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First time Ubuntu user, need help!

post #1 of 9
10/19/10 at 12:27am
Thread Starter 
I have a small list of questions and was wondering if experienced users can answer them for me since I really want to get the ball rolling on using ubuntu more.

1: What is a good broad spectrum IM program to use that is like Pidgin?

2: Where and how do I install WINE from?
2b: What is a good list of games that linux natively supports?

3: What is a list of nescessary programs and tweaks I should apply to make ubuntu a better experience?

4: What is a good IRC program?

5: How do I change the system font to something less horrible?

6: Anything else I should know about first using ubuntu?
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The Monolith
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post #2 of 9
10/19/10 at 12:34am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by C-zom View Post
I have a small list of questions and was wondering if experienced users can answer them for me since I really want to get the ball rolling on using ubuntu more.

1: What is a good broad spectrum IM program to use that is like Pidgin?

2: Where and how do I install WINE from?
2b: What is a good list of games that linux natively supports?

3: What is a list of nescessary programs and tweaks I should apply to make ubuntu a better experience?

4: What is a good IRC program?

5: How do I change the system font to something less horrible?

6: Anything else I should know about first using ubuntu?
1. Ummm, let me check... Oh wait, Pidgin. lol

2. From Terminal: "sudo apt-get install wine"
Otherwise you can find it in the package manager and install it that way (gui based)

2.b. http://www.lgdb.org/

3. Change the appearance. Download new themes and such. (http://gnome-look.org/)

4. Pidgin supports IRC if you wanted to try it. Otherwise try XChat

5. Go to #3 again and find something you like. It should explain how to install there. It's simple

6. Give it a fair chance. Try to find ways to do everything in ubuntu, rather than going back to do something in windows. Remember, you didn't get proficient with windows overnight.
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post #3 of 9
10/19/10 at 12:35am
1: What is a good broad spectrum IM program to use that is like Pidgin?
Empathy which is included in Ubuntu

2: Where and how do I install WINE from?
Code:
sudo apt-get install wine
Or download in Ubuntu Software Center

2b: What is a good list of games that linux natively supports?
http://www.lgdb.org/

3: What is a list of nescessary programs and tweaks I should apply to make ubuntu a better experience?
Code:
 sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras

4: What is a good IRC program?
I like Xchat, although included Empathy works fine

5: How do I change the system font to something less horrible?
Right-click desktop > Change desktop background > Fonts tab

6: Anything else I should know about first using ubuntu?

Just remember, it is NOT Windows. Things don't work the same way.
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post #4 of 9
10/19/10 at 12:45am
Thread Starter 
Thanks so much guys, you answered my questions top notch. +Rep

I'm really trying to give ubuntu a chance. I really like it so far and think that if i can do everything I can do on windows, I can reserve windows to gaming solely.
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post #5 of 9
10/19/10 at 12:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by C-zom View Post
Thanks so much guys, you answered my questions top notch. +Rep

I'm really trying to give ubuntu a chance. I really like it so far and think that if i can do everything I can do on windows, I can reserve windows to gaming solely.
What I have been trying to do for about a month now and it is actually going pretty good. Been using Linux on and off for a year or two now though.

Also, look into setting up ufw(Uncomplicated Firewall).

http://www.linuxbsdos.com/2010/10/18...-ubuntu-10-10/
Quad core X2 5000 :D
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Quad core X2 5000 :D
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post #6 of 9
10/19/10 at 12:57am
  • W4LNUT5
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For ideas on appearances you can check OCN's Linux Desktop thread
http://www.overclock.net/linux-unix/...-linux-21.html
W4LH4X The Lunchbox
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W4LH4X The Lunchbox
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post #7 of 9
10/19/10 at 11:32am
lol yeah your first question is kind of redundant lol Pidgin was on linux before it was even on windows if I remember correctly.

And to answer all your program questions all at once... just run Synaptic and search! Get familiar with synaptic as it's your best friend atm
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post #8 of 9
10/19/10 at 12:05pm
irssi is god tier
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lain
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post #9 of 9
10/19/10 at 12:51pm
Install Ubuntu tweak. They have a good selection of third party repositories for a lot of the good programs.

Ubuntu is not bleeding edge so you don't get a lot of new software right away. While I appreciate their focus on stability, sometimes I feel there are perfectly good programs or newer versions that just aren't in the standard repos.

Add ubuntu-tweak ppa:

Code:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:tualatrix/ppa
Put in your password and then install Ubuntu-tweak

Code:
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-tweak
Then go to applications>system tools>ubuntu tweak

Inside Ubuntu tweak, go to source center. Sync it, click the repos you want to add, refresh and it will handle the rest.
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Down with the System
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