Living Free With Linux, Round 2

bsk_cw writes "About a month ago, in Living free with Linux: 2 weeks without Windows, Preston Gralla wrote about what life was like for a long-time Windows user trying to live with Linux. His main problems came when he tried to install or update software. Loads of people responded with advice — so he went back and tried again. Here's what he learned, and what did and didn't work for him."

Comments

Lol

[Nursie]

(I won't cover apt in this piece, because it's simply too confusing for newbies; even many experienced Linux experts stay away from it.)

Lol wat?

apt-cache search

apt-get install

Yup, my head just exploded from the complexity.

Re:Lol

[Aladrin]

Heck, that's the advanced version. You can even just 'apt-get search'.

He also doesn't get that the command line utility is the -same thing-. Ugh.

Well, if he's trying to review from a 'clueless user' perspective, he's certainly on track.

Re:Lol

[livewire98801]

He probably means 'command line' not 'linux command line'. He's been using the DOS command line for a long time, but he's implying that the Linux command line is different.

He's right. . . 'ls' never has worked on the Windows machines I work on, no matter how often I try :)

Re:Lol

[Sfing_ter]

i proclaim the name of the new debian package manager - FUCK
fuck this
fuck install
fuck remove
fuck search

Re:Lol

[livewire98801]

lol, why would I want that :) Any time I'm on a Windows computer, it's not mine. . . ls works great on my machines. . .

Re:Lol

[jshackney]

There's a reason that Geek Squad and countless local techs are in business...

So, I guess we need the Gnerd Hurd.

Re:Lol

[clickety6]

This is Linux command line we're talking here.

if you want to add a user it's more likely to be a command like

GRAWK
ZZOD
PRIGTO
ZZZZEPP

with useful options like:

grawk -tgh username -ryUI password

Re:Lol

[Orion Blastar]

No no we really really need the GNU Gurus!

Re:Lol

[commodoresloat]

That is so awesome, I literally laughed out loud!
I want to have fuck installed on my computer for when I want to violently remove a package from my computer.

fuck is for installations only. The command you want is fuck-off.

Re:Linux isn't ready for the desktop

[Anonymous Coward]

Yo mama so dumb, she threw a rock at the ground and missed. She also took an hour to make minute rice.

Slashdot's getting kinder

[Anonymous Coward]

I am shocked that I searched through this entire comment thread and found only one use of the word "noob."

This lack of nerd elitism is simply unacceptable in slashdot. Heck, the fact that I'm writing this in anything other than pseudocode is shameful...

Re:update what you know?

[fuzzyfuzzyfungus]

Certainly; but KB34342574845345 is like a friend to me, and "Security Update for CAPICOM" is my long lost brother, so only installing the updates I recognize isn't a big deal.

Re:1994

[lwriemen]

I've never used Windows at home. I went from an x86 mono monitor running DOS to a 386 running OS/2 (1994) to (relatively) modern computers running eComStation (OS/2) and Ubuntu. If it wasn't for work, I'd never know how bad Windows sucks.

Re:My list of must haves...

[Xtravar]

All I want is Microsoft Visual Studio 2008. Is that heresy for a hardcore Linux user to say? Perhaps.

But as Ballmer would say: developers, developers, developers!

Once you woo the developers, you get the applications you want.

Re:Why the GUI?

[macraig]

While I'm flattered that you're offering free sex to a complete stranger, I'll have to pass as my wife is not quite so free-spirited. Oh, and if you want me to "go back to mac", you'll have to play sugar-daddy and buy me one, since I've never used a Mac.