linuxgeek: Re: [LINUX_Newbies] Downloading Problem

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Re: [LINUX_Newbies] Downloading Problem

OK, a netbook, well I have an old Dell that only Puppy Linux can see the built-in wi-fi on. So when I need to use another Distro I usually have to use an USB wi-fi instead. Sometimes you have to connect via wired LAN to get the updates for certain Distros to get the internal wi-fi working. Of course, I have more of a challenge since the internal SSD hard drive is bad and I have to boot off an external DVD ROM or boot off an USB flash drive.

http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=mint

http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/linux-mint-petra-mate.html

http://www.linuxbsdos.com/2014/01/10/linux-mint-16-petra-cinnamon-kde-and-mate-review/

http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/linux-mint-petra.html

http://linuxlibrary.org/linux-mint-16-xfce-desktop-review/

http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20131216#feature

The above links may help you decide, plus give you some ideas to converse with your Mint using friend.

Joan in Reno

From: Gene C. Falck <gfalck@merr.com>
To: LINUX_Newbies@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2014 5:35 PM
Subject: Re: [LINUX_Newbies] Downloading Problem

Hi Joan,

You wrote:

Maybe if you let us know more about your desktop or laptop, ...

The unit I'm trying to convert is a Gateway netbook
(that came as part of a Verizon deal) that I thought
would help my wife deal with living in a nursing
home--no go because of her eyesight--the small
screen was a problem as increasing the size made
for way too much scrolling. I left it on XP because
I wasn't getting any approving reports about Vista
and, back when, on Windows 7. 8 came along also
with some negative thoughts and now 8.1 is said
to be better than 8 (wow!). My netbook fails the
test for suitability for 8 due to a feature buried
in the bios. Sure enough, it's not there and there
is no provision to enable it.

... and how you connect to the Internet using LAN or wi-fi. ...

I have a Verizon MIFI device but only 4GB monthly.
It's good enough for many things but 1/2 GB fails
eat it up quickly. I also have a convenient alternate
that fits my daily wanderings--when I stop at the
shopping mall for coffee and a sandwich, a wifi at
the Apple store is right there.

... Also what printer you have, since some Distros have better support than others.

I don't have a printer but if I get one I have other
ways to print as long as I can put as long as I use
a USB stick.

If you were in Reno, NV, I'd offer to burn some for you, or invite you to an old fashion install-a-thon, like Linux User Groups use to put on.

I appreciate the kind thoughts but part of this is
that I'd like to work through the minefield--the
old netbook may be best suited as something to
learn on (or for use for target practice LOL). Your
mention of used to be install-a-thons sounds
like difficulty is par for the course.

Have you searched for info regarding your computer and Linux?

I've spent some time looking for info and this
just keeps getting stranger.

Have you researched Distrowatch.com ...

I'm not sure what to expect from that source. I'm
fairly certain Mint with the Mate interface would
be useful. The person on another list I mentioned
is an astrophysicist (with a PhD) who definitely
has a good paying job to enable him to go on
photo safaris; he was generally happy with most
things about XP except for not getting useful
results under primitive conditions and chose
Mint with Mate for it's mild learning curve.

--

Regards,

Gene Falck
gfalck@merr.com