Soooooo, New

[lanesharon]

I am not new to computers. Been working with them, and on them, since the mid 60's. But, I am brand new to Linux. So new that I haven't even earned my diaper yet! So, please, if you answer my questions, keep the answers REAL basic (step by step). 3 Questions:

1. I was given an IBM Thinkpad T42 with 512mb Ram and a 1.8 Celeron M processor. After testing with dual install, I decided to load up Linux Mint 13 Cinnamon, 32 bit, formatted disk. No matter what I did, I could not get the menu or lower panel to show on that install. Loading gnome-panel on a terminal window gave it to me IF I kept the terminal window open. While using alt del to shut down, I stumbled upon a choice to revert to gnome. That resolved that problem. I have 2gb of ram coming. Am wondering if this was why I could not get Cinnamon loaded properly.

2. I do not have an internal Wifi card on this so I was trying to use a Realtek USB-2 RTL8191SU, 802.11n, Network adapter. Not working. Linux sees it, identifies it properly, circle goes round and round and ends up with no connection. (I have it set up with the correct SSID and password.) I have tried to research on the forums here to find a solution, but all replies seem way over my head, at this time. Can anyone step me through it?

3. As an old assembler, APL, RPG, Cobol, Basic, and DOS programmer, I am hoping I still have the brains to learn a whole new 'language' and setup. Can someone tell me where I can get a list of terminal commands and instructions? And, what the structure of the commands are to go from directory to directory?

Thanks so much for any help you can give.....

[Spearmint2]

2. I do not have an internal Wifi card on this so I was trying to use a Realtek USB-2 RTL8191SU, 802.11n, Network adapter. Not working. Linux sees it, identifies it properly, circle goes round and round and ends up with no connection. (I have it set up with the correct SSID and password.) I have tried to research on the forums here to find a solution, but all replies seem way over my head, at this time. Can anyone step me through it?

Check channel settings on the router and for the USB device. Be sure you set for same encryption (WEP or WPA) and enter passphrase

[Spearmint2]

3. As an old assembler, APL, RPG, Cobol, Basic, and DOS programmer, I am hoping I still have the brains to learn a whole new 'language' and setup. Can someone tell me where I can get a list of terminal commands and instructions? And, what the structure of the commands are to go from directory to directory?

Code: Select all

info

place in terminal (that DOS looking thing, lol) and hit enter key. List of major command there. You can put info "any command" in terminal and get information about it. Each distro has it's own added commands you can learn which aren't included in the main Linux commands. To move from directory to directory use the "cd" command like in DOS but remember to put a space between it and the folder. For instance "cd /" takes you to root folder. "cd /home" would take you to the home folder, "cd .." would move you one folder up the tree. The DIR command works in Linux, as also the LS command. CHMOD is used in place of ATTRIB. Some common or popular commands used often in forum are;

sudo blkid
sudo parted -l
various inxi commands, run "inxi -h" to read all the switches for it.
fdisk -l

[lanesharon]

Well, I have gotten further. Finally found out about using ndiswrapper, then it did not work. After hours of research, found out that Mint ndiswrapper has not worked, out of the box, since version 9. Read the solutions of using Package Manager to update it. Once I did that and used the Windows Network option to load up the XP drivers for the USB WiFi, all works fine, although limited to 4 bars even when right on top of the router. After researching, I also found out that some of my hardware is in "FallBack" mode. Will have to struggle through finding solutions for those. Thanks for the 'info' info . After using it, I realized that it is mostly DOS commands, although some are new to me since I last used DOS (6) to any extent. Still don't know what the minimum requirements are for using Cinnamon. Although I believe that I read it somewhere and I had all of them on the T42. Not sure why it would not run correctly.

In an attempt to congregate info that I will need, I did a search in the Newbie forums and found these links to good info for Newbies like me:

Why Linux?

http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=61&t=81729
http://www.knowliz.com/2008/04/25-reasons-to-use-ubuntu-instead-of-windows.html
http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm

Basics

http://www.knowliz.com/2009/08/10-basic-linux-questions-answered-easy.html Basics
http://www.knowliz.com/2009/08/understanding-linux-lingo-some-common.html Terminology
http://linuxnewbieguide.org/ Newbie Guide
http://lowfatlinux.com/ Linux Classes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_mint Wiki

Installation

http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-13-maya - Mint 13 LTS (Maya) Install

