The Kingston V300 120 GB sata SSDs were $41.25 today on Newegg (you had to buy 4 though, hehe).
I'm sure the "Failed to retrieve share list from server." error is just some service or something that's not set right by default on xubuntu but is on Mint. If one can work right, so can the other.
Too bad I missed the $99 offer on the one you bought. That was a sweet deal!
Side note:
I found the fix in xubuntu for the network problem. Settings->Network Connections->Wired connection, pick 'Edit' and then IPv4 Settings, change Method to 'Automatic (DHCP) addresses only', this also changes it for IPv6. You would think that this would be the default setting, but I guess you cannot get every thing right. So, I guess xubuntu stays, for awhile anyway.
Didn't work here, but that seems typical of Linux. Dozens of solutions to every problem, hopefully one will work for you.
Why in the world would xubuntu set up the system in a way that prevents it from seeing anything else that's available on the network? It's baffling. I think I'll try Ubuntu today to see if it's any better.
I'm sure the "Failed to retrieve share list from server." error is just some service or something that's not set right by default on xubuntu but is on Mint.
Interesting statement. I just installed Linux Mint 17.2 64 bit on my box, replacing xubuntu, guess what? I just did an update of the system using apt-get update/upgrade, and I tried the network browse. ->"Failed to retrieve share list from server." error, is what I get. So, I can now say that this problem is prevalent on most Linux derivatives. I guess, maybe it is just me, maybe I just want to much.
Now, I will have to see how long it will take to resolve this issue, and I have not even got to the installing of a network printer yet. In my book these two items should be no brainers.
I'm sure the "Failed to retrieve share list from server." error is just some service or something that's not set right by default on xubuntu but is on Mint.
Interesting statement. I just installed Linux Mint 17.2 64 bit on my box, replacing xubuntu, guess what? I just did an update of the system using apt-get update/upgrade, and I tried the network browse. ->"Failed to retrieve share list from server." error, is what I get. So, I can now say that this problem is prevalent on most Linux derivatives. I guess, maybe it is just me, maybe I just want to much.
Now, I will have to see how long it will take to resolve this issue, and I have not even got to the installing of a network printer yet. In my book these two items should be no brainers.
Ray
Is it possible that this change was made on purpose so you have to explicitly enable local network access? It could be a security feature to default to limited access.
I have not try using Linux yet but I'm interested. I have just one concern in linux. Is it easy to use?
It's not much different from Windows. Better in some ways, worse in others.
@Rsadeika: When I updated Mint 17.2 it lost all network access. Not even Firefox would work. So maybe something was changed after the Mint installer was released, but that change is already implemented in the xubuntu release.
I agree that networking should be a no brainer. It's ridiculous to have to scour the internet and waste hours on something basic.
It should be noted that Windows doesn't enable file sharing by default. However, it places a big bar across the top of the window the first time you try to access the network to inform you of that fact, along with a button to turn it on instantly. If this is what Linux is doing, then it needs a similar button.
I just tried the menu->System Settings->Networking, and the choices that are available, none of them are working on my system. Still cannot see all of my computers on my home network. If this is a security feature, then I am not interested in this OS derivative.
I will try the network printer install, but I think Linux Mint 17.2 is going back in the box. Is there a system that just works, and it is free?
I just noticed a "Show hidden files" option in the Nemo on Mint. You might try that. I've noticed that it doesn't always see all of the computers, sometimes I have to close and re-open it. Normally, all computers should show up in "Network", opening the "Windows Network" sub-folder isn't necessary. I'm not really sure why it's even there.
I was going to see if "Show hidden files" made any difference on xubuntu, but it has apparently decided to change my password without informing me, and I can't log on.
I'm sure the "Failed to retrieve share list from server." error is just some service or something that's not set right by default on xubuntu but is on Mint.
Interesting statement. I just installed Linux Mint 17.2 64 bit on my box, replacing xubuntu, guess what? I just did an update of the system using apt-get update/upgrade, and I tried the network browse. ->"Failed to retrieve share list from server." error, is what I get. So, I can now say that this problem is prevalent on most Linux derivatives. I guess, maybe it is just me, maybe I just want to much.
Now, I will have to see how long it will take to resolve this issue, and I have not even got to the installing of a network printer yet. In my book these two items should be no brainers.
