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TerraGraphics
Linux
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I'm looking at Linux and learning about Linux and will gradually turn this
page into useful detailed information about linux.
First, here's something about
why and how.
Below are some things I've learned that I think you might find useful.
General
- The current
most popular distribution
(as of 2011) is ubuntu. It seemed sensible to start with this until I learn more.
I first installed the 32 bit server release (not the 64 because my computer
wouldn't support it) on 2011-01-17 and the workstation release on 2011-11-02.
For the workstation, I used 32 bit because there seems to be better support for it.
Of course that will change.
- Wine is an effort to run Windows programs without installing Windows
Server - ubuntu
- The server is text only (no GUI).
- To support Windows workstations, use Samba
(just select "Samba file server" during installation).
- ubuntu does not encourage logging in as root and suggests using the sudo
command to execute commands that require root privelege.
Here's the workaround for that:
- Type: sudo passwd root
- Set the root password to whatever you want.
- Type: exit
- Log in as root whenever you want to (just like any other Linux).
Workstation - ubuntu
- The workstation version of ubuntu installed easily and I was happy with it.
- I was able to move my old Windows 2000 installation into a VirtualBox so now I
can use Windows and Linux simultaniously on the same computer. I
added this item to this website page using the Virtual Windows
computer to edit the file and upload it via FTP from the Virtual
Windows computer.
- The current version of ubuntu comes with the GNOME version 3 desktop.
Fortunately, I tried an older one first and it had the GNOME version 2 desktop.
I get the impression that Windows folks will like version 2 and Apple folks
will like version 3. After I loaded the newer ubuntu and couldn't get anything
done with GNOME 3, I found a way to tell it to use GNOME 2 like the older one did.
The next update I installed a few weeks later switched to GNOME 3 again and I coud not get it back.
- I did some research on how various disributions are maintained and decided to switch from "easiest for new users"
to "most stable". I was impressed with the idea that ubuntu releases live weeks and debiab releases live years.
Workstation - debian
- Debian was easy to install - either with the text interface or with the gui interface.
It came up working fine with a very nice GNOME 2 desktop that I'm hoping will last until GNOME 3 becomes usable or maybe
until I switch to KDE.
- VirtualBox worked but had to be configured after each bootstrap. I don't know why but I started over and it works fine now.