Pardus Linux Install On My Laptop

Posted on August 9, 2009 by venagozar

While I enjoy my Netbook because it is small and easy to carry around, when it comes to more serious work using multiple programs the screen size leaves a little to be desired. Hence a new laptop was in my near future. After checking what was available for a reasonable price I decided on a Sony Vaio laptop.

It is a Sony Vaio model VGN-CS320J, with the usual trimmings. There were not any reviews that I could find, but there is an older Sony laptop in the house that has performed flawlessly for almost five years now. I thought that was a good recommendation in itself.

One of the nice things about a new laptop is the search for a new Linux. Having a full size screen and a little more power under the keyboard opens the door to distributions I have not tried before. I again tried the usual distributions that I have mentioned in past Linux posts, and they performed in the same manner as before.

I had read about a distribution named Pardus that has been popular among some of the seasoned Linux crowd of the past. There was a new release a short time ago. I wanted to download and try try Pardus out, but the servers were quite busy at the time.

Pardus is a distribution from Turkey and as written in the ‘About Pardus’ section on Distrowatch:

Pardus is a GNU/Linux distribution funded and developed by the Scientific & Technological Research Council of Turkey. Pardus has a range of unique features, such as Mudur, a start-up framework of Pardus to speed up the boot process, and PiSi, an efficient package management system with a user-friendly graphical interface.

My download time last night was about forty minutes. I downloaded the Pardus iso last night, then burned a cd and installed Pardus this morning. Pardus is a simple to install and use distribution by design. In the about section of the Pardus home page, the creators of Pardus want a Linux system that is powerful and easy to use for government, business and individuals with ease of use and productivity in mind.

Pardus Desktop If you enjoy KDE, you will love KDE 4.x.x for your initial desktop and Open Office with a few KDE programs added in for your office programs you need not look further for a productive Linux distribution. If you prefer Gnome as your desktop, it is a download away using the Pardus package manager named PiSi.

I changed two networking settings for my wifi to work, but that is minor and not unusual. I also changed my desktop appearance. I then added KDE games, but there is nothing more that needs to be changed to be a solid useful Linux desktop or laptop system. I guess that means I have a productive office, net, game machine now.

The repository is not as massive as some of the heavyweight distributions, but it looks like most popular packages are available for download and install. In Games for example there are one-hundred eighteen more games to choose from after I installed KDE 4 games. In multimedia there are one-hundred eighty-two more choices. There are plenty of choices in each category for most users it seems.

One unique idea that Pardus uses is in updating. Instead of downloading the whole program for a small rewrite, only the changed portion is downloaded and installed. I thought this is an interesting idea, and seeing Pardus is in use at all levels in Turkey and beyond, it works well and saves time and bandwidth.

If you can wait an hour for the download to complete and burn an iso cd you are on your way to a nice Linux system on your PC. Pardus is for you if you know the answers to a few simple install questions. Pardus installs programs most people will want and not many programs they won’t want. With a healthy lean selection of programs in the repository there are a lot of program choices for all tastes.

If you want to try Pardus out, the universal iso is recommended by Pardus. Before starting the install create a root and user passwords along with a user name. Press F2 for your language preference when you start. One interesting note, clicking on buttons or option on the Pardus home page wrote to the right of the main screen I was looking at. If you click a button and do not see anything see if it is to the side on your browser window.

Eeebuntu Linux For Your Netbook

Posted on August 6, 2009 by venagozar

I am typing this on my Eeepc using a great Ubuntu Linux child distribution. This Linux distribution is the latest release from Eeebuntu.org, and is a derivative of Ubuntu’s 9.04 release. I wrote in a post on July 28, 09 about playing around with different Linux distributions late at night and losing the Windows loader in my Grub configuration.

If you are interested in the inner workings of your Linux distribution, it is possible, maybe even easy to edit your Grub configuration file. I am not that driven. So as I mentioned, while installing Ubuntu when it set up Grub, it placed the Windows loader back in the file. It was a lot simpler than getting out the Windows CD and going through the steps of rewriting Windows boot loader to the hard drive master boot record sector of my hard drive.

Eeebuntu is a distribution optimized for Netbooks. My particular Netbook is an Asus 1000HD. It is almost the same as a normal laptop but has a smaller physical size. Ubuntu and Eeebutnu sound pretty similar too. As they are parent and child there is not a lot of general differences between the two *buntu’s.

