moblin or something else

[David M. Fahey]

For somebody who will be a newcomer to Linux, is it best to start with the moblin beta (which appears to be the future) or a more fully developed distribution? I assume that in either case I can download the distribution to a thumb drive and boot it from there. I don't want to mess up my existing Windows operating system on my Asus netbook. PS: I am most accustomed to MAC OS but, as I started computing with CPM, I assume that I can muddle through with something that looks very different from either Windows or MAC OS. Apologies for sounding ignorant. I am!

[BoloMKXXVIII]

Don't apologize for ignorance when you are in the process of trying to fix it.
Beta software probably isn't the best place to start as a newcomer. It is more likely you will run into problems that you don't yet have the skills to fix. You should probably start with one of the more polished distributions. There are several versions of Ubuntu designed specifically for Asus Netbooks. Trying one (or several) of these from a USB stick would probably be a good start.

[DougC-3]

I'm also a Linux beginner, but my computer experiences began with DOS, which I understand displaced CPM. I don't know much about Moblin, and somebody will probably correct me if I'm wrong, but to me, it seems to be aimed more toward bringing cell phone users into the netbook fold. Since you have long computing experience, you might want to skip the large-icon-on-small-screen step. I tend to agree with a blogger who griped (about Xandros easy mode) that he was expected to either use an interface "obviously designed for toddlers/lower primates" or jump straight into unknown depths (but I like the unknown).

I've been reading some about Ubuntu and expect to ultimately gravitate to it. It seems to be the distribution most widely used by people who previously used Windows or MAC, and there's a huge amount of information and support and a movement toward standardization. Since you and I both have Asus netbooks, and the main problem with Linux is hardware drivers, I think we ought to use a version aimed at Asus, which would support all the hardware "out of the box."

I plan to install Eeebuntu on my EeePC 1000HE for that reason. (It came with XP and I plan to use a dual boot installation, probably using Unetbootin, available free online.) The new Eeebuntu 3.0 version (as you probably already know) is available in a standard, full version, a smaller "base" version for computers with limited storage, and a version with the Netbook Remix interface, aimed at PCs with less screen space. I'm not familiar enough with Remix to know if it's really necessary.

Since you'll be dealing mainly with the desktop interface, especially at first, you might want to try the Gnome desktop, which is the default on Ubuntu, or try KDE (K Desktop Environment). Gnome is said to be more like the MAC desktop and KDE, more like Windows. I don't think you would have any problems with either one of them.

I have a "Wubi" installation of Hardy Heron (Ubuntu 8.04.1) on a larger laptop, but I've used it very little because the wireless adapter doesn't work and I have to string an ethernet cable across the floor. It was ridiculously easy to install this way. It acts like a dual boot, but it somehow installs within Windows and can be removed from Windows add/remove software in the control panel, supposedly leaving the Windows installation as it found it. Of course, a live-USB installation would stay in the RAM and, I guess, never even touch the Windows OS, but, being in the RAM, it would of course not allow you to save any work.

I have recently been using an EeePC 900A 4GB netbook which came with Xandros. Xandros was derived from Debian as was Ubuntu. Since I'm dealing mainly with the GUIs so far, I haven't noticed any differences between the underlying systems. I used the Easy Mode for quite a while, then switched to the Advanced Mode, which is just the KDE GUI. I like the KDE better than Easy Mode. The large icons of Easy Mode are a bit of a stumbling block between me and the larger menus, and the K desktop is just like Windows to me. I probably prefer KDE to Gnome, though it would probably be very easy to adapt to either. I've never used MAC and it seems a little easier for me to find things with KDE. Both default with Firefox, which is very similar to Windows Explorer. Of course I'm sure you know you can change to any of several browsers or Linux desktops.

I also plan to try CrunchEee, a version of the lightweight, Ubuntu-based Crunchbang aimed at EeePCs, on my 4GB unit at some point. It's less graphical and more text based. And I'd like to try Crunchbang on an old desktop.

I like Linux. It reminds me of the DOS days, when you could use the command like to compute by the seat of your pants. Also it's exciting to use a Unix-based OS like the big boys and people who put together supercomputers, etc.

