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ProTech Support
06-22-2009, 02:47 PM
Alright so in a previous thread I asked everyone which flavor of linux I should I install, and ended up with Ubuntu as the answer.

So I finally got around to the project and have installed Ubuntu 9.04 on my laptop. To my surprise the setup was all a breeze, and my wireless even worked right off the bat (I was expecting a fight!).

So far I am absolutely loving it. Mainly I was trying to see if Ubuntu could replace Windows for me on this laptop, while allowing me to do everything I normally do. With this laptop I basically surf the web, check e-mail, and do some Office work.

My question is what software do you see as a "must have" when using Linux? Any feedback would be appreciated, thanks!
purple_minion
06-22-2009, 03:10 PM
Well, I can't remember what is installed by default. I have been using KMyMoney recently, which is a KDE program but you can run. Nice finance program. k3b for burning. Pidgin for chatting. Chromium and other shoot'em ups I love, but that's myself. I would guess that everything but the games and KMyMoney is installed by default, so I'm not sure what besides the default would be needed.
0gr3
06-22-2009, 04:05 PM
Amarok for music, VLC player for movies, GIMP if not pre-installed, Beagle for searching for files, you will also want to use this to give yourself full NTFS read/write access http://tinyurl.com/ynba9q, All tray is nice and if you need it WINE.
ProTech Support
06-22-2009, 05:17 PM
Amarok for music, VLC player for movies, GIMP if not pre-installed, Beagle for searching for files, you will also want to use this to give yourself full NTFS read/write access http://tinyurl.com/ynba9q, All tray is nice and if you need it WINE.

@ACG - Openoffice did come pre-installed. Was one of the first things I was going to do.

@0gr3 - Thanks for all of your suggestions. GIMP is installed and I am definitely going to take advantage of that NTFS read/write access.
ProTech Support
06-22-2009, 05:34 PM
Yeah just open a terminal and do

apt-get update
apt-get install ntfs-3g

I never use package managers in a GUI, so that will install any and all dependencies you may need for that.

Right, I remember you have a dieng love for terminal. I actually used it to install pidgin and gparted, I can see why you like it :)

Thanks for the tip, going to be the first thing I do.
angry_geek
06-22-2009, 06:34 PM
You'll also want to change the default file types in openoffice and find an email program you like. There are a ton of them out there. I'm actually partial to evolution which is preinstalled.
ProTech Support
06-22-2009, 06:39 PM
You'll also want to change the default file types in openoffice and find an email program you like. There are a ton of them out there. I'm actually partial to evolution which is preinstalled.


I was thinking of testing out that and Thunderbird
angry_geek
06-22-2009, 06:41 PM
You may also want to install the compiz manager for some fun with your desktop.
ProTech Support
06-22-2009, 06:43 PM
You know I actually tried enabling the desktop effects, but it would'nt let me. Not sure what the issue is about, but I figured I would start Googling it when I get a chance.
ProTech Support
06-22-2009, 06:56 PM
Any specific errors? Maybe you need to be root.

I simply tried to click on it and it said it could not be enabled. There was no specfic error message. Is there a way to manually enable it via terminal?
0gr3
06-22-2009, 07:43 PM
Yeah just open a terminal and do

apt-get update
apt-get install ntfs-3g

Didn't know that, glad I found this forum I am literally learning new things every single day.
Actam
06-22-2009, 08:51 PM
I simply tried to click on it and it said it could not be enabled. There was no specfic error message. Is there a way to manually enable it via terminal?

It usually mean that the open source driver for your graphic card is lousy. Try enabling the closed source version of the driver, if available (look under System>Restricted drivers, it should be a breeze to enable them).
:)
ProTech Support
06-23-2009, 12:32 AM
It usually mean that the open source driver for your graphic card is lousy. Try enabling the closed source version of the driver, if available (look under System>Restricted drivers, it should be a breeze to enable them).
:)

I had a feeling it had to do with the video driver just by the way everything looked. When I first set it up it showed the wireless driver, I enabled that and it worked...I thought the video would be on there, but it wasn't.

After you mentioned it I checked one more time and this time it was there, I am loading it now and I have a feeling it will resolve the issue. Thanks for the help
ProTech Support
06-23-2009, 12:42 AM
UPDATE: It was the issue with the video card, once I got the drivers installed I was good to go.