[steveie85]

Ok, so I tried Puppy Linux 3.01. I booted it from the CD. It is visually appealing, kind of like Vista. It ran great, mouse movements weren't jerky like they sometimes can be in Windows. Just 2 problems, the first is, I use a wireless network, I tried setting it up to use the wireless network but I couldn't get on the net. It kept telling me that the DNS name is incorrect(I went to Yahoo, or well at least tried too). What do I do? Second is, can I access my files on my Windows OS? I wanted to try listening to my music but I couldn't, it didn't have the music file. HELP ME PLEASE!!

[RobLinux]

There's been some recent wireless threads, the Broadcom one has some good links in it, you could check up driver support.

Bit surprises, I tried Puppy I found it errr technically appealing but not visually. May be I chose the wrong window manager.

[steveie85]

I don't know I thought easy on the eye's. Just one complaint, too much stuff, too many options to chose from.

[monckywrench]

It is always wise to post the specs of whatever hardware one is having problems with.

Thrashing between distros is easier if one tries a few different live cds. KDE appears to work best for those transitioning from Windows, so play with other WMs later.

Ubuntu can be had with KDE as Kubuntu, so I suggest booting from a Kubuntu CD if you are looking for something you might install, or from a Knoppix or Sidux CD if you want a better default selection of software on the live CD.

Puppy and similar are basic and limited, great for old, weak machines or specialty work, but they are stripped down for those functions. Even when there is a way to do something using them it is often quicker to get answers with standard distros, and speed is important while learning.

I use Damn Small Linux on my 266 Portege with 96MB memory, (runs great from a CF card in an IDE adapter) but where you a have a real computer there are great advantages to a full distro. Learn on something full-featured then play with the lightweights at leisure. One reason for this is that information on more commonly used desktops and apps is much faster to find on Google.

The fastest way to teach yourself is to Google every question relentlessly until your Linux Google-fu is well-developed.

"Second is, can I access my files on my Windows OS? I wanted to try listening to my music but I couldn't, it didn't have the music file. HELP ME PLEASE!!"

http://www.shockfamily.net/cedric/knoppix/

Networking:

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Knowing_Knoppix/Networking

"I don't know I thought easy on the eye's. Just one complaint, too much stuff, too many options to chose from."

If you restrict yourself to exploring, first, only the options you need to get up and running, there is plenty of time to explore the other stuff later as it serves you.

[RobLinux]

Originally Posted by steveie85

I don't know I thought easy on the eye's. Just one complaint, too much stuff, too many options to chose from.

Yeah. I keep thinking about a "dynamic" distro, which starts with tiny download, possibly even suited to Virtual Box, then asks you what kinda stuff u want to do next.

Then it works by downloading bundles of stuff that's relevant to what you're doing now, but it only installs the most common things, and those related to them. If you use something once, then after while it gets, de-installed and put in the "back burner".

Anyway, you'll find those overwhelming options soon, don't worry you. The Live CDs like to cram as much stuff as possible into a tiny space, so they will tend to flaunt their offerings, rather than use hierarchy to tuck uncommon stuff out of the way.

[steveie85]

The mouse is really smooth when it moves and I like that and I like the fact you don't have to double click everything. I just ned to figure out how to get it to recognize the wireless card. It is saying its a Broadcom wireless card, which is wrong. It is a Dell 1390 wireless card. Any thoughts?

[RobLinux]

Have a look in the recent thread, the Dell 1390 *is* a Broadcom 43xx I'm afraid...

"Wireless card not working on Opensuse 10.3"

[steveie85]

Thanks Rob I will check it out.