems to be crap) WITHOUT a graphical user interface and these computers are intended to be for END users.
So before Linux successfully gets into the market manufacturers have to take care of compatibility and easily usable distributions. Otherwise many users buying a Linux PC will still be frustrated and think Linux wouldn't work at all.

I wonder how much Microsoft pays them to give people that first impression of Linux.

On a less paranoid note, Linpus does have a GUI and it looks quite nice. It's not a great distro though and if I really wanted to show off Linux on netbooks, it's not the one I would choose. (linky)