A few questions from a newbie.
I've been following this list fro a while and currently have 2.1 installed on my
PC at home. I got a CD from a friend who provides various CD's for the asking
here in Ireland. I choose Debian because I like the philosophy, though I don't
subscribe to some of the extremist views I've heard RE: Bruce, Eric and Richard.
Just a little back ground of my knowledge and system.
I've followed Linux from the Debian 1.3 days with great interest, but little
involvement because I didn't have my own PC. I tried installing on one I made
from scrap here at work, but the bosses were very hostile to linux and it fell
by the way-side.
I bought a PC in April. I put WindowsNT on a 2G partition and set-up the
remaining 4G for Linux with a 2.1 CD. I used the dual-boot how-to to get dual
booting to work. I needed to use the Mach64 server for X 3.3.3.1 to support my
ATI Rage IIc AGP video card, but this worked fine with the X11R6 3.3.2 that was
part of Debian 2.1, Great!
I toyed around with compiling sound into my kernel, but had no joy there, so I
downloaded the oss package and this works, but I only get sound for 20 minutes
at a time. I want to have a look around in the config files for oss to see if I
can get sound working without oss. Any pointers for where to look will be
appreciated.
I have successfully installed mtv, after I learned how to update some libraries.
I felt really great after that. I also recently installed x11amp, but had more
problems because one of the libraries installed conflicts with apt. Dselect now
give loads of dependency problems when run. x11amp works, but modzilla navigator
doesn't. I recently got internet access on the Windows side, but I'm not sure
how to set it up for the Linux side. I've got a Sportster internal modem that
work with minicom, but only after I hot-sync my Palm III over ttyS0???
I think my best option is to ;
Connect to the internet and update my system to potato.
My worry is, being new to the entire UNIX/Linux type system, that unless I'm
very careful, I'll end up with a completely broken system. Most of it works now,
but I still need quite a few things before I can even consider re-partitioning
the Windows partition. As I'm a Palm user, I am very interested in KPilot, this
, of course suggests that I'll need KDE. I also need a good office app. I want
to try star-office, but until I can get the linux side connected to the net,
that is a non-starter. I also want Netscape.
Since I can connect to the net with Windows, I could start downloading
everything with windows, but the Windows partition is rather full! Does anyone
know if there are any tools for windows to access an ext2 partition? This would
allow me to download everything I need through windows and put it onto one of my
Linux partitions. I don't hold out much hope for this idea, but if you don't
ask, you won't know.
I've had a look around some of the archives, and have been following this list
for a while. My main question is, If I update my system to potato, what should I
leave alone to avoid problems. I.E., what packages should I NOT update to ensure
I don't break anything.
I want to get:
1) X11R6 3.3.3.1 This is for my video card. Currently it is working with 3.3.2.3
with the 3.3.3.1 Mach64 server, but I'd feel better with all of X the same
version.
2) Netscape. I've heard lots discussions concerning different versions of
Netscape, so which version is most stable for Linux?
3) Star-Office. This seems to be the most complete office with the most M$
compatibility.
4) KPilot. For Palm III connectivity, this seems to be the most complete. Does
this require KDE, or can I use it with other wm's? I'm currently undecided on
the KDE debate, though I'm more concerned with complaints of it being slow and
bloated rather that the licensing issues.
5)XCopilot. The version I have seems to have some strange problems. When I open
it with the uclinux rom image, it works, but when I use a Palm O/S image I
copied from my own Palm III, I keep getting data errors in the terminal window
that I launched it from. This image does work with the Windows version of
CoPilot, just not XCoPilot?!?
6) mtv. This is a really great MPEG player. I've had nothing but problems with
any other mpeg players, Windows and Linux alike. I am really considering paying
for this, I think it is worth it.
7) x11amp. My main reason for upgrading to potato in the first place. It works
on my current system, but has caused many dep. probs on my system.
8) a good CD ripper. I've had great success using cdparanoia and bladeenc for my
mp3's. I'm looking for a good GUI. I'm open to recommendations.
I'm sure I could go on and on and on and on . . . . , but I'll leave it at
this.
I'm very new to the Linux concept, I've grown up in the Windows world and have
gotten lazy. I realise there is a steep learning curve for Linux, and I'm
working my hardest with the time I have. I'm just getting very frustrated being
so close, yet still so far. I've asked my local LUG if someone would like to
stop by and help me get things set-up, but most of them are RedHat users.
Replies of RTFM may apply, but without any pointers or references, are just like
the joke about the pilot who got directions from Microsoft. Technically correct,
but otherwise totally useless. I'll be glad to RTFM, if you could narrow the
list down from 'See LDP @. . .' If anyone happens to live in Ireland, a reward
of free beer/booze/food is open to anyone willing to stop by and show me any of
the things I've listed above.
Despite the tone of some of this E-Mail, I am very pleased with Linux and Debian
on the whole. I'm just getting impatient constantly climbing this learning
curve. Once I get the system more or less how I want it, I plan to go to the
basic linux site and spend some more time getting more familiar with Linux and
UNIX in general. I also want to enrol in a C programming course from University
of Washington. I hope, eventually, to start selling Open-Source CD's to help
spread the word to more of the general public.
Thanks for a great O/S, great advise and support, and any information will be
greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
John Gay
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