hi All
I am using SUSE 11. having been a windows user for many years I am finding it difficult to migrate to linux entirely.
My problem is information, have searched the net and looked at sites linux for windows users, things like that. They are of some help but dont seem tho give the whole story. Every time I have a problem I find myself turning to the forum after spending some hours with google etc.
I have subscribed to Linux Format uk magazine and awaiting the 1st one, tho i know have access to all their PDF files of old articles.
My main problems revolve around installing new software and installing hardware drivers.
Any pointers would be most welcome as its proving to be a steep learning curve
If you really find life without windows too much in the early stages, you can always install xp in Virtual Box, it works a treat. But if you are avid gamer, you might want to duel boot.
I think it would be worth your while to brush up on some openSUSE basic concepts: Concepts - openSUSE
… note most sections of that concept document provides links to other pages with more information.
The most important thing to make installing software in openSUSE easier than it is in MS-Windows (and it IS easier) is to setup your software package manager’s repositories (ie links to file servers with lots of openSUSE software). There is guidance on how to do that here: Repositories - openSUSE-Community and setup ONLY the following: OSS, NON-OSS, Update and Packman. The rest can be added later on an IF and as requried basis (when you learn more about what you are doing).
Also, for games and multimedia, surf thru Packman site, (where Packman are a bunch of volunteers who package rpms for openSUSE): PackMan :: web site pay attention to the advanced search, and the tabs on that page.
IMHO a big advantage that openSUSE has over other distributions for newbies, is YaST (a configuration tool for most things).
As you are finding the forums are huge in the free/open-source-software
community. As you are in one now you will probably also find that they
are customized advice, and not just articles or whatever on how to do a
specific thing. For example there is a hardware forum right alongside
this one where you should probably post your hardware/driver questions
and there is also an ‘applications’ forum alongside this one for the
software stuff. Now when you post in forums realize that this isn’t
just a Google search for data that already exist online… this is
access to the community with humans who will give customized answers to
customized questions. If you ask “Where can I get information on
hardware/software” the answers are going to be things like “Google it”
and “see previous posts” and “on the internet” but if you ask something
specific the answers will also be specific, which is probably something
you would prefer.
Good luck.
graham1949 wrote:
| hi All
| I am using SUSE 11. having been a windows user for many years I am
| finding it difficult to migrate to linux entirely.
|
| My problem is information, have searched the net and looked at sites
| linux for windows users, things like that. They are of some help but
| dont seem tho give the whole story. Every time I have a problem I find
| myself turning to the forum after spending some hours with google etc.
|
| I have subscribed to Linux Format uk magazine and awaiting the 1st one,
| tho i know have access to all their PDF files of old articles.
|
| My main problems revolve around installing new software and installing
| hardware drivers.
|
| Any pointers would be most welcome as its proving to be a steep
| learning curve
|
| Graham
|
|
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> Any pointers would be most welcome as its proving to be a steep
> learning curve
Welcome. I do hope we can help make your transition to Linux a good one.
First of all as Aaron has already pointed out you’re in the right place.
These forums are for all aspects of openSUSE Linux and any questions are
welcome. It’s a big community out here willing to help out and share their
knowledge with the rest of the world.
I myself was once a Windows user, that after many years in the blue world
took the step into the world of Linux. Something I’ve never regreted.
Of course as with all aspects in life it was a bit tough in the beginning,
but if you’re willing to learn then nothing’s impossble, and you can even
quite rapidly learn Linux.
Here’s just a few pointers to help get you started;
Subscribe to these forums. Use either the Web interface at opensuse.org
or use an NNTP reader. In openSUSE there’s KNode and pan for this.
Search/read threads from others to learn from their questions and post a
question yourself when you can’t find an answer to your questions.
Don’t be afraid on the terminal (the counterpart of Windows’ DOS prompt)
You can do anything from there, and you might find yourself having to do
something in there from time to time, even if you’re running a GUI such as
Gnome or KDE.
–
Niclas Ekstedt, CNA/CNE/CNS/CLS
Systems Engineer/NSC Sysop
Telindus Sweden AB
