Best Linux For Public Use Computer

[sbk]

I have an older PC that I am considering loading with a linux OS.

Problem is, its a public use computer so it would be absolutely necessary that it recognizes new hardware easily as people plug their mp3 players and cameras into the computer on a regular basis. It would also have to be easy to use because we get some really computer ignorant people using it for email.

Any suggestions? It doesn't have to be free but free would be nice

[JoshBKK]

If the computer isn't too old, I'd recommend Kubuntu, the KDE branch of Ubuntu Linux. It's easy and fun to use and it's as good as it gets concerning Linux recognizing hardware. And it's free.

As for e-mail, if these "ignorant people" use webmail, they will be fine with the Firefox browser. If they are used to some Windows e-mail application instead, however, you'll probably want to check out some Linux e-mail applications with them to see which one they like best and get along with.

[sbk]

webmail, all the way...

just general internet browsing, webmail, facebook etc and photo uploading, plus some people put music on their IPods, so it would need to recognize the Ipods and cameras. Might be easier to go with a card reader instead?

[RKASA]

For email you could go with a kiosk install which they can't hurt.  Runs off a cd in the drive no HD needed and the tray is locked.  even if they turn off the power it will auto boot back to the desktop with chioce of installed browsers for surfing.  Any cheap old PC will work even with min. of RAM, vary cheap.  Many distrobutions of linux have a kiosk build option, after setting it up just burn it to a cd.  You could install in it firefox and Opera as well as others and they can use what they are used to using. As for letting people randomly plug in USB stuff (wow) could be messy no matter what you use.  You could have usb support in a kiosk and just load up the most standard drivers for stuff.  I would guess with some reseach you could do the above for about 2500 - 3000 baht if ya find a shop with some old PC stuff.  Then you may afford to set up a more controlled system for advanced users.

[JoshBKK]

webmail, all the way...

just general internet browsing, webmail, facebook etc and photo uploading, plus some people put music on their IPods, so it would need to recognize the Ipods and cameras. Might be easier to go with a card reader instead?

All that web-centered activities won't be a problem, but when putting music on an iPod it depends. Most iPod owners I know use Apple's (Windows or Mac OS/X) iTunes application to keep the music and video files on their computer in sync with the iPod. So if they are really ignorant, chances are you will have a hard time finding some iTunes replacement they like. Banshee might be worth a look. You could also run at least some iTunes versions on Linux via Wine, but I don't know how stable that is and what features you will miss.

[higgy88]

Hi sbk, I have an old computer, 400 hz pentium 2 with 320 MB RAM, and I had been playing around with different distros. Both my computer and I have liked xubuntu the best so, I have been using that for the last month or so. I´m a newbie with linux, but have had surprisingly very few issues with it. It has immediately recognized 2 different MP3 players (sorry no ipods), 2 different flash drives, an external hard drive, and a digital camera. The only issue I have had is the way it handles deleting files from the flash drives. This is a know bug from reading their forum, and the easiest workaround for me is to just move the file to the hard drive first and then delete it. Piece of cake, and I think it will do just what you want especially if it is an older computer.

[sbk]

Thanks guys, good to know. My computer isn't quite that old, but working on it

I think I'll give kubuntu a shot first as I like the desktop.

OK, then question, can I partition the hard drive and keep it the way it is or will I lose data?

[Tywais]

Thanks guys, good to know. My computer isn't quite that old, but working on it

I think I'll give kubuntu a shot first as I like the desktop.

OK, then question, can I partition the hard drive and keep it the way it is or will I lose data?

I would recommend using a live CD version of kubuntu and boot from the CD to test it out first. If it does what you want then you can configure the system to dual boot if you wish.

[sbk]

Will it wipe out whats already there if I do partition?

[Tywais]

Will it wipe out whats already there if I do partition?

Using GParted or QTParted which comes with the bundle you can re-partition/re-size without loss of data. However, as always you should backup anything you don't want to lose.

http://linuxhelp.blogspot.com/2005/11/10-t...-neophytes.html

[sbk]

Thanks for the link Tywais!

[Tywais]

Thanks for the link Tywais!

No problem sbk. Just take note that the users comments are outdated (2005) and ubuntu has grown up a lot since then.

[Richard-BKK]

Personal ... I will sat forget Kubuntu and install Ubuntu (gnome windows manager). Gnome is at the moment the most advanced desktop windows manager. KDE has maybe the advantage of being more MS-Windows like, but all new releases also come with similar MS-Windows problems..... (Wow did I say that)

With Gnome and Compiz you can create a Windows manager which impresses the most revered MS Windows Vista user, when not using any of the high hardware demands. I run most Compiz effects on a Celeron 2400Mhz and Nvidia FX-5200 and still the efects are smooth and fast enough to work with...

[JoshBKK]

Personal ... I will sat forget Kubuntu and install Ubuntu (gnome windows manager). Gnome is at the moment the most advanced desktop windows manager. KDE has maybe the advantage of being more MS-Windows like, but all new releases also come with similar MS-Windows problems..... (Wow did I say that)

[...]

As this is more or less just a question of personal taste (each camp claims that their window manager is the best, and both have very enthusiastic supporters), it might be worth mentioning that you can install both window managers at the same time without any problems. Then you can see what your users like best, or you can even let them choose which one they want to use whenever they log in.

Starting from an Ubuntu installation, installing the additional KDE packages is very easy.

Edited December 11, 2007 by JoshBKK

[Richard-BKK]

Agree, the choice of KDE or Gnome, or even one of the other window managers is purely personal taste. But the current situation in which Gnome has a nearly perfect version 2.20, and KDE has troubles in releasing version 4.0 I would recommend to advice Gnome.

Personally I have also both window managers installed, as you can use all KDE specific programs also in Gnome (and visa versa)