From Eeebuntu's wiki

What is different in Eeebuntu is the Linux Kernel is optimized for Netbooks. There is also correct screen size options, and a few other modifications. otherwise both *buntu’s are identical. Eeebuntu shares those thousands of programs that are contained in Ubuntu’s repositories. If none of those programs work, like any other Linux there are ways to add almost any program made for Linux, and perhaps a few that are not.

I switched to Eeebuntu because I had the option of downloading and installing a base system. A base install has most extra programs I do not use removed. I went to the Eeebuntu forum and found if I wanted to, someone posted a how to on removing even more programs and files that are not really needed. Saving space is not that important to me so I will let them stay.

One of the great things about Linux rather than Windows is with Linux you have complete control over what is on your computer, and what your computer does. Windows arrives, or is installed on your computer as a complete package. If you do not want a program that is part of the base package, you have no choice but to leave it on your hard drive and not use it. With Linux, if you do not want a certain program installed on your computer, you have the option of removing a program entirely or substituting another program in its place. That is the beauty of Linux.

Eeebuntu having a base edition install option does exactly that without me having to remove programs I do not want. I did select and install programs that I want to use. What this does in addition to having choices, and a smaller portion of my hard disk being used by my operating system is having less programs I do not use on my computer.

With Eeebuntu Base, any Netbook can become a light use business machine, social site based computer, web page design tool, game machine, or any of the uses people use their computer for.

Eeebuntu also has a standard version containing Open Office, and other commonly used programs. If neither of those choices fit your needs, there is also a Netbook remix edition which changes the look of your desktop, and how you interact with your computer.

Eeebuntu like Ubuntu itself is one of the most user friendly Linux distributions around. I would suggest you are comfortable partitioning your hard drive and doing manual hard drive partitioning for your install. If you let the install do the work, it may make changes to your hard drive you do not want.

If you have a Netbook and bounce around with Linux distributions trying to find one that works best, give Eeebuntu a go. It is as modern as the newest Ubuntu, as simple as can be to install, backed by the Ubuntu repositories and forums, plus the Eeebuntu forum , and Wiki.

The Eeebuntu Wiki has an install video and written step by step install instructions. The video is a good start and is more beginner support than some other operating systems may boast of having. Give Eeebuntu Linux a go on your Netbook and find out how much fun computing can really be when you use an OS dsigned for Netbooks!

Dreamlinux and Debian

Posted on April 15, 2009 by venagozar

Dreamlinux is installed on my Asus eeepc netbook this week. Dream Linux is a distribution coming out of Brazil. Dreamlinux is based on Debian Linux which is one of the largest distributions in the world, so compatibility and software repositories is never an issue.

I started out with a Debian net install which went well and everything installed as it was supposed to. Using Debian it was time to start the tinkering. A few years back, no matter what Linux distribution installed, it took some tinkering. The amount of tinkering Debian needed just to get it to the point of being similar to Dreamlinux, made it a no brainer to download Dreamlinux and install it.

I have mentioned before, there are a number of Linux distributions anyone can request, or if you know how to burn an iso, download and burn to cd. These distributions are what is called a ‘live cd’ which means you can boot from the cd. When you boot from the cd, the version of Linux you are trying out loads and runs, and makes no changes to your computer or Windows.

The advantage of live cd’s in my opinion is they are a free try before you buy plan. If you like the cd you are trying out, it is a simple matter to install it to your hard drive. If you do not like the Linux distro you are trying out, you are out a few dollars from the cd request, or the cost of a cd that you burned yourself.

The biggest advantage to using Linux is the amount of software available once you have a distribution installed on your computer. No matter what your interest, or desire, you can bet a programmer somewhere has made a program that meets your needs. I use cd cataloging software, photo cataloging and photo manipulation software. There is even a Photoshop clone, and an Office clone. Most Linux programs are free or donation ware. So if you find you are using a program and a Linux distribution, you are encouraged to send them a few dollars so they can eat dinner the next day.

As for hardware requirements, if it runs windows, it will run at least ten versions of Linux without having to make any changes. Even if you have an old box sitting in the closet, there is a Linux distribution that will bring it back to life, possibly running faster that it did when you retired it.

I went to the Asus eeepc website and see Asus has released a newer lighter laptop. The specs say it has a 10.2 inch display and weighs about 2.5 pounds. Looks like a hit to me, well if I was looking to upgrade my Asus 1000 hd.

