techwatcher

Currently I use 2 old (second-hand) boxes, one as online PC & one as offline PC (i.e., with data); both run Windows 98SE systems. I'd really prefer to move to Linux on the online PC, particularly since I just got a cable connection, and even with firewall, I have trouble keeping up. But the Motorola cable modem instructions don't even mention Linux. Is it possible to use this, or any, Linux distribution with a cable modem?

My online PC needs browser (I've been using K-Meleon from Sourceforge, so I assume there's a Linux version), chess-playing software (Blitzen), and image processing. Oh, yeah, I want to get a digicam -- any Linux drivers available for any of them? When I read the reviews, no one mentions Linux.

techwatcher

Forgot to mention, I'm using GIMP already, so I have the image processing software -- I know there's a Linux version of that.

Dapper Dan

If your cable modem runs to a network interface card in your 'on-line' computer, you shoudn't have any trouble as most NICs work with Linux. My suggestion would be to download, burn and install a Linux live cd so you'll know what you're dealing with. Mepis is a very good choice as is Ubuntu and Knoppix. This will give you tremendous insight too.

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ell02

motorola modem works fine here. however ubuntu would not recognise it on a usb cable, when switched to a ethernet cable everything went smoothly.

techwatcher

Thanks, Dapper Dan, for the interesting link, but I am an experienced computer user -- just know very, very little about networking and Linux. (Really! Despite being female, I learned my first language -- FORTRAN -- in 1969.)

So, I don't want to change Linux, just want to switch to it if I can. I have to keep Windows 98SE on my offline machine, I believe, because I was a writer for many years (am a writer?), and I have all that text... (Yes, it's ASCII, but still!) Also I still love my ancient software (XyWrite, Ecco for PIM, ViSiO, PageMaker 6.5, etc.).

My first problem is, although I have a CD r/w drive and DVD drive on this machine, I don't have software to create a CD. (Did buy a package of CD disks, though.) I tried to look for one on Tucows, but couldn't identify whatever it is I need.

I just read something that seems to indicate if I buy a router, Linux can run the router and then the cable modem might work. I honestly don't know how the cable modem works (if it accesses the network adaptor card); it's plugged into a USB port. There is also an Ethernet card (?) on this machine, but I never bothered to get a driver for it. (And if I run it under Linux, presumably a Windows driver isn't going to do me much good anyway!)

Thanks for the signposts. I'm willing to read stuff and try to figure things out, just need more guidance.

Dapper Dan

You are an experienced Windows user. If you were an experienced computer user, you wouldn't be asking questions about Linux.

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techwatcher

No, Dapper Dan, I am an experienced computer user, since the time of punched decks. I had to run Windows when I worked in Manhattan (consulting documentation specialist, often tech writer or manager of same, sometime trainer, sometime programmer). Clients required it, even though I almost always used my own laptop and software onsite. If it were up to me I'd probably still be running under SmartDOS on an 8086, with LazyWriter and Lucid 3D for spreadsheets, and BASIC for very primitive graphics!

Is there a good place around here to start from the beginning (about Linux) and read straight through to the end? I used to have a Unix manual and remember some of the basic commands, but never got around to Linux. Now I'm living on SSI, but I have a decent 2000 Gateway, purchased used just after Christmas: 400 mhz, 128 RAM, 14 g hd, CD r/w drive, floppy, even a DVD drive. (What's the Linux equivalent of PowerDVD, anyway? or is there such a thing? Can I still watch DVDs if I switch to Linux -- I don't own a tv?) Also went back to the Goodwill outlet and bought a 4g hd a couple weeks ago, installed it as slave (so I could try to back up Windows -- yeah, right). So I should be good to go with Linux, if I can find the right starting point.

I picked the Knoppix forum because I thought I might start by booting from CD on the Windows box, but the more I think about it, the less reason I can find to keep Windows on the online PC at all. Unless I need it to watch an occasional DVD from the library. Even then, I could install Windows on the slave hd, disconnect that drive (physically if necessary), and put Linux on the 14g (master) drive. Swap cables if I want to watch a film.

Dapper Dan

Then all you'll have to do is apply your previous Unix knowledge to the distro of your choice and keep going from there. What you are unfamiliar with, you can likely find here.

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craigevil

Do a Google search for cd burning software there are many free ones even for windows. Make sure you choose burn image or iso when you burn to cd.

Here is one:
burn4free freeware
http://www.burn4free.com/

Download.com search:
http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0....0&search=Go%21

unclebubbles

"Is there a good place around here to start from the beginning (about Linux) and read straight through to the end?"

The wiki and the tutorials on the different linux forums have alot of good information. The ubuntu forum is very active. For books, try your local library. The one here has a pretty good selection of books on linux.