mike Posted September 15, 2007 Share Posted September 15, 2007 Curious: If you were to setup a pc that was used solely for accessing and surfing the internet......... what operating system would you choose and why? thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashram Posted September 15, 2007 Share Posted September 15, 2007 Linux Ubuntu would be a choice you can then install just the needed package elements and have a very minimal system running with a user interface and web browser. Starts fast and easy to use. There are many Linux stuff. You can go to the Ubuntu website and get them to send a CD/DVD to you and you can boot it and have a play around with it without installing it and install it if you like it. And it is free as well. I am running a Fedora 7 Linux setup as an extra off my windows network, which allows me to develop in the environment that my websites are hosted on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCH-Bruce Posted September 15, 2007 Share Posted September 15, 2007 Linux - virtually unable to get a virus/worm, etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike Posted September 15, 2007 Author Share Posted September 15, 2007 Good Morning, and thanks for the input. So if I went to Ubuntu they would send me a disk that would , say, format a new drive install linux and be web-ready? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCH-Bruce Posted September 15, 2007 Share Posted September 15, 2007 Most people download live distributions and burn their own CDs. But yes you can get a CD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashram Posted September 15, 2007 Share Posted September 15, 2007 (edited) Good Morning, and thanks for the input. So if I went to Ubuntu they would send me a disk that would , say, format a new drive install linux and be web-ready? yes I did and they sent me 3 copies as I asked in case my children wanted to check it out. The disks come from Europe. But as Bruce said most people download them and burn them. If you have an ISP like mine they have free content and doesn't count towards bandwidth usage. But I've also had problems with downloaded distros as well wasting disks from corrupt downloads. But you can check them with files that do a checksum on them to validate they are correct. Ubuntu is just one that is fairly easy to work with compared to something like Fedora or Redhat. CentOs is not bad but I only got it to install in test line mode, moved to Fedora 7, which is probably overkill for my use, but I don't mind that. Edited September 15, 2007 by flashram Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmanmcp Posted September 15, 2007 Share Posted September 15, 2007 Well you give very little information to go on and I'm a guy that will take the easiest path. Windows. It installs on most any system with no problems. Everything needed for connecting and accessing the Internet is included in the OS. You did not mention any requirements for security or virus protection so additional packages or work is not required. Windows is hands down the easiest way to connect to the Internet. <Madman gets ready for the flames> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCH-Bruce Posted September 15, 2007 Share Posted September 15, 2007 Not from me! But have you ever installed Ubuntu? It's pretty easy and pretty much configures itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmanmcp Posted September 15, 2007 Share Posted September 15, 2007 Not from me! But have you ever installed Ubuntu? It's pretty easy and pretty much configures itself. I have been procastinating for years about putting aside a box just for playing around with Linux and hopefully will have the chance shortly. We just upgraded (purchased) a new desktop for the wife and I get her old one since the boys already have newer PC's then her old one. We used to operate on the "handme down system" where my wife or I rotated getting a new computers and the boys would get the leftovers. BUt now that they both work they are buying their own. I just know about all the war stories my friends tell me about their troubles getting a clean install and whats involved. Does the install come with a browser and email or is that a separate package. How about network or Internet connection and setup, With Windows Network Wizard that process is a breeze now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCH-Bruce Posted September 15, 2007 Share Posted September 15, 2007 The last time I loaded a copy of Ubuntu (actually it was Kubuntu) it recognized all my hardware and came complete with desktop that included a browser, email and OpenOffice. The Internet connection was automatic through my cable modem/router. You can always try a LiveCD to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashram Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Well I was able to get Linux Fedora 7 setup and running and on the net no questions asked and I can quite assure you that I have no linux knowledge at all, bar what I have read since. No it isn't easy from a text line input point of view, but I elected for GUI setups so everything is much the same as windows. My youngest daughter who is 11 wants and loves the Linux system on here computer. That is why I suggested the Ubuntu as you can get the CD as it as Bruce said a Live CD without install, to get a good visual look at it. Fedora suited me due to my requirements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCH-Carl Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 