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Re: What are your top tips for a Newbie?

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2014 11:34 am
by asciiman
Great! Thanks for the excellent clarification.

Re: What are your top tips for a Newbie?

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2014 1:57 pm
by asciiman
scryan wrote:but if I am not mistaken the "extended" partition is the "container" that holds what ever logical partitions you want. Primary partitions should be a single "traditional" partition...
Actually, Primaries can reside within an Extended. Here is what I am running on now...

Image

System ( / ) and Home (/home) as Primaries contained in the Extended. The Ext4 and NTFS for backup as described in the earlier poster's description.

Re: What are your top tips for a Newbie?

Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 11:15 pm
by vier986
A lot of posts say read,Read-But What.

Re: What are your top tips for a Newbie?

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 7:29 am
by expat_tony
vier986 wrote:A lot of posts say read,Read-But What.
This is a good basis for a new topic. Don't let it get lost in this huge one, start your own!
You might just need to tweak the title line a bit.

Re: What are your top tips for a Newbie?

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 6:45 pm
by scryan
vier986 wrote:A lot of posts say read,Read-But What.
Yes.



OK, fine :D to expand I think this is said so generally for because its ment in a couple of ways... (or at least that Is why I state it like that.)

First, and a little more optional... Read the manual, read a book, read the support forums, ect... Some will talk about how hard linux is, while others will assure you that anyone can do it. The truth is its not THAT hard, but you will be expected to learn and know more. Linux, especially in its younger days provided you with a working system to use...But kind of expects you to know what your doing. A lot of people have put a lot of work into programs and distros that are user friendly and intuitive... But it pales in comparison to commercial OS where an entire department poured piles of money at the software to make sure that not only could those who don't really know what they are doing make it work, but that it would work to for those who are basically offended by the notion that they would be expected to understand what they are doing in the first place. As easy as linux becomes, due to the nature of its development (normal people building you things for free) your probably always going to have to come a little closer to meeting the developer in the middle and learning some things yourself.

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly... Keep that head up and pay attention. Perhaps its the fault of so many years of windows bluescreens offering us "fault 0xA99994F3B" or what ever the hell it is. Perhaps its so many years of being coddled and expecting customer service to fix it. Perhaps its just learned behavior of the way it is done in the windows world... But don't just say "Ohhh, I got an error so it does not work."
So many newbie help requests because the lines they copied and pasted "Didn't work because they had an error".
"What did that error say?"
"I don't know I closed it. Why wont my program work?"
When there are popups, or error messages READ. You may not understand everything, but I CANNOT TELL YOU how often people blindly follow directions, then come and complain it doesn't work. When asked for a log of the terminal messages, its clear they downloaded a file with a version number, say "some-file-V1.2.5.tar" when the directions were written for "some-file-V1.2.4.tar". That alone is not necessarily a big deal, but you will see them post a log that looks something like
*first they post a link to the file some-file-V1.2.5 they downloaded*

Code: Select all

$: tar -xvf some-file-V1.2.4 
tar: some-file-V1.2.4: Cannot open: No such file or directory
tar: Error is not recoverable: exiting now
$: cd some-file-1.2.4
bash: cd: some-file-1.2.4: No such file or directory
$: ./configure
bash: ./configure: No such file or directory
$: make
make: *** No targets specified and no makefile found.  Stop.
"Teh tutorial didn't work! HELPZ!"

So often people just go "OH THERE WHERE ERROR MESSAGES! IT DOESN'T WORK! LINUX IS TERRIBLE AT COMPUTER!"
Now part of this goes back to point 1. If you have ready some stuff you know that tar is a program to unzip, and the .tar.gz package is compressed and should give us a folder of stuff if we do this right.
VERY QUICKLY we should see the errors started with our first command.
Paying more attention we can see the first command could not find a file, even though we just downloaded one... What did you download and why didn't it work (at that point you should be able to see you are using a command with a different file name. Seem simple? Yup. Sometimes the output will be longer, but taken one command at a time... whats the difference?

