ubuntu/Linux newbie ahoy...

[mctiny]

Hello, good evening and welcome...

After many many years of being somewhat of a windows sheep, I've decided that it is about time I subjected myself/PC to the world of Linux, Ubuntu is the flavour of the day for me.

So here is where the my quest begins:

I've installed VMware to get a feel for Ubuntu,before I wipe my drive clean and fully convert myself, thats where the easy part seems to end right now.

I'm looking for a full set of Ubuntu/Linux programs to replace the ones I use in Windows, Now I do not play games on my pc at all but I do use these

1. Outlook
2. Firefox
3. Real media alternative
4. Quicktime alternative
5. MSN messenger
6. Winamp
7. Avast antivirus
8. Winrar
9. Canon zoombrowser ( digital camera software)
10. DVD shrink
11. Nero
12. Daemon tools
13. Photoshop cs2
14. Google earth (not that important)
15. Audio and VIdeos codecs.

Is any of these possible?
I've started to hunt around for Ubuntu/Linux versions of these softwares and will update the list as I find them.

I'm sure all my hardware will be ok to find drivers for, But I will need some guides on how to install drivers or software?

And last but no means least:
Is there any basic and simple guides to using Ubuntu/Linux out there, I'm talking the full on "linux for dummies" kind of thing.

Ubunt/Linux virgin

 

[gib786]

1. Thunderbird or Evolution
2. Firefox or Epiphany
3. https://help.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/desktopguide/C/codecs.html then the vids/music should play in XINE
4. https://help.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/desktopguide/C/codecs.html then the vids/music should play in XINE
5. GAIM
6. rythmbox/amarok
7. Clam AV but u wont need it
8. cnt rememebr its name but just search for rar in repos
9. no idea
10.no idea
11.Built in cd burnin function sumwhere
12. You can mount .iso's etc as if it is a cd drive
13. GIMP
14. *shrug*
15. https://help.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/desktopguide/C/codecs.html

https://help.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/desktopguide/C/index.html



(this reply is brought to you by a friend of mine who uses ubuntu, i on the other hand am a lazy windows user )

 

[Mr Potatohead]

1. Evolution
2. Firefox
3. Windows codecs with mplayer or totem-xine
4. Windows codecs with mplayer or totem-xine
5. Gaim, aMSN
6. BMP, BMPx, XMMS
7. You shouldn't really need antivirus, but if you're sure, then try BitDefender
8. rar archive plugin for File-roller (called unrar-nonfree I think, check in Synaptic)
9. Try just plugging your camera in and see if it works
10. Not sure about this one, DVD shrink probably works in wine, dvdrip might work for you
11. Gnomebaker, K3B, inbuilt file manager burning features
12. You can mount .iso images using the mount command
13. This one might be worth dual booting if the GIMP does not suffice. The GIMP is getting better, but it's not at feature-parity with photoshop yet.
14. Google earth for linux
15. w32codecs

 

[Dunky]

I've put the Linux equiv next to the Windows version in the list below

1. Outlook - Evolution / Thunderbird
2. Firefox - Linux Native
3. Real media alternative - VLC/Xine with w32codecs*
4. Quicktime alternative - VLC/Xine with w32codecs*
5. MSN messenger - Gaim (multi protocol) or aMSN (msn specific)
6. Winamp - Amarok or Banshee
7. Avast antivirus - No need for antivirus for Linux (unless you're scanning Windows shares
8. Winrar - Linux Native
9. Canon zoombrowser ( digital camera software) - No idea
10. DVD shrink - No idea
11. Nero - Linux Native
12. Daemon tools - I believe you can mount isos natively but not entirely sure how
13. Photoshop cs2 - Closest is GIMP but not as featured as Photoshop
14. Google earth (not that important) - Linux Native
15. Audio and VIdeos codecs. - w32codecs

Linux Native = A linux version is available from the software publishers.
* = w32codecs doesn't play all Realmedia or Quicktime files. Also generally wmv9 support is sketchy and anything which uses DRM is out of the question. Apart from that codec support is pretty decent.

I'm sure all my hardware will be ok to find drivers for, But I will need some guides on how to install drivers or software?

The Linux Kernel contains the main basis of the OS (which includes drivers for a wide range of hardware. This means you don't have to do driver installation, the kernel will detect what is in your machine at boot and load the appropriate drivers. The only thing which you may need to do a specific driver installation for is a wireless card (if a native driver isn't available in the kernel) or any specialist hardware

And last but no means least:
Is there any basic and simple guides to using Ubuntu/Linux out there, I'm talking the full on "linux for dummies" kind of thing.

Best place is probably http://www.ubuntuforums.org - a huge resource of information and there's plenty of knowledgeable people willing to help although do a search first because 9 times out of 10 someone will have had the problem before.

Hope this helps =)

Edit: Too slow but included extra info anyway

 

[Una]

Everything there is possible, with maybe the exception of photoshop. Gimp is good but not really in the same league as photoshop.

 

[oldbag]

Linux has moved on a lot these days - decent driver support, and gnome/kde which are perfectly usable - infact I am using KDE now and it's fine for my use.

It's also pretty fast.

 

[BillytheImpaler]

Automatix makes it a snap to install proprietary codecs and proprietary and free programs. Definitely check it out. It'll take care of most of that list in one fell swoop.

 

[mctiny]

Thanks guys and gals, I feel a little overwhelmed with all thats info, Alas I'll process the info and get cracking, top work folks.

I just had a thought, what about things like Flash? does it work naturally ?

 

[Una]

Thanks guys and gals, I feel a little overwhelmed with all thats info, Alas I'll process the info and get cracking, top work folks.

I just had a thought, what about things like Flash? does it work naturally ?

Yeah there are flash plugins for firefox etc... If you get automatix it can handle all this stuff for you. Your best off booting the livecd to test by the way. vm hardware is different.

 

[mctiny]

Yeah there are flash plugins for firefox etc... If you get automatix it can handle all this stuff for you. Your best off booting the livecd to test by the way. vm hardware is different.

I know about the VMware hardware thing, but it was to get a feel of how it looks and operates too start with, i'll try the livecd next.