[xpod]

Originally Posted by dave6x

Xpod, Thanks for the comments, my posting was really about my experience of Ubuntu 9.10 on an old PC rather than any criticism of it!

No worries dave6x, nothing wrong with sharing our experiences, no matter whether they`re good or bad.

And I agree that probably if I were to install it on my Main family desktop PC it would fly (AMD Athlon 5200B 2.7GHz, 3GB RAM). I'm well aware that many of the problems people have had with Vista resulted from installing on inadequate hardware and the same is true of Ubuntu, my main PC triple boots XP Pro, Vista Business and Windows 7 RC, Vista has given me no problems at all in this environment.

Many people never even had to install Vista on inadequate hardware. The manufacturers did it for them with those "Vista Capable" things they were selling by the bucket load. I found it quite strange that there were so many new machines being shipped with Vista that were really no better spec wise than the old thing i was using myself at the time. People are never too amused when they see their old machines running far better than the new ones they`ve bought..

Although a relative newbie to Ubuntu I have played with Xubuntu and DamSmallLinux on an old laptop, and many years ago ran a 40 terminal business and data-gathering system under Xenix. I'm willing to delve into the forums for advice and assistance and have done all the things you suggested and more but am still having difficulties.

Well, you probably know a damn sight more than me dave6x as i`m a relative newbie to computers full stop and not just Ubuntu/Linux. It was four years ago this month in fact that i was forced to step out of the dark ages and sit down at my first computer and it was four months after that that i first Stumbled across the Ubuntu site ......and i`ve been stumbling my way about with Linux ever since.

And here lies the problem with Linux distros. I am reasonably competent with computing hardware and software but there seems to be an attitude amongst experienced Linux users that if you can't make something work you must be a complete numpty, I know many computer professionals who have given up on Linux distros for this reason. It is unfortunate that although there are some very helpful people in the forums there is also a large and vociferous Geek fraternity that throws their hands up at yet another "stupid newbie" and says so in print!!!!

That kind of attitude can be found on any forum covering any subject unfortunately but it`s never really bothered me, not when directed at me personally anyway. In fact, it would just make me all the more determined....plus, i do like a laugh.
I`ve also seen the professionals do all the right things but still end up with some idiot telling them to go read some man pages but on the flip side of the coin i`ve also seen many professionals, self proclaimed experts & power users do nothing but whine after only a couple of hours, when they`ve just spent the previous 15+ years giving that alternative OS all the time & patience under the sun.....
Some also find it too hard to go from being the power user who knows absolutely everything about their OS of choice to someone who is once again a complete noob, who now feels like they know nothing at all.

The way i see it, mostly, is that there is no such thing as a stupid question....only stupid responses.

I shall persevere and master it, but many will just give up go back to Windows!

Good luck to you, i`m still a bit confused about what goes where though.