Is there a easier OS?

[tahdas]

I really want to become a linux user but I'm having trouble using Ubuntu. I was wondering if there a easier OS.

With Ubuntu my internet dosent work.

Is there a better OS to start with? I don't want to have to go into the shell or whatever it called to get things to work.

[Frogs Hair]

See this thread to get back a tradition Gnome style. http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1859961

Xubuntu is a good choice if you want a more traditional desktop also.

[Frogs Hair]

You could also provide more information about the computer and internet problem.

[chadk5utc]

For learning Linux I think Ubuntu is likely one of if not the easiest to learn distribution there is, but with anything new there is a learning curve and personal time invested which makes it worthwhile. Not to mention that this is one of the best online forums to get help along the way.

[MishaX2]

Xubuntu indeed is a lot easier to get started with, it's more minimalistic and therefore you get a much better overview over your system. If you run into any problems, there are many ways we can help you. Just make a post in the absolute beginners forum(http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=326) and we can help you and guide you.[/URL]
[URL="http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=326"] (http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=326)

[3rdalbum]

I really want to become a linux user but I'm having trouble using Ubuntu. I was wondering if there a easier OS.

With Ubuntu my internet dosent work.

Is there a better OS to start with? I don't want to have to go into the shell or whatever it called to get things to work.

If your internet doesn't work out-of-the-box on Ubuntu and you really need terminal to make it work, then it will probably be the same for all Linuxes or free OSes. Ubuntu has a very wide selection of preinstalled drivers and it is not normal for your internet to not be working straight after installing Ubuntu.

However if this is a wifi problem you might want to buy a simple, cheap wifi USB that is known to work on Ubuntu. I had to do that once and it cost me $9 (half an hour's pay for me at the time, saved me easily half an hour of time).

[Chogan]

ubuntu is really easy. what is your problem with it? try to work with it and after a while, you will find that it is very simple.

[vasa1]

You could also provide more information about the computer and internet problem.
+1 but I'd use should instead of could. As the original post stands, there's no way people can help fix the problem.

[iMac71]

I really want to become a linux user but I'm having trouble using Ubuntu. I was wondering if there a easier OS.

With Ubuntu my internet dosent work.

Is there a better OS to start with? I don't want to have to go into the shell or whatever it called to get things to work.it seems to me that you've forgot to select the installation of third parts software when you've installed Ubuntu.
If this is correct, there are only two ways for solving your problem:
1) get elsewhere the driver;
or
2) re-install Ubuntu without forgetting to select the installation of third parts software.

[HermanAB]

The easiest is Puppy Linux:
www.puppylinux.org

Otherwise, the older and more mature distributions like Suse, Fedora, PC Linux OS and Mageia all have much better wizards than Ubuntu.

With Mageia or PCLOS you never need to use the command line. They have wizards for everything and the kitchen sink. By comparison, Ubuntu is really one of the worst Linux distros. It is only popular due to all the advertising money spent on it.

However, once you know Linux, it doesn't matter which distro you use any more, because underneath the clickety shiny bits they are all the same.

[andybrady]

All the new desktop bells and whistles are not intuitive and sort of get in the way of understanding desktop operations. I think the online tutorial videos helped me as a Ub. novice. You eventually find what causes the flying and disappearing windows ;-) good luck.

[andybrady]

it seems to me that you've forgot to select the installation of third parts software when you've installed Ubuntu.
If this is correct, there are only two ways for solving your problem:
1) get elsewhere the driver;
or
2) re-install Ubuntu without forgetting to select the installation of third parts software.

I second re-installation as your first step.

[hawthornso23]

A new user has trouble with ubuntu so the advice is to switch to gnome classic as it is easier. I smile (actually it is more like a pained grimace). Unity was justified in part as being easier for new users.

Although the irony of it all amuses me I do agree with the advice. Unity is unintuitive and disturbing for new users. Gnome classic is easy.

[Anders Stroem]

I second re-installation as your first step.

I agree with this poster. I can't see how switching to another desktop environment would help ironing out the issue you are describing.

Either you are missing drivers, or your hardware might simply be too exotic. If it doesn't work out of the box under Unity, it won't work out of the box under Mate/Gnome Classic/XFCE either.

This is not dependent on the desktop environment currently being in use.

