xmarks forums problem?

[Mike1]

Now guys - I'm sixtyone - I made the switch!

Thanks James, you've made me feel like I'm just a pup at 53.

Actually, I would like to give Ubuntu a whirl, but there are six forums to admin and a couple others to moderate, so spare time is at a bit of a premium. And just the now, the Ubuntu learning curve looks as if it would be more than just a little steep.

[ardchoille]

Actually, I would like to give Ubuntu a whirl, but there are six forums to admin and a couple others to moderate, so spare time is at a bit of a premium.

Ouch! I can certainly understand that.

Well, when you decide to get on with it, I can offer help. However, these sites are awesome:

http://ubuntuforums.org/
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UserDocumentation
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupport

And, there is a nice chat format called irc (Internet Relay Chat). Once you have Ubuntu installed open your irc client, connect to the freenode.net network and join #ubuntu (or #kubuntu if you install Kubuntu).. you'll find over 800+ users in that channel who spend their time helping newbies - I help out in #kubuntu (400+ users).

One good thing about Linux.. You'll never be at a loss for help and documentation.

[Mike1]

Well, OK, so I am here running Kubuntu. I'm just running the Live CD at present, but I can see I may need to set up a dual-boot. In the very near future! I can see myself liking this a lot, for no other reason than sticking the proverbial fork into Micro$oft.

The Live CD took a bit to boot up, but it wasn't so painful.

Konqueror was a little awkward, so I've grabbed Firefox for a test drive. I suppose even Firefox feels a bit different, yet it still feels the same. Is it just me, or do things seem to be running considerably quicker? I've hammered about on Windoze for so long and this seems to just feel smoother and faster.

Maybe you can teach an old dog a new trick or two.

Ardchoille, if you don't mind, I may hit you up for some instructions on a dual-boot install.

[ardchoille]

Well, OK, so I am here running Kubuntu. I'm just running the Live CD at present, but I can see I may need to set up a dual-boot. In the very near future! I can see myself liking this a lot, for no other reason than sticking the proverbial fork into Micro$oft.

The Live CD took a bit to boot up, but it wasn't so painful.

Konqueror was a little awkward, so I've grabbed Firefox for a test drive. I suppose even Firefox feels a bit different, yet it still feels the same. Is it just me, or do things seem to be running considerably quicker? I've hammered about on Windoze for so long and this seems to just feel smoother and faster.

Maybe you can teach an old dog a new trick or two.

Ardchoille, if you don't mind, I may hit you up for some instructions on a dual-boot install.

The live cd (being the nature of a live cd) is extremely slow compared to the installed version of the kubuntu system. I use kubuntu and there is a huge speed difference between the live environment and the installed environment. Livecd's run from the cd drive and ram, ram storage is much slower than a hard drive and the live system has to decompress on the fly, which slows things down.

If you plan to stick with Kubuntu, you might want to use your irc client (I use konversation) to connect to the freenode.net network and join #kubuntu, there's a ton of help there. I believe the konversation irc client is already set up to join the appropriate network/channel. I don't use the konqueror web browser because I have found firefox to be faster and have more features.

If you have IM capabilities, please add me to your IM client (kopete on kubuntu) and you can contact me that way if you so desire.

I have never dual-booted.. I threw Windows in the trash (where it belongs) in 2001 when I switched to Linux, and haven't touched Windows since. However, the #kubuntu channel is filled with people who can help with dual-boot setup.

But, feel free to call on my at any time for help with Linux. I also sit in the #kubuntu irc channel.

[walkerk]

Well, OK, so I am here running Kubuntu. I'm just running the Live CD at present, but I can see I may need to set up a dual-boot. In the very near future! I can see myself liking this a lot, for no other reason than sticking the proverbial fork into Micro$oft.

Do yourself a favor, if possible, and avoid the dual-boot headache by installing Linux on an older box that meets the minimum hardware requirements. Many negative comments from new converts centers around getting a dual-boot system working. Alternatively, there's Cygwin which can be used for Linux-like functionality under Windows.

[ardchoille]

Just found these instructions for dual-booting *buntu systems with Windows.

[James MacMillan]

One of the beauties of most linux software is it allows the extended use of older machines.

If you don't have an old machine laying around, you can usually pick up older machines quite cheaply, sometimes for just hauling them away!

Dual booting has its uses, but to lear unbuntu for instance, I highly recommend an older machine.

[Mike1]

Do yourself a favor, if possible, and avoid the dual-boot headache by installing Linux on an older box that meets the minimum hardware requirements. Many negative comments from new converts centers around getting a dual-boot system working.

I've given this one some thought and here are my reasons for wanting to dual-boot. Here in the home office, I'm running a 8 month-old Dell XPS410. I have a nearly 4 year-old Sony VAIO out in the great room. The Sony is running on a wireless network connection that is dodgy on a good day.

I could certainly install Kubuntu on the Sony, but then I still am using XP on my primary computer, here in the office. The wireless connection on the Sony is already a problem and I don't really care to learn how to fight that within the *ubuntu environment. I could move the Sony in here and wire it, but there are days it is difficult to find a place to set a cup of coffee on this desk.

The Dell is the box I use, so if I'm going to use *ubuntu, it will need to be on this one. And since I have far too many Windows apps to walk away from, it needs to be a dual-boot or nothing.

Anyone have any comments on Wubi? How about setting *ubuntu up with Wubi to see how I get along and then doing a real GRUB set-up if things play out?

I appreciate the input, fellows. I've been thinking about this for a long time and suddenly find myself in the midst of trying to set it up. The advice is helpful.