We see the errors continue on each line, indeed this is a huge mess and EVERYTHING FAILED! flail your arms, cry on the floor and run for your wallet to purchase 3 new copies of the latest microsoft offering...
Or actually READ each error and see that the second command tried to enter the folder created by decompressing the tarball in the first step... OF COURSE THIS WILL FAIL. Each command then there after should be expected to fail as we didn't even get the directory we were supposed to be issuing the subsequent commands in set up.
This is an easyish example, and again some formal knowledge would really help but more then anything don't look at error messages as something to be dissmissed to quickly. Read them at a minimum, copy them down if need be and try to at least get the jist of what is complaining. If you don't know what the utility is that is issuing the error, look it up on google. You don't have to have a mastery on every thing given to you but pay attention to what step complained about what and see if at least some of the words don't make sense to you... then give a quick google, look through man pages and copy and paste the generic part of the error, starting at the begining. The first error we saw was
"tar: some-file-V1.2.4: Cannot open: No such file or directory"
So lets google search
"tar: Cannot open: No such file or directory"
https://www.google.com/search?q=tar%3A+ ... 2&ie=UTF-8
No quotes on the actual search, because I omitted the file name and just want something to match that general output...
Reading the first couple of results shows some forum discussions reminding us that the file we are running tar on needs to exist and we need to own it or have rights to mess with it.

So READ.
On the commands you are issuing, and the errors they are giving.

Re: What are your top tips for a Newbie?

Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 2:20 pm
by JohnBobSmith
I read your entire post scryan. I couldn't agree more. Error's are an important part of computers! Any good error message resulting from normal usage will usually tell you what the problem is, where it ocurred, and, sometimes, steps you could take to fix it. IE entering the wrong terminal command will often suggest you try different commands. Like, here is a pasted output:

Code: Select all

johnbobsmith@JohnBobSmith-desktop ~ $ sduo
No command 'sduo' found, did you mean:
 Command 'sudo' from package 'sudo' (main)
 Command 'sudo' from package 'sudo-ldap' (universe)
sduo: command not found
It even tells you that you spelled sudo wrong. If your thinking "WAIT A MINUTE! NO IT DOESNT!" Then I will tell you some things are implied. "sduo: command not found" means, with a little infering, that you spelled sudo wrong.

That said, be careful about what you type into a terminal. Some things will utterly destroy ones system, or at least the home directory (learned that the hard way...) However, a terminal is sometimes the most efficient way to get things done.

With that said, my top tip for newbies (I still am one myself) is to be willing to learn. You will not, and quite frankly, can not do things the exact same way in Windows and Linux. I use the both regularly. They are like comparing the taste of apples to oranges. While they are both fruit (both Windows and Linux are OS'es) they taste very different (meaning they do things differently). I hope my analogy helps.

So, as long as you are willing to learn, have an open mind, and remember to read error messages, I think that you will find Linux to be a rock-solid OS that can get things done. All in a more efficient, productive way. I wish you new guys the best of luck on your Linux adventure! :)

Re: What are your top tips for a Newbie?

Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 1:42 pm
by tmtlib
I found it useful changing DNS address to google or comodo. It solves "not resolved" errors while trying to install programs. It is strange, that "not resolved" addresses still can be opened with Firefox without DNS alteration, maybe app manager opening such addresses in some other ways, so default DNS of your connection fails.

Re: What are your top tips for a Newbie?

Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 10:03 pm
by JohnBobSmith
tmtlib wrote:I found it useful changing DNS address to google...
Oh man, I came to linux to avoid google and cyber spies/crooks as much as possible. You do realize that google could, in theory, track every website that you visit if you are using their DNS servers? Im not saying that they do that, but its a possiblity. And, since I'm somewhat paranoid, I choose to avoid google/microsoft as much as possible. Not trying to spread FUD (fear, uncertantity, and doubt), but I don't want google tracking my every move. Thankfully, linux gives me that choice. :)


That said, another tip for new guys would be to educate youself. Learn everything you can. Dont ever stop learning something new. Find a passion, and pursue it. You will be remembered for your successes, not your failures. Thats about it. Have fun!