Ray
Come on, it is not really all that bad.
Either Mint 17.2 64-bit has a repository problem
or
You have your repositories set up wrong.
or
Your network is down.
Not all distributions of Linux are the same. All are responsible for managing their own repositories. Some do an excellent job of it, other are flaky. I am not sure where Mint lies as I use Debian.
You do have the ability to select a different repository for Mint that might be more reliable.
If you are actually trying to use Xubuntu repositories with Mint, you are going to get a refusal. There is no sane reason to try this. And your Mint installation should have gotten rid of all references to the Xubuntu repositories when it over-wrote the root file system.
I just tried the menu->System Settings->Networking, and the choices that are available, none of them are working on my system. Still cannot see all of my computers on my home network. If this is a security feature, then I am not interested in this OS derivative.
I will try the network printer install, but I think Linux Mint 17.2 is going back in the box. Is there a system that just works, and it is free?
Ray
Well, usually when you are working thorugh the installer for a new distribution it will ask you what your networking options are.
If your home network is a Windows network, that might require you to install it after the fact. Some distros include it in start-up, others don't.
Changing distributions is not something that you should completely rely on an automated install in Linux if you are trying to preserve your /home from a different distribution. If you did that, it might be wise to reinstall Mint in a more tedious hands-on approach to get everything right. It also might save you a lot of time and headaches. Trying to fix a poor installation item-by-item and issue-by-issue is tedious and requires a lot of reading and research.
I just noticed a "Show hidden files" option in the Nemo on Mint. You might try that. I've noticed that it doesn't always see all of the computers, sometimes I have to close and re-open it. Normally, all computers should show up in "Network", opening the "Windows Network" sub-folder isn't necessary. I'm not really sure why it's even there.
I was going to see if "Show hidden files" made any difference on xubuntu, but it has apparently decided to change my password without informing me, and I can't log on.
A Windows network on Linux requires specific software server, called Samba. Install it and you are good to go.
'Show hidden files' will just display the so-called 'dot files' in your currently displayed directory listing'. These are files that start with a period first and then a name.
Ummm.... computers don't change passwords without informing you, Administrators do that. There seems to be too much imagination in play and too little real information.
Mint only offered one install method. As a matter of fact, I recall being annoyed that there wasn't an install from disk option. I had to run it in "live" mode and install from there.
I don't believe any install should complete and leave the system in a "poor" state.
I don't see why Repositories and their setup, whether right or wrong, should have any effect on the ability of the system to see other computers on a local network.
I like it when the Linux defenders show up, first line of defense/offense, maybe you are just to stupid to be using a computer. Second line, obviously there is something wrong with your system, like maybe your network is down...
Not even going to be baited any further with this.
Now the reason I am here, I was just looking through the latest Microcenter catalog, which I got yesterday, and they have this: Gigabyte Brix Ultra Compact PC Kit - $99.99.
Does not supply any more info, so not sure what you would be getting for $99.99. I am no longer interested when I noticed that the power brick that comes with it, at least for the AMD version, shows that it is 19V 7A. I was looking for a small box that could be powered by 12V ~4A. I will probably be looking for a long time.
"So, I can now say that this problem is prevalent on most Linux derivatives."
When you come out blazing with a generalization like that from changing over to another distribution, I do jump.
A clean install of Linux should be quite easy, but changing distribuitons and preserving data from another distribution (your /home directory) is tricky. It is also not much discussed or well-documented on the internet.
I sounds like you had a bad install and maybe selected some wrong options. The easiest thing to do is to start over and do it again.
A quick visit to Distrowatch tells me your Mint comes with Samba 4.3.1 installed. So it seem like all your problems are due to your network connection not being active. But you come out with "So, I can now say that this problem is prevalent on most Linux derivatives."
I tried Mint and disliked it due to no Asian languages. So now I stick with more mainstream Linux distributions Debian, Fedora, SUSE -- stable repositiories and good installers.
I fixed my password issue on xubuntu. Believe it or not, when I logged in and checked, all computers were now visible on the local network, even though I had changed nothing. Unfortunately, Firefox decided to stop connecting. So back to Mint I go in order to post this image of what it looks like.
