The Linux.uk Community Forum

[This is a previous posting from someone else, that I'll later respond to]

Hi all just started using Ubuntu 9.10 today and to be honest it's hard moving away from Windows but hey it's going well apart from finding anti-malware, anti-virus and firewalls online that can be installed could someone in very basic terms (as i'm not great with pc's) tell me how i can get them please.

To find information such as the Distribution Name, Distribution Release Version, Release Notes, Distribution Codename and Distribution Description... Open a terminal and type:

cat /etc/*-release
and hit enter.

Linux Mint 8 (helena) returns:

QuoteDISTRIB_ID=LinuxMint
DISTRIB_RELEASE=8
RELEASE_NOTES_URL=http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_helena.php
DISTRIB_CODENAME=helena
DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="Linux Mint 8 Helena - Main Edition"

Other commands to try -

cat /etc/issue
and/or
cat /proc/version
and/or
lsb_release -a

To find out which kernel you are using -

Open a terminal and enter:

uname -a
and hit enter (returns all information)
or
uname -r
and hit enter (returns the kernel release)
or
uname -v
and hit enter (returns the kernel version)
or
uname -o
and hit enter (returns the operating system)

[This is a previous posting from someone else, that I'll later respond to]

I'm unsure which distribution of Linux that's installed on my computer, how do I find out which version of linux it is beyond the GNU Linux info given? Or is that all there is to it.

Linux will be able to access the Windows partition, by mounting the partition in the file manager, at boot-up, or through the command line, but Windows will not be able to access the Linux partition without the installation of third party software.

There are a number of ways to run Windows programs on a Linux system.

1) Setup your PC as a dual-boot system with both Linux and Windows installed separately, but as you pointed out this means you decide which OS to load into as you boot your system, so it's one or the other.

2) Run your Windows stuff in WINE (Wine Is Not an Emulator), Cedega or Crossover Office.
Non of these will run ALL Windows programs and it can be a bit awkward to get the programs to work 'properly'...If at all...but when it works, it usually works well.
Please note: Cedega and Crossover Office are commercial products, and as such are not free, WINE is free, and it should be available in your package manager, there is also a package called 'PlayOnLinux' which greatly eases the installation of some Windows programs in WINE...The list of programs which work is growing all the time.

Related (option 2) Links:

WINE homepage -
http://www.winehq.org/ (http://www.winehq.org/)

PlayOnLinux homepage -
http://www.playonlinux.com/en/ (http://www.playonlinux.com/en/)

Cedega homepage -
http://www.cedega.com/ (http://www.cedega.com/)

Crossover Office homepage -
http://www.codeweavers.com/ (http://www.codeweavers.com/)

3) Use Virtualization to run Windows inside Linux (or vice-versa) as a Virtual Machine (VM) this has definite advantages over the other options, as (like option 1) it is 100% compatible with Windows programs as they 'ARE' running in windows, but there is no need to reboot to run the programs.
Please note: very rarely (these days) there may be some hardware issues...USB devices used to cause problems, but seems solved in most recent versions... DirectX can be an issue, so this may not be a "Windows Game" solution.
It has been reported by some that Windows can run quicker as a VM in Linux than it does natively, but only if your CPU supports 'Hardware Assisted Virtualization'.

Related (option 3) Links:

KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) homepage -
http://www.linux-kvm.org/page/Main_Page (http://www.linux-kvm.org/page/Main_Page)

VMware homepage -
http://www.vmware.com/ (http://www.vmware.com/)

VirtualBox homepage -
http://www.virtualbox.org/ (http://www.virtualbox.org/)

Other Links:

Linux Alternatives to popular Windows Applications (http://linux.co.uk/2010/06/linux-alternatives-to-windows-software/)

[This is a previous posting from someone else, that I'll later respond to]

I start from the position that I am not in any way a computer expert!  I have bought a new desktop that came with Windows XP Professional pre-loaded. I have successfully (I hope!)  downloaded the latest version of Ubuntu and installed it on my computer in a separate area.

My question is: Is it possible to have a short cut between Windows and Ubuntu and vice versa on the desktop or do I have to shut down the system and then choose Windows or Ubuntu when it restarts?  If the answer is other than 'no' please put it in simple English so that an aged pensioner can understand it!!

First see if it is available in your package manager... Instructions (for Ubuntu) here:
http://linuxforums.org.uk/frequently-asked-questions/install-flashplayer-java-and-mp3-support-in-ubuntu/ (http://linuxforums.org.uk/frequently-asked-questions/install-flashplayer-java-and-mp3-support-in-ubuntu/)

---

If not download the relevant version here:

http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ (http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/)

And follow the manual installation instructions here (or below):

http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/productinfo/instructions/ (http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/productinfo/instructions/)

If there's a chance you can install it using your system's package manager, do so because it is the preferred method and will install it 'SYSTEM WIDE' for ALL users and ALL browsers.

