Kubuntu

[jflan]

The most popular Linux distro right now, according to DistroWatch is Ubuntu.
Kubuntu is simply Ubuntu with the *K* desktop envirnment (KDE) as opposed to Gnome in Ubuntu.
This Windows refugee prefers KDE, as it feels a little more familiar.

You can order free, combination Live/Install CD's here:
https://shipit.kubuntu.org/

You can test-drive your new OS from your CD drive without having to install it.
Bear in mind that it will run a bit slower from the CD drive.

http://distrowatch.com/

JF

[fleamailman]

I didn't believe that I would actually get a copy in the post so guess my shock when it came the day before yesterday, now I need to buy the harddrive and away I go.

[Pi rules]

Don't worry, the CDs all come. I had to order them more than once because I handed out more at school than I predicted and they were fine with it. I can see why Ubuntu is the #1 distro at the time.

[Tortanick]

For some reason I never did like the Ubuntus. I'd recomend them in an office or school but not for home use.

My advice is to try lots of distros untill you find the one you like. And give PClinuxOS a shot, I love that one.

[fleamailman]

Ok Kubuntu is now up and running of my laptop, I have sound but I cannot plany mp3 music, nor do I have the right codexes for media, what do I do now

Oh, and yes it is very interesting as a new language to learn

[Pi rules]

There are instructions for what you would like to do here (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats#mp3). I linked to the MP3 section, but there are others on the same page.

The reason that it does not come ready to play MP3s and other proprietary formats is stated on the same page:


Ubuntu strives to make every piece of software available under the licensing terms laid out in the https://help.ubuntu.com/htdocs/ubuntu/img/u-www.png Ubuntu License Policy (http://www.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/licensing). Patent and copyright restrictions complicate the ability of a free operating system to distribute software that will support proprietary or non-free formats.
Ubuntu's commitment to only include completely free software by default means that proprietary media formats are not configured 'out of the box'. This page will show you how to enable support for the most popular non-free media formats.
If all of this seems like a lot of work to get non-free media playback up and running, please remember that Ubuntu is limited by patents and license restrictions in some countries. Look to the future and make sure that "Digital Rights Management" (DRM, aka "Digital Restrictions Management") and similar restrictions are carefully monitored by you, the open source community and free software users.

[fleamailman]

thanks Pi, in english does that read that the plug in is on the cd, or at the site

also, does it matter that it reffers to installing stuff for ubuntu when mine kubuntu

[Pi rules]

They are from online repositories. You can find information on Kubuntu repositories here (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Repositories/Kubuntu). I believe that you will need to enable the other repositories, including the "multiverse".

I believe that the link I provided has instructions for Kubuntu and Ubuntu. The Kubuntu instructions are below the Ubuntu ones.

[Rich-M]

For some reason I never did like the Ubuntus. I'd recomend them in an office or school but not for home use.

My advice is to try lots of distros untill you find the one you like. And give PClinuxOS a shot, I love that one.
I just downloaded that one but haven't had a chance to "play" yet!

[fleamailman]

well, the two things I wanted mp3 and vedio are playing on the computer, all in all, I am happy with it. A lot to learn but at least if XP comes down with a superbug or yet another thing as to what I may or may not do I have an alternative.