I too would suggest Kubuntu. Linux has evolved a lot in the last couple of years, installing it is not as painful as people say. The only problem I faced was with my wiFi, but that too was quickly solved by a search on kubuntu forums with the Laptop model and the hardware details(I saw a specific thread on installing Kubuntu on my model). I have installed Kubuntu on many systems - family and friends - and the only machine that gave me an issue was mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCH-Andy Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Whilst I'm a fan ( and use ) Ubuntu / kubuntu ..... I had a play with PClinuxOS 2007 recently ( to look at for windows users) http://www.pclinuxos.com/ and was impressed with it for windows users migrating. Has all the 'windows' type plugins already there ... found laptop wifi etc easily on boot That sets up everything you need ( browsers, connections etc) straight out of the box .... not to tricky for a windows user to use. Again free ( of course, as it's linux) and a 1 CD download. You can run it as a live CD to play with and try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCH-Andy Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 I have been procastinating for years about putting aside a box just for playing around with Linux and hopefully will have the chance shortly. We just upgraded (purchased) a new desktop for the wife and I get her old one since the boys already have newer PC's then her old one. We used to operate on the "handme down system" where my wife or I rotated getting a new computers and the boys would get the leftovers. BUt now that they both work they are buying their own. I just know about all the war stories my friends tell me about their troubles getting a clean install and whats involved. Does the install come with a browser and email or is that a separate package. How about network or Internet connection and setup, With Windows Network Wizard that process is a breeze now. As folk have already said, try a LiveCD .... they are a bit slow - but give you a reasonable idea ... and don't touch your hard disk, so nothing to worry about in testing - just reboot back into windows when done. They come with all the browser, email, Internet 'Wizard', OpenOffice and lots of other things included. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCH-Carl Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 My WiFi issue was related to the chip I have, so cant blame Kubuntu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCH-Andy Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Yeah, kubuntu can manage a wide range of drivers etc - and I'd agree a better solution for the linux user ( and pretty good for the linux beginner to). I was just impressed by PClinuxOS 2007 for a new linux user - moving from windows ... who wanted all the windows 'features' such as playing flash, MP3, wmv files straight out of the box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCH-Carl Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 hmm, you have stirred up my curiosity Will surely check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike Posted September 16, 2007 Author Share Posted September 16, 2007 I love it when I post a question that gets good input and TCH'ers are the champs. I'm like Madman, Procrastinating that Linux trial on a pc. But , I am about ready to give it a go. How does the Linux browser line handle such things as popup ads, virus crap, etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike Posted September 16, 2007 Author Share Posted September 16, 2007 Ubuntu - has the system for download, request free, or BUY from Amazon. Is there a "loss of something" in the free download as compared to the BUY version? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCH-Andy Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 The free and paid versions are exactly the same. Free costs you something ( possibly) in bandwidth ant time to download .... the paid version will usually be sent in the post to you ( someone has the cost of making a CD and posting it). Ubuntu will send you the disk free anyway though - just takes a few weeks. I'd download both ... burn them onto CD, and have a look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayson Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 I have a question, my wife likes a certain game that is only for a window based system....if I install linux system or PClinuxOS or Ubuntu, will I be unalbe to play those games? Just for the curious, the pc game is The SIMS...and what does it do for a DVD movie? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashram Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 My thoughts as well, as my daughter has a program that she can write stories with and that is why I am hesitant to put linux on her machine, don't want two systems running, one or the other she knows that. But if I could resolve that then she would be happy too. Does the java games etc like runescape run OK with it too Andy, just think about our conversation and the Linux Box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbonize Posted September 18, 2007 Share Posted September 18, 2007 Just remember that Ubuntu does not come with things like Mp3 codec already installed and will ask you to download it when you go to play an MP3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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