Trying Linux for the First Time, and Need a Little Help

[Semnae]

I'm trying Linux (Ubuntu) for the first time.  I haven't used anything other than Windows before, so I'm a bit confused.  I haven't been able to get a single program to work that wasn't specifically made for Linux.  For example, I tried installing Burnout Paradise.  I installed it using WINE, but Ubuntu doesn't seem to let installers give you the option of choosing where you want programs installed.  The program appeared to be installing within C:\ProgramFiles, which unfortunately, doesn't exist in Ubuntu.  Once installed, the program put an icon on the desktop, but even with WINE, the game won't actually run.  I then wanted to uninstall the game since it's not working, but I can't because it's not listed under Add/Remove, and I don't know where the files are located.  I tried running a search, but didn't find it.  Can someone familiar with this operating system give me a little help?

Edit: I've figured out where WINE puts stuff.  Turns out the program creates a hidden .wine folder.  I'm not sure why they would hide it, and I don't really know how to unhide it.

Edit: I've found a good website detailing what games will work in WINE and how to make them work if there are known issues.

[iindigo]

Yeah, Windows applications installed under WINE do not seamlessly work with any Linux package manager or anything like that. This is probably because it'd be difficult to do, especially with how messy Windows applications are with their different methods of storing uninstall information and scattering files across your HD.

As for why the .wine folder is hidden, it's probably to try to keep less-knowledgeable types from deleting it or otherwise screwing things up, since it's required for WINE's operation.

Also, keep in mind that not everything will work in WINE or will only half-work. For example, even though you can get it running, steam is bitchy and really frakkin' ugly. Games that have OpenGL modes will react much better than the hundreds that only run with ProprietaryX (what DirectX should be named).

[Duki3003]

Linux hides folders by adding . before the name.
To unhide them is not possible as you would have to rename it and then would brake the relations etc.
But you can view them by choosing view hidden folders - there is an option if you have Dolphin file manager, and there should be for Gnome releases as well - can't remember atm.

Linux is not really Windows applications and games friendly - even with Wine you have to check what is supported, what is only partially supported etc. You can try to install DirectX to improve game handling a bit - but tbh I tried it and didn't really see any improvement.

Untill they make it more compatible we're stuck with windows, but dual boot is nice...

[kyanwan]

Congrats Sem - you're going to love it.     I'd have it on all the desktops here - but - everyone else doesn't know Linux ... and I got my ears chewed off last time I tried to switch.   

Play with it - that's how you learn it.  ( Grab a book or two.   Esp. an administration book - very helpful. )

Untill they make it more compatible we're stuck with windows, but dual boot is nice...

Dual boot is not just nice, it's perfect.

You have your real desktop in Linux for everything - and you have your Windows-dual-boot for games only.

This way, you get consistent performance with your apps - and you get consistent performance with your games.  Work with me for a second here:

- Do no browsing or installs with your windows, and lock down your install hardcore.   You have a permanent clean install of windows for optimal game performance.  Compatibility is a non-issue.

- Your Linux install is incompatible with ALL Windows bullshit, and, you have far higher security options than you have with windows.  Plus, don't forget the great customization, free apps of the highest quality, and all the other eliteness you get with Linux.  

[fohfoh]

Ditto @ Kyanwan. I agree there.

But the same can't be said for Mac. I mean, it's almost always known that Linux has limits... people still non-stop find ways of asking stupid questions over and over. "OMFG WINAMP DOESN'T WORK ON MAC! FIX IT!~I NEEDS WATCH NSV!"

[iindigo]

Ditto @ Kyanwan. I agree there.

But the same can't be said for Mac. I mean, it's almost always known that Linux has limits... people still non-stop find ways of asking stupid questions over and over. "OMFG WINAMP DOESN'T WORK ON MAC! FIX IT!~I NEEDS WATCH NSV!"

The problem with those people is that they can't wrap their silly little heads around the idea of using a comparable but equivalent software. They expect to be able to use all the same programs that they did before, which is just plain silly when switching to Linux or OS X.