Re: What are your top tips for a Newbie?

Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 10:06 pm
by turtlebay777
Amen , JBS!

Re: What are your top tips for a Newbie?

Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 10:46 pm
by Mangar
There is no anonymous web browsers, ... first even if you think you go to a site anomalously your internet provider issues you an IP address.
1. If you visit illegal sites where say the NSA or other authorities taps between OR on the lines they can watch the IP traffic both ways.
2. If they wish to crush an illegal or bad place or person they can get all the IPs that hit that location.
3.Then they turn around and see the so called IP address say 123.456.7.89 comes from internet provider Jonny High Speed Corp. they issues a warrant from that access carrier
4. the carrier then say on the 4th of the month June, account number 435675-54 was used/issued to John Smith, then they pull all the IP address that you channel through your Service provider (all IP traffic). then they know what bank you use, what stores you visit and who your buddies are from your traffic IPs to and from at internet mail site, and that they go after those too which shows a history record from your internet provider from your account connected to the web. Why do you think hackers use public hot-spots or use other peoples internet connections to do bad things.

So talking browsers gonna keep you safe? Please! if you do Illegal stuff they watch and follow back the IP of bread crumbs to you (even email messages IP info). If you are under watch and did not do anything most likely someone your associated with they have grabbed you in a drag net. Notice any browser had nothing to do with the above tracking down illegal abusers. That even goes for those people they watch at pirated software sites, pirated movie downloads and those people that upload items via their member login via IP address. bottom line you do stupid stuff they can see it, I am point out below this ways to minimize damage if on pc gets hacked or compromised, Like never put all your eggs in one basket!

Now Browsers, depends on a poorly built website that uses cookies or data stored on your computer like visits like tracking info.
You visit a bank it places a cookie of your visit
You go back a day later it pulls the cookie from your computer your last visit was yesterday.
A hacker via malware can request a list of common cookies off your computer and can tell what your sites you visit by the cookies it can get off your computer and even the advertisement ads that have been displayed on your computer.
They can tell if you like Religious sites by ad cookies it can lift, or sport ads, and in some cases which ones you clicked.
If a hacker knows how a common site places a bit of info store on your computer, they can request it the same way as the original site would have requested it of your computer.

My opinion, have one gaming computer and web surf, and keep a banking computer strictly for banking and shopping online where you know exactly what url you will visit to buy from. Don't use your banking PC to float around the web looking for various items at unknown stores just to browse them. and when your done Clear all your cache, cookies, and remove all tracking items and history place on your pc when your done each time.
And don't let your kids use the banking PC for Skype and chat rooms and extra tool bars and stuff or for gaming.

If your gaming PC or web surfing computer becomes corrupted (hopefully never with Linux) you can rebuild them quickly. and have separate email accounts one for your banking and personal info only for that stuff and medical or doctors like kids school and stuff, then another junky email for your surfing and coupons and dumb sign up give-a-ways. after a while you'll noticed your junky email with fill up real fast with spam. Don't put all your 5 emails on one PC in the same email provider, if it gets compromised all your emails and accounts for each family member could be compromised.

That goes for phone also, banking or shopping from your phone??? can't it wait 30 minutes till you get home on a more secure device!!! people need to stop dropping crumbs everywhere all from one device because of convenience.

Re: What are your top tips for a Newbie?

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 3:42 pm
by Falconus
Backup, backup, backup. In two different places. I am currently using two USB external hard drives; some people also use internet cloud storage like Dropbox because that won't melt if your house burns down. If you've never backed your stuff up on a regular basis, get into the habit of it NOW. I mean, today. Additionally, you absolutely should back up all of the data you care about before you start installing new operating systems (like Linux Mint). It is really quite dangerous not to, in case either you select the wrong options about what part of the drive to install it on or if your computer screws up the drive repartitioning (unlikely but a possibility).

