Installing Linux (Kubuntu)...

Configure and optimize you computer for Audio.
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OK, let's pretend I'm blonde and dumb. I want to install Kubuntu in my system:
Win XP
Athlon 2400+, 512kb,
Hard drive 30Gb (internal), single partition formatted in NTFS, 12Gb free, with the applications.
Hard drive 250Gb (external), formatted in FAT32 (can't be partitioned) with the work files.

Q#1-Do I need to change any partioning?
Q#2-Can Linux read NTFS drives?
Q#3-"Partitioning drives" in Kubuntu install can mean accepting the current partitioning with no further messing?
Q#4-Shall I expect to have a dual boot system after Kubuntu installs (ie, no need for further action)?
Q#5-The bottom line: will hopefully Kubuntu install without screwing up my whole system?








PS-Does the choice of Kubuntu mean I'm blonde and dumb after all?
Eventually something intelligent will appear written here. Watch this space.

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Ja.x wrote:Q#1-Do I need to change any partioning?
Yes. You'll need at least two extra partitions for Kubuntu, one for /boot (Linux boots from this place) and /root (where your programs, libraries and related files live), and another one for /swap (your swap-file. On Windows, your swap file can be located anywhere. On Linux, it has to have it's own partition) I always make an extra partition for /boot, and some will make another one for /home (where my personal stuff lives. Documents, settings, and so on).

Looking at your machine and specs, I'd suggest getting a second internal HDD for Kubuntu. This will make things much, much easier.
Select this HDD, and format any way you like. The K/Ubuntu installer has a very convenient automatic partitioning option.
Q#2-Can Linux read NTFS drives?
Read, yes. Write, possibly problematic. You'll see big fat disclaimers and warnings about possible data loss.
Q#3-"Partitioning drives" in Kubuntu install can mean accepting the current partitioning with no further messing?
It can, but I suspect your installation will end there. See above.
Q#4-Shall I expect to have a dual boot system after Kubuntu installs (ie, no need for further action)?
This is the expected result. After installing Kubuntu, you'll be greeted by the GRUB boot manager with Windows as an option.
It's been a while since I installed a dual boot system like this, but ISTR that the default timeout will be 10 seconds, and Kubuntu will be the default boot option unless you specify otherwise during install. Again, I'm not sure about this. If this is the case, it's easily fixed from Kubuntu.
Q#5-The bottom line: will hopefully Kubuntu install without screwing up my whole system?
Installing Kubuntu on your system as it is right now, without repartitioning, will either mean a stopped installation or a b0rked Windows partition. I'd get the extra drive (or repartition the NTFS one) instead.
PS-Does the choice of Kubuntu mean I'm blonde and dumb after all?
Not at all. Kubuntu looks like a very nice system, depending on what you want to do with it. For SOHO or personal stuff, it's good, for audio (or even video), KDE might be too much of a resource hog (apart from A/V being pretty experimental). This is easily fixed by installing something like FluxBox or OpenBox as an alternative WM.

Groet, Erik
Pop music delenda est.
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Thanks :tu: . That's all I needed to know for now :) .
Eventually something intelligent will appear written here. Watch this space.

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Cool, and you're welcome.
If you decide to install Kubuntu, I can recommend the Ubuntuforums. Lots and lots of very helpful and knowledgable people there. The Tips And Tricks forum is a gem, as is the Absolute Beginners one.

Groet, Erik
Pop music delenda est.
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Hi... I'd recommend the live cd version to see if it you like it...

I downloaded the live of the current version to discover the xorg comes with it doesnt like my laptop's video adapter.. among other things..

but the live of the beta 6 for ubuntu DOES work well.. so im holding off for a couple months until thats released to make my big jump into linuxland..

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Already tried the live CD, and everything seems to work fine :) . I also had a look at Ubuntu, but I'm talking about Kubuntu because on the research I did it seemed to me there are more apps mentioning KDE in particular.
Eventually something intelligent will appear written here. Watch this space.