[zombifier25]

I really want to become a linux user but I'm having trouble using Ubuntu. I was wondering if there a easier OS.

With Ubuntu my internet dosent work.

Is there a better OS to start with? I don't want to have to go into the shell or whatever it called to get things to work.

If Internet does not work on Ubuntu I'm certain it won't work on other Linux distros. You should provide your hardware details so we can help.

Also +1 to GNOME Classic, if you don't like the default interface.

[zombifier25]

The easiest is Puppy Linux:
www.puppylinux.org
[...]

With risk of starting a flamewar, I find this statement a bit ridiculous.

[offgridguy]

A new user has trouble with ubuntu so the advice is to switch to gnome classic as it is easier. I smile (actually it is more like a pained grimace). Unity was justified in part as being easier for new users.

Although the irony of it all amuses me I do agree with the advice. Unity is unintuitive and disturbing for new users. Gnome classic is easy.
As a new user i found the transition from windows to ubuntu to be quite easy,
I have found unity to be the simplest and easiest DE to use of the ones i have
tried. Just my opinion.

[tahdas]

I think I installed Ubuntu right. Anyway I looked up all of the OSs you suggested and none of them caught my eye.

The computer is a dell desktop with a netgear WNA3100 Internet adapter. I tried to install the driver using the disk it came with and wine but e driver wouldn't install. If I get the internet working Ubuntu would be fine.

[Mopar1973Man]

As a new user i found the transition from windows to ubuntu to be quite easy,
I have found unity to be the simplest and easiest DE to use of the ones i have
tried. Just my opinion.

Agreed... I've also came over from CentOS after throwing my hands up try to learn it. Ubuntu is way easier to learn. The biggest trick is for newbie I highly suggest you rely on the GUI more than terminal till you get your feet wet with BASH commands. Then as a tip and trying to learn commands search on Google the commands and add Ubuntu to the search more times out of ten you come back to this forum. ;)

[Mark Phelps]

I tried to install the driver using the disk it came with and wine but e driver wouldn't install.

Just so you know ... Wine is for running applications, not for installing drivers. You need Linux drivers, so even if you could install Windows drivers with Wine, they would not work.

[sffvba[e0rt]

Thread moved to The Community Cafe.

This is not an Ubuntu Support Question.

As for my 2c's worth, I think the OP will find Ubuntu and indeed most distro's easier to use if all hardware is compatible.

If you can't get your network to work in Ubuntu then switching to Xubuntu or installing Gnome-shell or any other DE is not going to help get it working!



404

[Peripheral Visionary]

I learned Linux in the Xfce environment. Point-and-click, sweet and simple. I've had a chance to look at some other Linux desktops now but I still think Xfce (Xubuntu) is the simplest for new Linux users to learn. Maybe I only think that because that's what I learned on, but it was chosen for me to learn on by someone who had tried them all. It's also the default desktop in several Linux flavors designed for kids, so that probably says something for it's simplicity. I recommend giving Xubuntu a look!

[haqking]

You will never learn Linux the easy way ;-)

As for easiest to use Linux, then it is all subjective based on your learning style, ability to learn and most importantly your hardware.

The more supported your hardware is, then the less you will learn LOL

Peace

[mips]

The computer is a dell desktop with a netgear WNA3100 Internet adapter.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1965989
http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=197&t=92044

[forrestcupp]

A new user has trouble with ubuntu so the advice is to switch to gnome classic as it is easier. I smile (actually it is more like a pained grimace). Unity was justified in part as being easier for new users.

Although the irony of it all amuses me I do agree with the advice. Unity is unintuitive and disturbing for new users. Gnome classic is easy.On the other hand, the OP's only complaint was that the internet isn't working. So why is anyone talking about desktop environments, whether Gnome Classic or Unity?


Thread moved to The Community Cafe.

This is not an Ubuntu Support Question.In that case, the OP needs to start a new thread specifically asking for help with his internet. Although mips gave some good resources for the specific problem, right above me.


You will never learn Linux the easy way ;-)

As for easiest to use Linux, then it is all subjective based on your learning style, ability to learn and most importantly your hardware.

