[Ham-Computers] Latest XP Security Updates (More Linux Info)

[Jim Hill]

Jeff:
I'm embarrassed that I didn't include that option in my last 
post.  Both Debian and Ubuntu have live distros, and they give 
potential users the opportunity to see if they like Linux's version 
of Windows and Microsoft Office (called Open Office).  I have cable 
modem, and both distros set it up automatically.  Dial-up is another 
issue. Per my Ubuntu book, only certain dial up connections are 
supported, not including the most popular - Winmodem.  Apparently, 
there are difficulties dealing with the companies making Winmodem. 
Developers are working on Linmodem, a project to bring support for 
most Winmodems, but as far as I know it is not completed. The book 
recommends buying an external modem that connects to the serial 
port.  It says these modems can be found for around $10 to 
$20.  Linux really isn't free, but it is pretty cheap compared to Microsoft.

Should anybody want to give Linux a try, I'll end with some Ubuntu links:

Which Ubuntu?
The Ubuntu site http://www.ubuntu.com lists a number of variations to 
Ubuntu, which are Kubuntu, edubuntu, xubuntu.  Pick Ubuntu, and 
ignore the others for the present.

Ubuntu is upgraded periodically, and the releases are given a name 
and number.  The last three "stable" versions (in other words, not beta) are:
Breezy Badger, release 5.10 on 10/05, Dapper Drake, release 6.06 on 
6/06, and Edgy Eft, release 6/10 on 10/06.  Any should do the job, so 
take whatever is available.  You can upgrade later.  I'm using Breezy Badger.

Downloads
Downloads are fast, but I have not found any sources that provide a 
"live distro" or "live CD" which allows you to run Ubuntu off the CD 
instead of installing it.  Go to 
http://www.ubuntu.com/products/GetUbuntu/download?action=show&redirect=download 
and scroll down to "Choosing an Ubuntu Release" for a download 
link.  After downloading and saving it on the hard drive, you need to 
burn to a CD-R as an iso file.  Many of the current CD burners have 
this option, but I used the freeware burner found at 
http://www.petri.co.il/how_to_write_iso_files_to_cd.htm It's easy to 
tell if you have an iso file.  If you don't the CD won't boot.

Order a Disk
You are downloading about 700 MB, so a high speed connection is a 
real plus.  Also, I have not found a live distro download.

For a freebie, go 
to 
<http://www.ubuntu.com/support/faq>http://www.ubuntu.com/support/faq 
and scan down to How Do I Get Ubuntu?
Service is slow, 6 to 10 weeks, but the price is right. The site 
doesn't say what you get, but I received both a live CD and a install 
CD with very brief installation instructions.

For a faster response time (for a price), there are a number of pay 
sites.  One is 
<http://on-disk.com/product_info.php/products_id/179>http://on-disk.com/product_info.php/products_id/179 
where prices are $3.99 plus shipping.  The product can be either used 
as a live CD or a install CD.

Getting Help
Forums: Go to 
<http://ubuntuforums.org/>http://ubuntuforums.org/   and try the 
Absolute Beginner forum.  When searching for past answers to a 
question, notice that there are two searches - the forum you are 
viewing, and all forums.  Searching is a good idea, since the guys 
with the best answers may not be checking the forum when you post the 
question.  Unlike many of the qth.net forums, you may get an answer 
in a few minutes, so pick a time when you will be at the 
computer.  Bookmark your post, as there are so many yours will be 
hard to find in a few days.

If you like Ubuntu, the next step probably is a book.  I bought 
"Beginning Ubuntu Linux" by Kier Thomas at a local bookstore when I 
was looking for something else, and like the book. A cheaper source 
is 
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/102-6636413-0107339?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=beginning+ubuntu+linux&Go.x=10&Go.y=9 
You can search for other books, but be careful to get a book that 
addresses beginners.  It can get over your head pretty fast.

Is anybody going to give it a try?

Jim




At 06:12 AM 11/22/2006, you wrote:
>On Tue, 2006-11-21 at 22:42 -0800, Jim Hill wrote:
> > 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
>
>Jim - thanks for some really well thought-out advice.
>
>I'd like to take it a step simpler.  Get what's called a live distro,
>which you dl for free and burn to a cd.  The computer boots from the cd,
>never messing with the hard drive or current (flawed) operating system.