Computers Simplex3's SuSE Linux Converts Thread - Page 8

Simplex3 · 08:40 AM

Looking for some help moving to Linux? Drop the question here and we'll see what I can do. Some topics I expect we'll cover:

1. Installation
2. What apps do what?
3. My (hardware) isn't working (right)
4. Multi-media issues

Remember, if you need help sooner rather than later:

Kubuntu users:
1. Launch Konversation from the "Internet" menu.
2. Connect to #kubuntu by double clicking on it.
3. Ask away.

Suse users:
1. Install X-Chat
2. Connect to the Freenode network
3. Join the #suse channel
4. Ask away. There are usually about 280 helpful souls in there.

I'll also try to keep this up as a sort of FAQ. Non-question-specific posts will have a large, bold heading (see post #2).

*Note: Don't forget you can try out Linux without installing anything on your PC at all. Download one of the LiveCD versions, burn it to a disc, then reboot the PC with the LiveCD in the drive and your computer will load Linux and your hard disk will not be changed. You can get them at either of these links:
http://www.kubuntu.com/
http://www.novell.com/products/susel...rors_isos.html
http://www.mepis.org/
http://www.knoppix.org/

*Note: If I start asking you to run a bunch of things from a command prompt it isn't because that's the only way to do it, it's because that's the only way I can "control" what is happening on your end.

Robio9 · 03-26-2006, 12:21 PM

Is there an open source alternative for Quickbooks? I'm not keen on running native under WiNE, as every forum I've researched indicates that Quickbooks isn't 100% functional.

Also, can any of the recent Linux distros detect a Pentium D or Athlon X2 and use both procs?

**007** · 03-26-2006, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplex3

Ah, you're in Gnome? Ok, that explains why media:/ didn't work.

Ok, so show me this:

Code:

ls -l /windows/D/

I'm not a Gnome guy, I'm not sure what the deal with the panel is.

I can access my D drive through Konqueror now at least. How can I switch from Gnome to the other desktop. I am really not liking Gnome anyway. Looks too much like Apple.

Simplex3 · 03-26-2006, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robio9

Is there an open source alternative for Quickbooks? I'm not keen on running native under WiNE, as every forum I've researched indicates that Quickbooks isn't 100% functional.

Also, can any of the recent Linux distros detect a Pentium D or Athlon X2 and use both procs?

I haven't used a good Quickbooks substitute. There are several free business accounting packages, though they are really geared to be used by accountants. CrossOver Office claims to run QuickBooks on Windows though I've never used it personally.

I haven't tried any of them personally, but here's a nice start:
http://sourceforge.net/search/?type_...&Search=Search

Hyperthreading and SMP support are native in the Linux 2.6 kernel which nearly all modern distros use.

Simplex3 · 03-26-2006, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcchiefsguru

I can access my D drive through Konqueror now at least. How can I switch from Gnome to the other desktop. I am really not liking Gnome anyway. Looks too much like Apple.

1. YaST->Software->Software Management
2. Under "Filter", select "Selections"
3. Check "KDE Desktop Environment"
4. Click "Accept"

When it's finished you'll have to log out. When you get back to the login screen click "Session Type" in the lower left corner and choose KDE. Then log in. It will remember your last session type when you log in, so you won't have to do that again.

**007** · 03-26-2006, 01:42 PM

LOL Now I have KDE but I lost access to my NTFS drive again.

Simplex3 · 03-26-2006, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcchiefsguru

LOL Now I have KDE but I lost access to my NTFS drive again.

Nobody said this was perfect every time.

Do the "mount /windows/D" thing again.

[edit] Or you can reboot. [/edit]

**007** · 03-26-2006, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplex3

Nobody said this was perfect every time.

Do the "mount /windows/D" thing again.

[edit] Or you can reboot. [/edit]

Hmm, says it is mounted but I cannot locate it anywhere. Have tried using konquorer too.

Simplex3 · 03-26-2006, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcchiefsguru

Hmm, says it is mounted but I cannot locate it anywhere. Have tried using konquorer too.

You can always type "/windows/D" in the Location box of Konq and get right there. Then bookmark that location if you go there often.

