I have an HP Special Edition 2000 laptop and am sick and tired of
Windows (running XP Pro.) I'm considering wiping it and starting over
with Ubuntu 7.0.4. My 'real' computer is a Mac running 10.4.9. My wife
is the primary user of the PC and all she does is web surf, e-mail,
dumps her photos from her digital camera to it with only minor photo
manipulation, and an occasional word/excel document with OpenOffice. Oh
yeah, she's obviously wireless. Ok, here are my question:
1. I'm very competent with the Mac and can stumble my way through
Windows. I've got it locked down with free software in terms of
viruses, spyware, etc. Everything works but I'm not sure how or why. Is
moving the PC to Linux viable? Is it pretty user friendly ie, can my
wife navigate it without too much frustration? It was a bit traumatic
moving her from the Mac to the PC. I like messing around with this
stuff, but I don't want to be Mr. Geek every night to get it all
working.
2. I know e-mail/web browsing and most likley OpenOffice will not be a
problem, but is there a Linux based iPhoto-like program?
3. The HP has an AMD Turion mobile 64-bit processor. Would there be a
reason not to run the 64-bit Ubuntu. Should I stick with the intel x86
version?
4. We have two printers, a Samsung laser and a Canon color inkjet.
Beyond those the only other external hardware we use is a memory card
reader, and a backup hard drive. Any problems I might run into with
these externals?
5. Finally, can one set up separate user logins with Ubuntu?

I appreciate any advice/info anyone can offer.
Thanks,
Larry=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Larry Dawson
ldawson
http://homepage.mac.com/capnlarry/

I don't know whether it's a virtue or a vice in me, but regularly
rereading favorite books has always been one of the quasi-
religious ceremonies with which I occupy my life.
Fritz Leiber

On Fri, 20 Apr 2007 21:54:38 -0500, Larry Dawson wrote:

> and am sick and tired of
> Windows (running XP Pro.)
Why? Ah read this...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18230178/

Larry Dawson wrote:

> I have an HP Special Edition 2000 laptop and am sick and tired of
> Windows (running XP Pro.) I'm considering wiping it and starting over
> with Ubuntu 7.0.4. My 'real' computer is a Mac running 10.4.9. My wife
> is the primary user of the PC and all she does is web surf, e-mail,
> dumps her photos from her digital camera to it with only minor photo
> manipulation, and an occasional word/excel document with OpenOffice. Oh
> yeah, she's obviously wireless. Ok, here are my question:
> 1. I'm very competent with the Mac and can stumble my way through
> Windows. I've got it locked down with free software in terms of
> viruses, spyware, etc. Everything works but I'm not sure how or why. Is
> moving the PC to Linux viable? Is it pretty user friendly ie, can my
> wife navigate it without too much frustration? It was a bit traumatic
> moving her from the Mac to the PC. I like messing around with this
> stuff, but I don't want to be Mr. Geek every night to get it all
> working.

For what she wants to do, she should find it extremely user friendly. If she
can read a menu and click a mouse, she should find it easy to use.

> 2. I know e-mail/web browsing and most likley OpenOffice will not be a
> problem, but is there a Linux based iPhoto-like program?

Sorry, not familiar with iPhoto.

> 3. The HP has an AMD Turion mobile 64-bit processor. Would there be a
> reason not to run the 64-bit Ubuntu. Should I stick with the intel x86
> version?

Stick with x86.

> 4. We have two printers, a Samsung laser and a Canon color inkjet.
> Beyond those the only other external hardware we use is a memory card
> reader, and a backup hard drive. Any problems I might run into with
> these externals?

Samsung printers are generally well supported in Linux. Canon's are not,
although some will work. Check here for printer support ...
http://www.cups.org/ppd.php

Also, tell us the name of the Canon, as there are drivers for some of them
that cups doesn't list but do work.

> 5. Finally, can one set up separate user logins with Ubuntu?
>
Linux is a multi-user operating system. It's easy to have separate user
logins.

> I appreciate any advice/info anyone can offer.

Get the LiveCD version of Ubuntu and try it on your PC. You can run it from
the CD and see just how well your computer works with Ubuntu.

Cheers.
[..]