I still don't understand what exactly the "Windows Network" represents, or what Windows has to do with it. Opening it shows the same machines as in "Network" except for Brix and Brix-Linux, both of which are this machine. Even BRN_8F294A is in there, even though it's a standalone printer (running Linux I think) connected directly to the router.
FYI - Linux normally uses a UNIX network file server. In order to work with Microsoft Windows another network file server is required, it is called Samba. So in Linux, you actually have access to both a UNIX method of file access and Window's method of file access if you so desire.
I guess you are saying Brix is a dual-boot machine. Windows will ignore Linux in a dual-boot. Linux can do a bit more if you choose and access the Windows NTFS file system, but it isn't wise to do so unless you understand how not to disturb things.
There is a lot of free, well-written documentation on Linux on the internet, including a Linux Network Administration text.
www.tldp.org/LDP/nag2/nag2.pdf
O'Reily sells the same for $$$, but it and many others are free and in the public domain.
Some Linux installations are sometimes not able to see other computers on the local network. The question is why?
As I posted before, if the machine can actually see the other computers, then it can log in, access the Windows shares, and play media files from the NTFS disks. No problems there.
The Brix is a triple boot machine at the moment, so something is still not quite clear there.
I guess the Unix/Windows networking explains the separate "Windows Network" icon, although the Windows computers are also visible without having to go there. That's what I find slightly confusing. I guess it may be useful to filter out any non-Windows devices. Maybe.
Now the reason I am here, I was just looking through the latest Microcenter catalog, which I got yesterday, and they have this: Gigabyte Brix Ultra Compact PC Kit - $99.99.
Does not supply any more info, so not sure what you would be getting for $99.99. I am no longer interested when I noticed that the power brick that comes with it, at least for the AMD version, shows that it is 19V 7A. I was looking for a small box that could be powered by 12V ~4A. I will probably be looking for a long time.
Ray
Ray, that's probably the one that comes with the Celeron N2807. It's the least expensive Brix. The next one up is the Celeron J1900 version, which is what I have. I think they're identical other than the processor,.
Mine came with a 12 volt 2.5 amp AC adapter. It's not real big, about 2"x3" and a little over an inch thick. Not sure why it's 2.5 amps, probably to take care of any higher powered stuff that might get plugged into the USB ports, the Brix itself has never exceeded 0.5 amps during my testing.
edit: I just re-ran the WEI assessment and the highest I saw was 0.26 amps. The higher number I saw earlier must have been when the DVD drive was plugged in and running.
I am considering getting the N2807 for $99.99, if they still have one. Can you do an OS installation from a USB stick, I mean without getting into the BIOS and changing settings? In other words, if I plug a USB stick into the USB 3.0 socket, will it automatically boot from there?
I know this box is a dual core, 1.5GHz, 4GB RAM max, but for what I plan on doing with it, it should suffice. I will probably load the xubuntu install .iso on a USB stick, and set up from there.
I have given up on Linux Mint 17.2 and will probably go with xubuntu, at least I know what I am getting, since I already gave it a test run on my tower box. But, maybe I will have different results when I run it from the Brix, the things you have to put up with when you have a free OS.
...
Can you do an OS installation from a USB stick, I mean without getting into the BIOS and changing settings? In other words, if I plug a USB stick into the USB 3.0 socket, will it automatically boot from there?
...
I think it does as long as there's nothing already bootable on the disk, but I really don't remember for sure. The first thing ever booted on mine was Mint 17 off an SD card adapter plugged in the USB port.
Anyway, getting to the BIOS boot select screen is pretty easy, just start pecking at the F12 key while it boots. Mouse and keyboard both work in the BIOS if plugged in.
Be sure to get 1.35 volt RAM as specified. People say neither the 1.5 volt type nor the dual 1.35/1.5 type will work. I hope you're planning to use an SSD. Mint actually boots slower than Win 7 on mine, but xubuntu pops up the log in prompt in less than 8 seconds.
As far as I can tell they both use standard internet protocols like IPv4, IPv6, TCP/IP. This is 2015 not the days of token ring vs ethernet or whatever.
As for file sharing and such Windows can only do SMB, as far as I know, whilst Linux/Unix can handle that and NFS and others.
