Re: [LINUX_Newbies] Re: Can't Connect to the Internet with Ubuntu

Ethernet drivers are usually included with the kernel and the more recent
the kernel, the more drivers. It has little to do with the distribution
whether Mint or Ubuntu as they use the same kernel. Some distributions can
be better at detecting than others because some distributions remove
proprietary blobs from the kernel. Most leave it as it is. Sometimes the
kernel will change drivers or even leave out some and it can cause problems
for users, especially if you have older hardware. Sometimes the kernel will
make switches that can obsolete drivers as it takes over responsibility that
was previously part of xorg or something else. Or distributions such as
Ubuntu will switch settings from one application or place to another. It is
hard to know where the fault lies.

Distributions such as Mint tend to be more cautious and less prone to change
compared to Ubuntu and people then perceive it to be better because it works
as it did in the past when in fact they have done nothing new at all. They
just have stayed the course. That is not so much to Mint's credit as to
Ubuntu's fault. Canonical wants to change things up. Expect more change and
not less until they get it the way they envision it. Mint is more old
school. They still use xorg.conf and it still has Ctrl-Alt+backspace
working. Ubuntu did not change that but Xorg did and Ubuntu has followed
suit. However, it speaks as to where Mint is coming from compared to Ubuntu.
Two different visions. One is not better than the other. They are just
different and that is good. We have choice. Vive la difference.

Roy

Using Kubuntu 10.10, 64-bit
Location: Canada

On 9 January 2011 11:23, Scott <scottro@nyc.rr.com> wrote:

>
>
> On Sun, Jan 09, 2011 at 04:16:39PM -0000, kazman1914 wrote:
>
> > Well, I installed the package using sudo but it didn't work. Apparently
> the driver for my ethernet card wasn't among those included. I'll try
> downloading the latest version of Ubuntu and see if that does it.
> >
>
> I would try that first. If that doesn't work, Mint, though based on
> Ubuntu, is usually pretty good with hardware, and might be worth a shot.
>
> PCLinuxOS is another one that many people feel is good for beginners.
>
> > Any recommendations for other Linux distros I can try that might work?
>
> See above.
>
>
> I had success with Freespire in the past, but I'm not sure if updated
> versions of that distro are available.
>
> I believe it's pretty much discontinued. Wikipedia's last listing is
> for 2007.
>
> Also, if memory serves, it's default instillation was as "root" which isn't
> recommended. If not, perhaps I'll reformat the Linux partition as NTFS and
> use it for storing data from Windows. I'd like to expand my horizons but
> perhaps I need something that's dummy-proof.
>
> I understand the feeling, but, if you have a bit of energy left, don't
> give up yet. :)
>
> I don't have that card to test, but usually, wired ethernet drivers get
> pushed out pretty quickly.
>
>
> --
> Scott Robbins
> PGP keyID EB3467D6
> ( 1B48 077D 66F6 9DB0 FDC2 A409 FA54 EB34 67D6 )
> gpg --keyserver pgp.mit.edu --recv-keys EB3467D6
>
> Buffy: You're like my fairy godmother, and Santa Claus, and Q
> all wrapped up into one. (they look at her) Q from Bond, not
> Star Trek.
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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