Larry Dawson wrote:
[..]
> Larry=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
> Larry Dawson
> ldawson
> [..]
>
> I don't know whether it's a virtue or a vice in me, but regularly
> rereading favorite books has always been one of the quasi-
> religious ceremonies with which I occupy my life.
> Fritz Leiber
>
Forget advanced graphics programs.
Forget DVD playback.
Otherwise, go for it, it has all the basics.

On Fri, 20 Apr 2007 21:54:38 -0500, Larry Dawson wrote:

[..]
> 2. I know e-mail/web browsing and most likley OpenOffice will not be a
> problem, but is there a Linux based iPhoto-like program?
> 3. The HP has an AMD Turion mobile 64-bit processor. Would there be a
> reason not to run the 64-bit Ubuntu. Should I stick with the intel x86
> version?
> 4. We have two printers, a Samsung laser and a Canon color inkjet.
> Beyond those the only other external hardware we use is a memory card
> reader, and a backup hard drive. Any problems I might run into with
> these externals?
> 5. Finally, can one set up separate user logins with Ubuntu?

I've recently started experimenting with Ubuntu in anticipation of
installing it on a re-built machine. I'm using Virtual PC rather than the
LiveCD option as others have suggested because I wanted to be able to
configure it and make changes to be sure it was going to work the way I
wanted it to and I didn't think you could do that with LiveCD.

As far as printers go, you can search CUPS for drivers, or search for
suggestions (I think I did at one of the ubuntu pages) to find suggestions
for drivers. My HP Laserjet was fine and had a driver in CUPS. However,
my Dell Laser did not. I found a suggested driver and after a bit of
fooling around and help from Moog, I got it to work fine (it's a network
printer attached to the router/switch).

Everything else is working out well right now and I'm happy with it.

I agree, though, try the LiveCD option, at least you'll be able to see if
your laptop works well with it before you decide to install. And, you can
see what it all looks like too.

Good luck.

Patty

Larry Dawson wrote:
[..]
> 3. The HP has an AMD Turion mobile 64-bit processor. Would there be a
> reason not to run the 64-bit Ubuntu. Should I stick with the intel x86
> version?
> 4. We have two printers, a Samsung laser and a Canon color inkjet.
> Beyond those the only other external hardware we use is a memory card
> reader, and a backup hard drive. Any problems I might run into with
> these externals?
> 5. Finally, can one set up separate user logins with Ubuntu?
>
> I appreciate any advice/info anyone can offer.

At present you are administrator for her windows machine, somehow she
has learned which keys to press and what to do to use it.
The same is necessary for linux (ubuntu). It is easy for someone who
is ready to accept some change.

You will be administrator for the linux machine. You will need to be
competent of course, she is simply a user. I suggest the learning
curve will be mostly yours. As a user, there is little to change for a
windows user. There are significant differences though.
(relationship comment: As the initiator of any changes, have you made
it clear to her why you will be asking her to change?

As administrator you will find that life is much easier for you, with
greater certainty. I was in a similar position a couple of years ago.
everything here is now Kubuntu. I say that from a lack of worry point
of view (was windows) linux gave me an extra 10 years of lifespan!

good luck

> 1. I'm very competent with the Mac and can stumble my way through
> Windows. I've got it locked down with free software in terms of
> viruses, spyware, etc. Everything works but I'm not sure how or why. Is
> moving the PC to Linux viable? Is it pretty user friendly ie, can my
> wife navigate it without too much frustration? It was a bit traumatic
> moving her from the Mac to the PC. I like messing around with this
> stuff, but I don't want to be Mr. Geek every night to get it all
> working.

I have moved all of my desktop activity into Linux except for some games.
I find Linux more intuitive than Windows for a lot of things. The biggest
hurlde to overcome is the difference. An open mind helps when making the
transition. I use my desktop for Multimedia, DVDs, Music, Software
development, documentation and general low end DTP (specs, reports etc).
My machine is also used for browsing the web, mail and other comms.


> 2. I know e-mail/web browsing and most likley OpenOffice will not be a
> problem, but is there a Linux based iPhoto-like program?

I process photos in LightZone and Gimp depending on the task at hand.
They're both competant applications that meet my needs. This may reflect
my needs as being simple, but then again who knows :P


> 3. The HP has an AMD Turion mobile 64-bit processor. Would there be a
> reason not to run the 64-bit Ubuntu. Should I stick with the intel x86
> version?