They are all a pain sometimes. It took me nearly a whole working day to get a Linux machine in our office talking to a Cannon network printer. My coworker spent most of a day trying to get his Windows machine to talk to the same printer, and gave up! (Never buy a Cannon printer).
Someone asked if Linux is "easy" and I jokingly said "yes". Reality is they are both very hard to use, or both easy, depends what you want to do. I have had to live with a Windows laptop for a week now, whilst travelling, I really wonder how anyone gets anything done with such a machine.
One can certainly boot Linux from a USB stick, but not all distributions are easily adapted to doing so.
If you want to try it, you might start with Puppy Linux as it provides built-in software for making a bootable USB stick verison. Some people buy USB sticks with preloaded bootable Linux from Distrowatch.com
The problem here is that the USB stick version boots from FAT, while the LiveCD or LiveDVD version boots from a CD/DVD boot protocol. There is some slick software inbetween that can adapt a CD/DVD Live boot to FAT -- but it is not simple. NOT every distribution offers an easy conversion.
================
The preceived complexity is Linux is a reality -- but a rewarding one. Windows only supports what MS desires to support, while Linux supports many more formats and conventions. Thus the alterantive network situation.
If you stay with Linux, you simply will become aware of all the alternatives, and a bit of computer history. In many cases, you have more access to features that you might dismiss as too costly under a Windows license. You might desire Acronis or Ghost for disk imagining in Windows; in Linux this is done with the 'dd' command which is free - but takes a bit of study to learn. Another kind of backup over network that is handy is 'rsync', and that is free as well.
Ironically, Samba has outperformed Windows file servers in real office environments. Searches are faster, more work gets done, backup and security features are better. So even if you run an office with all Windows desktops, using a dedicated Samba file server might be a significant improvement over a Windows file server... and that is one less license to buy.
So, I went ahead and purchased the Gigabyte N2807 version for $99.99, I added 4Gb RAM, and installed a 250GB SSD. That was the easy part, I thought creating or burning an iso to a USB flash would be a breeze, boy was I disappointed.
I ended up installing xubuntu 15.04 64bit by mistake, since I can only have 4GB RAM, next time I will install a 32bit OS. So far I am not disappointed with the system, even with the 1.5GHz processor, xubuntu seems to be very snappy. I was surprised that when I plugged the USB flash into the USB 3.0 socket, on startup the system booted without a hitch. One other interesting note, the little box is so quiet, no noise at all, no fans or other distracting activity.
Just to keep my sanity, I have lowered my expectations for Linux. Now everything will be explained away by categorizing a problem by, it must be a security feature or my hardware does not work correctly or... a hundred other excuses.
But the bottom line on this is, hey its a free OS, what else do you expect. Thanks RDL2004 for the heads up on this device.
The amount of RAM doesn't matter as far as 32 bit or 64 bit is concerned. You should probably stick with the 64 bit version since the processor is a 64 bit device. Xubuntu 15.10 64-bit is what I tested, and I have a 64 bit install of Mint running with 2 GB of RAM in one machine, no problems at all.
edit: I'm surprised you had problems making a bootable USB drive. There are a number of free utilities to do so, and even Windows has this ability built in. I think I used Win32 Disk Imager.
While testing the Gigabyte box, using xubuntu, I have discovered a "security feature", in order to see the rest of your home network, you would have to make the change that I mentioned in an earlier post. Now the "feature" is, once you do that you cannot get out to the internet, so no apt-get updates, or browsing with firefox or... You also have to do a restart to make the "feature" work. It is a free OS, I am not making somebody else rich... I am not locked in, I can always switch to Linux Mint or another OS with similar "features".
Does anybody have a nice little program, easy to use, for making an iso to flash copy. I used a Windows program called unetbootin, the nice thing is that you can pick an OS and then have it installed to the flash drive, which worked for the initial install for the Gigabyte box. I will probably do a Linux Mint install just see if I get a browse the home network problem, err "feature".
While testing the Gigabyte box, using xubuntu, I have discovered a "security feature"...
Ah, that explains what happened to me. I made that change you suggested and posted here that it didn't work, but the system had not been re-booted. The next time I started xunbuntu, the local network had magically become visible, but Firefox could no longer connect to anything.
