How many of you use Linux?

**ardchoille** · 10th September 07, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by pbpersson

I am about to explore Ubuntu because several people have told me it rocks. I will also look at Fedora.

Indeed, Ubuntu rocks. Fedora can be slow on updates, due to yum being used, but don't let the deter you, Fedora is cool.

Originally Posted by pbpersson

It seems I can never be as productive on Linux because I'm not too familiar with the OS or apps as I am with Windows.....but I keep trying.

Don't give up on Linux.. the more you use it, the faster you become.

Originally Posted by pbpersson

I find it fascinating how much is out there for Linux.....and it is all free!

Yes, I too was skeptical at first, but found that Linux is way cool.. and all the software I would ever need is completely free!

**keepoffgrass** · 10th September 07, 10:38 AM

before I go and install linux here on my desktop, does anyone know how I can get all my outlook express contacts and saved emails into evolution on my laptop? Or possibly is there another linux email program with import options? Evolution is ok, but I like outlook express better, and would like one more like it

**ardchoille** · 10th September 07, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by keepoffgrass

before I go and install linux here on my desktop, does anyone know how I can get all my outlook express contacts and saved emails into evolution on my laptop? Or possibly is there another linux email program with import options? Evolution is ok, but I like outlook express better, and would like one more like it

I'm not sure what Outlook Express looks like, since I haven't used Windows in 7 years, but many Linux distros come with the KDE desktop environment and KDE includes kmail and kaddressbook (both are components of the Kontact PIM) and I love them. Kubuntu uses KDE as its default desktop, and includes kmail and kkaddressbook. Kaddressbook has an import wizard that can import contacts from many Windows programs and formats. Kmail has an import wizard and I just noticed that it can import email messages from Outlook Express. Here's a screenshot:

So, if you decide to use KDE as your desktop, you should be all set, I'm not sure about the gnome desktop because I haven't used it much recently. I know that knoppix, MEPIS and Mandriva also use the KDE desktop.. and Mandriva is the best out of those three in my opinion. Knoppix and MEPIS are live cd's (they run from cd drive and ram without the need to install to the hard drive). I'll bet there are tons of Linux distros which use KDE or have it available for installation.

**keepoffgrass** · 10th September 07, 11:22 AM

great! Thanks!

**adam** · 10th September 07, 08:11 PM

I just had an interesting idea. Does anyone have a kilt theme for either windows or Linux? Not just a tartan background, but everything down to the windows, the panels, etc?

**ardchoille** · 10th September 07, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by adam

I just had an interesting idea. Does anyone have a kilt theme for either windows or Linux? Not just a tartan background, but everything down to the windows, the panels, etc?

I don't know how gnome works, but in KDE this would require someone to know how to program because you would need to code the style and window decoration theme. I've thought about it but it's too much for me to learn just to come up with a style and windeco theme. I do know that you can get swatches of tartans and make wallpaper out of them using the gimp. The login screen and KDE splash screen are easy enough to create so you could use those swatches there too.. but, again, a screen saver would require coding.

I've searched http://art.gnome.org and http://www.kde-look.org but haven't been able to find anything tartan/kilt related.

**keepoffgrass** · 12th September 07, 11:17 AM

A managed to Xubuntu up and running on my desktop yesterday. What a difference! Installation when pretty smooth, though I had a bit of problems getting it format and repartition the hard drive. But i rebooted the computer and tried again and everything went smooth. The installation itself went without a hitch. The OS runs very smooth and VERY fast. It runs much faster than windows xp did, even fresh out of the box. The only software issue I had came from Automatrix 2. there was some wierd issue with frostwire and java for some reason, and kept freeze automatix up. It took me an hour or two to figure out a way around the problem. What I had to end up doing was clearing a setting in terminal then, I installed java sun 5 with synpac, to make sure I had the java issue covered, then I used synpac instead of automatrix to install frostwire. After that everything worked great and automatrix works fine now. What a difference now though, The speed is so much faster, everything from boot up to my internet connection. Im thinking about putting this version of linux on my laptop too. It seems to run better than the Ubuntu I have on the laptop. Or possibly, can I just install Xfce over what I have on there now? would that make t run like the desktop?

**djweso** · 12th September 07, 12:09 PM

I've learned Linux when most of my friends at college started using it (they were mostly Computer Science Majors). So I've used slackware, redhat, and a few others. On my own computers I've installed redhat, college linux, ubuntu, edubuntu, Movix (which fit on a CD with a video file), and a few others. Right now I have an ubuntu install that won't boot and I haven't taken the time to fix it. Mostly I run off a live CD if I want something.

I do run portableapps off my iPod. GIMP, Open Office, Firefox, Pidgeon and some other programs run off the iPod. No install necessary.

**ardchoille** · 12th September 07, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by keepoffgrass

A managed to Xubuntu up and running on my desktop yesterday. What a difference! Installation when pretty smooth, though I had a bit of problems getting it format and repartition the hard drive. But i rebooted the computer and tried again and everything went smooth. The installation itself went without a hitch. The OS runs very smooth and VERY fast. It runs much faster than windows xp did, even fresh out of the box. The only software issue I had came from Automatrix 2. there was some wierd issue with frostwire and java for some reason, and kept freeze automatix up. It took me an hour or two to figure out a way around the problem. What I had to end up doing was clearing a setting in terminal then, I installed java sun 5 with synpac, to make sure I had the java issue covered, then I used synpac instead of automatrix to install frostwire. After that everything worked great and automatrix works fine now. What a difference now though, The speed is so much faster, everything from boot up to my internet connection. Im thinking about putting this version of linux on my laptop too. It seems to run better than the Ubuntu I have on the laptop. Or possibly, can I just install Xfce over what I have on there now? would that make t run like the desktop?

Automatix is dangerous.

You should never use automatix.. it's a very dangerous app. I sit in #kubuntu and #ubuntu on the freenode network and I help newbies. One of the things I see is automatix trashing lots of computers and people come into those channels to get it fixed. Often the best thing they can do is reinstall their Linux distro and never use automatix again. Automatix does dangerous things and should be avoided. It may work fine now, but I can almost guarantee that you will have problems later and those problems are difficult to track and solve. Automatix doesn't do anything that you can't do for yourself anyway. Stay away from automatix, it's bad news.

Have a look at this review of automatix which was done by a debian/ubuntu developer and you'll see why automatix is dangerous. The best thing you can do right now is reinstall your Linux OS and warn others about automatix.