[Gllug] Re: IBM Thinkpads and Linux (john levin)

[Richard Cosgrove]

> On Wed, July 12, 2006 12:57 pm, Richard Cosgrove wrote:
> > Hello,
> >
> > I was directed here by someone at the Open Tech Support website. If
> > this is the wrong mailing list, sorry.
> >
> > I'm looking at buying an IBM Thinkpad laptop - either a 600E or 600X
> > model - in the next few days.
> >
> > As I'll be using this for word processing and accessing the internet
> > at hot-spots, and being tired of I'm tired of Windows and having
> > little spare money, I'm considering installing a Linux distribution on
> > it rather than getting hold of a new copy of Windows.
> >
> > It'll be running OpenOffice, Firefox, a USB stick, and a wireless
> > internet.
> >
> > As I have zero experience with using Linux, let alone installing it
> > (I'm OK with XP and Mac OS X) I was wondering if someone here could
> > give me some plain English advice in going about this.
> >
> > Any tips on which distribution (preferably a very friendly one), where
> > to get drivers, hassles will be welcome.
> >
> You could try running a live CD - I've done this with Ubuntu and a TP. If
> there's enough RAM knocking about it works well - you'd be able to see how
> it plays out without having to install first
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2006 13:19:46 +0100
> From: john levin <john at technolalia.org>
> Subject: Re: [Gllug] IBM Thinkpads and Linux
> To: Greater London Linux User Group <gllug at gllug.org.uk>
> Message-ID: <44B4E8E2.3080300 at technolalia.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> Richard Cosgrove wrote:
> > Hello,
> >
> > I was directed here by someone at the Open Tech Support website. If
> > this is the wrong mailing list, sorry.
> >
> > I'm looking at buying an IBM Thinkpad laptop - either a 600E or 600X
> > model - in the next few days.
> >
> > As I'll be using this for word processing and accessing the internet
> > at hot-spots, and being tired of I'm tired of Windows and having
> > little spare money, I'm considering installing a Linux distribution on
> > it rather than getting hold of a new copy of Windows.
> >
> > It'll be running OpenOffice, Firefox, a USB stick, and a wireless internet.
> >
> > As I have zero experience with using Linux, let alone installing it
> > (I'm OK with XP and Mac OS X) I was wondering if someone here could
> > give me some plain English advice in going about this.
> >
> > Any tips on which distribution (preferably a very friendly one), where
> > to get drivers, hassles will be welcome.
> >
> > Thanks in advance.
> >
> > - Richard Cosgrove
>
> My preferred distro is Ubuntu, which is generally considered the best
> distro for newbies. The latest version (6.06LTS) comes as a live cd, so
> you can test it to make sure everything works, with an option for
> installing to hard drive.
>
> For Ubuntu on IBM thinkpads, consult:
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupportMachinesLaptopsIBM
> and for linux generally, see:
> http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/ibm.html
>
> If you have trouble installing, you can come along to a Gllug meet,
> where people will be happy to help you out.
>
> HTH
>
> John

Thanks for the advice.

I think I have an Ubuntu live CD somewhere, from when I gave Linux a
try out (wanted to see what people on internet forums were talking
about).

I'll see how that runs and take things from there.

Thanks again.

- Richard
-- 
Gllug mailing list  -  Gllug at gllug.org.uk
http://lists.gllug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/gllug