Making the jump to Linux - advice needed

Scythian

Scythian

Scythian

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Well after trying and failing to restore windows I have decided to try Linux (kubuntu as I hear it has good security) Only trying this out on a netbook though just to see if I like it, however I will be stuck with it for a few months.

I need advice knowing how useful the word processors are and if they are compatible with MS word as I will need to be writing a CV on this and e-mailing them off. Main worry is that companies won't be able to view it due to unsupported formatting(?)
 
You can use LibreOffice (maybe still called OpenOffice in your chosen distro) which is extremely compatible, especially with something simple like a CV. You can even save documents in MS formats as I recall. If that's your only worry, you'll be absolutely fine!

Kubuntu's a great choice; Ubuntu is very popular and the KDE desktop is in my opinion the best there is. However I'm not sure how good it would be on a netbook. You might want to try the normal Ubuntu as its new interface (Unity) is designed with netbooks, touchscreens and the like in mind. But don't worry about this too much - it's just personal choice at the end of the day. As for security; as far as I know, with regard to security Linux is Linux...i.e. rock-solid. Your choice of desktop manager won't affect this. Just make sure you update your software whenever prompted.

Have fun! Let us know how you get on.
 
Yup, if you've ever used Office 2003 then LibreOffice will be second nature to you. As said Kubuntu isn't that great, but Ubuntu of late has been horrible (imo) to use. I'd suggest having a look at Linux Mint, they have a good KDE branch too but Gnome is probably a better place to start out with. But still, good luck - enjoy yourself and remember; if it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is then reinstall and start again ;)
 
Hmmm, thanks for the fast replies, I'll try the ubuntu with the unity layout then as it's aimed at netbooks. Otherwise I'll take ages going though all the different versions :P
Now its just trying to find a way to install it without a CD.
 
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Bit of a problem, accidently downloaded the wrong file. I downloaded the version that I wanted (10.04 Netbook edition) but I ended up with an ISO file. Is there anyway I can use this to replace my current Windows OS instead of just having it run along side windows which is what this file seemed to be used for?
 
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Tip

Export your documents to PDF. Your formatting is retained no matter what they view it on and pdf loads faster on their machines anyway.
 
Scythian said:
Bit of a problem, accidently downloaded the wrong file. I downloaded the version that I wanted (10.04 Netbook edition) but I ended up with an ISO file. Is there anyway I can use this to replace my current Windows OS instead of just having it run along side windows which is what this file seemed to be used for?
Click to expand...

If you have a large enough USB memory stick, then download UNetbootin. You can then take that ISO disc image and make a bootable USB drive with the Live CD and install files on.
 
Well after all that now it won't let me connect to my wireless access point. Any suggestions?
The OS i got wasn't bad. Although it wasnt exactly the one I wanted it was VERY similar. Will changing it from the version aimed at netbooks to the newest ubuntu version help?
 
I didn't think there was an Ubuntu netbook remix since they started using Unity?

On the wireless - what netbook is it? Or if you can find out what wireless chip is it? If you're in linux then 'lspci |grep wireless' might do it, not sure though.
 
PermaBanned said:
I didn't think there was an Ubuntu netbook remix since they started using Unity?

On the wireless - what netbook is it? Or if you can find out what wireless chip is it? If you're in linux then 'lspci |grep wireless' might do it, not sure though.
Click to expand...

In simpleton terms?

Not even sure where to get 'unity' just downloaded the latest version now to see if that helps.
 
Scythian said:
In simpleton terms?

Not even sure where to get 'unity' just downloaded the latest version now to see if that helps.
Click to expand...

He means run that command in a console, although how you access the console (terminal) in the Unity interface I have no idea. Try looking through "applications" if you have anything like that.

And yeah, since adopting Unity the normal Ubuntu doesn't have a netbook-specific version; Unity is supposed to be what everyone needs no matter what device they're using. ;)
 
Ah got it :)
Well I'm dualbooting the latest version of Ubutu as we speak so I shall give that a go now and mess around with it, will post with update ;)
 
Using ubuntu now. Got a terminal and typed the aforementioned line and was greeted by a lot of text. :confused:

It also mentioned installing a wireless driver, but it involves restarting and that means installing ubuntu instead of booting from USB which isnt something I'm comfortable with.

As for network card it is one of these:
All 802.11 integrated wireless LAN options
Broadcom 4322AGN 802.11a/b/g/draft-n Wi-Fi Adapter
Broadcom 4311AG 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi Adapter
Broadcom 4312G 802.11b/g Wi-Fi Adapter

Taken from manufacturer's website if it helps.
 
Right, apparently there are three drivers available for your card - an open source one, a proprietary manufacturer created driver for Linux and the Windows driver, which can be run in Linux. Ideally you would 'like' to use them in that order, but the first might not work with yours since it's rather new.

Probably the easiest thing to try would be to go to System (do you have that in Unity?) - Administration (do you have that in Unity?) - Hardware Drivers. It should show it, just click it then enable it, there might be a few for other devices as well. As for not rebooting... suck it up, basically. If you have to then just about the only way to get online from just the CD is over ethernet. But as we've all said, not having a primary hard drive isn't really a viable long term position to be in ;)
 
Well I chose to install the netbook version (still have a second USB with Ubuntu 11.04)

When I booted it from usb the two drivers where there. After the install (dualbooting) no drivers are there at all. :confused:

Is there anything else I can do to get the driver?

Edit: Everythings sorted and running now. :)
Just need to do the updates which I will start straight away. :)

Anyone know of an MSN alternative? or any other useful programs I may need?
 
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