Just brought this post up So others could find it

I see this thread has resurfaced, which is cool... I had forgotten all about it! For an up to date tutorial on how to connect to internet via mobile phone, check out my blog ihatehate.wordpress.com. There is also a guide to terminal commands, for anyone you fancies getting down and dirty with the command line! ;)

Im currently using ubuntu 8.04 hardy heron. I installed ubuntu (with gnome desktop) from a CD. But then i installed kubuntu-desktop (KDE) and xubuntu-desktop (XFCE) thru the synaptic package manager. So i can run ubuntu, kubuntu or xubuntu, just by changing the Session option on the login page.

I have found that my computer runs hardy a bit sluggishly so i am using xubuntu mostly. Its a very quick desktop manager to use with older computers. And my new phone, a sony ericsson k800i, is 3g - it gives me very fast connection! Ubuntu and its derivatives are well worth checking out!

Ubuntu is a bit of work getting multimedia codecs etc all requiring internet connection try out mandriva or pclinuxos

I'm using opensuse11 with kde4.1 i also have a k800 but wanna try hsdpa now

hehe, i used to be cooooool from the second post. Using the security distro BackTrack Linux. It's slackware but it's awesome. Most of the tools are CLI based but it runs really well.

That's on my laptop, my desktops got kubuntu 7.02 i think it is but i rarely use it. I got so used to slackware now. I want to attempt Gentoo and LFS (Linux from Scratch). Possibly two of the most challenging *nix's to learn.

I tried gentoo it messed up my whole setup I'm trying slackware now Its a real eye opener after messing around with distro's that do everything for you

So ultimately this operating system is utterly useless without an internet connection ? just asking

I wouldnt say all linux distros are useless without internet connection. Ubuntu certainly is a pain to run without an internet connection. But i dont see that as a big issue. Most people run computers online nowadays in europe and usa. (I dont know about other places) Most people who use ubuntu will have got hold of it by downloading the installation cd. And ubuntu is not alone in needing an....

...internet connection - if you run vista or XP you need the net to get the regular updates. And anyway, you dont NEED an internet connection to run ubuntu - you can get free cds mailed to you by shipit.ubuntu.com and you can get DVDs with all the extra software you could want. So an internet connection is desirable but not a necessity.

As for problems getting the necessary codecs to play mp3s etc - it is not a big problem at all. You install a package called ubuntu-restricted-extras and that sets you up for mp3, flash, wmv, real media... and many other popular formats. You install libdvdcss2 and you can play all encrypted DVDs. Its all very simple and takes very little time.

With mandriva or pclinuxos or mint everything play's out of the box no need to install anything perfect for someone without an internet connection

so how do i install these packages - if i need to download it i still need an internet connection or is it there, but i just need to activate it via a code... Thanx for your help...

Unfortunately if you using ubuntu you need to download you need an internet connection

yip, it sucks for south africans unles you can use someone elses connection at a coffee shop or work, hehe

If you can't download packages go for something like pclinuxos as wezhira said or something lik ubuntu studio - http://ubuntustudio.org/

It depends what you're looking for. I'm into security and music, hence Backtrack and Ubuntu studio appeal to me. If you want to master linux seriously, then go for gentoo or LFS (Linux from Scratch). With LFS you can create your very own distro but it's not easy, a great challenge.