Decade

Hello there Linux and Unix gurus, I'm debating making the switch to Linux for the fact that I don't do anything exclusively Windows based. I do, however, have a few questions before you say "Just install Ubuntu and smile!"

Biggest thing is playing steam games, that seems rather solvable with the guide on here, so we won't touch this.

I assume playings mp3s and watching avi movies is no different in Linux then Windows? Use you're favorite player and codec? (In that case: Linux equivalents of Winamp, K-Lite mega codec, and Windows Media Player Classic?)

Wireless drivers: I'm not going to go through the hassle of running 10/100 up through the walls, through the attic, and down to my room during the heat of a Georgia summer, so proper wireless drivers is a must. Using a Linksys WUSB600N (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1197679236180) adapter.

After that: F@H and ATi overclocking. I'm sure theres a way to run GPU2, so that just leaves how I'll go about overclocking my HD 4830 to keep my PPD close to the same? (Short of a bios flash, at least) Speaking of - ATi drivers? Also - drivers for my soundcard, onboard ticks me off and I would much rather use my Audigy for sound.

Drive partitions: I have one partition for OS and programs, the other is for games, music, and movies. Basically, one is for operation and the other is strictly data and games, would I have to format BOTH partitions upon installing?

Razer deathadder. Is there a linux version of the little driver program that controls polling rate, sensitivity, and button assignments?

Ease of use: Coming from Windows, I'm more used to poking icons and clicking check boxes then using a Linux console. Not afraid to use it, just don't want to get over my head right away.

Instant messaging: I currently use Trillian, is there a program similar to this? Or would Wine be able to run Trillian?

Torrenting: No need to get in politics, just what would be a good torrent client.

Thats all I can think of for now, I'm pretty sure I can find answers to some of these questions as I continue to read the FAQs in the top 2 threads.

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Phenom 2 710 @ 3.5ghz with 4th core unlocked

HD 4830 @ 800 core, 1200 memory Bios volt mod + Accelero (link updated)

HD 4830 @ 810 core, 1260 memory HD 4830 40% GPU/MEM OC (not stable)

steelrain33

give linux mint a try it is a very easy transistion

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Mr Pink57

I assume playings mp3s and watching avi movies is no different in Linux then Windows? Use you're favorite player and codec? (In that case: Linux equivalents of Winamp, K-Lite mega codec, and Windows Media Player Classic?) Xine is what I've used, but most use MPlayer with it's codecs, if you go KDE then I think it's just KPlayer.

Wireless drivers: I'm not going to go through the hassle of running 10/100 up through the walls, through the attic, and down to my room during the heat of a Georgia summer, so proper wireless drivers is a must. Using a Linksys WUSB600N (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1197679236180) adapter. If using an "auto distro" like Ubuntu or Mint they usually install the drivers, you can always fire up a live CD.

After that: F@H and ATi overclocking. I'm sure theres a way to run GPU2, so that just leaves how I'll go about overclocking my HD 4830 to keep my PPD close to the same? (Short of a bios flash, at least) Speaking of - ATi drivers? Also - drivers for my soundcard, onboard ticks me off and I would much rather use my Audigy for sound. There is no GPU2 for linux based that I know of, most run SMP in command line which is a lot faster then native windows can offer, and as far as the sound card goes I do not know as my laptop is onboard with Arch, I configured ALSA. Creative has made it hell for anyone to get their source code so not a lot has progressed on linux based Creative drivers.

Drive partitions: I have one partition for OS and programs, the other is for games, music, and movies. Basically, one is for operation and the other is strictly data and games, would I have to format BOTH partitions upon installing? You will need to reformat as I would imagine you are using NTFS which is something linux does not install onto. Me personally I use JFS due to native journaling and using less CPU resources which is crucial on my laptop. Whatever distro you decide on look at their wiki and see their recommended partition table, however most of your media will go into your /home partition.

Razer deathadder. Is there a linux version of the little driver program that controls polling rate, sensitivity, and button assignments? There is none but you my be able to use WINE to install it.

Ease of use: Coming from Windows, I'm more used to poking icons and clicking check boxes then using a Linux console. Not afraid to use it, just don't want to get over my head right away. You fight the console at first but then you only end up using it, I use a windows manager that is basically a giant console.

