I may just give this a go

357mag · 2017-07-17 23:30

Hi everyone. I've tried some Linux distros in the past like Linspire and I can't recall the other one but I think I'd like to try this Q4. What attracts me is the Windows 2000 looking interface. At least I hope that is still available. I suspect the only two problems with my machine and Q4 might be my sound card. I have the discontinued EMU-1212m. I love it but unless there are those ALSA drivers which will work with it I may be out of luck.

And one piece of hardware that I'm positive I would not be able to use is my Line 6 POD. I use that for recording my guitar into my computer. But I do very, very little of that anyway so that may not even be a big deal.

I've got an ASUS motherboard, two Intel SSD, two Pioneer Bluray drives, Intel i5 Processor, and 4 Gigs of RAM.

I love Windows but if I could find an OS that was quicker to the touch and generally more responsive without all the overhead bloat that would be cool.

Anyway I just wanted to post and introduce myself and if I decide to stick with this OS for awhile I will probably need your help with many things.

Thanks.

I forgot to add some of the programs I use are iTunes, Atlantis Word Processor, ImgBurn, dbPoweramp (for ripping), Macrium Reflect (for backup), Windows Live Mail, Google Chrome, Reaper (for recording and listening to WAV files and editing WAV files), paint.net, Media Player Home Classic.

I would appreciate any suggestions for Linux equivalents.

Last edited by 357mag (2017-07-17 23:42)

JimW · 2017-07-18 00:23

I am not the best or smartest , but I will give some equivalents that I use-

iTunes - not sure - maybe VLC?
Atlantis Word Processor - not familiar with it, but Libre Office is equivalent to MS Word
ImgBurn - K3b
dbPoweramp (for ripping) - K3b, VLC, maybe DVD::rip
Macrium Reflect (for backup) - not sure
Windows Live Mail - I use Thunderbird (but there are many mail readers)
Google Chrome = available
Reaper (for recording and listening to WAV files and editing WAV files) - I use Audacity for mp3's, but it works with WAV's also
paint.net - not sure
Media Player Home Classic - not sure

crosscourt · 2017-07-18 01:46

I would try the live cd and see how it goesas it wont install but will allow you to try the OS and see if hardware is properly supported. Given youre using two Intel SSDs Scorpion would be the better choice{newer kernel} and that will be releasing fairly soon.

Id do some specific research ahead of that to see if you can support many of the hardware/software you want to use and we will help as much as possible.
If you could be a bit more specific about which model of Asus motherboard you have and any information on your system if its custom or model of system if you bought it OEM.

357mag · 2017-07-18 10:15

ASUS P8P67Pro. My computer is a custom made one. Put together by a friend of mine several years ago.

crosscourt · 2017-07-19 02:22

What video card and model of Intel SSDs are you using? Your present motherboard shouldnt be an issue but its one of those boards that either works flawlessly or has many problems and thats even in Windows. Asus had a real nightmare with a lot of users requiring fixes for boards that didnt work. B3 revision finally solved the SATA issues. Its not too old supporting Sandy Bridge processors which is a good thing.

EMU-1212m Im honestly not sure if its going to work in Linux but try a livecd and see what happens, of not,
sound shouldnt be an issue. Your motherboard uses the integrated Realtek ALC892 DTS HD audio(8 channel) surround sound chipset which is very good in my opinion.

The Line 6 POD Im not aware of any Linux drivers for it but maybe you can do some further research to see what options are available.

kneekoo · 2017-07-19 16:51

@357mag: You might find this solution useful: https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1947676

357mag · 2017-07-21 19:04

My Intel drives are SSDSAC2W. I have a 120 and a 160. Video card is GeForce GT710.

I'd like to ask though can a guy replace the icons with more polished, professional looking ones? As I look at screenshots of these Linux Distros what bugs me is the icons don't look very professional.

Unless there is a Distro that comes with better ones.

bin · 2017-07-22 05:39

You shouldn't have any issues with the smaller Intel SSDs - but you will need to run fstrim regularly to keep them nice and clean - there are discussions about this in the forum. There are other tricks with SSD drives that are important - especially with regard to using tmpfs to mount tmp in RAM rather than using the drive as it cuts out huge numbers of read/write cycles.

If you are talking about Q4OS you have a number of choices for icons. Not sure what you class as 'professional'. The desktop thread https://www.q4os.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=113 may be useful to you.

The standard install comes with a basic set of icons, additional icons are available from the repositories.

More icons can be found through store.kde.org - however, you do have to remember that under the hood this is KDE 3.5 and so you need to refine your search to that release.

The XPQ4Desktop package will allow you to install a number of Windows icon themes covering from Win95 up to Win10 appearance.

Last edited by bin (2017-07-22 05:41)

crosscourt · 2017-07-22 18:07

Ill second bin's comments on the SSD drives and the video card will also not be an issue. XPQ4 is very nice and would probably suit you better overall.

357mag · 2017-08-07 05:32

I really love the XP Luna interface. Most everyone does. That is the first thing I would try to accomplish as far as visuals go. My main complaint with Linux has been the archaic looking icons and interface. But I was looking at some videos that showed how you can transform the desktop to look more like XP.

crosscourt · 2017-08-07 22:26

It depends on the Linux distro as some have much nicer icons and interface than others. Most of my distros I run look as good or better than than Windows.

Choose your DE/icons and run what you like thats the beauty of Linux.

Last edited by crosscourt (2017-08-07 22:28)

357mag · 2017-08-17 23:38

Would you please tell me which distros you run?

crosscourt · 2017-08-18 02:14

I run close to 20 distros but the best looking of those is Linux Mint, Elementary OS, and Zorin OS. You can also change the icons to other types but XPQ4 your running probably meets your needs the best.

Q4OS Forum

#1 2017-07-17 23:30

I may just give this a go

#2 2017-07-18 00:23

Re: I may just give this a go

#3 2017-07-18 01:46

Re: I may just give this a go

#4 2017-07-18 10:15

Re: I may just give this a go

#5 2017-07-19 02:22

Re: I may just give this a go

#6 2017-07-19 16:51

Re: I may just give this a go

#7 2017-07-21 19:04

Re: I may just give this a go

#8 2017-07-22 05:39

Re: I may just give this a go

#9 2017-07-22 18:07

Re: I may just give this a go

#10 2017-08-07 05:32

Re: I may just give this a go

#11 2017-08-07 22:26

Re: I may just give this a go

#12 2017-08-17 23:38

Re: I may just give this a go

#13 2017-08-18 02:14

Re: I may just give this a go

Board footer