CHANGE THE GUIDE ON HOW TO MAKE ISO INTO USB!!!

[RobertRobert]

Hello I just tried Linux mint 14 and must say that the current guide on how to convert ISO to usb is very very bad

In this guide here on how to with Windows make a bootable usb out of an iso is bad

http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/744

That program which is linked is complicated and hard to use, because you need another program to use it, it is not stand alone

I am a pretty ok computer user and I could not figure it out, so if I can not figure it out no one who is just a windows user and has never even heard of linux before will never be able to figure it out.

There is a much simpler way

You should instead link directly to the program Ubuntu uses


http://www.ubuntu.com/download/help/cre ... on-windows

First you download the Linux mint iso of course

Then you download this simple program

Then via the program you select Linux Mint, and browse your computer for the iso and then the program then makes the iso into a bootable usb

I know and understand that lots of people will not like me coming in here and saying that the current way is bad and and that a competitors program is better, but that is how it is

Change the guide

The goal is to make things as simple as possible, not some terf war.

[viking777]

I think first of all it might help if you said EXACTLY what tutorial you are talking about. The one that I know of:

http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/744

Uses the command line dd and it is just a single line which I would hardly call difficult.

Not only that but it also offers the Ubuntu image writer as an alternative for those who choose it.

[RobertRobert]

I think first of all it might help if you said EXACTLY what tutorial you are talking about. The one that I know of:

http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/744

Uses the command line dd and it is just a single line which I would hardly call difficult.

Not only that but it also offers the Ubuntu image writer as an alternative for those who choose it.

And there we have the problem, right there

First of all I am not using Linux I am using windows. I thought this was obvious but apparently it is not. It is the windows installation program that is included WINDOWS

http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/744


And everything, no matter what OS you use, should be clickable AND not, I say again, NOT, forced to use any command line

I am using windows I am talking about windows,

In the windows guide

http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/744

You get some program that is not stand alone and I am saying that the program used in ubuntu installation guide is better and easier to use.

[xenopeek]

I've moved your topic here as it is a suggestion. Got my hands on a Windows laptop to try both out.

Image Writer works as advertised. You download it, extract it, then start it. No additional programs are needed. You click the folder icon to browse to your downloaded ISO file (you would have either followed Clem's guide and renamed it from .iso to .img, or you would first in the type selection box here select *.* to see the .iso file). Then you set the device to the letter of your USB stick. Then you click write, and after accepting the warning, the ISO will be written to your USB stick. Note that you also have here the option to calculate the MD5 hash of the ISO, so you can compare that to the one listed on the download page (ensuring your download wasn't corrupted or tampered with). It short, it works as advertised.

I also tried the Universal USB Installer from the page you link to. That's not actually a Ubuntu program, and you are from that page also directed to Pendrivelinux.com to actually download the program (http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal- ... -as-1-2-3/). You don't need to extract it but can run it immediately. Then you need to browse a long list and find Linux Mint on it, and pick the correct edition and release to install. Then you browse to where you have the ISO file and after setting the device to the letter of your USB stick can write it.

Pros:
- You don't need to extract Universal USB Installer.
Cons:
- No MD5 hash hash check.
- You need to select Linux Mint in the list, which takes a bit of scrolling around to find.
-And if the program hasn't been updated yet for a newer release of Linux Mint, this may confuse users as they'd need to know to scroll all the way down to the end of the list and select to load an unlisted ISO.

I don't think this is definitely better, nor definitely worse, than Image Writer. You are of course free to submit your own tutorial here or on the Community site. I'll forward the suggestion to Clem, to add Universal USB Installer as an alternative for Windows users.

[Denis362]

You've made quite an entrance over something so simple. The original application doesn't require any additional programs whatsoever, the problem you had (and so did I, but didn't really jump to conclusions) is that you downloaded the source of the program and all the batch files in that folder didn't do the magic for you. What you should do is download the binary instead of source from the same site ("win32diskimager-binary"), extract the downloaded zip and go to the application stored in there.

[RobertRobert]

I've moved your topic here as it is a suggestion. Got my hands on a Windows laptop to try both out.

Image Writer works as advertised. You download it, extract it, then start it. No additional programs are needed. You click the folder icon to browse to your downloaded ISO file (you would have either followed Clem's guide and renamed it from .iso to .img, or you would first in the type selection box here select *.* to see the .iso file). Then you set the device to the letter of your USB stick. Then you click write, and after accepting the warning, the ISO will be written to your USB stick. Note that you also have here the option to calculate the MD5 hash of the ISO, so you can compare that to the one listed on the download page (ensuring your download wasn't corrupted or tampered with). It short, it works as advertised.

I also tried the Universal USB Installer from the page you link to. That's not actually a Ubuntu program, and you are from that page also directed to Pendrivelinux.com to actually download the program (http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal- ... -as-1-2-3/). You don't need to extract it but can run it immediately. Then you need to browse a long list and find Linux Mint on it, and pick the correct edition and release to install. Then you browse to where you have the ISO file and after setting the device to the letter of your USB stick can write it.

Pros:
- You don't need to extract Universal USB Installer.
Cons:
- No MD5 hash hash check.
- You need to select Linux Mint in the list, which takes a bit of scrolling around to find.
-And if the program hasn't been updated yet for a newer release of Linux Mint, this may confuse users as they'd need to know to scroll all the way down to the end of the list and select to load an unlisted ISO.

I don't think this is definitely better, nor definitely worse, than Image Writer. You are of course free to submit your own tutorial here or on the Community site. I'll forward the suggestion to Clem, to add Universal USB Installer as an alternative for Windows users.

Thank you for your reply it was very nice of you.


