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Tip of the Day: Install Adobe Flash Player 10 in Debian
Adobe Flash Player 10 for Linux was released on Oct 15, 2008. You can install it by either using their DEB package or by downloading the .tar.gz for Linux compressed file from here. After the download is finished issue these commands to install it for Iceweasel and Konqueror: |
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Comments (39)
19 earlier comments in the full thread.
But TT, it's fun picking on Ubuntu, It's not the Newbie friendly distributions it's marketed as, yes it's a good solid, newbie friendly distribution, but it's not as newbie friendly as say Mandriva, which has a full set of administration tools all in one place, and which defaults to the KDE desktop. Although with KDE4, a lot of that shine has gone from Mandriva.
Mandriva? Certainly a good distro. But it's the name, Traceyanne...the name.
It sounds like a salivary disorder.
Maybe it doesn't sound so offensive in French or Portugese.
I was a huge fan of Mandrake...and not just because it sounded like a British quaalude, though I do have to admit that did appeal to my rebellious side.
It sounds like a salivary disorder.
Maybe it doesn't sound so offensive in French or Portugese.
I was a huge fan of Mandrake...and not just because it sounded like a British quaalude, though I do have to admit that did appeal to my rebellious side.
> I was a huge fan of Mandrake...
I've always been partial that comic strip myself. Which is, of course, the reason they finally changed the name. The hat, wand, and stars logos they used didn't help their position any.
I've always been partial that comic strip myself. Which is, of course, the reason they finally changed the name. The hat, wand, and stars logos they used didn't help their position any.
> The supreme irony is that the people here who want to see the Linux desktop for the masses the most (i.e. Total World Domination) are the very ones that hold great disdain for distributions like Ubuntu which are really making inroads.
Great disdain? Not really. Ubuntu this and Ubuntu that does get tiresome after a while though.
Great disdain? Not really. Ubuntu this and Ubuntu that does get tiresome after a while though.
Yeah, things that work and don't need to be fiddled with are boring.
> Ubuntu this and Ubuntu that does get tiresome after a while though.
Yeah, we need a little more Slackware this and Slackware that.
> things that work and don't need to be fiddled with are boring.
Perfect time to make reference to Slackware.
> it's not as newbie friendly as say Mandriva, which has a full set of administration tools all in one place, and which defaults to the KDE desktop
That's a debatable point. I remember the advantages of KDE being "8.6 trillion configuration options" which was scary. I liked the "unconfigurable" GNOME desktop. Just having a start button in the lower left corner did not get around the fact that there were a couple thousand things to dig through in the KDE menu.
Yeah, we need a little more Slackware this and Slackware that.
> things that work and don't need to be fiddled with are boring.
Perfect time to make reference to Slackware.
> it's not as newbie friendly as say Mandriva, which has a full set of administration tools all in one place, and which defaults to the KDE desktop
That's a debatable point. I remember the advantages of KDE being "8.6 trillion configuration options" which was scary. I liked the "unconfigurable" GNOME desktop. Just having a start button in the lower left corner did not get around the fact that there were a couple thousand things to dig through in the KDE menu.
As a long-time keeper of a KNOPPIX disk for various recovery and discovery reasons, I've quite a liking for PCLinuxOS.
(heretic! its not debian based! Burn Him!)
But what I have found is that Linux systems don't blow up unless one messes with them. Get it working, leave it alone, and it just plain runs.
What a Linux newbie really needs is a working system, long enough to get the hang of *NIX structure. Once that happens, I honestly believe any distribution will do.
For that matter, any distribution will do at the outset. But it needs to be preinstalled, either by the integrator or neighbor. Just. Like. Windows. Is.
(heretic! its not debian based! Burn Him!)
But what I have found is that Linux systems don't blow up unless one messes with them. Get it working, leave it alone, and it just plain runs.
What a Linux newbie really needs is a working system, long enough to get the hang of *NIX structure. Once that happens, I honestly believe any distribution will do.
For that matter, any distribution will do at the outset. But it needs to be preinstalled, either by the integrator or neighbor. Just. Like. Windows. Is.
@Bigg: Thanks for reminding me about two of my production servers. Almost forgot they were there...
Server 1: Slackware 11 (2.4.33.3) up 379 days Server 2: Slackware 12 (2.6.21.5) up 373 days
Certainly no record but impressive nonetheless.
Server 1: Slackware 11 (2.4.33.3) up 379 days Server 2: Slackware 12 (2.6.21.5) up 373 days
Certainly no record but impressive nonetheless.
@linuxnewbie9999
To get Flash running on debian shouldn't be too tricky, the aformentioned mozilla-flash-plugin ought to do the job. For other multimedia/non-free programs there's the Marillat/debian-multimedia repository which you can add the easy way with Synaptic or the hard way by editing your /etc/apt/sources.list
http://debian-multimedia.org/
Theres a similar repo for Ubuntu called medibuntu which you could use the 'flashplugin-nonfree' which is available through apt by default afaik.
http://www.medibuntu.org/
The third option, atleast in Ubuntu, is going to a webpage such as youtube without the flash plugin. You'll be prompted to install it there and then which generally does the trick.