Just remember to use frontslashes instead of backslashes :)

[DougC-3]

P.S. I meant "use the command line," not "command like," and sorry about the long, rambling post. I've got to stop posting while jacked up on caffeine :) ... and maybe you ought to ignore our advice and do what your heart tells you.

[David M. Fahey]

I have downloaded Unetbootin and Ubuntu to my Kingston USB stick. I have unsuccessfully tried to dual boot the Linux distribution while the Windows operating system is booting up on my Asus. I understood that I should hit a function key. Have tried F1, F2, F3. Anybody know what I am doing wrong?

[DougC-3]

I assume you are trying to get into the BIOS to select the USB device as the first boot choice. I have been unable to do that with the ESC key on my Eee 1000HE (contrary to manual), but it works with F2 if you press it repeatedly about twice a second the instant you turn on the unit. This will bring you to the BIOS setup utility screen.

I haven't used Unetbootin yet and don't know how it operates, but when I've booted Ubuntu from a live CD, if I remember correctly, I didn't get a dual boot choice. I think it just booted straight into Ubuntu.

You said you didn't want to disturb your XP setup so:
You probably already know this better than I do, but, just in case, I would be very careful in the BIOS. You can navigate and select with the arrow keys, and hit enter to get a sub-menu at a selected item. If you think you've made a mistake or can't remember if something is the way it was when you started, you can back out and leave things unchanged by hitting ESC and hitting enter after toggling to "Discard configuration changes and exit."

The default boot order on my 1000HE already lists "Removable Device 1" as the first boot device, so I would think that your PC would already boot from the USB drive without changes to the order. However, as isc staff implies, this would assume that the Ubuntu was already configured into a bootable state on your USB dirive.

Another thing: I notice in the manual that Boot Booster has to be disabled in the BIOS before certain things can be done. I don't know if this is necessary or not when booting from a USB device.

Sorry I can't be of more help. The eeeuser.com wiki and forums have tons of information, in fact so much that you have to craft your search words pretty carefully using quotes to cut down on the hits. I think the wiki search engine just searches the wiki.

Good luck!

[David M. Fahey]

Thanks. Will start over. By the way, I have the HE.

[DougC-3]

Please keep us posted as to your results. Also, since I (and no doubt others) been thinking of doing this, there may be a role reversal, with you giving us information and advice ;)

[DougC-3]

I saw that you were using Ubuntu itself and not Eeebuntu, so I checked and saw that the Unetbootin site doesn't mention Eeebuntu among their downloads. Eeebuntu is Ubuntu plus all the extras needed to make it work "out of the box" with EeePCs. Sorry I didn't check this out sooner. The Eeebuntu site FAQ says you may have trouble with your wifi, function keys, etc, on the Eee and have to take extra steps to get all these things working if you install plain Ubuntu.

This information may not apply as much to the latest versions of Ubuntu and eeePCs. The official Ubuntu site and forums of course have information about this sort of thing. I did a brief search in their forum and found one mention of wifi not working after suspend on a 1000HE, but everyone did not seem to have the problem, and a solution was posted. Once again, I hope you'll let us know how it comes out.

[Romeo Sid Vicious]

I wouldn't start out with Moblin beta as it's just that, beta. I think UNR http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download-netbook is the best way to go at the moment. I am sure Moblin is the future but for less frustration and actual use I'd go UNR right now. It's got an easy to use interface and is well supported by the community.

[Dara]

As a user that is new to Linux I can't recommend Wubi enough. The install is simple and quick and easy to get rid of as long as you keep windows on the hard drive.

[David M. Fahey]

Thanks, Dana. Giving up on the USB memory stick, I successfully installed Ubumbu on my hard disk with Wubi. When I turn my Asus on, I get a choice between Windows and Ubumtu. Yet I am stopped at log in. My ID and password (one or the other or both) aren't accepted. Do I need to delete Ubumtu (how?) and redo installation? Or just play with the ID and password until Ubuntu likes me? Any other options?

[David M. Fahey]

Finally got Ubuntu to work. It is on my hard disk. Options for Windows and Ubuntu. If somebody as inept and impatient as I can install a Linux distribution, there is hope that most anybody can do so too. I think this time I even spelled Ubuntu correctly! I had wanted EasyPeasy, but no luck with installing it.