Ubuntu/Linux Top Tips

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The problem with Ubuntu, Xubuntu etc is that the latest versions use a newish version of Xorg (the software that handles graphics, amongst other things). The same goes for most of the other major linux distributions. I've found that you may have some issues on machines older than 8-10 years where your 'old' hardware is not fully supported. Especially with things like graphics hardware acceleration. Although you may be lucky.
If you want a ubuntu variant, Lubuntu is quick and uses less resources than Xubuntu

For a fast, low resource linux you could try Puppy or DSL. I have DSL installed on my xbox (that's the ancient, original xbox) and it is usable - ish.

Puppy and DSL are both very good - I prefer Puppy, but that's just because I've watched it grow up! :biggrin:
 

GrumpyGregry

Here for rides.
I use command-line convert which I believe comes from image-magick. Not sure if its native to ubuntu install or not. Open a terminal window and type convert.. should come up with loads of options..
eg.. convert -sample 50%x50% original.jpg target.jpg

can also use pixels as measurements.

xactly what I am looking for. many thanks
 

Amheirchion

Active Member
Location
Northampton
Another alternative to Xubuntu and possibly Lubunto is Mint 9 xfce it's based off Ubuntu and if memory serves lighter and just as easy to use. They also do a Fluxbox flavour which should be nice and lightweight.

If you'd said you were willing to explore more, I would have pointed you at Crunchbang, which is one of my personal favourites, and lovely and light weight, but as the current release is still beta iirc, and it requires a bit more confidence with the command line, it probably won't be right for you. Mint is pick up and go though, in the same way Ubuntu is.
 

ColinJ

Puzzle game procrastinator!
I've just found DistroWatch - blimey, there's no end to it!

Surely it is a waste of effort having so many different but similar projects on the go at once? I can see why there should be several, maybe even 10 or 20, but many hundreds! There must be an awful lot of work being duplicated, software wheels re-invented.

I suppose, looking at it in evolutionary terms, the strong will survive and the weak will falter but I certainly don't have time to try out more than a handful of different distros. I'll just choose a few variants of the most popular ones on the assumption that they became popular for a good reason!
 

Amheirchion

Active Member
Location
Northampton
It's not so much duplication, a lot of the times it's just different packages put together in different ways.

Take Debian for example, from there you get many other 'versions' of it, Ubuntu being one of them.
Ubuntu take the Debian packages, put them together, and release them as a distro, offering community support, often easier ways of doing things (this depends who you speak to) and a nice purple package. Mint then come along and feel Ubuntu can be improved upon, so they repackage bits, fiddle with other bits, offer different menu set-ups. Crunchbang like the ease of use of a Debian system, so originally used Ubuntu as their base but stripped it down and made it light weight, offering a different window manager and a different way of doing things.

Most of them however also feed changes back up-stream, so as they make changes, fix bugs, code new tools, these can end up in Debian as improvements to the base system, and back and forth.

The diversity means that there is generally a system for everyone, from the hardcore Linux From Scratch, to Gentoo, to Arch, to Debian, to the ease of use of Ubuntu.
 

iZaP

Über Member
Location
Reigate
I've used Ubuntu for a year or so.

Then I switched to slackware and have never looked back at anything else.

i just love slackware :biggrin: its great and I use dwm as my windows manager.
 

Amheirchion

Active Member
Location
Northampton
I have a new top-tip!

Unless you really need to, do not go back to Windows from Linux, it's bloody horrible. I'm having to constantly remind myself that I need Windows to run some software for my course and thus not to wipe the lot and install CrunchBang on it.
 

Sleeping Menace

New Member
Location
UK
I've been exclusively on one 'nix variant or another since.. um.. hmmm.. the beginning of time, or slightly earlier.
I have some clients who use windows on desktops and I'm exposed to just enough of it to know that there's no way I'd have enough patience to spend more than 30 seconds on it before the machine would go out the window.

At present, I have a mix of Ubuntu and Solaris servers, and VM's of .. pretty much every 'nix in existance running at home.. .. my home network is where I do all my POC's and general coding/experimentation .. Personally, I love UBU as a distribution.. does everything I can ask it to..

By the way, a quick way to wind up whomever you live with, is to have a full size rack in your house.. complete with noise and heat :smile:)

if you're bored:

http://anotherdooratthe.endoftheinternet.org/category/home-network/ --at the bottom of the page, are two pics, one of my current, and one of my old home networks... all nix

........................
http://anotherdooratthe.endoftheinternet.org

Cycle related blog entries, including a few 5 minute reviews:
http://anotherdooratthe.endoftheinternet.org/category/cycling/
 
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