Instant messaging: I currently use Trillian, is there a program similar to this? Or would Wine be able to run Trillian? pidgin, pidgin, pidgin

Torrenting: No need to get in politics, just what would be a good torrent client. rTorrent

Thats all I can think of for now, I'm pretty sure I can find answers to some of these questions as I continue to read the FAQs in the top 2 threads.


See all command line

pink

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ckybam3

why not download the ubuntu live cd and run that for a bit to see if everything works. then if it does install it from there

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evermooingcow

Pretty sure SB audigy will work out of the box.

You don't absolutely need to format the partition with your data. Linux can R/W to NTFS. Dsitros like Ubuntu will come with the option installed. I would highly recommend formatting it though as NTFS write can get flaky from time to time.

As much as I love rtorrent I would recommend Deluge if:
- You run many torrents (10+) at once AND your router isn't capable of high throughput.
- If you want a full GUI

Reason I bring up the router is rtorrent doesn't have a (sophisticated) scheduler option to have N torrents running at all times. If you dump 100 torrents into rtorrent it will download all 100 at once bogging down most home routers.

You need an external script to handle keeping N out of 100 in rtorrent's watch list at all times and even then there is no flexibility in allowing for more concurrent downloads to account for slow or inactive ones.

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dual != duel

The Duke

Good point
I'm No Linux expert what so ever... still rather noobish actually
When ubuntu live won't operate a PC completely, I turn to Knoppix live and so far its run everything I throw at it. Some of the much older PCs did require an older version of Knoppix L though.

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Decade

5 minutes of Ubuntu's live CD and I'm already in love. Not only is my wireless adapter "not supported", it works better then it does in Windows. Excuse me while I rofl while peeing my pants.

I figure if I can go 2-3 hours with this, I'll have to boot back into windows and start burning all my music to DVDs, as I don't feel like finding a workaround to using the Zune software in Linux. >.>

__________________

Phenom 2 710 @ 3.5ghz with 4th core unlocked

HD 4830 @ 800 core, 1200 memory Bios volt mod + Accelero (link updated)

HD 4830 @ 810 core, 1260 memory HD 4830 40% GPU/MEM OC (not stable)

Prolog

Banshee
Songbird

I'd be willing to bet that Amarok also supports the Zune.

Mr Pink57

Here's a face I dont see around very much

pink

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Kirk Lazarus: Yeah! And we trained actors, mother****er.

http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php

thiussat

You can try the guide. Depending on the hardware, some have success, some not as much. There may actually be a Steam client released for Linux, or so the rumor goes.

Easy to do. Many distros do not ship with the MP3 or other proprietary codecs, but all you have to do is install them from the package manager. It's easy. As for media players, there are many -- for Gnome you have RhythmBox, Exaile and others. For KDE, Amarok is probably the best.

I would say 90% of wireless cards work out of the box. The other 9% take tweaking and the last 1% you are SOL.

There is a native Linux Boinc client (for Folding and other stuff). As for ATI, they are typically a little more difficult than Nvidia to get set-up, but it's doable. Yes, you can overclock your GPU.

No. Linux can read and write to NTFS partitions (but it can't be installed on NTFS). Therefore, you just need to partition your OS drive and you can leave your data drive as is.

No idea what this is. Sorry.

With Ubuntu and some of the other user-friendly distros you will probably never need the console. However, I recommend learning your way around it because you will find that it is often easier (and more powerful) than pointing and clicking.

For Gnome -- You use Pidgin. For KDE, use Kopete. Both can utilize multiple IM protocols (AIM, MSN, Yahoo, Jabber, IRC and others). I think you will find they are as good or better than Trillian.

Depends on what you want. I like it simple, so I use Transmission. If you like a bloated client with a million options, then you have that option too. There is Deluge, Azureus, KTorrent and others.

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"I can't bring myself to try Linux Mint because they keep naming the OS after ex-girlfriends or women I've had bad run ins with. Cassandra was a sexual harassing shift manager. And Felicia was a stalker who knew how to turn a good day into a hellish experience in 0-60." -- Anub1s from BBR forums