12 replies to this topic

[stevie754]

Hi Guys I have been thinking about installing linux onto my laptop for a while but everytime I look into it I get back all the different versions and get lost in it all.

I am currently studying software engineering and would like to get some experience using linux. Any suggestions what I should go with. Ubuntu??

[Alexander]

If you were really wanting some experience, I would look at Arch Linux. It is a minimal distro and I believe you need to set up your own graphical window manager and can add what you like with guides on the Arch Linux wiki. It can teach you a lot rather than something like Ubuntu that includes most of everything already.

Either way nearly any distribution will allow you to uninstall most of everything and put it back together.

[WingedPanther]

I use Ubuntu, and my wife uses Mint. Both work well, and allow me to do coding when I want to.

[sam_coder]

I'm a long time slackware user. But lately I've been really turned onto ubuntu.
I use Ubuntu 10.10 on my netbook. It's clean.

[stevie754]

Thanks for the replies I think I'll take a look at Arch Linux first and see where I go from there.

[DarkLordofthePenguins]

Ubuntu is good OS for beginners as it's not too challenging to use or configure. That's why I don't use it.

[sam_coder]

DarkLordofthePenguins said:

Ubuntu is good OS for beginners as it's not too challenging to use or configure. That's why I don't use it.

But it's not just for beginners! it's well thought out and implemented very clean!
It's well supported, and maintained with a consistent release cycle, you could set your watches off of!

There is also a thriving online community!

[stevie754]

Thanks all for the replys.

I have heard Linux installs can be very difficult to get rid of so I'm installing it into a VM.

P.S. You's swayed me back towards Ubuntu

[sam_coder]

lol, awesome!

Don't forget, if your installing into a VM, like say with VirtualBox

When you boot onto the CD, hit F4, you will see an option, Minimal VM install, this is likely what you want.
Also, don't forget to enable PAE/NX in your VM settings, and in all likelihood, you will want to attach your Virtual Hard disk to a virtual SCSI controller

[stevie754]

Thanks Sam do you have any useful links about setting up a VM or should it be pretty straight forward.?

Appreciate all the help guys

[sam_coder]

I haven't been able to find one that shows all the steps enabling you to run the most recent version, but heres what you do. Grab a copy of VirtualBox. Downloads - VirtualBox
You will also need to download an ISO of the ubuntu image you want to install. I personally typically use the server install image, but I do so for setting up virtual appliances for my development environment. If you're running it for a simulated desktop, I'd get the desktop image.
When creating your virtual machine, you need to name it. if you name it something like ubuntu, virtualbox will automatically infer most of the basic settings that will be required. If it doesn't, you can select a ubuntu template from a drop down box.

I should note, that if you're running a 32 bit oberating system, you'll want to obtain the 32 bit ubuntu ISO, and you will want to make sure the template selected is 32 bit.

run through that wizard, and create your virtual dynamic hard drive.

Once your VM is created, it will need to be started. But you should make some changes to the settings first. If you right click the VM, and select settings.

Select "System" on the right. then select the "Processor" tab. Make sure the "Enable PAE/NX" is checked.

Next, select "Storage" on the right. You will likely see your virtual hard drive attached to an IDE controller. Well, you should remove it from the IDE controller, add a SCSI controller, and then attach that VHD to that SCSI controller.
it might take you a second to figure out how that dialog works, though probably less time than it would take me to explain it. There are two buttons, add drive and add controller.
the add drive tends to add the next available drive, and if this is your first VM, it will be the only drive.

Anyways, just keep adding drives till you get the one you want, then remove the ones you dont want.


once thats done, you should be able to install no problem-o, just make sure you select the VM install on the F4 option, installation should be a snap!

let me know how you make out.

[stevie754]

Thanks so much I'll post back tonight whenever I get it working