Ubuntu Help - I need help

[Tom Davies]

Hi :)

Glad to hear you are enjoying it!  This link might help with things generally
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwitchingToUbuntu/FromWindows

First, do you know which release of Ubuntu you are using?  On the top taskbar go 
to
System - "About Ubuntu"
which hopefully says something useful like "You are using Ubuntu 10.04 LTS".  
Please let us know.

Generally it is possible to install Windows programs in Linux but it is usually 
better to use a Package Manager to look for Linux programs instead as they will 
generally run better on Linux.  For #3 try going up to the top taskbar and click 
on

System - Administration - "Synaptic Package Manager"

Use either of Synaptic's search tools to find "GIMP" and install it.  Gimp is 
roughly equivalent to PhotoShop although you might need to add some Add-ons for 
specific functionality that you might need.  The search tools look in package 
descriptions as well as titles so you can be a bit vague about what 
functionality you are looking for.

#1 Use medibuntu to add a ton of multimedia functionality and codecs
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Medibuntu
I kept the non-free components and haven't had to pay anything yet.  It's a bit 
easier for the moment but i hope to go completely OpenSource 'one day'.  I would 
install vlc and mplayer to get a few more crucial codecs.  Then install a "flash 
player" to be able to watch YouTube and play some online games.

#2 I would recommend "Thunderbird" as a much simpler email client.  "Claws" is 
even simpler but perhaps a step too far.  Use Synaptic to install either.  
Generally they try to import your settings from Evolution but because they are 
simpler they often just magically work.  Then Evolution might make more sense 
later.  Do you really need a calendar in your email client too? (if so ignore my 
advice for #2)

#3 Try Gimp instead.  If you really do need photoshop then install "Wine" which 
stands for "Wine Is Not an Emulator".  It does roughly the same job but uses a 
far more sophisticated approach to avoid adding an extra layer between the 
programs and the hardware.  Usually just double-clicking the exe installer for a 
Windows program is supposed to be enough but sometimes Wine needs a bit of 
tweaking for certain apps and i think Photoshop is one of the troublesome ones
http://www.winehq.org/

#4 First step is to use Synaptic to search for the functionality the program 
gives you.  For example search for "chess".  It gives a list including engines, 
front-ends, pgn converters and even some clients that allow you to play online, 
against the machine or against a human on your own machine.  It adds "Go" 
(japanese 'chess') and probably a few other games you can choose to install.  
Dreamchess is a good one for games against a local friend or yourself, or the 
machine.  "Battle for Wesnoth", "Neverball", "Galaga" are quite entertaining and 
if you like FPSes then "Alien Arena" can be tough.

#5 There is much less need to use antivirus in linux because the Operating 
System is writen to be much more secure.  Normal usage very rarely requires you 
to be SuperUser.  The package managers update ALL programs, codecs, libraries 
and everything, not just the core OS.  Programs tend to be from the selected 
repositories rather than randomly picked from sites that may have been 
compromised.  however there are still risks, especially scams such as phising.  
Also you can happily download a virus and be completely unaware of it 
(unaffected by it) while unwittingly copying it out to Windows users.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/AntiVirus
So, i tend to install ClamAv but don't run it as a background task.  I just run 
it when i feel the urge.  As those links say it is better to stay ahead of the 
game and stay safe.

Another link you might like is
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BackupYourSystem

I hope something here helps!
Good luck and regards from
Tom :)





________________________________
From: Shane Dunleavy <nugget67 at hotmail.com>
To: ubuntu-doc at lists.ubuntu.com
Sent: Thu, 3 February, 2011 2:35:42
Subject: Ubuntu Help - I need help

 To Whom It May Concern,
My name is Shane, I am 43 years of age. I have just installed Ubuntu along side 
my current operating system & I must say after attempting a look at it quite 
sometime ago, I am very happy with it now. Although I do have some questions; 
all the following questions relate to Ubuntu;

#1 - When I try to play certain video files, the media player will only play 
certain .mpg files & not play others. It will however play .avi files easily. Is 
there something else that I need to download for the media player to play all 
video files of all file types ?

#2 - I am having trouble configuring Evolution Mail correctly. It seems to take 
a long time for a new mail message to send. I have set up my hotmail account in 
Evolution. I am not even sure if I have the settings correct. After I have 
exited Evolution, if any messages are left in the sent folder, they transfer to 
the trash folder....how do i stop this?

#3 - I have Adobe Photoshop running on windows xp , how can I install it on 
Ubuntu & run it from Ubuntu. I have been told that I need to install a program 
that will run .exe files ???

#4 - i have quite a few programs that i run through windows xp - how can i get 
these same programs to run through Ubuntu ?

#5 - is there any need for a anti-virus program on Ubuntu, I have been told by a 
close friend who swears by Ubuntu, that there is no real need for a anti-virus, 
is this correct?

I would so dearly appreciate any assistance that anyone can give.

Please feel free to email me with any tips & help

Kind Regards,
Shane Dunleavy

nugget67 at hotmail.com



      
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