Tried Ubuntu, got a bit confused

Murray · 2 Mar 2012 at 03:15

Got a bit bored and installed Ubuntu to see what its like I couldn't figure out what to do really or how to do it also I have a question.

How do I get my dual monitors working? only one was showing in the display settings and it was saying it was unknown

Looks really nice, will be easier once you get used to it I guess

Huw · 2 Mar 2012 at 10:01

Can't help with the Unity interface, but as for your monitor problem, are you using the proprietary driver for your card?

masterluke · 2 Mar 2012 at 11:05

what graphics card u using?

Murray · 2 Mar 2012 at 14:44

GTX 580

masterluke · 2 Mar 2012 at 15:31

Should be well supported. You should be prompted to install the nvidia binary driver. Failing that do a..

sudo apt-get install nvidia-current

.. this will install the driver. Included with the driver is nvidia-settings which has the settings page that you need to configure dual monitors.

Murray · 2 Mar 2012 at 15:55

Its recognizing my monitors now, dual monitors come on now, thanks

Managed to get Steam working as well

Not sure what else to do now

Huw · 2 Mar 2012 at 15:57

Murray said:
Not sure what else to do now

Now you break it, then fix it, then break it, etc until you're an expert.

Murray · 2 Mar 2012 at 16:09

Sounds like fun

Murray · 3 Mar 2012 at 06:21

I installed all the updates and it broke it, comes up something about busybox or something when trying to launch. Might try a different distro what else is good?

paradisiac · 3 Mar 2012 at 07:27

I found mint to be pretty decent and well supported

masterluke · 3 Mar 2012 at 08:01

Murray said:
I installed all the updates and it broke it, comes up something about busybox or something when trying to launch. Might try a different distro what else is good?

Thats wierd - ubuntu is usually quite resilient. As suggested, Mint is a nice easy alternative to try next. The user interface will be a bit more familiar. If you really want to learn linux then Archlinux is the way to go, but be prepared for a lenghty install by hand. The documentation is excellent and will give you a step-by-step guide and you'll learn loads.

Murray · 3 Mar 2012 at 08:03

Currently on Linux Mint atm. Seems more natural with the taskbar sort of thing at the bottom and such.

Edit : Can you install extensions in Chromium?

masterluke · 3 Mar 2012 at 09:26

Yes

You can also use regular chrome if you like

phill1978 · 3 Mar 2012 at 12:04

tried mint 12 with both bars i thought it looked odd. i understand the desire for both but i cant seem to get the task bar widgets anymore and the original menu has been restricted a bit..seemed a bit pointless.

in honesty unity isn't so bad. just needs to be a bit more integrated and customisable, currently trying ubuntu 12

Huw · 3 Mar 2012 at 13:15

phill1978 said:
tried mint 12 with both bars i thought it looked odd. i understand the desire for both but i cant seem to get the task bar widgets anymore and the original menu has been restricted a bit..seemed a bit pointless.

Yeah, well you can change all of that if you want to (and can be arsed). That's one of the many advantages Linux has over other operating systems - you can do anything you want with it, you're limited only by your skills and knowledge.

Murray · 3 Mar 2012 at 13:42

I usually just break it or dunno what to do any go back to windows so far

.Kencs · 3 Mar 2012 at 14:43

I'm using Ubuntu 11.10 and my dual monitors were mirrored. Within 'Display' or settings, there was a choice to untick 'Mirror Monitors' and then it worked OK for me.

Sorry I can't be much help, im still learning, but that is 1 little thing I managed to work out