Basic help for beginners

[sdcougar]

An easy to find help/tutorial section for beginners

[sarum]

I started off with Ubuntu about 5years ago. New to computers and I soon found my way around their forum .
I'm still a newby and am trying Knoppix for a change; but an 'Absolute Beginers' Forum' would be a great help to the elderly like myself.

[Werner P. Schulz]

I started off with Ubuntu about 5years ago. New to computers and I soon found my way around their forum .
I'm still a newby and am trying Knoppix for a change; but an 'Absolute Beginers' Forum' would be a great help to the elderly like myself... why that? You'll do a harddrive installation of Knoppix instead of Ubuntu? Please have a look at HD_Install_Warning_not_to_do_it (http://www.knoppix.net/wiki/HD_Install_Warning_not_to_do_it) (or in German (http://www.knoppix.net/wiki/Deutsch_Install_FAQ)) and be aware: Knoppix harddrive installation doesn't have security updates.

Greetings Werner * http://www.wp-schulz.de/knoppix/summary.html
Own Rescue-CD with Knoppix (Knoppix V6.4.4 remaster)

[sarum]

Sorry I'm not sure what you mean.
I've installed Knoppix to a flash drive. after trying it on a live CD. I like it, and, as an old newby/elderly I'd like to think that there's a place for me on your forum, as there has been for a number of years with Ubuntu.
Have a look at the Ubuntu forum. Let me know if there are any changes you'd think of makeing on yours.

[OErjan]

There is certainly a place for you here.
I personaly think a pure Debian install would be better but it is up to you.

[Denver Dave]

I was thinking the same thing as this thread. I'm a windows user that has been playing around with ubuntu for a couple of months. There is the section for Windows and new users:
http://www.knoppix.net/forum/forums/18-MS-Windows-New-to-Linux

but still as a user new to Knoppix, it is pretty rugged going. I have a good reason to be here on the Knoppix forum, because of issues with ubuntu 11.10 on my desktop. So far, I've only managed to install one application out of the set that I've been using on ubuntu (Keepnote) and that was with lots of help. Oh, not counting GIMP, that started fine.

Part of the problem may be that I'm running 6.7 CD rather than 6.7.1 DVD, I'm not sure.

Firefox 8 or Iceweasel
Thunderbird 8 or alternative
Openshot
Keepnote
SpiderOak

For very common software that is not immediately included, the commands to install would help.

Here is what we went through with Firefox and Keepnote - have keepnote working (with lots of help), still working on getting Firefox or Iceweasel to run.

KeepNote and some Firefox
http://www.knoppix.net/forum/threads/29630-Has-anyone-installed-KeepNote

Firefox or Iceweasel - still working on this
http://www.knoppix.net/forum/threads/29629-How-to-install-Firefox-with-USB-created-from-Knoppix-6.7-CD

Knoppix seems like a great OS, but can be tough going for beginners and I'm not sure why.

[Werner P. Schulz]

Knoppix seems like a great OS, but can be tough going for beginners and I'm not sure why. You didn't read HD_Install_Warning_not_to_do_it (http://www.knoppix.net/forum/../wiki/HD_Install_Warning_not_to_do_it) (or in German (http://www.knoppix.net/forum/../wiki/Deutsch_Install_FAQ))?
Knoppix is designed as a Live distribution to run from DVD (CD) as it is!

It isn't designed to use it as any other distributions like Ubuntu, Debian, Suse and so on with their abilities to update, upgrade and expand their software pool. And important to say, there are no security-updates, user-management and password-management!

Yes, of course, you can remaster Knoppix, but it isn't an easy to do job for beginners.

Greetings Werner * http://www.wp-schulz.de/knoppix/summary.html
Own Rescue-CD (Knoppix V6.7.1 remaster)

[utu]

I agree with Werner that this uniqueness of Knoppix is often unfortunately overlooked.

I never use Knoppix as a hard drive install with the possible exception
of using 0wn as a means to the end of re-mastering.

In the past, prior to version 6 of Knoppix, I used a Knoppix LiveCD with a 'persistent home'
on my hdd. Beginning with version 6, it was possible to have both the LiveCD material
AND the persistence file on a single, self-booting USB.

LiveUSBs have been my standard mode of operation for ALL distros since.
So compact, and no need to fuss with dual booting except via normal bios selections.
I'm disappointed that not all distros offer this mode.