Currently, networking is operating correctly on my Mint installation. All local machines show up when browsing "Network" and Pale Moon has no problem connecting to the internet.
edit: Actually, browsing the local network with Nemo isn't working right. It's flaky. Sometimes it can see all, other times it can't. Sometimes shutting Nemo down and restarting will fix it. Sometimes the entire system has to be rebooted. Sometimes clicking the "Windows Network" icon will generate some activity as if it's trying to connect or an error message, other times it does absolutely nothing. The lack of consistency is very annoying. Surely this isn't normal.
Does anybody have a nice little program, easy to use, for making an iso to flash copy. I used a Windows program called unetbootin, the nice thing is that you can pick an OS and then have it installed to the flash drive, which worked for the initial install for the Gigabyte box. I will probably do a Linux Mint install just see if I get a browse the home network problem, err "feature".
I think the problem here is that everyone seems to have jumped on the bandwagon to tout their own distribution. Essentially, the proceedure and software in Puppy Linux close to the original.
The great divide is whether you do this in Windows or in Linux. If you do it in Linux, you can do it from a Live CD/DVD version of Linux.
Comments
Too bad I missed the $99 offer on the one you bought. That was a sweet deal!
I found the fix in xubuntu for the network problem. Settings->Network Connections->Wired connection, pick 'Edit' and then IPv4 Settings, change Method to 'Automatic (DHCP) addresses only', this also changes it for IPv6. You would think that this would be the default setting, but I guess you cannot get every thing right. So, I guess xubuntu stays, for awhile anyway.
Ray
Why in the world would xubuntu set up the system in a way that prevents it from seeing anything else that's available on the network? It's baffling. I think I'll try Ubuntu today to see if it's any better.
Now, I will have to see how long it will take to resolve this issue, and I have not even got to the installing of a network printer yet. In my book these two items should be no brainers.
Ray
It's not much different from Windows. Better in some ways, worse in others.
@Rsadeika: When I updated Mint 17.2 it lost all network access. Not even Firefox would work. So maybe something was changed after the Mint installer was released, but that change is already implemented in the xubuntu release.
I agree that networking should be a no brainer. It's ridiculous to have to scour the internet and waste hours on something basic.
It should be noted that Windows doesn't enable file sharing by default. However, it places a big bar across the top of the window the first time you try to access the network to inform you of that fact, along with a button to turn it on instantly. If this is what Linux is doing, then it needs a similar button.
I will try the network printer install, but I think Linux Mint 17.2 is going back in the box. Is there a system that just works, and it is free?
Ray
I was going to see if "Show hidden files" made any difference on xubuntu, but it has apparently decided to change my password without informing me, and I can't log on.
Come on, it is not really all that bad.
Either Mint 17.2 64-bit has a repository problem
or
You have your repositories set up wrong.
or
Your network is down.
Not all distributions of Linux are the same. All are responsible for managing their own repositories. Some do an excellent job of it, other are flaky. I am not sure where Mint lies as I use Debian.
You do have the ability to select a different repository for Mint that might be more reliable.
If you are actually trying to use Xubuntu repositories with Mint, you are going to get a refusal. There is no sane reason to try this. And your Mint installation should have gotten rid of all references to the Xubuntu repositories when it over-wrote the root file system.
Well, usually when you are working thorugh the installer for a new distribution it will ask you what your networking options are.
If your home network is a Windows network, that might require you to install it after the fact. Some distros include it in start-up, others don't.
Changing distributions is not something that you should completely rely on an automated install in Linux if you are trying to preserve your /home from a different distribution. If you did that, it might be wise to reinstall Mint in a more tedious hands-on approach to get everything right. It also might save you a lot of time and headaches. Trying to fix a poor installation item-by-item and issue-by-issue is tedious and requires a lot of reading and research.
A Windows network on Linux requires specific software server, called Samba. Install it and you are good to go.
'Show hidden files' will just display the so-called 'dot files' in your currently displayed directory listing'. These are files that start with a period first and then a name.
Ummm.... computers don't change passwords without informing you, Administrators do that. There seems to be too much imagination in play and too little real information.
I don't believe any install should complete and leave the system in a "poor" state.
I don't see why Repositories and their setup, whether right or wrong, should have any effect on the ability of the system to see other computers on a local network.
Not even going to be baited any further with this.
