Comments on: Adventures with Linux http://crookedtimber.org/2004/07/26/adventures-with-linux/ Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:33:23 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Tim http://crookedtimber.org/2004/07/26/adventures-with-linux/comment-page-1/#comment-36671 Tim Wed, 28 Jul 2004 21:55:44 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1937#comment-36671 One avenue you might want to go down is seeing if there's a Linux Users Group (LUG) in your area. If so, join their mailing list, attend some meetings, etc. What you'll find is a group of people with a highly concentrated knowledge of linux and a willingness to share it. One avenue you might want to go down is seeing if there’s a Linux Users Group (LUG) in your area. If so, join their mailing list, attend some meetings, etc. What you’ll find is a group of people with a highly concentrated knowledge of linux and a willingness to share it.

]]> By: anon http://crookedtimber.org/2004/07/26/adventures-with-linux/comment-page-1/#comment-36670 anon Wed, 28 Jul 2004 06:36:33 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1937#comment-36670 JWZ once noted that when you have a problem with Linux, everyone will tell you to use a different distribution. Or to recompile your kernel (fortunately, this one much less these days). I recommend that you use whatever distro your most technical friend uses. And don't forget the HOWTO series of documents -- you may end up cargo culting a bit, but if it works, who cares? Don't forget to check the syslog. USB mouse support has at least two components: kernel, and X server. Both need to understand your mouse. JWZ once noted that when you have a problem with Linux, everyone will tell you to use a different distribution. Or to recompile your kernel (fortunately, this one much less these days). I recommend that you use whatever distro your most technical friend uses. And don’t forget the HOWTO series of documents—you may end up cargo culting a bit, but if it works, who cares? Don’t forget to check the syslog. USB mouse support has at least two components: kernel, and X server. Both need to understand your mouse.

]]> By: Thlayli http://crookedtimber.org/2004/07/26/adventures-with-linux/comment-page-1/#comment-36669 Thlayli Wed, 28 Jul 2004 04:27:08 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1937#comment-36669 The only USB device I have on my SuSE machine is a Zip drive (does anyone else still use those?) No configuration required. Ditto for my Logitech cordless optical PS/2 mouse. The only USB device I have on my SuSE machine is a Zip drive (does anyone else still use those?) No configuration required. Ditto for my Logitech cordless optical PS/2 mouse.

]]> By: Chris Bertram http://crookedtimber.org/2004/07/26/adventures-with-linux/comment-page-1/#comment-36668 Chris Bertram Tue, 27 Jul 2004 22:53:49 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1937#comment-36668 Thanks for asking Todd. I'm nowhere with the mouse at the moment, but I'm getting lots of help on the network side. Actually lots of people have offered help for which I'm really really grateful. But I think it best if I try to follow one "help path" at a time so I've had to put some people off. Thanks again everyone. Thanks for asking Todd. I’m nowhere with the mouse at the moment, but I’m getting lots of help on the network side. Actually lots of people have offered help for which I’m really really grateful. But I think it best if I try to follow one “help path” at a time so I’ve had to put some people off. Thanks again everyone.

]]> By: todd. http://crookedtimber.org/2004/07/26/adventures-with-linux/comment-page-1/#comment-36667 todd. Tue, 27 Jul 2004 20:45:24 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1937#comment-36667 I feel bad because we veered off into arguing about distributions and Windows. Any progress with the network and/or mice, Chris? I feel bad because we veered off into arguing about distributions and Windows. Any progress with the network and/or mice, Chris?

]]> By: teep http://crookedtimber.org/2004/07/26/adventures-with-linux/comment-page-1/#comment-36666 teep Tue, 27 Jul 2004 20:07:45 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1937#comment-36666 Google, like xerox, is a copyrighted noun frequently used as a verb to the ongoing distress of its copyright holders. Whether or not one AGREES with using 'to google' as a verb, it's what is actually happening out there in the real world when regular people are permitted to use the language as it suits them to do. Persons who take a descriptivist approach to language will accept 'to google' as a verb because there are people using it as such out in the real world. People aboard the prescriptivist train, which makes tidy circles in its ivory tower, will likely explain repeatedly how we ought not be using 'to google' as a verb, but their pronouncements (as always) will only be of interest to themselves. More on this: http://www.marketingprofs.com/4/arruda12.asp http://www.wordspy.com/words/google.asp The two articles cited use "to google" as a specific case of 'searching for information about a person of whom you know nothing'... I've seen it applied more broadly than that, in more of a general "searching via one's search engine of choice" sense, but your mileage may vary. It is a newish word and, as such, is still in flux. I suspect that its meaning will settle down if the word persists. Google, like xerox, is a copyrighted noun frequently used as a verb to the ongoing distress of its copyright holders. Whether or not one AGREES with using ‘to google’ as a verb, it’s what is actually happening out there in the real world when regular people are permitted to use the language as it suits them to do. Persons who take a descriptivist approach to language will accept ‘to google’ as a verb because there are people using it as such out in the real world. People aboard the prescriptivist train, which makes tidy circles in its ivory tower, will likely explain repeatedly how we ought not be using ‘to google’ as a verb, but their pronouncements (as always) will only be of interest to themselves. More on this: http://www.marketingprofs.com/4/arruda12.asp http://www.wordspy.com/words/google.asp The two articles cited use “to google” as a specific case of ‘searching for information about a person of whom you know nothing’… I’ve seen it applied more broadly than that, in more of a general “searching via one’s search engine of choice” sense, but your mileage may vary. It is a newish word and, as such, is still in flux. I suspect that its meaning will settle down if the word persists.