The more supported your hardware is, then the less you will learn LOL

PeaceTo be fair, the OP never said he wanted to learn Linux. He only said he wanted an easier way to use Linux. ;)

[mamamia88]

Max osx. Everything is done for you. Linux tries to support as much hardware ootb as possible but sometimes can't support a specific card. If it doesn't work on Ubuntu ootb it probably won't o other distros. If you aren't willing to learn you are probably better off elsewhere

[mips]

On the other hand, the OP's only complaint was that the internet isn't working. So why is anyone talking about desktop environments, whether Gnome Classic or Unity?


Not me :tongue:

[Fahim Abdun-Nur]

See this thread to get back a tradition Gnome style. http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1859961

Xubuntu is a good choice if you want a more traditional desktop also.

+1 Xubuntu is light and simple(r)

[montag dp]

Seems like most of the posters here did not bother to read the OP. He was asking for help with his Internet, mistakenly thinking a different distro would help. Switching to gnome-classic or Xubuntu is not going to fix his problem, but it will waste time and cause further frustration.

Anyway, in addition to the helpful links that have already been posted, I also found this after a quick search:

http://furiouspurpose.me/linux-and-the-wna3100-wireless-adapter/

To the OP, don't be afraid of the terminal. If you take the time to use it and learn it, I think you will eventually come to appreciate it. It is a truly powerful interface and IMO it's one of the biggest advantages of Linux over Windows/Mac. To be perfectly honest, as a Linux user you will need to use the terminal sooner or later.

[Mikeb85]

Ubuntu is pretty much the easiest. And odds are you internet troubles are a fairly easy fix.

Ignore everyone who says to switch to a different distro or desktop environment, as that likely won't fix anything. Just post what kind of network card you have, and other hardware details.

[sffvba[e0rt]

In that case, the OP needs to start a new thread specifically asking for help with his internet. Although mips gave some good resources for the specific problem, right above me.

+1 to this... most of the thread is answering to the title and not supporting the issue of not being able to connect to the Internet.


404

[MadmanRB]

Linux mint

Nuff said, it does a lot ubuntu cannot do, like having pre installed codecs plus its better at network cards.

[haqking]

WNA3100 in Ubuntu

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1946875&referrerid=1620502

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1965989

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMYBWMD6cg8

[MG&TL]

[...] plus its better at network cards.

Off topic: why? Mint uses the same kernel (but probably an older version than Ubuntu), and as far as I can tell there is no 'magic' software included that does anything else.

Not arguing, just curious.

[Mikeb85]

Off topic: why? Mint uses the same kernel (but probably an older version than Ubuntu), and as far as I can tell there is no 'magic' software included that does anything else.

Not arguing, just curious.

Mint advertises these things so it must be true.

[Mikeb85]

Linux mint

Nuff said, it does a lot ubuntu cannot do, like having pre installed codecs plus its better at network cards.

Except these things take about 2 seconds to add to Ubuntu. You can add those same codecs to Ubuntu during install by marking a single box.

And no, it's not better at network cards. It uses the same kernel, and has ndiswrapper installed - again, a 2 second job in Ubuntu. Even Mint's DEs are merely a few clicks away in Ubuntu.

[OluszDes]

I think I installed Ubuntu right. Anyway I looked up all of the OSs you suggested and none of them caught my eye.

The computer is a dell desktop with a netgear WNA3100 Internet adapter. I tried to install the driver using the disk it came with and wine but e driver wouldn't install. If I get the internet working Ubuntu would be fine.

If you have installed Ubuntu correctly and have the wired connection on, but the internet is not working, open the Terminal and write

sudo dhclient eth0
enter your password and then push the Enter key.
Wait for while and your internet would work.

[MadmanRB]

Except these things take about 2 seconds to add to Ubuntu. You can add those same codecs to Ubuntu during install by marking a single box.

And no, it's not better at network cards. It uses the same kernel, and has ndiswrapper installed - again, a 2 second job in Ubuntu. Even Mint's DEs are merely a few clicks away in Ubuntu.

well ndiswrapper being prepackaged does help, especially with newcomers.

[CharlesA]

Thread moved to The Community Cafe.

This is not an Ubuntu Support Question.

As for my 2c's worth, I think the OP will find Ubuntu and indeed most distro's easier to use if all hardware is compatible.

If you can't get your network to work in Ubuntu then switching to Xubuntu or installing Gnome-shell or any other DE is not going to help get it working!



404

This.

@OP: If you are still having problems getting the internet to work create a new thread. This one is closed as it is going in circles.