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Nüb to linux
http://www.x404.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=16770		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  cloaked_wolf [ Mon Jul 02, 2012 7:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Nüb to linux
I once tried to get into Linux back around 2005 but on a forum I joined, my thread got locked and I got flamed. Hence I avoided it. A few years later, I tried Knoppix live CD for various reasons.

I now need to get into using Ubuntu (Vista is the alternative). We have two Acer Revo machines at work that drive large LCD screens (I think they're just TVs). My boss put a custom version of Ubuntu which loaded up his custom website which displayed a screen with three tiles that changed info and the fourth was a scrolling window. The machines were configured to run off 3G dongles because there were no local network points. It never really worked and because my boss was leaving, he never bothered to sort it out.

I plan to run just a powerpoint presentation essentially on infinite loop. The idea is that patients in the waiting room have something to occupy them but it also provides useful health promotion etc.

Am I better off sticking to Vista? Or should I try a Linux distro like Ubuntu?

I'm concerned about compatibility with things like wireless keyboard/mouse, driving the screens at the appropriate resolution and running a powerpoint-compatible presentation.

Any pitfalls/problems to watch out for? I'm happy to put the effort in if it works.
Author:  forquare1 [ Mon Jul 02, 2012 8:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Nüb to linux
Ubuntu is probably your best bet. I was very impressed when I used my boss's wireless keyboard on it and it instantly recognised it.

If you have time, I'd suggest installing it in a VirtualBox VM, or onto some hardware and just having a play. You can install OpenOffice/LibreOffice onto your computer to see if the PowerPoint presentations are going to work OK.

My feeling is that you should have a fairly high success rate. If it's not on a network then you probably don't need to worry to much about keeping it up to date...
Author:  paulzolo [ Mon Jul 02, 2012 8:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Nüb to linux
Do a web site, and use JavaScript to move from page to page. If you have a Mac, then an app called Hype will do PowerPoint stuff for you and output JavaScript, CSS and HTML.

I don't see why you need PowerPoint in this case.
Author:  rustybucket [ Mon Jul 02, 2012 10:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Nüb to linux
paulzolo wrote:
Do a web site, and use JavaScript to move from page to page. If you have a Mac, then an app called Hype will do PowerPoint stuff for you and output JavaScript, CSS and HTML.

I don't see why you need PowerPoint in this case.

That's pretty much exactly what I was going to put. Full OS + Powerpoint + 3G dongle sounds like proper Comanche: Maximum Overkill.

If you can make the slides browser-agnostic, it will mean that you can run the screens off anything that can run a browser and output to the screens. That way, you can run whatever OS you want on pretty much whatever equipment you want. In fact, instead of needing a full OS and Powerpoint in order for the presentation to function, you could even run it off a bootable flash drlve with basic OS and browser.

No security risks, no fannying about. Want new presentation? Update the presentation on the two pen drives and reboot.
Author:  cloaked_wolf [ Mon Jul 02, 2012 10:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Nüb to linux
I don't need 3G. Just computer to TV screen.

I was planning on running ubuntu from flash drive but figured I'd Probably just install it to HDD.
Author:  rustybucket [ Mon Jul 02, 2012 10:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Nüb to linux
cloaked_wolf wrote:
I don't need 3G. Just computer to TV screen.

I was planning on running ubuntu from flash drive but figured I'd Probably just install it to HDD.

It'd be easier that way, certainly.

I'd emphasise what Ben said though. Install it onto something non-critical and have a good, long play with it - making sure that your peripherals work and that you understand what's going on.

A little patience now may well save a lot of work later on.
Author:  cloaked_wolf [ Tue Jul 03, 2012 6:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Nüb to linux
I tried installing Ubuntu 12 on to a flash drive using lili. When it came to booting up, the laptop recognised the usb stick and started to load linux but it then seemed to hang. I will try again woth an earlier version and see what happens.
Author:  cloaked_wolf [ Thu Jul 05, 2012 1:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Nüb to linux
Strangely, despite ubuntu not playing ball on my laptop, I managed to get it to work on the Acer Revo machine at work.

Libre recognised my MS powerpoint presentation and I was able to configure it to infinity-loop.

Things I need to do now are get display drivers so it can drive a 42" screen, and wireless keyb/mouse drivers so I can use them.
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