Terminal Commands

To enter the terminal, right mouse click on any blank screen section and choose Open Terminal
To find all usable terminal commands, type in info
https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Linux_For ... mmand_Line
http://www.brighthub.com/computing/linux/articles/125274.aspx
http://www.brighthub.com/computing/linux/articles/31366.aspx
http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/244
http://lxlinux.com/introduction.html
http://linuxcommand.org/index.php
http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/100 - Shell Tutorial

Terminal Commands For Upgrade/Update (run after install is successfully completed)
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

Tips & Tricks

http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=38355 Tips & Tricks

Portable Devices

http://tldp.org/LDP/Mobile-Guide/html/index.html Linux for portable devices (laptop)
http://www.linlap.com/ Linux For Laptops

Disk Partitioning

http://www.addictivetips.com/ubuntu-linux-tips/use-gparted-to-manage-your-disk-partitions-in-ubuntu-linux/
http://www.basicconfig.com/ubuntu_desktop_manual_partition_guide

YouTubes

http://www.youtube.com/user/linuxspatry?feature=results_main

Backup, Security, & Cleanup

http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=3969 Backup from Mint Forums
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=15082 Automated Backup Ubuntu Forums
http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=90&t=31723 Mint Forums
http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/linux-security.html Linux Server Security
http://www.howtogeek.com/116971/7-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-bleachbit-a-ccleaner-for-linux/ Bleach Bit Cleaner (CCleaner)

Linux Friendly WiFi (wireless) Devices

http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Devices

App Finder

http://linuxappfinder.com/

Wallpapers, Themes, Etc..

http://gnome-look.org/ - Many Choices !
http://www.renewablepcs.com/about-linux/kde-gnome-or-xfce Explains Desktop Environments

Hope this helps others, I know having it here will help me. Thx.....

[daveinuk]

I'm sure if memory serves that I tried cinammon on a T42 and struggled, think it is a laptop we have at work - installed LM13XFCE and that was the one . . . . . works perfect, spec's were pretty low, too much so for cinammon, try it on cd, it will give you a reasonable idea, better when installed though . . . . . .

[lanesharon]

Just got 2GB of crucial memory for my T42. When I took it apart to put the memory in, I did a general cleaning of the fan an internal recesses. It now purrs, so I think that the next step is to get a wifi compatible dongle. My wifi usb dongle works, but I only get 3 bars sitting right on top of router. Maybe I just need to do some tweaking with what I have. Not sure how to do that, but will search forums. If anyone can steer me to the rights posts, I sure would appreciate it.

I am set to use Linux for the very first outing. This is going to be fun...

[vandamme]

Comments about finding apps:

The Mint Software manager is your first stop, of course.
Next place I go to look is Gismo's: http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/best-free-software-linux.htm
Be sure to check their article on tweaks for Cinnamon (or Mate, or Ubuntu). http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/tips-and-tricks-mint-after-installation-mint-13-cinnamon-edition.htm
Next place I look is osalt.com to find equivalents for commercial stuff.

I wonder if Linuxappfinder.com has been updated in the last 6 years. Hmmm.

[Spearmint2]

I think that the next step is to get a wifi compatible dongle. My wifi usb dongle works, but I only get 3 bars sitting right on top of router. Maybe I just need to do some tweaking with what I have. Not sure how to do that, but will search forums. If anyone can steer me to the rights posts, I sure would appreciate it. I am set to use Linux for the very first outing. This is going to be fun...

USB wireless.[url=http://community.linuxmint.com/hardware/search]Check the hardware section[/url]. Also the best chips for compatibility on USB wireless seem to be Zydas zd1211 which later became an Atheros chip. Anything run using zd1211rw works OK. Realtek chips are another good choice, just check the chip on the wireless and compare[url=http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Devices/USB]to those known good with Linux[/url].

[url=http://www.walmart.com/ip/17419471?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227014437374&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=14034866950&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=34949759590&veh=sem]If you want a button, walmart is $9, similar at other places[/url]


[url=http://www.edimax.com/en/produce_detail.php?pl1_id=24&pl2_id=84&pl3_id=199&pd_id=347]Manufacturer's page on it.[/url]

[url=http://www.linux-hardware-guide.com/2012-10-07-edimax-ew-7811un-wireless-usb-150-mbits-802-11n]Linux information page on it.[/url]

[url=http://www.google.com/search?q=EW-7811Un#bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&fp=6c5519b53998fcb4&hl=en&psj=1&q=EW-7811Un+linux+youtube]A number of youtube videos on using it in Mint and with Raspberry Pi.[/url]

Still, if you can find a wireless that uses that zydas zd1211 chip, the zd1211rw drivers for it are in probably every linux distro out there.