Is this typical ?

[Jeffrey Landgrebe]

A few days ago, I posted a request for help with my USB internet device.  The responses I received were great, and Pat Hickel sent me an email giving me detailed instructions for a workaround.

I don't have my connection working yet, but I think that is because I rushed into Linux without studying up on it first.  This is the first time I have ever done that with computer hardware, software or OS.

To make things less of a grind, I took a break from reading Ubuntu and Linux documentation, and trying to learn the meaning of my internet connection workaround, and I tried to use Rhythmbox to play an mp3 file.
I quickly learned I needed to download some stuff before that would happen.  Because I don't have an internet connection yet in 9.10, I rebooted to MSWindows, and downloaded the appropriate stuff.  Long story short, Rhythmbox still won't play an mp3.  Reboot to MSWindows, look for more documentation, and I find material in the Ubuntu on-line documentation that shows other people are having the same problem.  I follow all the suggested solutions, but to no avail.

So, I get the bright idea to simply download a different player.  I figured that this would be a simple task that would be a learning experience and a confidence-booster.  Audacious sounded good, so I pulled it and all the stuff it needs from the Ubuntu site.  Reboot to Ubuntu, install all the stuff (the "dependencies", kind of like "DLL hell" in windows), and then it comes down to Audacious and the necessary plugins.  Here's the funny part --- each needs the other, and each says the other is wrong.

I then read up on the tinkering that can be done to get Synaptic to work with packages that I have downloaded.  I read it, understood it, but simply didn't have the proper attitude to continue.

Is all this typical of Linux and Ubuntu today, or have I just become a grouchy old man ?

Somewhere in the mid-to-late 1990s, I bought a Redhat package off the shelf.  It did not like the machine I had, and I honestly did not have a lot of time to devote to it.  

I thought it would be a fun now in retirement to learn Linux and benefit from leaving Microsoft behind.
This stopped resembling fun several hours ago.

Again, is this a typical newbie experience in Linux today ?

Jeff
mountainhome3 at yahoo.com


      
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