[clug] Ubuntu - looking for a hand to get started.

[Peter Anderson]

Rhys,

Hi!  I am also relatively new to Linux and am using Ubuntu 5.10.  I may 
not be the best person to respond, but am happy to share experiences.  
First off, I live in Batemans Bay so will have to do this via the list 
or direct e-mail.

I have two PC's (a Toshiba desktop running Windows XP Pro and a Cougar 
(from Mitchell) desktop which dual boots WinXP Home and Ubuntu).  I 
occasionally run live CDs on the Toshiba so both PCs use Linux.  I have 
an ADSL connection (via OzEmail using a D-Link ADSL modem) and have 
absolutely no configuration required for either PC to connect to the 
Internet.  The Linux start-up process (using a veriety of distros) finds 
the network and automatically configures it.  Prior to ADSL, I used a 
dial-up connection.  Simply, if you don't have an external hardware 
modem then you will have a great deal of problems connecting to the 
Internet.  The only exception I ever found was an early version of 
Xandros which seemed to have the necessary Winmodem drivers and it was 
just as easy as that other operating system to connect-up.

Printers are another problem area.  I have a Canon Laser Shot laser ( 
great little printer) but until very recently, I have not been able to 
get a Linux driver (I now have one but have yet to try it).  Recently I 
purchased a Samsung laser printer from Harris Technology in Fyshwick 
(approx. $180) and it works fine with Ubuntu.

One thing that has been of a great help to me is the diary I started 
when I first installed Ubuntu.  I make notes of any issue that I have 
and the process used to resolve it.  The diary makes re-installs or 
up-grades to later versions much easier.

Hope that helps a little.  My e-mail, if you need it, is peter.anderson 
[at] ozemail.com.au

Regards,
Peter
-- 

Peter Anderson
E: peter.anderson at ozemail.com.au
P: +61 (0)2 4472 2274
M: +61 (0)418 249 648
There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to 
conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the 
introduction of a new order of things -- Niccolo Machiavelli, /The 
Prince/, ch. 6