[libreoffice-users] test-drive linux easily

________________________________
From: Ken Springer <snowshed@dishmail.net>
To: users@libreoffice.org
Sent: Sun, 27 February, 2011 5:24:42
Subject: [libreoffice-users] Re: Accessing the mailing list

On 2011-02-26 20:34:29 -0700, MR ZenWiz said:
> If you're running Linux, you might notice this little gem
> (http://projects.gnome.org/evolution/download.shtml):

Mac is primary use, Windows is secondary.  Linux is on the dream list, but it's 
a dream that's far off.
Ken



Hi :)

Dare to dream but spare an hour to live it.  Mac and Linux share a lot of 
similarities.  Both Bsd and Linux are re-writes of Unix.  Mac is a tweaked Bsd.  
All four share a lot of the same programs and tools and stuff so it wont be 
completely unfamiliar to you.  A lot less different than the changes between Xp 
and Vista/Win7 and MUCH easier to test-drive without any changes to your machine 
(except perhaps the bios's boot-order).

Most Linux distros (and recently a few Bsds too) offer a great way of easily 
test-driving them without installing onto a hard-drive.  A "LiveCd session" is a 
bootable Cd although we often use the same term if a usb-stick or flash-card or 
something is used instead.  


Cd is usually easier to make as it is just a case of 'burning' a disk-image 
(.iso) onto a blank Cd and cheaper Cds tend to be better than expensive ones for 
this.  Many linux distros have a separate iso image to download for a LiveCd but 
some such as Ubuntu & Mint use the same Cd as they use as an installer but the 
default option is to LiveCd rather than install.

A LiveCd creates a compressed file in Ram that contains the usual Desktop and 
"Documents" (and so on) and temp folders, histories and stuff.  So, when you 
reboot the machine afterwards (whether or not the Cd is still in) everything 
saved or done during that LiveCd session is forgotten unless specifically saved 
to hard-drive.  


So, its great for internet banking and other critically secure stuff but forget 
about anything illegal over the internet because ISPs retain traffic-logs.

The main use is to see how the Linux Operating Systems looks in it's defaults on 
the unique hardware being used.  This usually gives the user an idea about 
whether it is worth installing.  Try 1 distro, if it's not quite what you are 
looking for then try another.

Please let us know how this goes or feel free to ask for suggestions to 
try-out.  My 3 favourites are Ubuntu, SliTaz (because it is tiny and quick to 
try) & Wolvix Hunter 1.1.0.
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=slitaz
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=ubuntu
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=wolvix
Ubuntu finds the internet/network connections automatically but most other 
distros will want people to click a few obvious buttons in their control panel 
or whatever.

Many regards from
Tom :)



      
-- 
Unsubscribe instructions: E-mail to users+help@libreoffice.org
List archive: http://listarchives.libreoffice.org/www/users/
*** All posts to this list are publicly archived for eternity ***