[Ham-Computers] Latest XP Security Updates

[Jim Hill]

To: "Computers (or other) used for amateur radio, communications,  or 
experimenting" <ham-computers at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Ham-Computers] Latest XP Security Updates

At 07:05 AM 11/18/2006, you wrote:
>WA5CAB at cs.com wrote:
>>The problem with Linux is that there are 40 million versions and counting.
>>
>
>In case anyone is curious, I like Debian because it does a very fast 
>basic install off CD, then goes to fetch the rest of the software 
>off the internet from Debian sites unattended.  The installation has 
>always been flawless and I can be pretty sure I get the latest 
>versions of the software.  Updates using apt-get.  Simple and 
>painless. Not recommended for dialup connections.
>
>Now if you are really tired of having to work for a computer instead 
>of the other way around, get a MAC.
>
>I recently became the proud owner of an iBook G3.  Wireless 
>networking, 30gig hard drive, 650meg ram, and the only games to play 
>are on the computer.  The thing just works and works when I want it to work.
>
>There, I feel much better now.
>
>Regards,
>Frank Kamp

Frank and the group:
 From my experience, if you are just starting with Linux and don't 
have a computer background, Ubuntu is a better choice.  I've 
installed both Debian and Ubuntu, and Ubuntu is much easier.  My 
first attempt was installing Debian in a Linux adult education class, 
where the school computers were really old and slow.  We spent 
literally weeks getting successful installations, as a reinstallation 
took hours.  The instructor spent most of his time helping those with 
the worst problems, and the rest of us compared notes on our 
installation issues, talking to the instructor from time to time. 
Over half of the class quit.  The guy who wrote the Debian 
installation instructions really should have taken it home and had 
his wife and a few neighbors try it out and give suggestions. We 
reinstalled a number of times before getting a operational setup.  I 
tried installing Debian at home,  using ideas found in class plus a 
tip from a Debian user group.   The newer home computer (P3-933) was 
a big help, but had problems with a fuzzy display on the initial 
Debian screen. While fixing it, I ended up on a path that asked 
endless questions about the most intimate details of my monitor 
(fortunately, I had the manual), plus a generous ration of questions 
about the mouse and keyboard.  Windows gets an A+ in this area for 
ease of installation.  I finally got a good display, but I have never 
been able to repeat it and get the same clarity.

During class, a number of other distributions were mentioned by some 
of the students,  and I decided to give Ubuntu a try.  Don't 
know  why I selected it - probably the odd-ball name, but it was a good choice.

Everything is different in Linux, and a book on your "distribution" 
(Linux-speak for the version you are using) is really handy.  Ubuntu 
has a book called Beginning Ubuntu Linux, from Novice to Professional 
by Kier Thomas.  It has mixed reviews on CNET, but I found it to be 
very useful.  I wish I could find a similar book for Debian.

For the initial Linux installation, I suggest you not install it as a 
dual boot setup the computer you use daily.  One choice is to drag 
that old computer out of the closet and install only Linux. Both 
Debian and Ubuntu installations have an option where the installation 
program removes whatever is currently on the hard drive and installs 
Linux.  Another option is to look for that small hard drive you put 
in a drawer after buying a larger drive, and temporarily connect it 
to your computer.  I used this approach, leaving the cover off and 
positioning the new drive where it would not fall over.  My 4.7 gig 
drive had more than enough room.

After trying Linux for a while, you can decide if you want to 
continue and if so the best permanent installation approach.  Expect 
Linux to be different with a new vocabulary, etc., where all your 
current Windows skills are not much help.  If you pick the dual boot 
approach, the master boot is changed and the hard drive won't boot if 
you remove Linux later.  I found an application that restores the 
MBR, but you need to be prepared before making changes.

Both Debian and Ubuntu have useful discussion groups with usually a 
quick response time.  See http://ubuntuforums.org/ and 
http://forums.debian.net/.

Jim