I think typically there is a desktop icon as well, though I'm not sure about that. I have desktop icons turned off.

|Zach| · 03-26-2006, 07:10 PM

So my big plan was to fool around with ubuntu until I got suse loaded up but then I forgot to get the torrent d\l before I went to bed last night. I have spent a lot of time forming ub into what I like...its working out pretty well for me so far...finding different aps to do everything I need.

KC Jones · 03-26-2006, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robio9

Is there an open source alternative for Quickbooks? I'm not keen on running native under WiNE, as every forum I've researched indicates that Quickbooks isn't 100% functional.

Also, can any of the recent Linux distros detect a Pentium D or Athlon X2 and use both procs?

Gnucash is one of the better known accounting packages. It's a true double ledger accounting system and geared a bit more towards accountants than business users who want a something with lots of wizards to step them through everything. Last I check into it they were working on adding some quickbooks style wizards and making it simpler for small businesses to use.

Simplex3 · 03-26-2006, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZachKC

So my big plan was to fool around with ubuntu until I got suse loaded up but then I forgot to get the torrent d\l before I went to bed last night. I have spent a lot of time forming ub into what I like...its working out pretty well for me so far...finding different aps to do everything I need.

It's all about finding something you like and making it your own.

There are so many apps, the hard part isn't finding something. The hard part is deciding on one. A nice place to start your search would be SourceForge:

http://www.sf.net/

You'll find thousands of free apps there. There's something for everyone.

Simplex3 · 03-26-2006, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZachKC

So my big plan was to fool around with ubuntu until I got suse loaded up but then I forgot to get the torrent d\l before I went to bed last night. I have spent a lot of time forming ub into what I like...its working out pretty well for me so far...finding different aps to do everything I need.

Another quick note on Linux:

All these settings can be ported from one machine to another and frequently from one distro to another. There is no registry for s**t to be strewn around in, all over hell and high water. All of your settings will be somewhere in your home directory. For instance, if you make a copy of your ".kde" directory and copy that to another computer you will have KDE looking identical, and any KDE-compliant apps will also have all of your settings. Gnome has a similar directory called ".gconf".

|Zach| · 03-26-2006, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplex3

It's all about finding something you like and making it your own.

There are so many apps, the hard part isn't finding something. The hard part is deciding on one. A nice place to start your search would be SourceForge:

http://www.sf.net/

You'll find thousands of free apps there. There's something for everyone.

I love the multiple work place space thingy. WIth all the multi tasking I do its nice to have CP in spot music in another and something actully productive in a 3rd place.

I am still having trouble figuring out how programs go. Most the stuff I have added has been through the automatic "add application" feature. Other than that its hit and miss...after extracting a new program how do you usually go about it? There are not install executables are there?

Simplex3 · 03-26-2006, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZachKC

I love the multiple work place space thingy. WIth all the multi tasking I do its nice to have CP in spot music in another and something actully productive in a 3rd place.

I am still having trouble figuring out how programs go. Most the stuff I have added has been through the automatic "add application" feature. Other than that its hit and miss...after extracting a new program how do you usually go about it? There are not install executables are there?

Software typically comes one of three ways:

1. Source code: You can almost always get this. It does require compiling it yourself and is the least friendly method.

2. Scripted apps: These require no compiling, so generally they're just copied to a location and run.

3. Binary distributions: Typically called "rpms", "debs", "packages", etc. depending on your distro. These are pre-compiled binary versions of an application like you're used to with Windows. The package is an installer and will copy the files where they need to go. What they don't do on occasion is create a menu item in the launcher menu.

Nearly every app will come with a README file that explains how to get it set up and running.

Gaz · 03-27-2006, 07:59 AM

I do not want to start a “Distro Flame War” here, but I auditioned several Linux distributions when I tried to dump Windows. The easiest ones for a Windows user to adapt to are Lindows and XandrOS. Both are designed to look and behave as much like Windows as possible. The best feature for a Linux newbie is that you do not have to use the Command Line [and are therefore less likely to mess up your OS]. Lindows is not free, but XandrOS is.

