Tomspc

I am new to linux and I have no idea how to download and install software ie games, and other stuff. I've tried and got no results. I guess I am to used to windows. Can anyone give me some help on this. Thanks

sobeit

what linux distro?

Tomspc

I don't know what distro it is,or how to find it. Can you tell me where to look for it?

sobeit

which linux do you have installed on your computer?

Tomspc

No idea. It came already installed on the Eeepc I bought. It is a Asus Eeepc900, software version :Eeepc 1.1.0.66

iconicmoronic

if you're used to windows i'd try a debian based or red hat based distribution, the downloading and installing is made easier with aptitude, rpm, and synaptic. otherwise, there will be some downloading and uncompressing, placing in the right directories and building/exporting.

shuuhen

There should be Add/Remove Software under a Settings tab. You could also look for Adept or Synaptic in your menus.

If that doesn't work, open a terminal (probably Terminal, Konsole or xterm) type apt-get (then press return), you may need to use sudo apt-get. If you get something about usage information, you have a Debian based system and you can install software the same way any of them would.

I'm fairly sure Eeepc's use something developed by Xandros and Asus. Xandros, from what I know about it, is at least somewhat based on Debian Linux, so one of the above will probably work.

Tomspc

Thanks shuuhen, I did find out I have linux xandros . Now the only thing is what exactly is the procedure in installing software ie: I want to install a wireless mouse that came with a cd for installation and I don't even know where to start. Thanks

shuuhen

The install CD probably only has Windows drivers. Have you tried connecting it yet? My Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse worked fairly well just from connecting them. Linux keyboard and mouse settings are a little different from Windows.

sobeit

if you have xandros, you should have an icon on the desktop or bottom taskbar to go to xandros network, there you should be able to access their library of files that you can download and install just by the right click.

see the following for help on installing different type of programs

http://forums.xandros.com/viewtopic.php?t=7471

Tomspc

Ok It seems things aren't what I thought. When I go to the window where programs are listed, one of the options on the drop down menu, under "open with" is xandroas file manager %u. Now I went to the Asus web site and it tells me that the OS on my machine is "GNU/Linux" I'm not sure what distro I have now. I hope I can find out soon or I will be bald from scratching my head all the time. Is there any way be be sure what distro I have?

K-B

It would be Xandros from the sounds of it. Linux comes in many different "Distros" (distributions), or versions. Xandros is one of those, but Xandros is still Linux.

shuuhen

GNU/Linux just refers to the fact that GNU software and the Linux kernel are put together for an OS. For example, Windows has a kernel and software like regedit, Windows Explorer, etc which you refer to as "Windows." Don't worry about this too much, but that's the basic idea. Any "distro" of Linux is technically GNU/Linux. So Gentoo GNU/Linux, Debian GNU/Linux, etc.

I think Asus says GNU/Linux, since technically they only "worked with Xandros" to produce the distribution that's on the Eeepc, but it should still be like Xandros. Think of it as an Asus modification of Xandros.

Tomspc

Thanks shuuhen for the info. That is helpful. Now the only thing I need to do is find out how to download and install software in a nontechie way. That is something they should include in the user guide that comes with the unit. The command terminal stuff is like dos, and that was confusing enough for me. Thanks

K-B

Check out this wiki:
http://wiki.eeeuser.com/

Tomspc

Thanks K-B That site is very informative, and explains a lot of good stuff. Thanks Again for everyone's help