Now the reason I am here, I was just looking through the latest Microcenter catalog, which I got yesterday, and they have this: Gigabyte Brix Ultra Compact PC Kit - $99.99.
Does not supply any more info, so not sure what you would be getting for $99.99. I am no longer interested when I noticed that the power brick that comes with it, at least for the AMD version, shows that it is 19V 7A. I was looking for a small box that could be powered by 12V ~4A. I will probably be looking for a long time.
Ray
When you come out blazing with a generalization like that from changing over to another distribution, I do jump.
A clean install of Linux should be quite easy, but changing distribuitons and preserving data from another distribution (your /home directory) is tricky. It is also not much discussed or well-documented on the internet.
I sounds like you had a bad install and maybe selected some wrong options. The easiest thing to do is to start over and do it again.
A quick visit to Distrowatch tells me your Mint comes with Samba 4.3.1 installed. So it seem like all your problems are due to your network connection not being active. But you come out with "So, I can now say that this problem is prevalent on most Linux derivatives."
I tried Mint and disliked it due to no Asian languages. So now I stick with more mainstream Linux distributions Debian, Fedora, SUSE -- stable repositiories and good installers.
I still don't understand what exactly the "Windows Network" represents, or what Windows has to do with it. Opening it shows the same machines as in "Network" except for Brix and Brix-Linux, both of which are this machine. Even BRN_8F294A is in there, even though it's a standalone printer (running Linux I think) connected directly to the router.
I guess you are saying Brix is a dual-boot machine. Windows will ignore Linux in a dual-boot. Linux can do a bit more if you choose and access the Windows NTFS file system, but it isn't wise to do so unless you understand how not to disturb things.
There is a lot of free, well-written documentation on Linux on the internet, including a Linux Network Administration text.
www.tldp.org/LDP/nag2/nag2.pdf
O'Reily sells the same for $$$, but it and many others are free and in the public domain.
tldp.org/LDP/sag/sag.pdf
And "How Linux Works" is really the best entry level book around.
https://www.nostarch.com/howlinuxworks2
But it does cost $$$.
As I posted before, if the machine can actually see the other computers, then it can log in, access the Windows shares, and play media files from the NTFS disks. No problems there.
The Brix is a triple boot machine at the moment, so something is still not quite clear there.
I guess the Unix/Windows networking explains the separate "Windows Network" icon, although the Windows computers are also visible without having to go there. That's what I find slightly confusing. I guess it may be useful to filter out any non-Windows devices. Maybe.
Ray, that's probably the one that comes with the Celeron N2807. It's the least expensive Brix. The next one up is the Celeron J1900 version, which is what I have. I think they're identical other than the processor,.
Mine came with a 12 volt 2.5 amp AC adapter. It's not real big, about 2"x3" and a little over an inch thick. Not sure why it's 2.5 amps, probably to take care of any higher powered stuff that might get plugged into the USB ports, the Brix itself has never exceeded 0.5 amps during my testing.
edit: I just re-ran the WEI assessment and the highest I saw was 0.26 amps. The higher number I saw earlier must have been when the DVD drive was plugged in and running.
I know this box is a dual core, 1.5GHz, 4GB RAM max, but for what I plan on doing with it, it should suffice. I will probably load the xubuntu install .iso on a USB stick, and set up from there.
I have given up on Linux Mint 17.2 and will probably go with xubuntu, at least I know what I am getting, since I already gave it a test run on my tower box. But, maybe I will have different results when I run it from the Brix, the things you have to put up with when you have a free OS.
Ray
I think it does as long as there's nothing already bootable on the disk, but I really don't remember for sure. The first thing ever booted on mine was Mint 17 off an SD card adapter plugged in the USB port.
Anyway, getting to the BIOS boot select screen is pretty easy, just start pecking at the F12 key while it boots. Mouse and keyboard both work in the BIOS if plugged in.
Be sure to get 1.35 volt RAM as specified. People say neither the 1.5 volt type nor the dual 1.35/1.5 type will work. I hope you're planning to use an SSD. Mint actually boots slower than Win 7 on mine, but xubuntu pops up the log in prompt in less than 8 seconds.
As far as I can tell they both use standard internet protocols like IPv4, IPv6, TCP/IP. This is 2015 not the days of token ring vs ethernet or whatever.
