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Steve<br>
As someone whom is only a few months ahead of you I can assure you that it is not as hard as it sounds.<br>
Pop to the local library and read a few of the linux books there. there is a good selection at Horsham.<br>
<br>
I bought an Ubuntu linux book, adamant that this was the distro I would use. Having read the book and switched I decided I hated Ubuntu and gave up.<br>
I switched to PCLinuxOS under Gnome (linux have two main interfaces, KDE and Gnome) which I find quite windows like.<br>
Unfortunately I have not found a PCLinuxOS book yet. But it is great.<br>
Linux was the first of my PCs to connect to my wireless network and allow sharing without me pulling my hair out.<br>
<br>
Bear in mind that there are several distributions to choose from and each one has something to recommend it.<br>
My biggest dissapointment (as with you) are printers but more because there is no linux driver offered by many manufacturers.<br>
<br>
I have thoroughly enjoyed using Linux and there is so much that it allows you to do for no extra cost. The package manager allows you to install software and to browse before you install and get an idea of what you are looking for.<br>
Stay with it and I am sure you will find it very useful. If there is anything you need specific help with I m sure this forum will be most helpful. If you need a windows perspective I am always happy to try and help but can't promise anything.<br>
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<-----Original Message-----> <br>
>From: Steve Redshaw [sr@steveredshaw.idps.co.uk]<br>
>Sent: 6/27/2008 9:25:22 AM<br>
>To: sussex@mailman.lug.org.uk<br>
>Cc: steve.dobson@syscall.org.uk<br>
>Subject: Re: [Sussex] from a green Linux explorer<br>
><br>
>hi there,<br>
><br>
><br>
>I have just joined this group and have read with interest some of the email<br>
>discussions, I am looking for advice and guidance on using Linux OS<br>
><br>
><br>
>having become increasingly frustrated with Windows, I am taking the plunge and<br>
>starting to use Linux, as a computer user I must add, I am not technically<br>
>minded or interested in delving into how the OS works<br>
><br>
>I started with Freespire, but there are several issues like printing via my<br>
>print server, getting the computer to record sound from the sound card, which<br>
>work fine with Windows, but seem to be complicated to get working under Linux,<br>
>the support I have sought, through searching user manuals, online documentation<br>
>and posting to forums has been very thin and inconclusive<br>
><br>
><br>
>next up is Mandriva Spring 2008, not yet installed, but I have the DVD!<br>
><br>
>but my journey so far has thrown up several frustrations - is it worth me<br>
>continuing with setting up Linux? I have no knowledge yet of commands, which you<br>
>seem to need to get programs installed and working under Linux, and I haven't<br>
>been able to find a simple introduction, everything I've read so far is too<br>
>technical and way above my head - how can I get aquainted with working Linux as<br>
>an alternative to Windows?<br>
><br>
><br>
>thanks in anticipation of help and advice,<br>
><br>
>Steve Redshaw
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