There are a few things to keep in mind:
1. You are learning how to use a new, fairly powerful, system. You will learn how to do pretty interesting things with it. Sometimes you will also learn how to do dumb things with it. You won't realize that it was a bad idea until after you did it. That's the learning curve. I lost some of my data that way once because I was slacking on my backups.
2. It's not infallible. I think that Linux Mint is probably more reliable in many ways than Windows - or maybe that's because I'm so used to it now that I'm losing my Windows proficiency. Nevertheless, like in Windows, there is a chance that you'll run across a bug that will make life difficult for you. If you already have your stuff diligently backed up, it's going to be less stressful knowing that you still have most or all of your data (for software issues though, you can usually recover the files off of your computer, so don't despair).
3. Hardware breaks. If all of your data is on one little hard drive, you have all your eggs in one basket. That hard drive is doomed to fail one day, no matter what operating system you are using. You don't always see it coming, and it may be expensive or impossible to get your data off of a failed drive. If you have two backup drives that are kept reasonably up to date, you don't have to worry about it so much.
4. Computers get lost or stolen. If you have a laptop, you absolutely need a backup system that doesn't travel with your computer. A lot of Mint users are on laptops these days. It's a big problem.
5. Your backup drive is destined to fail someday too. That's why you should have your backup in at least two places. It is not unheard of that somebody's computer fails and they discover that their backup drive is kaputt as well. It's terribly bad luck, but it has happened before. If you have your data in three places (computer & two drives for example), this is far less likely to happen.

I use a program called LuckyBackup for my stuff on Linux. LuckyBackup is available in the software manager, and it is fairly easy to use. It is a good idea to backup your entire home directory (if my account username on my computer were Falconus, my home directory would be found at /home/falconus/), because that is generally where all of your personal data is (unless you are storing it somewhere else, in the system folders, which is not wise). The nice thing about LuckyBackup is that it can update your backup files. This means that instead of taking 40 minutes to transfer your 70gb (okay, I have a ton of photos... Don't judge me) of stuff every week when you backup your system, you have the option of just replacing files that have been modified, adding new files, and deleting files that you deleted off of your computer. The files that you didn't change will not have to be retransferred. Just be aware that this option ("delete files on the destination" Command Option under the "Advanced" task properties) means that the program will remove everything in the destination folder that is not a part of the current backup operation. This is nice because you don't preserve every deleted file you ever had at the time of a backup, but it also means that your destination folder should be dedicated specifically to the backup. You can have other folders elsewhere on your drive (that's no problem, just remember to backup everything you care about that's not on your computer too). The good thing is that this means that if it takes 40 minutes the first time, it might only take a few (five?) minutes the subsequent times.

If you do not have a lot of data, MintBackup might work for you. It has never really worked for me. There are other options available too, if you search online. A program called "Back in Time" has been spoken highly of in several forums about backups, but I can't vouch for it because I have never used it. This program is also available in your software manager on Linux Mint.

Re: What are your top tips for a Newbie?

Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2014 9:35 am
by glhallway
Like everyone else said read and use this forum. I am fairly new to Linux about 6mos went from Mint 13 to 15 to 17. Now only use Winderz when I have to (I use a music studio program that only runs in Windows and wont run in WINE.) But that said since I went to Mint 17 Cinnamon 64 bit. I kept using Terminal instead of always depending on Software Manager and it does help you understand and some good stuff isn't in Software Mgr.

Re: What are your top tips for a Newbie?

