Is it worth it?

I mean, I have spent 3 weeks trying to figure out Ubuntu, and nothing works. First I tried to connect to the Internet, and after a week to no avail. Then I tried to install Wine, which I heard runs windows programs on linux. That didn't work either. Now I just want to know if I should even bother.

Have u asked for help about the internet problem or installing wine? :o I'm sure someone out there will help you if you make a thread and ask for help about your problems

Yes, that's why I'm wondering if I should even bother. I've read countless tutorials, and none make sense to me.

Lots of people here to help.

What computer are you installing it on? Model, RAM, HD, etc.

What version of Ubuntu are you installing? 8.04 has most of its bugs quashed; 8.10 is still working on that.

I'm a newbie, and it worked from the start like a dream for me. Any problem, just post it here and someone will be along in minutes to help.

I have an HP Pavilion a1020n, which forced me to reinstall EVERYTHING when it saw the MBR modified... Ubuntu let me use WUBI to install it to my Windows partition, and WUBI uses the Windows bootloader, so that problem went away.

How about starting with the most important? What wireless adaptor do you have?

Umm...Could you just tell me whether or not I should bother? Like is Ubuntu really worth it?

Ubuntu is certainly not for everyone ... hope that answers you question.

well it's not worth it if you don't ask questions . People here will solve your problems if they know what they are.

Well, it's really up to you.

If you want to invest the time and energy, keep looking for and asking for help, and things may work out.

If you don't want to invest the time and energy, give up.

I don't know if this is the case for you or not, but I think most people who try to migrate to Linux dive in too quickly and then get frustrated.

If you have trouble connecting to the internet, in about 99% of cases, you have Linux-unfriendly hardware (a winmodem, a Broadcom wireless card, etc.).

Here are some steps (in this order) you can take to make your migration less painful:

1. Go back to Windows and start switching to Windows open source applications.

1. Once you're used to those, install Ubuntu as a virtual machine inside Windows and use that for a while so you get comfortable with Ubuntu.

1. Keep doing that for months or even years until you're in the position to buy new hardware. Do your research and buy Linux-friendly hardware or, better yet, buy Linux preinstalled.

If you want to keep driving ahead, your best bet is to start a new thread in the support area of the forum saying what model of network card or modem you have and outlining what you've already tried to do to get it to work.

Well first, how are you trying to connect to the internet? Perhaps this will explain a few things.

MrMister2 said: Umm...Could you just tell me whether or not I should bother? Like is Ubuntu really worth it?

OK. In my opinion, Ubuntu is MORE than worth it. If OpenOffice.org would get off their fannies and make a few corrections, I would never again return to the Evil Microsoft Empire. And in terms of monetary worth, well, hell, almost everything over here is free AND comes with free support. Try getting that from Micro$oft.

MrMister2 said: Umm...Could you just tell me whether or not I should bother? Like is Ubuntu really worth it?

I'll take the bait: yes, I believe Ubuntu is worth all the trouble it may or may not put you through. Worst case scenario is you fix all that stuff just to find out you hate Ubuntu...you still learned something new, and that's *always* worth the effort. :)

Good luck, whatever you decide. :)

MrMister2 said: Then I tried to install Wine, which I heard runs windows programs on linux.

WINE only works on certain programs. Anything deep into Windows WINE cannot do. For instance, no support for Windows DRM. You can get some things to work by copying dlls, but doesn't help those that are trying to do things legally...unless you have license for Windows and I believe even that is questionable.

Slingbox is another program that will not work on WINE as is iPass.

Nevermind. This obviously isn't worth it.

mick222 said: well it's not worth it if you don't ask questions . People here will solve your problems if they know what they are.

Um, don't be fooled. Not everything is fixable. They will *try* to solve your problems.

That was clear by the name of the thread ...

MrMister2 said: Nevermind. This obviously isn't worth it.

Thanks for wasting our time. You got several interested parties trying to help you, but you decided it wasn't worth it. Have fun.

MrMister2 said: Nevermind. This obviously isn't worth it.

Cheers! Good luck with whatever you're going back to. :)

jrock612 said: Cheers! Good luck with whatever you're going back to. :)

LOL - That's right!

MrMister2 said: Nevermind. This obviously isn't worth it.

Well, that just about sums it up.

If you change your mind, start a support thread, and we'll try to help.

We wish you the best.