Netbooks and Linux were made for each other. If you run windows and are tired of viruses, defragging and general maintenance tinkering, check out a Linux live cd. You may find Linux and you were made for each other. If you are looking for a laptop, check out netbooks. They are not desktop replacements of course, but how often do you need the cd rom, or the horsepower your desktop has?

Linux and more Linux Distro testing

Posted on March 29, 2009 by venagozar

I had some free time this week, and the Sidux Linux I am using has drifted from leading edge to leading as the Sidux Team introduced a new revision. I was very happy with Sidux and recommend Sidux if you want a stable fast Linux on your computer.

With that being said it was off to Distrowatch for another round of trying out new flavors of Linux. The current roundup is very impressive, and my final decision still is not made. I started downloading PCLinuxOS from their server using my Mac. The download rate was pretty slow, so I killed it waiting for a different time of day to try again.

As I looked over the current offerings, Crunchbang Linux caught my attention. It is purported to be a smaller faster Ubuntu Linux. I downloaded the most current version and installed it on my little Asus 1000. It is a snappy little distribution. It is complete as it comes for most users. I would have been happy with it, with the exception of the color scheme. It is shades of black upon shades of black. I do not know if there was a statement in the color scheme, but with so many choices I decided to let Crunchbang go for something a little more colorful. If black is your favorite color, and you desire a fast lighter distribution, check out Crunchbang Linux.

My next choice was Vector Linux. Vector has a new version out, and I know from past experience that Vector Linux is one very fast distribution. It has been some years, and many revisions since I ran Vector, but knowing how quick it was, I was curious to try Vector Linux again. I was not disappointed! Vector is everything it always has been, and more.

One of the options during the install was to load the works, that was not the option name, but the idea is the same, so I chose it. The whole meal deal was exactly that. Vector Linux was stuffed with more software than I imagined one cd could hold. So much in fact, I felt it was more than I wanted. It was replaced, but I plan to go back and install the regular flavor next week.

Puppy Linux is making a bigger name for itself every week. At around one-hundred megs one is challenged to find a competing distribution that packs so much software and is so fast. As luck would have it, Puppy Linux released two new versions yesterday for revision 4.2.

Puppy Linux from Puppy's site

Being greedy, I downloaded them both, and ran the version that is not the retro edition. What a pretty desktop I had! Loaded with all the software I could want and then some, with the exception of a few games, Puppy is a very pleasant Linux. I had a problem making my memory stick bootable, but once I figure that out, I will have a portable Puppy on a flash drive, and Puppy Linux may make it to my hard drive.

I always wanted to give Zenwalk Linux a spin, but I was never too sure about my wireless support. Since I have decided that wireless on my Asus is not all that, I downloaded Zen Linux and completed an install.. Zen Linux is everything it claims to be. Zen Linux is a nice mix of software. Each program is a leader in its separate category. Zen is very fast, and responsive, with a nice collection of software in the repositories. Zen Linux claims a place on my hard drive this go around.

I am ever curious about Mepis Linux, so I downloaded Mepis. For whatever reason the server timed out in the last thirty seconds of downloading, and I never managed a complete ISO. Mepis is a good distribution, though probably a little heavy for my little netbook.

Along the same lines, I managed a complete download of PCLinuxOS, and burned a cd. It is a little too much for my netbook without undergoing some major changes. It is very pretty as always and performed well for me on my desktops. I am sure that remains the same

I am torn between Zen and Puppy Linux. They are the best for my needs right now, and it is a tough decision. Maybe I will use them both as my mood changes?

Another week another Linux

Posted on November 14, 2008 by venagozar

This is the third week with my Eee Pc. I think I have found the end of the rainbow in Linux distributions that are not too much trouble to install and run. I was fairly happy with Fluxflux as I mentioned in my Asus Eee Pc post a few days ago.

Since then I finished my work week, and had some time to see what other Linux distributions are out there. Actually I was happy with Fluxflux until Mepis Linux released another beta. I could not resist. I downloaded, burned, and ran the Mepis live cd. Mepis worked as it always does, and ran well as expected. On the downside for a meager Eee Pc is the plethora of software loaded into Mepis is too much for my taste. Spending an afternoon removing programs was not my idea of fun considering I could have broken Mepis in the process.

Debian came out with a new release, actually an upgrade to their current install package. Debian has one of the largest program databases in Linux,and is a very solid distro. As I was toying with the idea of installing Debian, I found a review of a distribution named Sidux on Linux.com.

Sidux is well reviewed, and is on the leading edge for debian based Linux distributions. On the edge meaning the latest and greatest of everything Linux. Sidux claimed to run on almost any computer, so I downloaded and burned an iso cd.