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2014 4:17 pm
by pat collett
I've got bad news for deanom.
It's not nearly as rah rah easy and pleasant as it all sounds.
While it works it's great. The best there is.
But get a problem and you will spend WEEKS trying to sort it out.
And don't believe those who come up with apparently easy solutions.
They often led you down a path that simply results in more time wasted and further from the solution.
If you have the time to wander around forums and try every solution that is presented (and you anjoy that sort of thing) then that's fine.
But believe me there are a lot of enthusiasts who think they know the solution.
I have yet to find someone who REALLY understands Linux and can take your problem and run with it to the final solve state.
At 74 I do not have the time nor the inclination to learn coding.
All I want is a system that works.
Which is not a lot.
All I use is Write, Calc, Thunderbird and Firefox.
Simple?
After struggling with Mint 16 for months I loaded Mint 17.
No mention of having to backup Firefox seperately - Lost all addresses.
Now Gnumeric doesn't work.
My sound system doesn't work.
My internet connection doesn't work.
And where I am I can't find a soul who actually understands Linux.
Mybe I should go back to Microsoft --NO NO NO PLease!
That's worse.
So here I sit.
Pat Collett - patnanne@telkomsa.net

Re: What are your top tips for a Newbie?

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 12:29 am
by scryan
pat collett wrote:I've got bad news for deanom.
It's not nearly as rah rah easy and pleasant as it all sounds.
While it works it's great. The best there is.
But get a problem and you will spend WEEKS trying to sort it out.
And don't believe those who come up with apparently easy solutions.
They often led you down a path that simply results in more time wasted and further from the solution.
If you have the time to wander around forums and try every solution that is presented (and you anjoy that sort of thing) then that's fine.
But believe me there are a lot of enthusiasts who think they know the solution.
I have yet to find someone who REALLY understands Linux and can take your problem and run with it to the final solve state.
At 74 I do not have the time nor the inclination to learn coding.
All I want is a system that works.
Which is not a lot.
All I use is Write, Calc, Thunderbird and Firefox.
Simple?
After struggling with Mint 16 for months I loaded Mint 17.
No mention of having to backup Firefox seperately - Lost all addresses.
Now Gnumeric doesn't work.
My sound system doesn't work.
My internet connection doesn't work.
And where I am I can't find a soul who actually understands Linux.
Mybe I should go back to Microsoft --NO NO NO PLease!
That's worse.
So here I sit.
Pat Collett - patnanne@telkomsa.net
This is a thread where people offer tips they think would be helpful to new members, so not sure if you just venting... but your unlikely to find a ton of support here. Most people are either newbies reading it for tips, or older users who are posting their tip with out necessarily reading everything.
So not sure what exactly your looking for, but since this is a thread about advice for newbies, and you are apparently a newbie... Well here I go :mrgreen:

