Post B2M88eVBbf7XedWxvM by briansullivan@mastodon.sdf.org
(DIR) More posts by briansullivan@mastodon.sdf.org
(DIR) Post #B2Ba6w8HkHGvjXEKA4 by briansullivan@mastodon.sdf.org
2026-01-11T19:15:56Z
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I have an old unused Windows PC that I would like to wipe and replace the OS with some sort of Linux. I need something that will be relatively easy and quick to get running (and hopefully have graphic interface of some kind)My purpose is just to play. I have 0 Linux experience but a whole life/career in software/technology.Looking for recommendations, urls and instructions.#linux
(DIR) Post #B2Ba6xCZloIZ38FGUK by publius@mastodon.sdf.org
2026-01-11T20:03:31Z
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@briansullivan Honestly, I am running Slackware 15 (the oldest Linux distro still around) with XFCE, and liking it just fine. I didn't have any difficulty getting it installed and set up, that I didn't cause myself by forgetting how to partition my disk. Unlike some people, I don't install a new Linux version every weekend as a hobby.http://www.slackware.com/releasenotes/packages15.0.phphttps://www.therockgarden.ca/aolsfaq.txt
(DIR) Post #B2Gejl0ePE9E8WE1lA by publius@mastodon.sdf.org
2026-01-14T06:48:59Z
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@gemlog @briansullivan Those who care to amuse themselves that way are welcome to, but I'm not found among their number. This is not a moral judgement on them or on me, so far as I can see. My comment about Linux generally has always been "no operating system is going to make me happy, so as long as I have to deal with one that makes me unhappy, at least I'm not going to pay for the privilege."
(DIR) Post #B2HgsmqhKXKZVvxmZk by briansullivan@mastodon.sdf.org
2026-01-11T21:43:20Z
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So I got through booting and loading Firefox and am commenting to my original post using Mastodon on Linux. May have to break and have an adult beverage.
(DIR) Post #B2HgsoBINROve6bkJs by briansullivan@mastodon.sdf.org
2026-01-12T16:14:51Z
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OK so I managed to load Linux (chose Manjaro as it was the first suggested I think and seemed straightforward with a GUI) on the hard disk (destroyed the Windows 10 that was previously there).I also installed Chrome -- playing with a new GUI and OS was enough - a new unfamiliar browser was a step too far.
(DIR) Post #B2HgspFEQI8ywbSP5s by briansullivan@mastodon.sdf.org
2026-01-14T18:44:34Z
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Have run into my first glitch. Attempting to find and and install a driver for my Epson WF2860 network printer. The most complete detailed set of instructions I can find gets me to the point where I should be selecting a driver from a (very long) list of Epson printer drivers but it seems my printer is not listed.
(DIR) Post #B2HgsqRJypPOeO7ZZo by publius@mastodon.sdf.org
2026-01-14T18:47:42Z
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@briansullivan I have found two things that tend to work. First, most printers belong to "families" and you may be able to select a driver labeled as being for another member of the same model range. This may be required to gain access to the full suite of functions.Second, most modern networked printers support a sort of "generic" access which doesn't require a specific driver. That may not get you duplexing or other functions.
(DIR) Post #B2M0DwEaJ4QsSrm78a by publius@mastodon.sdf.org
2026-01-16T20:43:19Z
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@gemlog @briansullivan And of course, having said that, guess what I'm getting ready to do!This laptop has a pathetically tiny 250 GB SSD (gee, I can remember when that was a big size for a spinning platter!), and I'm going to replace it with a 2 TB I got on sale (thanks, MicroCenter). So I have to do a new OS install. Should go easier this time than back in November.
(DIR) Post #B2M154LYsJFayONCKm by briansullivan@mastodon.sdf.org
2026-01-16T20:52:17Z
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@publius Well I can vaguely recall main frame disks in the 20mb range so life (and technology) always changes.
(DIR) Post #B2M5nVHuTAS75V6nM8 by publius@mastodon.sdf.org
2026-01-16T21:45:40Z
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@briansullivan A few months ago I dug up a jumbo USB thumb drive, 8 GB or something, with an actual spinning platter in it. It wouldn't work, of course.
(DIR) Post #B2M88eVBbf7XedWxvM by briansullivan@mastodon.sdf.org
2026-01-16T22:12:03Z
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@publius Still a lot bigger than 20Mb.