Introduction!

[iamme]

Hello World!

Welp where to start,

My name is Jerry and I am brand spanking new to Linux **NOOB ALERT** but, I enjoy windows and its use's but I need to learn more about computers and not just an OS and Linux is providing me with that chance. I took the time to read http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW1.htm
which is a great article. My goal here is to not compare my experience in windows with my experience in Linux. I came into Linux knowing that the OS's would be vastly different and would be used for different purpose's. I own a small pc repair shop and my customers are looking to simply surf the net and maybe do some word processing and such. I understand that many feel that this is heresy but I am finding that Linux Distro's such as, ubuntu, suse 10.1, ect.... are perfect for such uses. This saved me and my customers a lot of money. I know I will need to have a few years under me before I really can use Linux to its full potential but, I am hoping for the time being Linux will provide a solution to a common problem in my community.

[techieMoe]

I own a small pc repair shop and my customers are looking to simply surf the net and maybe do some word processing and such. I understand that many feel that this is heresy but I am finding that Linux Distro's such as, ubuntu, suse 10.1, ect.... are perfect for such uses.

Heresy? Haha. Not at all. Helping regular everyday users discover the usefulness and relative price savings of running a Linux desktop is a commendable effort, if I do say so myself.

This saved me and my customers a lot of money. I know I will need to have a few years under me before I really can use Linux to its full potential but, I am hoping for the time being Linux will provide a solution to a common problem in my community.

What problem might that be?

[genesus]

Welcome to the forums. I hope you become an active member of the community.

[bryansmith]

Welcome aboard! It's nice to see someone interested in spreading Linux in the community.

Bryan

[fingal]

Hello - sounds good to me: getting your customers to use Linux. Welcome, and I hope you enjoy posting here.

[daacosta]

I own a small pc repair shop and my customers are looking to simply surf the net and maybe do some word processing and such. I understand that many feel that this is heresy but I am finding that Linux Distro's such as, ubuntu, suse 10.1, ect.... are perfect for such uses. This saved me and my customers a lot of money. I know I will need to have a few years under me before I really can use Linux to its full potential but, I am hoping for the time being Linux will provide a solution to a common problem in my community.

Welcome...

Say, if you own a pc repair shop and you start selling custom made boxes preloaded with Ubuntu Linux or Suse or Knoppix, or... you'd get good business... The thing is to use decent garden variety hardware easily detected by Linux and sell like crazy... I for one would buy a box with Linux preloaded because it would save me the time it takes to configure files and look for components (e.g. modems, wireless cards, etc.) that work easily. In other words: You owning a pc repair shop allows you to pretty much fulfill a need at a reasonable cost and I for one would gladly pay for a decent laptop preloaded with linux even if it is not the fastest boy in the neighborhood or if it is even from a recognized brand (components are components and quite frankly I don't mind a non-specific exterior on my box...)

Welcome to the forums... I look forward to seeing posts from you explaining how to build linux boxes and discussing components... I wish more business-oriented people would post here...

[iamme]

From reading up on Linux it seems the simpler the hardware setup the easier Linux is on the unlearned and that includes myself,

I plan to use very basic systems

Socket 775
Socket 939
Socket AM2
Socket 478
Socket A

Simple on board graphics
DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
1 GB RAM
120GB HDD

open-source Linux distro's

I can cut customer cost by $200 easily, this solve the problem of low income families needing a computer and offers them a system that doesn't require all the extras that windows needs to be secure.

The only obstacle I have is that I need to be proficient with installing the OS and as of now I have had 2 successful installs and 7 unsuccessful. I look forward to this experience and any help anyone here may offer.

BTW, using a free OS brings my base computer down to the $499 range thats with all the above gear, I dont build cheap I build inexpensive.

[mahlerfan]

I suppose that this is as good as a place as any to introduce myself. Hi I'm David and I've used linux and some varieties of unix for years in college and grad school, but only became interested in linux outside of classwork and research a few months ago. I discovered quick and easy open source software for vid conversions and authoring that I liked quite a bit more than the shareware you can find for windows. And then I was hooked.

[a12ctic]

Woah thats excellent, i wish i had a store that sold linux computers by me. Im glad your enjoying your experience with linux, i dont know what id do without it. With all this free software floating around im no longer a slave to piracy, and i get the same quality products that wouldve costed me hundreds of dollars for their close source counterparts.

[Cabhan]

Well, welcome to you both!

iamme:

Linux installations can range from very simple (Ubuntu, SuSE, Fedora) to quite complex (Gentoo, Debian). The best piece of advice I can give is that you try out as many as you can, and compare them for yourself.

But best of luck! Pre-installed Linux is a fairly unsatisfied area, so I think you will do well.

mahlerfan:

Welcome to you as well! I have found video tools for Linux to be easier than for Windows, especially as they're free. You'll also find that the level of power you get from them extends throughout almost all of the Linux world.

I hope you enjoy Linux as much as we all do, and best of luck in your journey!