If however it is not available in your package manager, and you are unsure of the correct file to download, get the .tar.gz version and follow these instructions to install:

1) extract the libflashplayer.so file from the .tar.gz file.
2) place the libflashplayer.so file in your 'home' directory.
3 Open a terminal, and enter the following commands
mkdir ~/.mozilla/plugins/
mv libflashplayer.so ~/.mozilla/plugins/
4) Restart firefox, the flash player plugin for firefox is now installed and should work.

To check it installed properly... Open firefox and visit this URL:
about:plugins
Check if 'Shockwave Flash' exists and has libflashplayer.so listed under it.

Be Aware this will 'only' install the 'firefox' flash player plugin for the current user, if you have your system set up with multiple users you will have to do this for each users home directory.

[This is a previous posting from someone else, that I'll later respond to]

I got a netbook/notebook for my Daughters xmas and can't access web pages wi'out having flash player. I have no clue whatsoever with the linux os so you will have to make it simple as possible!!! I can get it downloaded onto the comp but have no clue what to do with it once i've got it, also whatversion to download. There seem to be about 4 different ones, .tar.gz i think and others. All help greatfully appreciated Thanks in advance Thomas.

First of all, Even though Canon do provide Linux drivers for some of their printers they don't keep them up to date, so when a Linux update comes along that 'breaks' the printer drivers they are unlikely to provide updated ones.

This is why we recommend HP printers, and in particular these models:

HP Laserjet 1320 (B/W + Duplex)
HP Color LaserJet 1600 (Colour) [obviously]
Both of these work well with, and are easy to set up on Linux. (typically they will 'self-install')

If I can point you at the 1320, it may "look" expensive, but once you work out the cost per sheet, and the length of time it will last (mine is ~ 5 years old) buying one of these is WAY more cost effective than buying a cheap / nasty inket for £100 that will cost you a fortune in ink and wear out after a year.
.. AND it'll do double sided printing, AND it's quick!

Most HP printers are supported in Linux 'Out-of-the-box'
but check the URLs below first

Useful Links:

Canon drivers here -
http://www.canon-europe.com/Support/software/linux/ (http://www.canon-europe.com/Support/software/linux/)

HP supported printers list, and drivers (if needed) here -
http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/index.html (http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/index.html)

Epson printer drivers and info here -
http://avasys.jp/eng/linux_driver/download/ (http://avasys.jp/eng/linux_driver/download/)
http://www.epsondevelopers.com/home/linux_printers (http://www.epsondevelopers.com/home/linux_printers)

General printer compatibility here -
http://www.openprinting.org/printer_list.cgi (http://www.openprinting.org/printer_list.cgi)

[This is a previous posting from someone else, that I'll later respond to]

Hi All

I was advised to get a Canon printer to work with my recently acquired Linux System, Gloria. The drivers were found and installed and all was well for a while. However the printer decided to stop printing after a couple of days. It comes up with an Error message `Cups` missing filter. Some where along the line I have seen mentioned, that it requires `pstocanonij driver`. Can anyone tell me where to find the `missing bits` and how to install them?

Instructions can be found here:
http://netbook-experience.com/2009/09/how-to-install-a-3g-dongle-with-mobile-broadband-on-the-linux-acer-aspire-one/ (http://netbook-experience.com/2009/09/how-to-install-a-3g-dongle-with-mobile-broadband-on-the-linux-acer-aspire-one/)

But you would be better off getting rid of Linpus Lite, and installing Ubuntu's Netbook Remix which can be found here:
http://www.ubuntu.com/GetUbuntu/download-netbook (http://www.ubuntu.com/GetUbuntu/download-netbook)

Or see here for further information:
http://linuxforums.org.uk/linux-tips-tricks/setting-up-a-3g-dongle-from-the-ubuntu-network-manager/ (http://linuxforums.org.uk/linux-tips-tricks/setting-up-a-3g-dongle-from-the-ubuntu-network-manager/)

[This is a previous posting from someone else, that I'll later respond to]

I've just bought a secondhand Acer Aspire ONE A110 and a neat little guy it is to.
I'm running this out of the box using 'Linpus Lite V.1.0.15.E' and I want to use the 3G slot for Internet access using three (3 moblie).

Do I have the right Linux OS to do this?

If so how?

If not, which one and how do I install it?

I'm definitely interested in going, but will have to see if I can make time.
Meanwhile I've registered for free entry.

If anyone else is interested, you can register for free entry at:
http://www.internetworld.co.uk/page.cfm/Action=PreReg/PreRegID=1/t=m

I hope to see you all there.