[flaresignal]

Linux hides folders by adding . before the name.
To unhide them is not possible as you would have to rename it and then would brake the relations etc.
But you can view them by choosing view hidden folders - there is an option if you have Dolphin file manager, and there should be for Gnome releases as well - can't remember atm.

Just press Ctrl-H for folder windows in GNOME (Ubuntu's default desktop environment) — works in file chooser dialogs too.

[zherok]

The problem with those people is that they can't wrap their silly little heads around the idea of using a comparable but equivalent software. They expect to be able to use all the same programs that they did before, which is just plain silly when switching to Linux or OS X.

It probably doesn't help the matter that the most obvious comparable media player on a Mac is an inferior product on Windows.

[fohfoh]

The problem with those people is that they can't wrap their silly little heads around the idea of using a comparable but equivalent software. They expect to be able to use all the same programs that they did before, which is just plain silly when switching to Linux or OS X.

It probably doesn't help the matter that the most obvious comparable media player on a Mac is an inferior product on Windows.

Eew Quicktime?

But quicktime pro isn't bad. Normal quicktime is a piece of shit.

[dankles]

Kick ass Semnae! Linux is a great skill to have. If you need any help, feel free either PM me on the board here or you can find me on IRC which I'm always logged into via server, so you can PM me there too.

Best of luck.

[fohfoh]

Did you figure out your windows alternatives yet?

I recommend emesne for msn (if you use it) other than that, Pidgin is pretty good at the others.
I enjoy using VLC more than mPlayer for some odd reason. I'm not sure why.
I still would rather use Vuze than transmission. Though transmission(linux edition) is better than uTorrent if you say "lightweight" client. (In my opinion anyways)

[Duki3003]

Pidgin is nice but for let say irc I still like Konversation or Xchat a lot better - thoe VLC is not a piece of crap on linux as it is on windows I prefer SMplayer a lot more as it has the best look and feel. Thoe I did get into trouble when I tried to play bigger HD files, but thats's probably cause I just didn't configure it  well...

People are saying a lot of good things about rTorrent, I didn't try it yet and am still using kTorrent - probably cause the interface is somewhat like uTorrent... I dunno I'm satisfied with it....

[iindigo]

I've used rTorrent under OS X quite a bit now. It works very well. Very stable and reliable, easy on the resources, and not terribly lacking in features. You can set it up to use a web interface, but I had no problems at all with the standard commandline one.

[bloody000]

Ubuntu?
Real men live their entire life in emacs, amirite?

[Duki3003]

Nope you're horribly wrong...

[dankles]

Ubuntu?
Real men live their entire life in emacs, amirite?

YES

Nope you're horribly wrong...

Go away. The holy church of emacs will hunt you down like a witch.

[LordLethis]

Nope you're horribly wrong...

Go away. The holy church of emacs will hunt you down like a witch.

Emacs with Linux makes for a nice OS and all, but it really lacks a decent text editor

On Topic: If you run 'wine uninstaller' (Alt+F2, or any X-terminal), you should get presented with a list of software installed via wine, and the option to uninstall each. That should be easier/better than meddling in .wine yourself :-) (If Ubuntu doesn't install a menu entry for that, you could file a bug )

[kostya]

Ubuntu?
Real men live their entire life in emacs, amirite?

Nah, real men use Gentoo and cat

The obligatory xkcd strip

[flaresignal]

Nah, real men use Gentoo and cat

Gentoo has a package manager, so obviously it's not manly enough.

[kyanwan]

Ubuntu?
Real men live their entire life in emacs, amirite?

YES

Nope you're horribly wrong...

Go away. The holy church of emacs will hunt you down like a witch.

How about us vim people?   ^_^;;

Do we get hunted down too?

( Been living my life in an SSH window to Redhat Enterprise & Slackware 10.X - and Vim is my best friend. )

:wq!

The version of slack I have is a manly build.   No package management - gotta install the old fashioned way: make, compile, install