I'm running a 64bit Kubuntu desktop... the only thing that hasn't "just
worked" was adobe flash in firefox. I had to install a wrapper for it.
It's still a little bit flakey, but then again I positively *HATE* flash
on websites as most of it is noisy bling rather than useful... I do use it
for utube however.

> 4. We have two printers, a Samsung laser and a Canon color inkjet.
> Beyond those the only other external hardware we use is a memory card
> reader, and a backup hard drive. Any problems I might run into with
> these externals?

You should be OK, I'd check for printer support though. Personally I stick
to Epson and HP printers because they generally work really well with *NIX
systems. Samsung have been known to sell windows only kit before, so you
may have trouble there.

> 5. Finally, can one set up separate user logins with Ubuntu?

Yes indeed, no trouble at all.

On Fri, 20 Apr 2007 21:54:38 -0500, Larry Dawson wrote:

> I have an HP Special Edition 2000 laptop and am sick and tired of
> Windows (running XP Pro.) I'm considering wiping it and starting over
> with Ubuntu 7.0.4. My 'real' computer is a Mac running 10.4.9. My wife
> is the primary user of the PC and all she does is web surf, e-mail,
> dumps her photos from her digital camera to it with only minor photo
> manipulation, and an occasional word/excel document with OpenOffice. Oh
> yeah, she's obviously wireless. Ok, here are my question:

Wireless can be a bitch. IMHO ndiswrapper for other than directly
supported cards is a PITA. Generally Atheros chipset cards work very well
and broadcomm not so well.

> 1. I'm very competent with the Mac and can stumble my way through
> Windows. I've got it locked down with free software in terms of
> viruses, spyware, etc. Everything works but I'm not sure how or why. Is
> moving the PC to Linux viable? Is it pretty user friendly ie, can my
> wife navigate it without too much frustration? It was a bit traumatic
> moving her from the Mac to the PC. I like messing around with this
> stuff, but I don't want to be Mr. Geek every night to get it all
> working.

IMHO - the kicker is getting it properly installed and set up. It can take
a while to get all the relevant plugins set up - that sort of thing. There
are a couple of utilities that can help you with that. Once it is set up -
Linux is no more difficult to use than MS or MAC - it is just a little
different. More than two years ago I installed Linux on the public access
internet computers at the local library. The patrons adjusted to it
immediately with no training.

> 2. I know e-mail/web browsing and most likley OpenOffice will not be a
> problem, but is there a Linux based iPhoto-like program?

Don't know. Could probably answer that if I knew what 'iPhoto' does. There
are several programs which will read photos from the camera - I prefer to
transfer them myself from a card reader. There are photo album programs
and photo editing programs.

> 3. The HP has an AMD Turion mobile 64-bit processor. Would there be a
> reason not to run the 64-bit Ubuntu. Should I stick with the intel x86
> version?

I've not looked at the situation in depth, but it is my impression that
not all software has been ported for the 64bit versions. Hopefully someone
with real experience will give you a more educated answer.

> 4. We have two printers, a Samsung laser and a Canon color inkjet.
> Beyond those the only other external hardware we use is a memory card
> reader, and a backup hard drive. Any problems I might run into with
> these externals?

The samsung will probably work. Both Samsung and Brother have excellent
support for Linux with their lasers. Canon support SUCKS - actually it is
non-existant. It may work, but I would certainly not count on it. A check
at linuxprinting.org may shed a little light on that. Memory card reader
and external or internal hard drive will be no problem.

> 5. Finally, can one set up separate user logins with Ubuntu?

Absolutely. That is the way to go. The first user set up will have full
'sudo' privileges, so that should probably be you. You can also grant
those privs to additional users by editing /etc/sudoers.
[..]

On Fri, 20 Apr 2007 23:36:49 -0400, Pete wrote:

> Larry Dawson wrote:
> Forget advanced graphics programs.

Really? I find that GIMP does everything I can think of and a lot I can't.

> Forget DVD playback.

Why is that? I can play DVDs on my Linux systems, though I generally
don't. I have had excellent results with 'ogle'.

