Content:

Foreword

I created this part of my site to offer my help and support to any one who would like to start using Linux and free or open source software. There is only one condition to get my help. We have to know each other on personal level. I can not save the world from making wrong choices but I can surely help my friends and relatives. If you are asking yourself why this freak is doing so? The answer is simple because it is the right thing to do. Because I received help disinterestedly many times and I want to repay debt by helping others. Because in Linux community we help each other that's what makes our community grow. Last but not least Linux is pure fun for me.

I will be happy to help you no matter what your reasons are. Is it because you want to work in stable and secure, virus free environment. Maybe because you want to save some money on software still having fully functional and 100% legal environment or you are just curious. I don't really care about it as long as you want to give Linux a chance I'm here for you.

Remember you don't have to resign from the operating system or software components you were using before. Linux can be installed on separate partition next to Windows or MacOSX. This way you can boot any system you like when your computer starts up. I know many peoples who are using Windows for playing games and Linux for safe and secure Internet browsing. From Linux you will be able to access all your files and content stored on any of the Windows or Macs partitions (as long as those partitions are not encrypted).

Linux is not so hard to learn. You will find GUI program for any task you can need, especially if you think of desktop computer usage. If you are still unsure or aware of giving Linux a chance please follow this link and read the list of reasons why is worth trying out the Linux operating system. You can also watch movies embedded here or here or see my Linux in examples web page.

How can I help you?

I can help you in many ways. I will list some of them:

  1. I can help you find the right Linux for your needs. In Linux everything is about the choices you make. If you make the wrong choice you may experience some problems. Making right choices requires some basic experience. Very important thing is to choose right distribution, desktop environment, sets of application that will match your experience, habits, and technical capabilities of your computer. If you visit me I will be able to offer you a cold keg beer and show you most popular Linux desktop distributions in action a long side with popular desktop environments available for Linux. You will be able to use them and make the choice which you like most.

    Currently on my Virtual machines I have installed:

    I will be happy to virtually install more distributions if those mentioned above will be still too small choice for you.

  2. I will download and burn a CD or DVD with Linux distribution of your choice. You just have to provide a disc.

  3. I will show how to use Live CD to run fully functional Linux without the need of installing it on your computers hard drive.

  4. I can teach you how to safely install and configure Linux. I can show you how to install and use most popular applications, and programs available in my favorite operating system. I know that this sounds very immodest but I'm really good at teaching such things.

  5. If teaching and showing won't be enough and you will still be afraid of trying on your own, I'm willing to give you a hand in installation and configuration of Linux on your computer, no matter it is notebook or home computer. I can help you to do it a safe way a long side with operating system you were using before. Of course I'm willing to help personally only if coming to you want be to much of a problem. You will have to forgive me but if you are living far far away I may refuse to come.

  6. I can promise you that I will be patiently answering your questions about the use of the system. However I can not promise I will be available 24 hours a day at your disposal. Best way will be sending me an email, it won't be ignored.

  7. If something bad happens (which is very unlikely in Linux), I will try to help you personally. How soon it will be depends on my current schedule.

What you should do before asking me for help?

To make my help most efficient you should know, what your expectations are, what you need from an operating system, in what way you use your computer. Also there are some technical issues that may prevent me from helping you.

To make your preparation for Linux easier read the following list. This may somehow help us both.

  1. If you want to install Linux make sure your computer has at least 256 MB of ram. Don't worry about the age of your computer as long as it will have at least 256 MB I will find right Linux for it. I'm recommending not less ram space not because of the system, Linux is using not so much ram but to make use of modern browsers or office suites you will need at least 256 MB. As you can see this not much for todays standards.

  2. If you want to install Linux a long side with other operating system make sure you have about 20GB of free hard drive space. I'm not a magician if your Windows files are using 98% of hard drive space you will have to delete some of them or buy another hard drive. Linux installer can move Windows files to make space for installation but it can not create space you do not have.

  3. If you want to install Linux a long side with other operating system make sure to backup you most important files on some external media. Why? Because my experience shows that if we are unprepared for unforeseen difficulties they most likely will happen. As an example I can say that during installation Linux will move you windows files just imagine what would happen if power failure came at this moment. If you are not sure how to make this backup I will help, but at least prepare a list of files, folders most important to you.

  4. If you want to install Linux a long side with windows make sure you will defragment windows partitions. You can use tool provided by Windows or you can also download and use this tool. These should prevent problems and speed up installation process.

  5. Make a list of features you need, or things you would like to learn. These will help me to prepare a list of things that need to be installed on your Linux, and also will help us choose the right distribution and desktop environment for you. If you are unsure of how this list should look like, just follow the example below:

    I would like to know:

    • How to install software in Linux?
    • How can I make movie using Linux and my video camera?
    • What kind of communicators can I use in Linux and how can I configure them?
    • How to play DVD film in Linux media center application?
    • How to use USB sticks?
    • How to upload files to my mp3 player?
    • How to download photos from my photo camera?
    • What kind of games are freely and legally available in Linux?

    You can also list the application you were using in your current operating system. Your list may be different than the one above. Keep in mind if you give it to me, I will be prepared to help you and show you everything what you would like to know. These will save us some time and will prevent inconvenience.

How to receive my help?

Will my aid be free? Of course free of charge (in currency meaning). If I visit you it would be nice if you could keep my throat wet (I like cold beer), but this is not required. Instead of this I will ask you for a small favor in exchange for my help. If you like the Linux no matter is in every or some aspect of its use, I will ask you to write a few words about it and send at least 5 screenshots or screencast movie showing how you are using this system. If you are unsure what you should write, I'm interested in getting answer for following questions:

  1. Why did you want to try Linux out?

  2. In what applications is Linux the most useful?

  3. What kind of programs are you using in Linux, and why do you like them?

  4. What was the hardest thing to do?

  5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Linux as desktop operating system in comparisons with others systems you were using before?

  6. What could be done better in your opinion?

If you add something from yourself I will be more than grateful. I will ask you also to agree on publishing those information a long side with your first name, occupation, approximate age, and brief description of your computer hardware and software configuration (for example: Pentium DualCore, Nvida 8800 GPU, running OpenSuse Linux with KDE desktop environment), on my success story page under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License and Creative Commons Share Alike.

Remember if you ask for my help you are agree on those terms.

So are you ready to join us? If so, just and send me an email, I will respond as soon as possible. May the Open Source be with you :D


Last modification date: 03 September 2010