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:)

The choice could depend on what you are going to use it for.
Kubuntu Kde is a nice desktop but at the expense of performance and does have more apps but it uses a lot more resources than the Gnome desktop of Ubuntu which is not so animated.

Either way, both are good user friendly distro's.

fake
You cant beat people up then have them say "I love you"

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Someone told me Ubuntu wasn't good for audio but didn't elaborate. I've got it on a secondery HD right now but haven't messed about with it too much.

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Polite Company wrote:Someone told me Ubuntu wasn't good for audio but didn't elaborate. I've got it on a secondery HD right now but haven't messed about with it too much.
The standard kernel isn't tweaked for realtime performance (although it's better on Dapper Drake, the final version of which will be out in june). You'll have to do this yourself. The howto can be found on this WIKI.
Also, the standard desktop environments (Gnome for Ubuntu, KDE for Kubuntu) are rather heavy and may have a negative influence on performance (like Fake said earlier). A lighter desktop/window manager would be better but can be easily installed. I'm quite fond of the *boxes (Fluxbox, Openbox, Blackbox, there are others) but there are other popular alternatives. You'll find tips on building a lightweight system on the Ubuntu Lite site.

Groet, Erik
Pop music delenda est.
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Linux in general is not amazing at audio

However, fake is THE Linux expert of KVRland, so he'll be able to tell you better.

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G-Ro124 wrote:Linux in general is not amazing at audio

However, fake is THE Linux expert of KVRland, so he'll be able to tell you better.

Prolly cos i'm the only one using it! :hihi:

Na, you are right it's not amazing at music yet because doing music on it has only just begun, I think it's now in it's 2nd year. In the short time i've been using it, 8 months, it has moved on rapidly so I can see it's potential for the future. It is very good at what it can do now but it's the same old story when it comes to development, not used much because the apps don't get developed so not many apps to use etc....
It's sort of at a win95 stage for music but heading quickly into the win98 stage and also starting to lose that "Linux geek" tab.
The setup in most cases is as simple as installing WinXP but without the need to defrag or have a "restore point" cos it very rarely crashes and when it does it don't do much. Very secure system on and off the net and no need for anti virus or a firewall... for now.

The main problems that Linux has is not with the OS but with the restrictive and closed source code that manufacturers use but will not release for use on Linux. If your hardware is not supported then that's usually why.

I like it because I don't have to worry about the illegal restrictive license agreements that are designed to take away your rights when you buy or use a software product.

It's not there yet but soon will be. :wink:


fake
You cant beat people up then have them say "I love you"

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tetraplan wrote:for audio (or even video), KDE might be too much of a resource hog (apart from A/V being pretty experimental). This is easily fixed by installing something like FluxBox or OpenBox as an alternative WM.
Or use xubuntu
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farlukar wrote:
tetraplan wrote:for audio (or even video), KDE might be too much of a resource hog (apart from A/V being pretty experimental). This is easily fixed by installing something like FluxBox or OpenBox as an alternative WM.
Or use xubuntu
Or that.
I've read some complaints about XFCE being slightly on the heavy side, though. These comments were made by people who prefer stuff like FVWM and 9wm and the like, however.

Groet, Erik
Pop music delenda est.
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Hi.

Whats up with agnula? I first read about it in a sound on sound article which said agnula is designed for music and in general was quite positive. So what gives? I have an ext drive which i'm thinking of installing linux on. After trying the cd of course! :)
i mix my tunes with wood spoons

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AUTO-ADMIN: Non-MP3, WAV, OGG, SoundCloud, YouTube, Vimeo, Twitter and Facebook links in this post have been protected automatically. Once the member reaches 5 posts the links will function as normal.
For Music and audio production try with the tutorials in http://ubuntustudio.com/wiki/index.php/ ... sicians%21 (http://ubuntustudio.com/wiki/index.php/Welcome%2C_Musicians%21)


see yaa

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