Forum Topic

Free Linux demo Saturday 15th September

I am planning to demonstrate installing and initial configuration of Debian Linux in North Acton on Saturday, starting 1030. Please let me know if you are interested as there is limited space. If too many people are interested I will re-run the demo some other time.

Chris Bell ● 5027d14 Comments

Linux is a complete operating system in its own right, and the various distributions provide a Linux kernel plus a selection of packages, usually including alternative software able to access and work with most Microsoft files. There is software that can run individual Microsoft packages within a Linux based system. If you really want to you can run Microsoft inside a virtual computer.The internet is a Unix compatible system, so Microsoft was modified to be able to access it.One huge difference is that Linux is Free (as in Freedom) Open Source Software, you are able to examine the original code and modify it to suit your own requirements.SGI built a new range of computers they called "Ultra Violet" and persuaded Linus Torvalds to agree for them to use the standard Linux kernel, re-compiled using a standard laptop, to run it. They did not dare to test the result on the laptop but it ran without problems on their new computer, 4 racks wide with 4096 processor cores and up to about 4TB of ordinary ECC RAM which is fully accessible by all the processor cores. Microsoft could not drive that computer at any price.

Chris Bell ● 5026d

A friend who is a qualified Microsoft lecturer offered to provide a course to compare Microsoft and Linux for Ealing Adult Learning, and spent a year communicating with them and providing full and detailed information about his proposed course. They eventually said they had no idea what he was talking about, so no thanks. He is now in New Zealand.I was recently asked to provide information and a brief talk to an Ealing Council Scrutiny Panel. I was then told that the council already supplies computer services at various locations including the local libraries.Go and ask them to demonstrate the use of Linux and show the basics of administration.It is Free software. There is no great PR budget. There are no back handers, no 100,000 pound handouts to politicians, no mansions on offer just round the corner from Marble Arch. I paid for my own T shirts.I have been very well known to local councillors over several years, and none have offered any help. The only positive response has been from Angie Bray and the Conservative party.Britain is not a totally isolated community in a wilderness, we have already lost jobs to other countries, and have to fight to even retain what remains, so we are competing against the rest of the world. There are not enough qualified teachers, but there is plenty of documentation and help available to new users, and there are plenty of university level courses.http://www.chrisbell.org.uk

Chris Bell ● 5026d

Does it work on Windows 7?

Bernadette Clover ● 5026d

I have heard people say they like Mint although I have never tried it, but it is free and there is nothing to stop you trying it. I am trying to help people who have either never used a computer or are petrified about trying something new, especially if they are worried it might break their present system. Debian provides a huge amount of software for a very wide range of hardware types. I have given away huge numbers of "Live" Linux discs, yet I would be surprised if 5% were ever used. People just do not believe that it could be good.

Chris Bell ● 5026d

Oh I see.What about Mint?

Bernadette Clover ● 5026d

What makes you say that? It is true that Debian does not bring out a new version every few months, together with a few new irritations, and it does try to ensure that everything is tested as much as possible before the full release. In fact the version in testing is at beta2 stage, with a beta3 version due in just over 3 weeks. Then once the new version is fully released it is held in the same state as much as possible so as not to break things and require continuous fiddling with important servers, etc. Security updates are provided to correct problems found in individual packages, but they are applied in a way that causes minimum disruption. Later versions may be available from debian backports, but they are not imposed. Development continues normally, and anyone can install the latest testing version, where all packages have been tested in the development version known as Sid for at least a week, although the testing version may not be very stable immediately after a full release of the new stable Debian because it is likely to contain a very large number of new packages.Fedora is effectively the testing version for the next official release of RedHat.

Chris Bell ● 5026d

But Debian still hasn't reached the overall level of polish that Fedora has had for years?

Bernadette Clover ● 5026d

My mirror does not have all the non-free hardware drivers which may be required for some video and wireless hardware, they require an internet connection, but I could bring a hub that would cope with a small number of other computers.http://www.chrisbell.org.uk

Chris Bell ● 5026d

Debian offers as standard either no desktop (not needed on an unattended server), Gnome, KDE, XFCE, and LXDE. Gnome and KDE are considered too bloated by some people, although they may be preferred by new users. The default is Gnome, although I normally use KDE. There are heated debates about which should be the default, especially when it is difficult to squeeze all the basics into a single CD No 1 of over 50 for the full set. It is possible to install more than one and offer a choice of which to start. I expect to use one of the netinst CDs plus my local mirror computer which should be up-to-date with the standard AMD/Intel 32 bit and 64 bit versions, and also armel, armhf, and powerpc, although I have only used the standard 32/64 bit PC versions so far. I will not have some other versions such as Spark and IA64 (I already do a scheduled download for an hour or two every night, and it could take perhaps a couple of months to download the rest of what is available over my home ADSL)

Chris Bell ● 5026d

Will it have Gnome?

Bernadette Clover ● 5026d

My intention is to start an installation in "expert" mode purely to show that it is not too difficult, then it can run almost unattended for much of the time while I show some of the facilities for configuration and use on another computer.

Chris Bell ● 5026d

Ubuntu is based originally on Debian, shares many of the developers and original software, but is configured with ease of installation as overall priority, even if some other aspects such as best flexibility or security could be affected. It even shares the same basic installer. While Debian and Ubuntu are very similar, and they are supplied ready compiled and tested under conditions that are only slightly different, it is best not to mix them unless you really know what you are doing.I will be demonstrating installing Debian from my own local mirror of Debian which is updated overnight every night, Unfortunately Debian provide software that can download the non-free drivers required for some hardware such as wireless or video, but the End User License Agreement (EULA) must be accepted and the driver must be downloaded from the internet sites provided by the manufacturers.I could easily download and burn a standard installation DVD suitable for your computer (32 or 64 bit binary), but Ubuntu then provide a choice of version according to the intended use, with a different selection of software for servers, etc. Let me know which.Debian provide several different installer versions to suit the general installation method and hardware type, but all provide the same individual grouped package options for choice of desktop, mail server, database, etc, etc.Once the system is up and running both Ubuntu and Debian provide a huge choice of other packages ready to install.Debian is the more likely distribution used as standard in universities, while the commercial RedHat and Suse use a different installation system and have advertising aimed more at business use, although there is a huge amount of interchange.

Chris Bell ● 5026d

Debian and Ubuntu include much of the same code but Ubuntu is definately easy to install and configure. have used it on several machines both as serbver and desktop. i even have a laptop with windows and ubuntu on it.

Peter Chadburn ● 5026d

Will it be Ubuntu? My current PC is coming to the end of its useful life as a Windows machine. I've had Ubuntu recommended to me.

M. Duley ● 5027d