]]> By: Alex http://crookedtimber.org/2004/07/26/adventures-with-linux/comment-page-1/#comment-36665 Alex Tue, 27 Jul 2004 18:45:44 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1937#comment-36665 Dear Dad, All I'm going to say in this space is that "Google" is not, has never been and will never be a verb. Well, in other contexts it could well be, but using a search engine would generally be described as "searching". Do as you will with Linux when I'm not in the house. Or at least when I'm not trying to use the internet. Dear Dad, All I’m going to say in this space is that “Google” is not, has never been and will never be a verb. Well, in other contexts it could well be, but using a search engine would generally be described as “searching”. Do as you will with Linux when I’m not in the house. Or at least when I’m not trying to use the internet.

]]> By: Gil http://crookedtimber.org/2004/07/26/adventures-with-linux/comment-page-1/#comment-36664 Gil Tue, 27 Jul 2004 05:04:44 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1937#comment-36664 I have a dual boot RH80/WinXP box. My Logitech USB optical mouse doesn't work in Linux either. While I try to figure out how to set it up I'm using two mice(mouses?); USB with XP and PS/2 with Linux. They seem to ignore each other when required to. I have a dual boot RH80/WinXP box. My Logitech USB optical mouse doesn’t work in Linux either. While I try to figure out how to set it up I’m using two mice(mouses?); USB with XP and PS/2 with Linux. They seem to ignore each other when required to.

]]> By: Tom T. http://crookedtimber.org/2004/07/26/adventures-with-linux/comment-page-1/#comment-36663 Tom T. Tue, 27 Jul 2004 03:01:18 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1937#comment-36663 I've been contemplating turning my WinXP box into a dual-boot system with Linux (just for tinkering). I have a second hard drive that's essentially empty, and I would put Linux on there. Am I running the same risk of Windows crashing and data loss if the Linux install is on a wholly separate disk? I’ve been contemplating turning my WinXP box into a dual-boot system with Linux (just for tinkering). I have a second hard drive that’s essentially empty, and I would put Linux on there. Am I running the same risk of Windows crashing and data loss if the Linux install is on a wholly separate disk?

]]> By: Chet Murthy http://crookedtimber.org/2004/07/26/adventures-with-linux/comment-page-1/#comment-36662 Chet Murthy Tue, 27 Jul 2004 00:15:07 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1937#comment-36662 Chris, If Knoppix works fine, then, um, so will Debian. And you can use Knoppix as an installer. And ... you can snarf all the config files from Knoppix. In short, Knoppix has done all the hard work. Chris, If Knoppix works fine, then, um, so will Debian. And you can use Knoppix as an installer. And … you can snarf all the config files from Knoppix. In short, Knoppix has done all the hard work.

]]> By: Sarah Kinley http://crookedtimber.org/2004/07/26/adventures-with-linux/comment-page-1/#comment-36661 Sarah Kinley Mon, 26 Jul 2004 23:17:24 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1937#comment-36661 Dear Chris As someone who went from Windows to Linux with no specialist knowledge, I have found that visiting a Linux-specific forum, particularly one aimed at newbies, is the best method for solving problems. Here is one that I found to be particularly helpful. It is frequented by a group of Linux users and distro professionals. Even if they cannot answer the question personally, they will try direct you to someone who can :) http://linuxquestions.org PS SuSE 8.2 works very well indeed on my PC. Dear Chris As someone who went from Windows to Linux with no specialist knowledge, I have found that visiting a Linux-specific forum, particularly one aimed at newbies, is the best method for solving problems. Here is one that I found to be particularly helpful. It is frequented by a group of Linux users and distro professionals. Even if they cannot answer the question personally, they will try direct you to someone who can :) http://linuxquestions.org PS SuSE 8.2 works very well indeed on my PC.

