Just installed PCLOS at work. It will take me a long time to get it loaded and configured with all the apps I run: VMware, Apache, security stuff, graphics, etc., but I'm liking it better already.
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okay, here's an ubuntu question ...

while I can do this manually, I'm looking for what the "official" or "ubuntu" way to do this.

I've downloaded skype for linux and want to install it, but I can't seem to make the synaptics package manager work with the download (can't point to a local repository). Does anyone know where the official "how to install" docs for skype on linux are located?

I'm spending a few weeks mostly in linux as I do a security analysis of the openssl library, which so far seems quite good. I was using cscope in cygwin under Vista, but it is more convenient to do this under Linux. Since I skype herf a lot, I need skype or I'll have to use different systems for the analysis and skype.

Somehow, having two laptops on the patio while smoking a nice stick seems so like me, but I like to avoid cliches
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What extension does the downloaded file have?
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it is a .deb file

http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/get-...post-download/
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If you have KPackage it should open it and have a button to install it with.
You can install it with the command "dpkg -i /path/to/filename"
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It seems kpackage is gone in the newest releases, so you may not have it.
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Here is the "official" (suggested) way to install skype in ubuntu:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Skype
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cool beans! could not find that when I looked before.
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It looks like I may not spend too much time with PCLOS as it is an .rpm (Red Hat) based system and I prefer .deb (Debian) based. It has to do with how the package databases work with upgrades and additions.
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Anyone take the plunge and upgrade to 10.10? I upgraded all our machines and I love it! Xubuntu 10.10 is lightening fast on my wife's laptop. Can't beat it!
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I just upgraded to 10.10. I stay with all the LTS on my servers. Very happy.
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So, what are your thoughts on Unity? I'm not digging it, so I'm running Lubuntu 12.04 on my netbook and Ubuntu 12.04 with Gnome3 on everything else.

12.04 LTS is working really great for me.

On a side note, my one wish is that the nVidia drivers were on the same level in linux. I'd love to be able to run 12.04 on my HTPC and bitstream DTS-MA and Dolby True HD. Sounds like XBMC audioengine is being integrated into the mainstream release.
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Unity on my laptop has been useful. Unity on a desktop is oversimplified and I switched back to gnome for the time being. Unity hasn't exactly been received with open arms by the community. Curious to see what the next year or two will bring.

Installing NVidia drivers is a lot easier than it used to be, thats for sure. However, there is still usually "some" work that has to take place in order to get the drivers installed and working properly. I wouldn't wish that on a non-technical person.
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Nvidia has been working a lot better than ATI for me. Just sayin'.
I've been a KDE user for so long that I just don't get Gnome. I've tried it from time to time but go back to KDE.
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You are definitely not the only user that prefers KDE. I started with Gnome and have grown accustomed to it over the years. I have tried KDE, but found that I just didn't feel the change was worth it. I suspect that if I had started with KDE I would still be using it.
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Yes, I definitely agree NVidia drivers are getting way easier to manage and better in general in Linux. I haven't had to install them manually for quite a while, probably since version 9 or 10.

That being said, my home theater processor has some HDMI handshake issue with linux drivers and some resolution issues as well. I'm sure this will be resolved as linux continues to be more main stream!

I've tried KDE in the past. I liked it, but it was using the gnome3 desktop and decided it was easier to work in a more familiar environment with terminal commands that I'm more comfortable with (apt-get vs yum, etc).
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This thread perked my interest as I have always been curious. I dont really use my laptop much except for surfing the net, some small torrents, and some photo editing. I have no complains about windows, but hey we all like to mess with stuff, its human nature. I ubuntu hard to put on a laptop? will i loose everything i have on here? Will i gain anything out of it?
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I tried Ubuntu out for the same reasons you posted your questions. You can do a dual boot with windows or you can download a live CD and try it out by running off the CD. Expect it to run slow since you are running off a CD or thumb drive. Regardless, back up your stuff in case you take a wrong turn.

If you can handle torrents you can handle Ubuntu.

There are an enormous amount of resources for getting started with Ubuntu. The first place I would start is http://ubuntuforums.org.

Enjoy! :-)
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The good thing about linux is that once you understand what's going on and where, it's really understood. I don't think it's possible to understand Windoz fully. If you think you do then they change it. I like that MSFT has adopted some *nix commands for the command shell. It makes things a bit easier.
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I am about to put a new SSD in my macbook and I think I will partition and run Linux as well. I was thinking Mint....
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