How do you setup a new computer?

[donwarnersaklad]

Regrettably even after all these years advocating the principles I read in Free Software, Free Society: Selected Essays of Richard M. Stallman, I haven't got sorted out how to setup my own computer with free software, with GNU/Linux . Stumbling blocks include helpful users who in their attempt to be helpful use too much jargon so that the instructive information needs translation. I'll ask at our public libraries that they include in their computer training events information about free software and about GNU/Linux . The folks there haven't appeared to make sense of what I attempted to explain about it and it hadn't been something that moved them to devote their energies to it.

I would like to expect that electronics consumers with no technical
background themselves could call a toll free telephone line with any
oral enquiries about free software, about GNU/Linux like, "How do you
setup a new computer?"

On Fri, Jan 7, 2011 at 2:30 PM, Richard Stallman rms at gnu. org wrote:
> I pronounce that i short, as in "dinner".
> And the u as in "luck".
> Richard Stallman
> President, Free Software Foundation
> 51 Franklin St
> Boston MA 02110
> USA
fsf. org
gnu. org

[Jonathan183]

Get a live CD of Linux Mint or Ubuntu and give it a go ... run as a live CD until you think you know enough to progress to install Linux - once you do the tools you need to install Linux are on the CD.

Before live CDs you had to take the plunge and install straight away ... what I did a few years ago. Much easier with a live CD and no need to install if you don't want to.

[GregBrannon]

Welcome to this forum and plenty of help / helpful people. Granted, some of the help you receive may include jargon you don't understand - even at the library, but if you've been at it for however many years there are in "all these," you should be catching on to some of the terminology. BUT, anytime someone uses a term you don't understand, ASK, and keep asking.

Try to give enough detail with your questions that people can give good answers. What do you want to do with your new computer? What operating system (OS) is on it now? Do you want to retain that OS and add a Linux distribution, or do you want to make a dedicated Linux computer? What model is the new computer and/or what are the computer's specs? Is it a desktop or laptop? Will you have an internet connection? Wireless only or access to a cable if you need it? What Linux OSs have you tried, if any? Which ones did you like, which ones not so much?

Help the helpers be helpful.

Good luck!

[theKbStockpiler]

If you want to install an O.S it is ALL ABOUT a basic understanding of the Partitioning tool supplied with the O.S's install disk. With Linux it is probably a version of Gparted. It is like a wizard in M$. If you choose the manual partitioning method it will automate it anyways creating logical volumes for later use. Just make sure that you don't disturb the other O.S's on the drive. You can tell the difference by how the partition is formatted and the size of the partition of the Operating system. Let's say Windows is on Ntfs and has a size of 50 gigs. If you don't make another partition this size you know Windows must be on that partition and not to reformat it or make a new install there. The partitioning tool with the install disk will cut your hard drive symbolically into different pieces, Partitions. An O.S has to think that it is the only O.S on a drive. The format part is the way in which the data is stored on the drive. Gparted will make a partition that is smaller than the whole disk and put your original O.S on this partition. Gparted will then make other partitions onto which you can install another O.S. Most Linux install Disks will install a dual boot application like grub for you. Most of the correct choices for the install are automatically selected so you just have to press enter. Usually you set up the partition tool (Gparted) and then have the choice to execute it so you can back out of it before hand and nothing will change. If you think you have made a mistake before this it is no big deal. Just select abort or cancel. This is a good way to prepare or scout-out your install experience.

Richard Stallman is a genius that was instrumental (an understatement) to Linux and Opensource .He is basically Opensource. The two phrases are interchangeable. The guides that he has been involved with for lack of better term are just ramblings and are a waste of time to even experienced Linux users. Most of the Early documents and Books on computing and Linux are no use to anyone. The C book is another doc to avoid like the plague. They are not worth even paraphrasing.

[rokytnji]

Ubuntu | HowtoForge - Linux Howtos and Tutorials

Above site has simple screenshots on setting up any computer for any number of Linux Installs. Up to the user to do his own research though.