]]> By: Tom Runnacles http://crookedtimber.org/2004/07/26/adventures-with-linux/comment-page-1/#comment-36660 Tom Runnacles Mon, 26 Jul 2004 20:50:53 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1937#comment-36660 Chris, (1) I'm with w.: to go from a Windows-only PC to dual-boot when there's important data on the existing disc is probably a no-no unless you're comfortable doing the install in your sleep. It's really way too easy to trash stuff by accident. (2) Weev wrote: <blockquote>Openoffice has the ability to load and save MS Word, Excel, etc files. I have been using Openoffice in Windows-only workplaces for two years now with no problems</blockquote> Hmmph. Complicated OO documents with lots of formatting really don't come out looking sensible in Word, in my experience. OO is fine for shopping lists, but use it for your resume at your peril, folks. (3) I've used Redhat since 7.0, and though I should say that my hardware is very standard, the installer left me with absolutely no tweaking to do since it recognised everything straight away. Grand. I've not upgraded to Fedora, but if it's as good as the other RH releases, you should be fine. (4) Debian is hard, hard, hard. Avoid. Chris, (1) I’m with w.: to go from a Windows-only PC to dual-boot when there’s important data on the existing disc is probably a no-no unless you’re comfortable doing the install in your sleep. It’s really way too easy to trash stuff by accident. (2) Weev wrote:
Openoffice has the ability to load and save MS Word, Excel, etc files. I have been using Openoffice in Windows-only workplaces for two years now with no problems
Hmmph. Complicated OO documents with lots of formatting really don’t come out looking sensible in Word, in my experience. OO is fine for shopping lists, but use it for your resume at your peril, folks. (3) I’ve used Redhat since 7.0, and though I should say that my hardware is very standard, the installer left me with absolutely no tweaking to do since it recognised everything straight away. Grand. I’ve not upgraded to Fedora, but if it’s as good as the other RH releases, you should be fine. (4) Debian is hard, hard, hard. Avoid.

]]> By: cooper http://crookedtimber.org/2004/07/26/adventures-with-linux/comment-page-1/#comment-36659 cooper Mon, 26 Jul 2004 19:09:20 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1937#comment-36659 Yeah, I really have to say, I wouldn't recommend SuSE for someone getting started. Mandrake or Fedora (anything RedHat derived) tends to simply go better when you (*cough*) don't really know what you are doing. Yeah, I really have to say, I wouldn’t recommend SuSE for someone getting started. Mandrake or Fedora (anything RedHat derived) tends to simply go better when you (*cough*) don’t really know what you are doing.

]]> By: Shai http://crookedtimber.org/2004/07/26/adventures-with-linux/comment-page-1/#comment-36658 Shai Mon, 26 Jul 2004 18:44:26 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1937#comment-36658 I've been running a freebsd (*nix like linux) on my network gateway since 1998 (I had previously messed around with redhat 4.1 in 1996 and was amazed at the christmas module -- snow collected on the top of windows. I didn't do much else). It also functions as a web server, mail server, proxy server, database server, firewall. In fact it works so well I haven't upgraded it since 1998 (it's amazing the 1995 2.1gb hard drive in it is still functioning) ... Now I've tried linux on the desktop and there was a time when it compared favorably wit windows. Windows 95 and 98 were truly horrible. Some of the human factors problems in Gnome, KDE, etc were offset by the stability of the linux platform, but windows 2000 and windows xp have closed that gap a few years ago, so I can't think of any good reasons to use it unless you like to tinker. I’ve been running a freebsd (*nix like linux) on my network gateway since 1998 (I had previously messed around with redhat 4.1 in 1996 and was amazed at the christmas module—snow collected on the top of windows. I didn’t do much else). It also functions as a web server, mail server, proxy server, database server, firewall. In fact it works so well I haven’t upgraded it since 1998 (it’s amazing the 1995 2.1gb hard drive in it is still functioning) … Now I’ve tried linux on the desktop and there was a time when it compared favorably wit windows. Windows 95 and 98 were truly horrible. Some of the human factors problems in Gnome, KDE, etc were offset by the stability of the linux platform, but windows 2000 and windows xp have closed that gap a few years ago, so I can’t think of any good reasons to use it unless you like to tinker.

]]> By: W. http://crookedtimber.org/2004/07/26/adventures-with-linux/comment-page-1/#comment-36657 W. Mon, 26 Jul 2004 18:39:08 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1937#comment-36657 I may have, er, communicated my sentiments in a more brisque fashion than I intended. Of course, Professor Bertram should try new things. Running Linux is a wonderful and rewarding experience. It is also a significant investment in time and effort, and I think the time and scratch spent procuring a separate computer to make mistakes on, and "break" would repay itself many times over, because nothing feels worse (in my experience) than hosing valuble data because of self-inflicted wounds, er, a computer-related project went south. Is my horrible experience with finnicky harddrives, and bad boot sectors, and elbust-o power supplies showing? Heh. I may have, er, communicated my sentiments in a more brisque fashion than I intended. Of course, Professor Bertram should try new things. Running Linux is a wonderful and rewarding experience. It is also a significant investment in time and effort, and I think the time and scratch spent procuring a separate computer to make mistakes on, and “break” would repay itself many times over, because nothing feels worse (in my experience) than hosing valuble data because of self-inflicted wounds, er, a computer-related project went south. Is my horrible experience with finnicky harddrives, and bad boot sectors, and elbust-o power supplies showing? Heh.

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