Ubuntu Linux 5.04

theutherwhitemeat · 07-26-2005, 02:35 PM

Hey Guys,

I just went to the Ubuntu Linux website, and found out that they ship me software will absolutely no cost at all! Not for the cd, or shipping! Anyway, I was wondering if anybody knows any other versions of linux that are like this, where I don't have to download it.

I have no problem downloading things, but with a 56k Dial-Up Modem, I think you guys can understand how annoying it would be to download Suse Linux over the space of a week. So anyway, any help would be nice.

craigevil · 07-26-2005, 02:41 PM

I do not know of any others that will do it for free, but you can order almost any Linux distro for very cheap.

Order cd's and have them shipped to you:
Discount
Linux CDs
Linux Central
Cheapbytes
TuxCDs
CheapISO
OSDisc.com
Vendors of Debian CDs

theutherwhitemeat · 07-26-2005, 02:45 PM

Wow. Thats quite the list. Thanks. Ive got a bit to look at for now. Thanks!

aysiu · 07-26-2005, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by theutherwhitemeat
I just went to the Ubuntu Linux website, and found out that they ship me software will absolutely no cost at all! Not for the cd, or shipping! Anyway, I was wondering if anybody knows any other versions of linux that are like this, where I don't have to download it.

There are no other distros that will ship you CDs for free including free shipping. You can, however, shell out very little at sites like Cheap ISO. You can also check books out from libraries--they often have Linux installation CDs in the backs of them. Usually, though, these book CDs are outdated.

What's wrong with just going with Ubuntu--apart from the fact that you won't get your disks for two months?

Do you have any friends with a cable or DSL connection? Can you borrow their bandwidth for a night to download an ISO?

theutherwhitemeat · 07-26-2005, 02:53 PM

How is it possible to borrow a bandwidth?

dcdbutler · 07-26-2005, 03:06 PM

Quote:

How is it possible to borrow a bandwidth?

Err, I think he means go round to their house and use their computer (maybe best to ask first, depending on how good a friend they are, and how polite you are), which has broadband access.

theutherwhitemeat · 07-26-2005, 03:07 PM

lol. Thanks. I wouldn't mind using someones high speed however. I could get a couple of versions in a few hours. That would be awesome.

darkleaf · 07-26-2005, 03:09 PM

Just a note that you'll need to update your packages once in a while via the internet for security patches. Ubuntu is based on debian sid. Sid is the 'unstable' branch which means the packages are new and haven't been tested a lot so there could be bugs in it.

theutherwhitemeat · 07-26-2005, 03:22 PM

I think with my Dial-Up though, that wouldn't be too hard to get updates. Updates usually aren't that large unless they are Service Packs.

theutherwhitemeat · 07-26-2005, 03:23 PM

How big is the download of Suse?

theutherwhitemeat · 07-26-2005, 03:29 PM

Does anybody know what the largest Linux download is?

darkleaf · 07-26-2005, 03:32 PM

It's at least 1 CD but I suspect it could be more. COuldn't find any download link, must have some login or so (or I'm missing the free option)

Linux doesn't have such a thing as service packs. And updates occur every day. Ubuntu makes you completely download a package all over even if it's just a little error fixed in it. Small packages aren't hard to upgrade but say xserver can be pretty large. Don't know if ubuntu updates so much but I've had to download it a couple of times over lately and it was always around 100MB.

theutherwhitemeat · 07-26-2005, 03:36 PM

100 MegaBytes??!! Thats the size of the Windows XP Service Pack 2! That took me almost 1.5 days to do that. Man, I'm in trouble. Is it absolutely neccesary for me to download those updates though? I mean Windows XP is supposed to be the most stable Microsoft Operation System. And thats what I'm currently using. If I can deal with that, would Ubuntu be a big step up for me, even if its not very stable compared to other linux versions out?

aysiu · 07-26-2005, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by darkleaf
Just a note that you'll need to update your packages once in a while via the internet for security patches. Ubuntu is based on debian sid. Sid is the 'unstable' branch which means the packages are new and haven't been tested a lot so there could be bugs in it.

While theoretically this is true, I haven't experienced any problems whatsoever with Ubuntu. I don't think it's that you should expect there to be bugs. I think you should just not be surprised if there are any.

theutherwhitemeat · 07-26-2005, 03:47 PM

Exactly. I am just wondering if I am going to have a problem with the Multimedia. I was reading up on some reviews, and some people have discovered that not all of the .mp3 XMMS plugins come with it. And that is mainly all that I use my computer for, along with light gaming, and heavy Music, and Video Editing. Oh! Also, a lot of my music is in either .wma, or .mp3. Is linux compatible with the windows format, or will I have to re-encode this before I make the switch?