Larry Dawson wrote:
> 2. I know e-mail/web browsing and most likley OpenOffice will not be
> a problem, but is there a Linux based iPhoto-like program?

Lots of people have answered the other questions, so I'll comment on
this one ... the most iPhoto-like program I've used on Linux has been
F-Spot, but to be honest, I prefer KPhotoAlbum (formerly KimDaBa).
F-Spot is more polished-looking, IMO, but I find KPhotoAlbum more
functional, and it also indexes and lets you tag videos, which F-Spot
didn't do the last time I checked.

There are lots of other photo album-style programs as well, such as
GThumb, Digikam, ShowImg, Eye of Gnome, etc. You might want to have a
look here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari..._image_viewers

Good luck & have fun!

Jim

On Fri, 20 Apr 2007 23:36:49 -0400, Pete wrote:

> Larry Dawson wrote:
> Forget advanced graphics programs.
> Forget DVD playback.
> Otherwise, go for it, it has all the basics.

Consider going to 6.10
The newer version has some problems according to the buzz here.
Wait a few months.

Pete wrote:

> Forget advanced graphics programs.

There are plenty. Gimp and Blender are 2 good places to start depending on
the needs.

> Forget DVD playback.

Then please explain to me how I watch DVDs from multiple regions (China,
Japan, Europe, USA) with full surround sound perfectly fine? And yes, I
actually have DVDs from all those regions and can even say that within the
last 10 days, at least one DVD of each region was played via Ubuntu on my
system.

Matter of fact, I just got done watching a DVD on my 48 inch Plasma that is
hooked up to my second DVI output.

It does DVD playback perfectly fine.

Larry Dawson wrote:

> I have an HP Special Edition 2000 laptop and am sick and tired of
> Windows (running XP Pro.) I'm considering wiping it and starting over
> with Ubuntu 7.0.4. My 'real' computer is a Mac running 10.4.9. My wife
> is the primary user of the PC and all she does is web surf, e-mail,
> dumps her photos from her digital camera to it with only minor photo
> manipulation, and an occasional word/excel document with OpenOffice. Oh
> yeah, she's obviously wireless. Ok, here are my question:
> 1. I'm very competent with the Mac and can stumble my way through
> Windows. I've got it locked down with free software in terms of
> viruses, spyware, etc. Everything works but I'm not sure how or why. Is
> moving the PC to Linux viable? Is it pretty user friendly ie, can my
> wife navigate it without too much frustration? It was a bit traumatic
> moving her from the Mac to the PC. I like messing around with this
> stuff, but I don't want to be Mr. Geek every night to get it all
> working.

Once you get everything you need working, she will have no issues. It is
all desktop icons, just like every other OS.

> 2. I know e-mail/web browsing and most likley OpenOffice will not be a
> problem, but is there a Linux based iPhoto-like program?

There are several. The best option is to try a few, see which you like
best, then remove the others.

> 3. The HP has an AMD Turion mobile 64-bit processor. Would there be a
> reason not to run the 64-bit Ubuntu. Should I stick with the intel x86
> version?

A 64 bit version of the OS will only be necessary if you are running massive
amounts of RAM, or if you need 64 bit apps. The standard version will be
less problematic.

> 4. We have two printers, a Samsung laser and a Canon color inkjet.
> Beyond those the only other external hardware we use is a memory card
> reader, and a backup hard drive. Any problems I might run into with
> these externals?

The laser will probably be fine. The Canon is hit or miss, depending on the
model. Canon does not support Linux, so support is whatever people have
managed to hack through...

> 5. Finally, can one set up separate user logins with Ubuntu?

Absolutely. AAMOF, it is designed for such from the ground up.

Pete wrote:

> Forget advanced graphics programs.
> Forget DVD playback.
> Otherwise, go for it, it has all the basics.

Why? I use my Ubuntu box for both Graphics manipulation and DVD playback.
Both work quite well.

Both require additional packages, but they are easy to find and install.

Pete wrote:

>
> Consider going to 6.10
> The newer version has some problems according to the buzz here.
> Wait a few months.

It has some problems, as all releases invariably do. If you can run the
Live CD, you will be fine. If you can't, then you may need to do a little
work.

As far as I can tell, 7.04 is much better than 6.10 in usability and
configuration.