Abandoning Ubuntu

[Broadback]

I am thinking of abandoning Ubuntu, it does not seem very stable to me.  Periodically the display goes funny, blocks of the screen are ok others blank. Also I cannot find any way of installing Java into Firefox.  I have tried following several web sites, including:
https://jdk-distros.dev.java.net/ubuntu.html
suggested by Somanyholes, but none of them work.  In fact many of the instructions cannot be follow because, presumably, Ubuntu has been up graded with a different interface.
Perhaps I should try a pure Linux system, any ideas and suggestions welcomed.
Though I can access here (as I am now) with Firefox in Ubuntu the spell checker does not work, as is probably obvious to the well educated of you lot!

[Rik]

Is that the Firefox spell checker or the forum one?

[Broadback]

The forum one, I've not managed to load the Firefox one!

[Ted]

I am thinking of abandoning Ubuntu, it does not seem very stable to me.  Periodically the display goes funny, blocks of the screen are ok others blank. Also I cannot find any way of installing Java into Firefox.  I have tried following several web sites, including:
https://jdk-distros.dev.java.net/ubuntu.html
suggested by Somanyholes, but none of them work.  In fact many of the instructions cannot be follow because, presumably, Ubuntu has been up graded with a different interface.
Perhaps I should try a pure Linux system, any ideas and suggestions welcomed.
Though I can access here (as I am now) with Firefox in Ubuntu the spell checker does not work, as is probably obvious to the well educated of you lot!

You could possibly be using the wrong graphics drivers. Cards such as Nvidia and  Ati have proprietary drivers which generally don't come with Free linux distributions, you have to install them separately.  I don't know if this is the case with Ubuntu.
I find the easiest way to install the java plugin is to download java, install it and then create a symbolic "soft" link to the ff plugin directory from the java plugin directory.
All the instructions are on the java site HereHere
I understand Ubuntu is popular but my personal opinion would be to try another distribution if you don't get on with this one, try and find one you find easier and stick with it.
My "biased" suggestion would be Mandriva Linux i've been using it for more than five years full time. The download is rather large as it contains both 32 and 64 bit versions as well as a plethora of software. If you'd care to try it but don't want to download it, PM me your address and i'll pop a copy in the post.
Other distros i like are Suse and Fedora Core (formerly Red Hat Linux)

[Broadback]

Thanks Xild I'll give the Java another go.  How large, roughly, is Mandriva Linux?

[mrapoc]

Is it in the repos?

Synaptic package manager or w/e it is

[Ted]

The actual DVD is 4.3gb to download, as i said it contains both 32 ans 64 bit systems and software.
Can't remember the installation size requirements , i'll have a look and see if i can find out
To be honest Hard drives these days are so big and cheap its never been an issue to me.

[Ted]

Had a look and it says "3gb for a smooth installation". I think that would also depend on which and how many packages you install, you can make choices during the installation.

Ted

   

[Broadback]

Thanks Xild, if I cannot continue with Ubuntu I think I will give it a go.

[Ted]

Let me know if you want a copy and i'll post you a DVD, save your allowance
It' come a long way since the early days of "Mandrake".
Virtually all drivers and software can be installed directly from the repos, which you can set up through the Control center.

[Broadback]

I have got my Canon printer working with no trouble at all, at least for B&W, not tried colour yet.
As regards getting Java to work with Firefox under Ubuntu, no chance.  Every site I've tried tell you to do things that don't exist, for example open non existent files. Thanks for the offer of a DVDs, I might down load it myself, I rarely use much of my allowance. 

[Ted]

Excellent well done Stick with it for a bit, the more you learn the easier it gets.
If i need help the best place is usually the respective distro's own forum.
You shouldn't be having that much trouble with java, something not right there.
did you try and install manually?

[Broadback]

Been there, done that. But not got a T shirt.
The upside is that I have leaned how to create folders, files, search folders and move files. I hasten to add only because it was easy!

[Sebby]

Just as a general sort of comment, I found that you can get Ubuntu running perfectly with a bit of time and effort, and you shouldn't have any stability issues. Whether or not you like the OS in the end is another matter.

[Broadback]

If I go down the Mandake route should I go for how do I decide on the 32 or 64 bit option? Or is that totally down to my hardware? (AMD Semipron Processor 3100+, 768Mb RAM 50Gb free on my C drive)

[Ted]

The installer will automatically use the correct version according to your hardware.

[Broadback]

Still not been able to get Java to link with Firefox, even though I have loaded it and tried every "trick" I can find on the web.  So I have decided to bite the bullet and go for Mandrake Xild. If I may I will take up your offer of a disk, and will PM you.

[Ted]

PM sent

[Rik]

Is it in the repos?

Synaptic package manager or w/e it is

I banned your sig, Sam? How??

[Inactive]

I banned your sig, Sam? How??

I spotted that days ago Rik, I was just too polite to ask.. 

[Rik]

I'm not aware of having done it, In, I'd expect to have a PM to Sam on file if I'd asked for it to be removed.

[Lance]

What was the sig before? Just a few words and a link to overclockers wasn't it? Certainly nothing wrong with it that I can remember!

[Rik]

Sam's clarified things...

[Inactive]

Sam's clarified things...

It's OK, none of us nosey lot want to know .. 

[Rik]

Check what his sig now says, In.