[conspire] (forw) Re: Would like to have Linux on a PC

[Rick Moen]

----- Forwarded message from Dave Boyce <boyce.dave at gmail.com> -----

Date: Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:36:43 -0700
From: Dave Boyce <boyce.dave at gmail.com>
To: installers at linuxmafia.com
Subject: Would like to have Linux on a PC

Hello.

I'm a writer and have very simple needs from my computer. I have a small but
hardy PC that came with a late version of Windows, cute but impenetrable.
I've never used this machine successfully.

For example, I can't save my work because it says the disk is full.
Likewise, it kicked me out of my administrative account and I don't know how
to get back in. I had to create a new user, where I've been stuck ever
since.

I'd like to get Windows off and Linux on, with a WYSIWYG word processing
program and the ability to download files to a thumb drive.

That's all I think I want out of this computer and of Linux. I'm assuming
Linux to be stable and its applications straighforward in their operation.

I live in Menlo Park and there appears to be a CABAL meeting scheduled for
Menlo Park at "Rick & Deirdre's House" on Saturday, July 9. I am quite
familiar with that area and will have no problem finding it.

I would bring my PC as is, with it's malfunctioning Windows system. Do I
need anything else? Should I bring anything else?

Thanks very much.

Dave Boyce
223-6527 (days)

-- 
Dave Boyce
Menlo Park, CA

----- End forwarded message -----
----- Forwarded message from Rick Moen <rick at linuxmafia.com> -----

Date: Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:15:46 -0700
From: Rick Moen <rick at linuxmafia.com>
To: Dave Boyce <boyce.dave at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Would like to have Linux on a PC
Organization: If you lived here, you'd be $HOME already.

Quoting Dave Boyce (boyce.dave at gmail.com):

> I'm a writer and have very simple needs from my computer. I have a small but
> hardy PC that came with a late version of Windows, cute but impenetrable.
> I've never used this machine successfully.
> 
> For example, I can't save my work because it says the disk is full.
> Likewise, it kicked me out of my administrative account and I don't know how
> to get back in. I had to create a new user, where I've been stuck ever
> since.
> 
> I'd like to get Windows off and Linux on, with a WYSIWYG word processing
> program and the ability to download files to a thumb drive.

Sure, we can set that up for you.

The most important thing to know in advance is:  What's your PC's total
amount of physical RAM?  (Your PC should count up RAM at startup time.)

Knowing the amount of physical RAM, we can select which of the many
'distributions' of Linux (sets of desktop software and applications) to 
install onto your PC.  We would also want to make sure we gave you
installation media (CD or DVD) so that you can reinstall whenever you
wish, and don't need to come back to a CABAL meeting.

For whatever it's worth, depending on your amount of physical RAM,
I think we'd be installing one of these:

Linux Mint version 11 'Katya', http://www.linuxmint.com/
SimplyMEPIS version 11.0, http://www.mepis.org/
PCLinuxOS KDE Edition 2011.6, http://www.pclinuxos.com/

For full-blown 'desktop'-oriented Linux distributions, it's best to have 
at least 1 GB of physical RAM.  Don't worry if you have less, but we'll 
want to know in order to do planning.

> I live in Menlo Park and there appears to be a CABAL meeting scheduled for
> Menlo Park at "Rick & Deirdre's House" on Saturday, July 9. I am quite
> familiar with that area and will have no problem finding it.

We're right up the hill from the Dutch Goose, about 1 1/2 blocks away.

> I would bring my PC as is, with it's malfunctioning Windows system. Do I
> need anything else? Should I bring anything else?

If there's any peripheral hardware you want to specifically test out,
such as separate scanners or printers, it would be good to bring those,
too.

Since you're in Menlo Park, you're welcome to drop by and chat in
advance of the CABAL meeting.  I'm reachable at 650-283-7902 cellular,
and am home evenings on weekdays.  (Please note that my wife and I will
be occupied this coming weekend, so before or after the holiday weekend
would be better.)

----- End forwarded message -----