Ubuntu noob needs help

[AHarvey]

Hi all,

After speaking to the IT guy at work about licence costs for windows/office and the company updating to Win 7 I suggested Linux.

He said "if you can prove everything works then we may consider it" so I took it as a challenge

Few problems though:

1) Not being an admin I can't install it on the HDD so I have just put it on an 8gb USB pen drive and it's slow. Would a normal USB hdd be faster or is there a faster alternative to an internal drive?

2) We use a java based chat program for work that we launch via a shortcut on the desktop. Shortcut target location is a web address and I can't get it to work. Unfortunately I can't give the link out but does anyone have any suggestions?

3) We use a windows network and roaming profiles. I need to be able to connect to the windows network/shared drives and keep my priviledges, is this a problem?

Using the latest Ubuntu.

Using the GUI for the moment until I feel more confident to start using the console. Any good linux for noobs sites that cover all the basics?

Thanks

 

[AHarvey]

Cool, I will have a look

I have downloaded a new login screen from http://art.gnome.org/ and for the life of me cannot get it to install.

Anyone know how to do it?

Found this good detailed guide:
http://www.simplehelp.net/2009/05/21/how-to-change-the-ubuntu-login-screen/

But as soon as I put my password in I simple get 2 options:

* Show the screen for choosing who will log in
*Log in as ****** automatically (I can then set a time for anyone else to log in first)

:S