Sidux loaded and ran as advertised. It was not loaded with more programs than I could possibly use. I had a little problem getting Sidux to install the root directory where I wanted, but after I solved that issue which was operator error, everything went smoothly.

I read on the Sidux forums about software I wanted that was not installed. Smxi was mentioned, which was a new term for me. It only took a short time to find out what I needed to know about smxi, and less time to get the script running in a terminal. I followed instructions and installed the programs I wanted.

I had tried DSL – Damn Small Linux – which is impressive, but I could not locate my wifi driver in windows to be able to connect to the Internet on wireless. I also tried Puppy Linux with the same result, but I did find Pupeee in the Puplets section. The Pupeee remaster worked well and is very impressive for its speed and size.

So this week at least Sidux Linux is king of my Eee Pc. I think I will stick with Sidux for a while because Sidux is the leading edge of Debian. While Sidux is not a beginners distro in the idea that you drop in a cd and the installer does everything else, it is not beyond the average Linux or under the hood Windows user.

Asus makes a laptop for the rest of us

Posted on November 7, 2008 by venagozar

Asus makes a laptop for the rest of us, and adding Linux along with the installed Windows XP os makes it better.

I purchased an Asus Eee Pc model 1100hd. This Asus model is more like a normal laptop sporting a ten inch screen, one gigabyte memory, 120 gigabyte hard drive, and a wireless internet connection. The keyboard is slightly smaller than a standard keyboard, but does not seem to present any problems for me. The price is easy on the wallet too.

Windows XP in a sightly modified version is installed as the Os. I think XP is a great operating system, but virus and other problems from the internet are a constant threat because of Windows popularity. This means buying a virus checking program, downloading and updating, and hard drive scanning. In other words a lot of time spent housekeeping to keep Windows happy. The amount of time it takes to keep a Windows system on the internet is not worth it to me.

Linux is mostly bulletproof due to its construction for day to day use by an average user. Using Linux is generally the same as Windows from a user perspective. When getting on the net however, Linux is a much better choice for most internet tasks because it is immune to most windows problems. Finding a lightweight version of Linux able to run on my Eee Pc was another matter. Almost any distribution of Linux can be made to run, but not all are good choices. I found a few distributions which I tried out.

The first Linux distro I tried out was Zenwalk Linux. I have read a lot of good things about Zenwalk so I thought for what I needed Zenwalk would be a good choice. Zenwalk loaded right up as a live cd. Everything worked as advertised except the wifi. If I had the time and wanted to tinker, the wifi could be made to work, but with so many distributions out there, it is a simple matter to try another distribution.

Next I looked at Ubuntu Linux. I had Ubuntu Linux on my first laptop. Ubuntu is a pretty heavy distribution for a lightweight laptop. In the forums I found a scaled down Ubuntu named Ubuntu-eee. Ubuntu-eee loaded and ran as if it came installed on the laptop. It has a nice screen layout I think is pretty creative. Ubuntu-eee seemed a little slow to me. I am sure the next release will improve in the speed department. It is a good choice though, coming from a solid distribution.

I looked at and downloaded Foresight Mobile Edition Linux. I downloaded the iso and burned it to cd. When the cd started to load it gave an error and stopped. I searched the net, and others have it running, so it may be a bad download, or burn causing my problem.

Next was a look at Pclinuxos which is one of my all time favorite distributions. While there I found a Pclinuxos derivative named Minime. Minime loaded and ran well, but again I could not get the wifi working. Others have had no issues and are using Minime, so once again I suspect another problem not belonging to the distribution.

While looking for information on Minime, I came across an article about a second Pclinusos derivative named Fluxflux-eee. I found the Fluxflux-eee home page, downloaded, burned a cd and installed it. I am now using Fluxflux-eee as a my Linux distribution of choice. Fluxflux-eee is not bogged down with a lot of tools and programs I will not use, and has those programs I do need. It is worth checking out if your needs are mainly internet, and text editing. As with any Linux distribution Fluxflux-eee can be modified by adding or replacing programs, changing how it looks, operation, and colors.

One of the best things about linux is the fast paced change that Linux enjoys. What is the latest and greatest distribution today may be a ho hum tomorrow. For today at least, Fluxflux on my Asus Eee Pc works fine for me. I have some games I enjoy in Windows, and everything else I want in Linux. Being able to dual boot Linux and Windows is definately the best of both worlds!

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