Linux - software recommendations PLS
 

I'm thinking of giving Linux a whirl on my laptop, never used it before but my laptop is getting on and i thought that Linux might give it a bit of a new lease of life, anyway ...

How easy is it to get back online with Linux? With windows is reasonably easy but is Linux? I'm away from my man PC for a few days so i dont want to find myself without internet and not being able to go online to find out why!

What Linux software would you guys recommend from a webmaster POV? EG - FTP proggys, art programmes, browsers, that sort of thing.


Cheers :)

Sure it's easy, internet will work right away unless you have some weird ISP which requires custom configuration.

Graphics - GIMP
Browser - Firefox or Chrome
FTP - I would use 'mc' (Midnight Commander), it's oldschool. :) But there are probably more sophisticated FTP apps. FileZilla seems to be popular. There are some more listed here: software recommendation - Nicer FTP client than FileZilla? - Ask Ubuntu

You don't need to go all in right away anyhow. Just burn Ubuntu on DVD, you can boot the OS straight from DVD, and get familiar with it. Then restart the PC and you're back to Windows, until you're comfortable with installing Linux. :)

PS. booting from DVD is slow, booting won't be that slow if you install Linux

If you need software for video editing and delivery for the web, DaVinci Resolve is available for Linux with a free LITE version.

Normally Linux is great at detecting drivers, better than windows on a clean install . That being said, I wouldn't risk it if I was away from home.

Last time I tried to install Ubuntu it took forever and I needed to download a load of shit first.

Try the Ubuntu or Mint LINUX/GNU distro. Mint is more user friendly to learn.

Use synaptic GUI to install software at first for Debian based LINUX/GNU.

I like Debian based LINUX as it has the broadest desktop use so it is generally easier to find online help and tutorials.

As you advance your LINUX knowledge you will like apt-get in CLI on your terminal to install software packages. You will find what you need using the LINUX community on the Internet.

With LINUX you are in command of your system's configuration. As you become more experienced designing your system the way you like it; you just configure your system updates to your expectations and not what MicroCrap offers you on a take it or leave it basis.

Thanks for all the replies guys :)

Yes, this is putting me off a bit, if something goes wrong, i'm scuppered :helpme

This laptop WILL end up with Linux on it but maybe once i've got my desktop back in front of me.

linux work well on old computers graphics are superior .

windows is virus friendly linux is not but u will miss .exe files if you have no vm (virtual machine) .

go with debian based distros like fedora or ubuntu avoid suse.

lol what? Fedora is not Debian based, it's based on Redhat and CentOS - and why avoid SUSE? SUSE 13.2 is stable as hell and their new Leap 42 which uses Suse Enterprise as a foundation is coming along great.

I highly recommend you download the latest Fedora Workstation and give that a shot - comes ready to go out of the box and most linux newbies that I have recommended it to love it. You can also check out Ubuntu which is also great for newbies.

i have read this info twice or more so i remember it fedora is very similar to ubuntu/ debian .

"why avoid suse ?" because i'm talking from my experience on suse poor community support or the lack of drivers , debian systems are much easier with command line.

Try Linux Mint. Its easy to install, has everything you need. All drivers will probably be detected at install time. You have GIMP, rhythmbox, chromium, firefox, vlc, bluefish, nautilus (for ftp and other file management).

i think u are correct now, i have googled it ...they have been saying that fedora is similar to debian but actually not " based on" it .