So I'm thinking of sticking my toe in the Linux waters...

[Rik]

As you may have read elsewhere, by a piece of jammy luck, I'm getting a new lappy tomorrow courtesy of the OED.

I was, therefore, thinking of having a little play with Linux on my old Acer lappy. However, when I go to the Linux Mint site, I'm presented with 4 variants:

Linux Mint 10 (grey, and therefore pleasing to my eye)
Mint Debian
Mint 9 Xfce
Mint 9 KDE

If someone could explain the differences and which version to go for, I'd be grateful.

Thanks

[Steve]

My guess  

Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu

Mint Debian is based on Debian Testing


Mint 9 Xfce and Mint 9 KDE are the previous version with 2 different desktop environments (GUI)

[Glenn]

I put Mint 10 on my Dell Mini 9 (had Mint 9 on previously), it works fine apart from no wireless.

[Rik]

Was that a Dell issue or a Linux one, Glenn?

[Rik]

Mint Debian is based on Debian Testing

Which is? The main advantage of this one seemed to be self-updating.

Mint 9 Xfce and Mint 9 KDE are the previous version with 2 different desktop environments (GUI)

Any recommendations on which is better?

[Glenn]

I haven't found the correct Linux driver for it yet, none available on the Dell site, but I haven't looked too far. The drivers that are suggested, both Broadcom B43's fail to load, when I try to activate them.

[trophymick]

This is the version I have been using Rik, it's supported up until 2013.

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=52

[Glenn]

Which is? The main advantage of this one seemed to be self-updating.

I just hit the update button after building, it then search and installed 100+ updates fairly quickly.

[Rik]

I haven't found the correct Linux driver for it yet, none available on the Dell site, but I haven't looked too far. The drivers that are suggested, both Broadcom B43's fail to load, when I try to activate them.

Mmm. I tried looking for HP drivers for my printers and found the site was down for maintenance.  

[Rik]

This is the version I have been using Rik, it's supported up until 2013.

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=52

Which GUI is that, Mick?

[Rik]

I just hit the update button after building, it then search and installed 100+ updates fairly quickly.

Sounds just like a new Windows machine.

[Glenn]

http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/ is an easy way to make a bootable Linux USB drive.

[Rik]

Thanks. I was wondering about going down the live CD route initially...

[Steve]

'Testing' means it should be a stable version or not go badly wrong, it has rolling updates which may or may not work 

[Rik]

Nothing like a definitive answer, Steve.

[Ray]

I should have a look at Ubuntu V10 as well, Rik, I managed to get the wireless working on that, like Glenn I couldn't get it to work on Mint 9.

[Rik]

Thanks, Ray. How about printer drivers?

[Steve]

The different desktops have differing functionality so probably worth a google to see which may suit. I'm guessing Linux Mint is based on the commoner Gnome desktop

[Rik]

I thought this was going to be easy.

[JB]

I'm guessing Linux Mint is based on the commoner Gnome desktop

It is Steve. I'm running Linux Mint 10 (Julia) on my second computer. Amongst other things, I use it for accessing personal banking sites. I haven't used a Windows machine for that purpose for quite a while.

I have tried both Ubuntu 10.10 and Linux Mint 10 and although based on Ubuntu, I find the Linux Mint GUI nicer to the eye. I find the Mint GUI less Gnome-ey.

Rik, if you do try Mint, here is a good page of tweaks that I found very useful:-

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/tips-and-tricks-linux-mint-after-installation.htm

[Rik]

Thanks, JB.

[MisterW]

Mmm. I tried looking for HP drivers for my printers

Shouldn't need to Rik, just install the 'hplip' ( HP Linux Printing & Imaging System ) package ( using the package manager ), if it isn't already installed, and your HP printer should just work.

I thought this was going to be easy.

It is!, it's just different though!

I'd certainly give a live CD a go first, you've lost nothing cos you'll need the live CD to install it anyway, it just gives you a chance
to check things ( like wireless! ) are working before you commit.

I've been using Ubuntu now for a couple of years on my desktop and netbook and wouldn't want to go back to Windows, all that messing about with AV and Firewall's , no thanks!!

[pctech]

I thought this was going to be easy.

Nobody said this was easy

[Rik]

Shouldn't need to Rik, just install the 'hplip' ( HP Linux Printing & Imaging System ) package ( using the package manager ), if it isn't already installed, and your HP printer should just work.

Does that include multi-function devices do you know?

It is!, it's just different though!

It's the range of choices which is confusing.

{quote]I'd certainly give a live CD a go first, you've lost nothing cos you'll need the live CD to install it anyway, it just gives you a chance
to check things ( like wireless! ) are working before you commit.[/quote]

I've been using Ubuntu now for a couple of years on my desktop and netbook and wouldn't want to go back to Windows, all that messing about with AV and Firewall's , no thanks!!

I'll feel naked without one.

[Rik]

Nobody said this was easy