[Denver Dave]

It isn't designed to use it as any other distributions like Ubuntu, Debian, Suse and so on with their abilities to update, upgrade and expand their software pool. And important to say, there are no security-updates, user-management and password-management!I was wondering about not having a logon password, but figured that might have something to do with not choosing the encryption for the home.

Not sure what to think about not installing software that we need to make use of the operating system. Perhaps this is a good reason to get the DVD rather than the CD (or both) next time.

I did see the hard disk install message, but didn't think much of it since I run from a portable USB that I use on multiple PCs.

[Werner P. Schulz]

.. software that we need to make use of the operating system ..For security reasons: don't use Knoppix as your operating system!

[Denver Dave]

For security reasons: don't use Knoppix as your operating system!What knoppix like distro would you recommend? Seems like a lot of work on a distro, if it isn't to be used.

[Denver Dave]

I never use Knoppix as a hard drive install with the possible exception
of using 0wn as a means to the end of re-mastering.
For security reasons: don't use Knoppix as your operating system!Let me first say that the authors of the above quotes know a lot more about linux and knoppix than I do.

However, it is hard to pick the right distribution. My first pick is ubuntu 11.10, but alas while 11.04 runs on both my laptop and my desktop, 11.10 does not run on my desktop for unknown reasons. Knoppix 6.7.1 runs on both as well as an old pre-windows XP PC that I have.

I've ordered disks and at least given a cursory look at the following distros:

utuntu 11.04 and 11.10
knoppix 6.7 and 6.7.1
AV Linux 5.0 and 5.02
Zorin OS 5.1 Core
Puppy Linux 5.2.8
Linux Mint 12
openSUSE 12.1
Debian Live 6.0.3 GNOME
PC Linux OS Gnome 2010.12
Bodhi

My search has been shallow, but I have been seriously looking for linux distribution that I can use on an ongoing basis. To knoppix's credit and detriment, at this point, knoppix is my second choice. This is a pretty good complement for knoppix to be 2nd after struggling with installation issues and so far not being able to install standard Firefox or Thunderbird:
http://www.knoppix.net/forum/threads/29629-How-to-install-Firefox-with-USB-created-from-Knoppix-6.7-CD

Also quite the accomplishment for ubuntu 11.10 to be first, given it doesn't even run on my desktop.

My thinking is that I'll keep making progress with knoppix and be able to run the very popular applications while avoiding a lot of stuff I don't need.

The password / security discussion may be beyond me. The 2nd time I installed knoppix I choose the encryption option, which resulted in an encrypted USB drive and a required password - so I might be missing the point of this whole discussion - seems like security to me.

Anyway, if there are other knoppix people that have information on how to get a standard set of popular applications running under knoppix, let's share information:

Standard Firefox and Thunderbird 8 with addons - Google contacts, Lightning, QuickFox Notes, ReminderFox, Address Book Tab, Google Contacts in Tab
Openshot 1.4 video editor
KeepNote 0.7.7 (I have this running on knoppix with help from the forum - thank you)
SpiderOak 4.1.9907 with help from the forum

So far, I've been impressed with knoppix - All my linux work as been done with either CD / DVD or USB boot drives

[Werner P. Schulz]

The password / security discussion may be beyond me. The 2nd time I installed knoppix I choose the encryption option, which resulted in an encrypted USB drive and a required password - so I might be missing the point of this whole discussion - seems like security to me.The encryption option of persistent memory is only useful in case of stealed computer. During use of Knoppix all is decrypted and you have no security against attacks over WAN or LAN.

[utu]

.
There is an excellent compendium of LXDE facts presented by Doug Willett,
a Linux Mint forum moderator, at: http://douwil7.100webspace.net/linux/Tuning.html

If you have LXDE questions for Doug, you can reach him as 'seppalta' on the
Mint/LXDE forum at: http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewforum.php?f=175

[Denver Dave]

I use Windows XP on my desktop and Winodws 7 on my laptop. I've been working off and on for over a year and a half with various linux distros. I have a CD file with lots of distros and my 92 posts in this forum show the challenges that I've posted. Tonight, I reviewed again booting some of the other distros.

I'm not at the point of being able to switch to just linux, but knoppix is the distro that I keep coming back to.

If other windows users users have ended up at a different place, please post your experience - but then, I guess you wouldn't be in this forum.