As for file sharing and such Windows can only do SMB, as far as I know, whilst Linux/Unix can handle that and NFS and others.
They are all a pain sometimes. It took me nearly a whole working day to get a Linux machine in our office talking to a Cannon network printer. My coworker spent most of a day trying to get his Windows machine to talk to the same printer, and gave up! (Never buy a Cannon printer).
Someone asked if Linux is "easy" and I jokingly said "yes". Reality is they are both very hard to use, or both easy, depends what you want to do. I have had to live with a Windows laptop for a week now, whilst travelling, I really wonder how anyone gets anything done with such a machine.
If you want to try it, you might start with Puppy Linux as it provides built-in software for making a bootable USB stick verison. Some people buy USB sticks with preloaded bootable Linux from Distrowatch.com
The problem here is that the USB stick version boots from FAT, while the LiveCD or LiveDVD version boots from a CD/DVD boot protocol. There is some slick software inbetween that can adapt a CD/DVD Live boot to FAT -- but it is not simple. NOT every distribution offers an easy conversion.
================
The preceived complexity is Linux is a reality -- but a rewarding one. Windows only supports what MS desires to support, while Linux supports many more formats and conventions. Thus the alterantive network situation.
If you stay with Linux, you simply will become aware of all the alternatives, and a bit of computer history. In many cases, you have more access to features that you might dismiss as too costly under a Windows license. You might desire Acronis or Ghost for disk imagining in Windows; in Linux this is done with the 'dd' command which is free - but takes a bit of study to learn. Another kind of backup over network that is handy is 'rsync', and that is free as well.
Ironically, Samba has outperformed Windows file servers in real office environments. Searches are faster, more work gets done, backup and security features are better. So even if you run an office with all Windows desktops, using a dedicated Samba file server might be a significant improvement over a Windows file server... and that is one less license to buy.
I ended up installing xubuntu 15.04 64bit by mistake, since I can only have 4GB RAM, next time I will install a 32bit OS. So far I am not disappointed with the system, even with the 1.5GHz processor, xubuntu seems to be very snappy. I was surprised that when I plugged the USB flash into the USB 3.0 socket, on startup the system booted without a hitch. One other interesting note, the little box is so quiet, no noise at all, no fans or other distracting activity.
Just to keep my sanity, I have lowered my expectations for Linux. Now everything will be explained away by categorizing a problem by, it must be a security feature or my hardware does not work correctly or... a hundred other excuses.
But the bottom line on this is, hey its a free OS, what else do you expect. Thanks RDL2004 for the heads up on this device.
Ray
edit: I'm surprised you had problems making a bootable USB drive. There are a number of free utilities to do so, and even Windows has this ability built in. I think I used Win32 Disk Imager.
Does anybody have a nice little program, easy to use, for making an iso to flash copy. I used a Windows program called unetbootin, the nice thing is that you can pick an OS and then have it installed to the flash drive, which worked for the initial install for the Gigabyte box. I will probably do a Linux Mint install just see if I get a browse the home network problem, err "feature".
Ray
Ah, that explains what happened to me. I made that change you suggested and posted here that it didn't work, but the system had not been re-booted. The next time I started xunbuntu, the local network had magically become visible, but Firefox could no longer connect to anything.
Currently, networking is operating correctly on my Mint installation. All local machines show up when browsing "Network" and Pale Moon has no problem connecting to the internet.
edit: Actually, browsing the local network with Nemo isn't working right. It's flaky. Sometimes it can see all, other times it can't. Sometimes shutting Nemo down and restarting will fix it. Sometimes the entire system has to be rebooted. Sometimes clicking the "Windows Network" icon will generate some activity as if it's trying to connect or an error message, other times it does absolutely nothing. The lack of consistency is very annoying. Surely this isn't normal.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tools_to_create_Live_USB_systems
Ummm. unetbootin is considered good.
http://unetbootin.github.io/
I think the problem here is that everyone seems to have jumped on the bandwagon to tout their own distribution. Essentially, the proceedure and software in Puppy Linux close to the original.
The great divide is whether you do this in Windows or in Linux. If you do it in Linux, you can do it from a Live CD/DVD version of Linux.