I realize it can be hard to adapt at an older age... But I also realize a lot of the more expert users I have met have been in there uhh... advanced years. While you may not want to learn to code (and you don't have to), you are going to have to learn stuff about computers. Huge advances have been made to make linux friendly, and it is/can be... But windows was like creepy friendly... Its one thing to hold hands crossing the street but windows never exactly lets go. Part of that is because that is what people will want, and they have payed MS a lot of money to sort that out. You paid nothing here, gracious individuals have managed to work out the basic functionality for free... and in a lot of cases they have done eve more then that... But yeah you will have to learn stuff. I'd be willing to argue that while you say you don't have time @ 74, your average day has a lot more time in it then mine does as I finish up my engineering degree. About you not having the inclination to learn... WELL, I guess that is your choice. Again, editing words in a text/config file is not coding. Short of some exotic window managers you have not heard of an will likely never use, you don't need to do any coding. Even minor editing of plain text config files in fairly rare in Mint.
But get a problem and you will spend WEEKS trying to sort it out.
I think a lot of people here would disagree with that. It does happen occasional, particular in cases of random hardware configurations or other customized setups, and sometimes it may just be a bug where there is no fix other then submit a report and wait for the developer... But that is rare and is the trade off in you not paying for any kind of tech support (or any kind of anything?).
No disrespect meant, but if you are making your posts like this one, in random long blocks with little detail in unrelated topics of forums then yes, help will be harder to find.
Who is deanom?
And don't believe those who come up with apparently easy solutions.
They often led you down a path that simply results in more time wasted and further from the solution.
I will say that while there are a lot of great Mint users, its also has a large focus on new users so at times the community can seem a bit made up of them... That's OK, but it sure is nice when people are way smarter then me :mrgreen:
Your statement is certainly a bit hash though when you make them sound so mischievous. I would much rather the view that they are just other people who care enough to want to help, even if they don't have all the answers.
It does not quite make sense to in one statement criticize the timeliness of help, then in the VERY NEXT ONE complain that people shouldn't try and help unless they are an expert.
I know MULTIPLE people I have tried to help frustrated me to no end, because things I know work wouldn't for them, because they would make mistakes on their input, or not provide enough information... Problems I could fix if you let me SSH into your machine are SIGNIFICANTLY harder to fix over forum posts. On top of that, linux is all about options. Part of that means in order to fix YOUR machine I have to know how YOU have it set up. When you have payed no attention or are ignorant of your setup you leave others having to probe around in the dark to get a picture of your setup... So don't be so quick to dismiss the knowledge or ability of those who fail to help, or to right them off as people who want to pretend they know what they are doing... You may have an equal part in failing to follow their directions, or correct for difference in your own setup.
All I want is a system that works.
Which is not a lot.
WHOAH, wait, hold on here. Its not a lot?
In the kernel alone, just the invisible part of the system, back in 2011 there were 15 MILLION lines of code representing almost 2 decades of work. Respect that, you paid for none of it.
That simple system that should just work is close to rainbows magic then something that should be expected and written off as expected.
This is just average people, dedicating BILLIONS OF HOURS of their personal time so that you can do that basic tasks. It is most definitely a lot. The sheer amount that take place as your computer turns on, powers up its devices and establishes a basic work environment to POST in is A LOT.
Asking all of it to play nice together is DEFINITELY A LOT. Really that is the hardest part, the last step...
"easy" to have Linux configured and running... But to expect the computer to monitor and configure itself, then to orchestrate 100's of individual utilities perfectly in sync ... That's a lot and its amazing how close we come.

I will say in the little I used it (which was closer to its release, and likely less stable), 17 had not blown me away. From the forums, it seems like it has more issues as well... Though it is new and newer open source software has a tenancy to require some working out (a lot of bugs are found in use, its hard to test extensively with no budget, so open source stuff tends to push out early and let the adventurous find bugs, at a certain point its stable enough and is released to a wide audience of "normal" users... More systems bring more configurations, and more chances for bugs so a few more typically pop up after public release, and things get gradually more dialed in from their until they move onto the next version... It works, you just have to understand the balance of new and stable... If 17 continues to give problems, consider going to 13. The software will be slightly older version but for basic use you will be fine, and its scheduled for updates for a few years here. By that point 17 will be much more stable.

Re: What are your top tips for a Newbie?

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 2:33 am
by expat_tony
pat collett wrote: But get a problem and you will spend WEEKS trying to sort it out.
...
I have yet to find someone who REALLY understands Linux and can take your problem and run with it to the final solve state.
Correction: you MAY spend weeks trying to sort it out, but more often than not it's a couple of evenings on the forum.
I've encountered one or two BS-ers, sure, as well as a few who really do know a lot but can't communicate it to a newbie without the jargon.
But I've also found at least five people who have helped me out time and again, and whose expertise and patience I can rely on. I must say, I'm also patient by nature.
Perhaps the best strategy is to search the forum before you post, and always to make your forum searches include 'solved' (e.g. solved gnumeric). That way you're more likely to reach such people, even if the issue you read about isn't exactly like yours. A polite PM, not to rant about your problem but just to give the address of the new thread you've posted and ask for help, will get their attention.
People do expect you, though, to be able to show your system when they ask for screenshots or terminal output. Learn how to put this in posts properly.

Re: What are your top tips for a Newbie?

Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2014 6:01 pm
by dmongeon
daveinuk wrote: ...read the pdf guide at the top of the forum... :D
What PDF? I couldn't find it.

Re: What are your top tips for a Newbie?

Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2014 7:10 pm
by niowluka
1) Patience. This is going to be a steep ride, so you need to buckle up.
2) Forget about Windows. You must open your mind and try to understand what Linux does and why it does certain things in the way it does. It's not because it's 'worse'. It's because it's 'different'.
3) If your first emotions are of frustration and anger, then Linux is probably not for you.

Re: What are your top tips for a Newbie?

Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2014 5:37 pm
by expat_tony
niowluka wrote:3) If your first emotions are of frustration and anger, then Linux is probably not for you.
Only half agree there. I felt frustration at the start, I bet most of us did. Frustration at my own helplessness. But I was never as frustrated as when I tried to use Windows help algorithms and got stuck in an endless loop almost every time. That's when I got angry too, angry at how they couldn't care less if your problem doesn't quite fit the norm.
Once you realise that in the Linux Forum you will converse with real people who are willing to put in time to help you find a customised answer, plus you'll learn some useful stuff during the solving, then frustration sort of ebbs away.

Re: What are your top tips for a Newbie?

Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2014 1:20 pm
by waynea
pat collett wrote:I've got bad news for deanom.
It's not nearly as rah rah easy and pleasant as it all sounds.
While it works it's great. The best there is.
But get a problem and you will spend WEEKS trying to sort it out.
And don't believe those who come up with apparently easy solutions.
They often led you down a path that simply results in more time wasted and further from the solution.
If you have the time to wander around forums and try every solution that is presented (and you anjoy that sort of thing) then that's fine.
But believe me there are a lot of enthusiasts who think they know the solution.
I have yet to find someone who REALLY understands Linux and can take your problem and run with it to the final solve state.
At 74 I do not have the time nor the inclination to learn coding.
All I want is a system that works.
Which is not a lot.
All I use is Write, Calc, Thunderbird and Firefox.
Simple?
After struggling with Mint 16 for months I loaded Mint 17.
No mention of having to backup Firefox seperately - Lost all addresses.
Now Gnumeric doesn't work.
My sound system doesn't work.
My internet connection doesn't work.
And where I am I can't find a soul who actually understands Linux.
Mybe I should go back to Microsoft --NO NO NO PLease!
That's worse.
So here I sit.
Pat Collett - patnanne@telkomsa.net
I really don't agree with this. I finally abandoned Windows in the Spring after XP went out of support. I found it hard at first (and I spent years as an IT Project manager and service delivery manager). But at each stage there was someone to help me out, sometimes I had done something silly, sometimes there were bugs at work.
But guess what... when you're struggling as a Linux newbie you forget how Windows drove you up the wall too.
I now have an absolutely rock solid PC which I trust entirely - and its a box I built myself about a decade ago, whizzing along with just 2Gb of RAM. Installing Mint on my X60 Lenovo laptop was also just a breeze. And all this is in part because the forums are full of selfless people who will help out a newbie, once you learn to provide accurate and detailed information (and yeah, I didn't at first either)
More specifically
backup - always back up your data!!! whetever the system (And yeah, I've been caught that way too)
Break down all of your issues into discrete entities and tackle them one at a time
use Google first - someone somewhere has had the same problem as you and you may not even need to raise a forum post. And everytime you do this, you get a little more confidence in yourself
If youre nowhere, raise separate requests for each i nthe relevant forum

Re: What are your top tips for a Newbie?

Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 12:40 pm
by Gillybrand67
As a Newbie to Mint myself, I would say that you should have a hit list of items that need to work for you, and work well.

For me, getting my CAD programs to work is a high priority. Mint does everything else pretty well without too much 'tinkering' with. I've always tried Ubuntu distro's and they have just not been right for me, it has always felt just a little bit 'off the wall', Mint has felt right straight away.

I first installed Xfce on a little emachines netbook that had become unusable with Windows, and thought "this is really quite good", I have now installed 17 Cinnamon as dual boot on my desktop, and I love it.

My top tip would be to observe the old 80/20 rule, sort out the 20% that will probably matter to you most (for me CAD programs), and the other 80%, deal with that once you're happy with your important stuff.

Mint 17 Cinnamon is fantastic straight out of the box!

A very happy Newbie.