Here is a thread where I documented my XandrOS experience:
http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showt...hlight=Xandros

Mrs. Gaz and I went back to Windows because Linux still cannot efficiently or consistently run some vital Windows applications. XandrOS comes with a 30-day trial of CrossOver Office. CO Office lets you run some Windows applications on a Linux machine. However, it was too buggy for us.

Linus is not ready to replace Windows at Rancho Gaz [dammit], but if you are wanting to migrate from Windows to Linux and want the easiest transition possible, you should give XandrOS a look. Once you get comfortable with Linux, you can then load a more advanced distro and wreak havoc with the Command Line.

xoxo~
Gaz
Still hoping for a Windowless ride one fine day.

03-25-2006, 01:26 AM
Simplex3 MVP Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $10004900	Simplex3's SuSE Linux Converts Thread Looking for some help moving to Linux? Drop the question here and we'll see what I can do. Some topics I expect we'll cover: 1. Installation 2. What apps do what? 3. My (hardware) isn't working (right) 4. Multi-media issues Remember, if you need help sooner rather than later: Kubuntu users: 1. Launch Konversation from the "Internet" menu. 2. Connect to #kubuntu by double clicking on it. 3. Ask away. Suse users: 1. Install X-Chat 2. Connect to the Freenode network 3. Join the #suse channel 4. Ask away. There are usually about 280 helpful souls in there. I'll also try to keep this up as a sort of FAQ. Non-question-specific posts will have a large, bold heading (see post #2). Note: Don't forget you can try out Linux without installing anything on your PC at all. Download one of the LiveCD versions, burn it to a disc, then reboot the PC with the LiveCD in the drive and your computer will load Linux and your hard disk will not be changed. You can get them at either of these links: http://www.kubuntu.com/ http://www.novell.com/products/susel...rors_isos.html http://www.mepis.org/ http://www.knoppix.org/ Note: If I start asking you to run a bunch of things from a command prompt it isn't because that's the only way to do it, it's because that's the only way I can "control" what is happening on your end. Last edited by Simplex3; 01-24-2007 at 08:40 AM..
Posts: 28,527

03-26-2006, 12:21 PM	#106
Robio9 Starter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Casino cash: $-756848	Is there an open source alternative for Quickbooks? I'm not keen on running native under WiNE, as every forum I've researched indicates that Quickbooks isn't 100% functional. Also, can any of the recent Linux distros detect a Pentium D or Athlon X2 and use both procs?
Posts: 197

03-26-2006, 01:42 PM	#110
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $12170126 VARSITY	LOL Now I have KDE but I lost access to my NTFS drive again. __________________ My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs.
Posts: 65,734

03-26-2006, 07:10 PM	#114
\|Zach\| For The Glory Of The City Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $3076768	So my big plan was to fool around with ubuntu until I got suse loaded up but then I forgot to get the torrent d\l before I went to bed last night. I have spent a lot of time forming ub into what I like...its working out pretty well for me so far...finding different aps to do everything I need.
Posts: 54,726

03-27-2006, 07:59 AM	#120
Gaz Defense Homer Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Rancho Gaz Casino cash: $10010793	Newbie-friendly distros... I do not want to start a “Distro Flame War” here, but I auditioned several Linux distributions when I tried to dump Windows. The easiest ones for a Windows user to adapt to are Lindows and XandrOS. Both are designed to look and behave as much like Windows as possible. The best feature for a Linux newbie is that you do not have to use the Command Line [and are therefore less likely to mess up your OS]. Lindows is not free, but XandrOS is. Here is a thread where I documented my XandrOS experience: http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showt...hlight=Xandros Mrs. Gaz and I went back to Windows because Linux still cannot efficiently or consistently run some vital Windows applications. XandrOS comes with a 30-day trial of CrossOver Office. CO Office lets you run some Windows applications on a Linux machine. However, it was too buggy for us. Linus is not ready to replace Windows at Rancho Gaz [dammit], but if you are wanting to migrate from Windows to Linux and want the easiest transition possible, you should give XandrOS a look. Once you get comfortable with Linux, you can then load a more advanced distro and wreak havoc with the Command Line. xoxo~ Gaz Still hoping for a Windowless ride one fine day.
Posts: 5,911