meenaghman
Guru
I use goldencheetah for pwr output and training zones for garmin. I run virtualbox for the routes portion in garmin. Reminds me I must sell my cycling peaks software.
Ubuntu/Linux Top Tips
- Thread starter redjedi
- Start date
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martint235
Dog on a bike
- Location
- Welling
Is there any iTunes software for Linux? I looked on the Apple website but couldn't see anything. Or is it a case of running a virtual machine?
SavageHoutkop
Veteran
- Location
- South Manchester-ish
Not an Apple user, but these might help:
http://www.junauza.com/2010/07/how-to-install-itunes-on-ubuntu-linux.html
http://blogote.com/2010/linux-tips/top-itunes-alternatives-for-linux.html
GrumpyGregry
Here for rides.
something simple to resize jpg's please.....
meenaghman
Guru
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.
eg.. convert -sample 50%x50% original.jpg target.jpg
can also use pixels as measurements.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Tip(s) request!
What would be a good version of Linux to install on a 10 year old laptop? It's a Dell Inspiron 7500, with (I think) 512 MB of RAM and a Pentium II processor. It's too underpowered to run a modern version of Windows properly so I thought I'd use it to play about with Linux which I hear is much more efficient.
I probably wouldn't want to get into the technical side of Linux to start with so I'd want a user-friendly distribution with a decent GUI.
At a later date, I might want to run the machine as a server to test websites on before unleashing them on t'Interweb. I'm not well up on networking but I assume that I could connect the Dell up to the 2nd ethernet port on my router and zap files over somehow from my WinXP desktop PC?
Also, please recommend a good book on Linux, something moderately technical, but not guru-level. I'm probably never going to have time to turn myself into a Linux wizard but I do like to have a reasonable idea of what is going on 'under the bonnet' so I can maintain my own system and customise it.
What would be a good version of Linux to install on a 10 year old laptop? It's a Dell Inspiron 7500, with (I think) 512 MB of RAM and a Pentium II processor. It's too underpowered to run a modern version of Windows properly so I thought I'd use it to play about with Linux which I hear is much more efficient.
I probably wouldn't want to get into the technical side of Linux to start with so I'd want a user-friendly distribution with a decent GUI.
At a later date, I might want to run the machine as a server to test websites on before unleashing them on t'Interweb. I'm not well up on networking but I assume that I could connect the Dell up to the 2nd ethernet port on my router and zap files over somehow from my WinXP desktop PC?
Also, please recommend a good book on Linux, something moderately technical, but not guru-level. I'm probably never going to have time to turn myself into a Linux wizard but I do like to have a reasonable idea of what is going on 'under the bonnet' so I can maintain my own system and customise it.
beanzontoast
Guru
- Location
- South of The Peaks
I'd suggest using a live cd version of Ubuntu first to see how the laptop gets on with it - it will likely run more slowly than when installed, but will give you an idea. It's certainly friendly (IMHO) and has a GUI that can do most tasks.
[Edit - actually Xubuntu might be better - scroll down the page a bit to see its specs; less demanding on resources]
For the web testing, you could always install Apache on the laptop and use that for testing sites rather than networking your machines.
Someone else will have to advise on Linux books - haven't bought one yet!
MossCommuter
Guru
- Location
- Salford
good question! One's tempted to always say "Ubuntu of course!!" forgetting how time's moved on and how their minimum spec has gone up.
Have a look here though - they give some suggestions of alternative distro's, none of which I have tried. My history is Madrake to Red Hat / Fedora on to Ubuntu and Mint settling on Ubuntu. I use the Desktop edition on netbook, laptop and home file and print server.
MossCommuter
Guru
- Location
- Salford
beanz beat me to it.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Thanks chaps. I'll have a play with Xubuntu when I have time.
meenaghman
Guru
ColinJ - if its a case of just wanting to play with Ubuntu or another distro, and you've got a different machine there are several options
1. use a live cd --- bit slower but allows you to get familiar
2. dual boot -- if you've got space (installation fairly easy)
3. I believe its possible to run vmware or other virtualization on windows and then install Linux under that.. haven't looked into it in detail so don't know if windows server may be needed rather than windows home.
4. There are many small bits of Linux ported to Windows that allow you to experience some of the unix fundamentals -- eg cywin / gnu utils etc.. http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/unix-command-line-utilities-for-windows/
1. use a live cd --- bit slower but allows you to get familiar
2. dual boot -- if you've got space (installation fairly easy)
3. I believe its possible to run vmware or other virtualization on windows and then install Linux under that.. haven't looked into it in detail so don't know if windows server may be needed rather than windows home.
4. There are many small bits of Linux ported to Windows that allow you to experience some of the unix fundamentals -- eg cywin / gnu utils etc.. http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/unix-command-line-utilities-for-windows/
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I know I could do something with my newer laptop or desktop PC but I'd rather leave them happily running WinXP.
The old Dell no longer has a working copy of Windows on it, having been given a "right good seeing to" by my ex. She allowed it to become infested with viruses and then applied her renowned DIY virus removal technique which involved randomly deleting system files that she "didn't like the look of"- serves me right for leaving them visible in Windows Explorer!
I don't have the original disks for the 7500, and anyway, it ran like a slug. I can't sell it for any significant sum of money and I don't like throwing away working hardware so using it as a Linux machine seems ideal. I'm intrigued to see how well Linux can make that old hardware work. It was a top-end machine when it first came out. My mate paid over £2k for it in 1999/2000!
MossCommuter
Guru
- Location
- Salford
You have PM
buddha
Veteran
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.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I worry that the lighter the load on the computer hardware, the heavier the load will be on my brain hardware!
I'll have a play with the different Linux variants when I have more free time. The old Dell isn't going anywhere.
Meanwhile, I've downloaded a Linux book in PDF format and will start browsing through that.