May I point out that it is very impressive of you to actually try the different programs out to see what I am talking about



NOW if we talk about the program that is currently linked to the installation guide then

For me that program is completely and absolutely difficult to figure out

I am a very good windows user, when ever there is a problem I can usually figure it out

However that specific program that is currently linked in the guide

I know how to use computers, I know how to use windows

I could not even figure out how to launch it, it does not have a clear exe file, there is no clear installation/setup button

If I can not figure it out, then there is no chance in hell some random person who has used windows and has heard about linux mint from a friend or in school can figure it out

How ever the other program which is linked via Ubuntu page is clear and simple to use

Now you are talking about the some advanced stuff like MD5, I am certain that is all nice, but I am talking about your common user, your common man, your common woman, etc etc

My suggestions is this you have that program which is linked on the Ubuntu page for normal users to use and this advanced program that I could not even figure out how to launch for the advanced users

What the text should say is this

To make a bootable USB stick from the iso, first download the iso of your choice, then follow the guide linked bellow but instead of selecting Ubuntu, scroll down and select Linux Mint 14

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/help/cre ... on-windows


Or some guy/s could make a new guide where you select Linux Mint


One more time for clarification

The program currently linked , I could not for the life of me figure out how to install it, unzipping sure that is no problem, install and or use was way beyond me

And one more time, I am a good computer user I know how to install uninstall etc etc etc, but this specific program I could not figure it out and therefore my suggestion is the addition to the guide.

[RobertRobert]

Holy holy!

It seems the guide has been changed!


Cool!

And I am very thankful


However do not take this the wrong way the installation guide on that homepage looks ugly, therefore some guy/s should do what the Ubuntu people did and make the same guide they did but of course recommend to select Linux Mint not Ubuntu

Do not take this, the wrong way I am very very very happy that you guys changed the guide, and I am only recommending that it can made much “prettier”

Cheers!

[xenopeek]

the problem you had [...] is that you downloaded the source of the program

Indeed, it seems you downloaded the "win32diskimager-source.zip" instead of the "win32diskimager-binary.zip" file. Perhaps you're not accustomed to open source on Windows, but it's quite common for open source programs on Windows to have a source zip and a binary (executable) zip.

But indeed no sense discussing this further It's added to the tutorial by Clem. Thanks again for the suggestion. You're welcome to write an improved tutorial for Windows users

[RobertRobert]

You've made quite an entrance over something so simple. The original application doesn't require any additional programs whatsoever, the problem you had (and so did I, but didn't really jump to conclusions) is that you downloaded the source of the program and all the batch files in that folder didn't do the magic for you. What you should do is download the binary instead of source from the same site ("win32diskimager-binary"), extract the downloaded zip and go to the application stored in there.

1 post user, are you perhaps one of the big fish at Linux Mint a person with some power?

[RobertRobert]

the problem you had [...] is that you downloaded the source of the program

Indeed, it seems you downloaded the "win32diskimager-source.zip" instead of the "win32diskimager-binary.zip" file. Perhaps you're not accustomed to open source on Windows, but it's quite common for open source programs on Windows to have a source zip and a binary (executable) zip.

But indeed no sense discussing this further It's added to the tutorial by Clem. Thanks again for the suggestion. You're welcome to write an improved tutorial for Windows users

Who is the "clem"

Also my suggestion is an EXACT copy of what they have over at Ubuntu

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/help/cre ... on-windows

With all Ubuntu words removed of course, and the picture showing Linux Mint being selected not Ubuntu.

So like this

1 Select Linux Mint 14 from the dropdown list, (and a nice picture of it)

2 Click 'Browse' and open the downloaded ISO file. (and a nice picture of it)

3 Choose the USB drive and click 'Create'. (and a nice picture of it)

[xenopeek]

Clem, as in Clement Lefebvre, the lead developer and founder of Linux Mint... You might imagine he has a lot of things to do But your three step plan looks like a good idea. So what do you want to do about it? It sounds like this is doable as a short tutorial.

[RobertRobert]

Clem, as in Clement Lefebvre, the lead developer and founder of Linux Mint... You might imagine he has a lot of things to do But your three step plan looks like a good idea. So what do you want to do about it? It sounds like this is doable as a short tutorial.

Just copy the Ubuntu page straight off. Make an exact copy, but change all ubuntu words to Linux Mint, and the pictures to Linux Mint

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/help/cre ... on-windows



Also whilst you have his ear

Here are some things that all Linux programmers are blind to, and can not see the forest because of all the trees

1 Any program that I can download from the net which is of course debian based, for example open office, which I go to their home page ---- click download --- Then double click install should be visible in the start menu AND be launchable via the start menu.

Lets say a program has a linux version which is debian based and can be downloaded from their home page, then ALL a user should need to do is click download, double click to install once it is downloaded of course, then click ok ok next next ok and one should be able to launch from the start menu

Yes many linux version have a reservoir of programs etc. And I am not saying that should be removed

Just that if I download something that is debian based it should install to the start menu and be launchable

2 Any program downloaded from the reservoir, should be launchable from the start menu without any need for typing in anything in terminal, all via clicks. All I should need do is click download and install, and it should automatically do the rest, and then be visable in the start menu and launchable.

3 Make an antivirus program, it can cost money of course, it is very important to already be thinking of antivirus programs. There are viruses for linux, just look at the android phone and if any linux becomes popular there will be viruses for that. The anti virus program should also delete windows and mac viruses, you do not want to pass anything along even if thoses viruses do not affect linux. It should be user friendly and a "gadget" or "app" should be visable if one wishes to the right of the scrren, just like in windows. Where you have a visual "badge" that says the antivirus name, and then 2 buttons one for update, one for scanning now.


Do these 3 things and THIS linux will become the most popular within a few years,