HTH,
ABCC
To get Flash running on debian shouldn't be too tricky, the aformentioned mozilla-flash-plugin ought to do the job. For other multimedia/non-free programs there's the Marillat/debian-multimedia repository which you can add the easy way with Synaptic or the hard way by editing your /etc/apt/sources.list
http://debian-multimedia.org/
Theres a similar repo for Ubuntu called medibuntu which you could use the 'flashplugin-nonfree' which is available through apt by default afaik.
http://www.medibuntu.org/
The third option, atleast in Ubuntu, is going to a webpage such as youtube without the flash plugin. You'll be prompted to install it there and then which generally does the trick.
HTH,
ABCC
> Yeah, we need a little more Slackware this and Slackware that.
Who am I to argue? :)
Who am I to argue? :)
@linuxnewbie:
Seriously, if you want a distribution that "just works" then you should be looking at a distribution like Ubuntu.
The Ubuntu people have paid a lot of attention to usability so that users do not have to become experts in order to install and use it. Among other things, Flash installation is an easy point and click. The "Synaptic Package Manager" gives you access to over 25,000 program packages each installable with a click. (Ubuntu is based on Debian.)
Seriously, if you want a distribution that "just works" then you should be looking at a distribution like Ubuntu.
The Ubuntu people have paid a lot of attention to usability so that users do not have to become experts in order to install and use it. Among other things, Flash installation is an easy point and click. The "Synaptic Package Manager" gives you access to over 25,000 program packages each installable with a click. (Ubuntu is based on Debian.)
> Seriously, if you want a distribution that "just works" then you should be looking at a distribution like Ubuntu.
Agreed. My default list for a while for newbies has been Ubuntu, PCLinuxOS, Mepis, and Mandriva. Unfortuantely, Mandriva has shot itself in the foot with their default installation of KDE4 in the 2009 edition and both Mepis and PCLinuxOS are getting very long of tooth. Mepis at least has their latest version in beta, so it shouldn't be too long till it's ready.
Agreed. My default list for a while for newbies has been Ubuntu, PCLinuxOS, Mepis, and Mandriva. Unfortuantely, Mandriva has shot itself in the foot with their default installation of KDE4 in the 2009 edition and both Mepis and PCLinuxOS are getting very long of tooth. Mepis at least has their latest version in beta, so it shouldn't be too long till it's ready.
> My default list for a while for newbies has been Ubuntu, PCLinuxOS, Mepis, and Mandriva.
I'd add Mint to that list. I also will no longer recommend Mandriva given that I had an ugly experience with the latest release, and their letting Adam Williamson go is a sign that they might not be around much longer. Even if they survive I am concerned that the quality of the distro/updates/support will suffer.
I've heard too many comments about the PCLinuxOS forums to recommend it to a newbie.
I'd add Mint to that list. I also will no longer recommend Mandriva given that I had an ugly experience with the latest release, and their letting Adam Williamson go is a sign that they might not be around much longer. Even if they survive I am concerned that the quality of the distro/updates/support will suffer.
I've heard too many comments about the PCLinuxOS forums to recommend it to a newbie.
I also must highly recommend Ubuntu with the mediubuntu repository for a mainstream desktop. My primary desktop has been Kubuntu for a few years now. I have also had better luck getting everything working on Laptop installs (Wireless, etc.) with vanilla Ubuntu than with any other distro (Mandriva was pretty good there, too).
The biggest thorn in my Linux side is my favorite browser, Opera, which has major problems randomly freezing up with every flash plugin I have tried (KDE). It also handles MIME types inconsistently and crashes occasionally, at least in KDE. Pretty sad considering they're both Qt.
All that being said, and I'll probably get reprimanded for this, but if a new user plans on making a mainstream living with Linux they should probably be looking at using Fedora / CentOS / RHEL and learning their nuances. Those would be a more valuable addition to your resume.
The biggest thorn in my Linux side is my favorite browser, Opera, which has major problems randomly freezing up with every flash plugin I have tried (KDE). It also handles MIME types inconsistently and crashes occasionally, at least in KDE. Pretty sad considering they're both Qt.
All that being said, and I'll probably get reprimanded for this, but if a new user plans on making a mainstream living with Linux they should probably be looking at using Fedora / CentOS / RHEL and learning their nuances. Those would be a more valuable addition to your resume.
@bigg, I have to agree. Letting Adam, and other techie types go is a big mistake.
B_R said: "What a Linux newbie really needs is a working system, long enough to get the hang of *NIX structure. Once that happens, I honestly believe any distribution will do."
Yes, that is what any computer n00b needs. And maybe a link to that distros forum.
Thats what the Lindependence guys are doing, you get to see several machines running different distros. Pick one, they help you install and you are good to go!
Those OLPC XOs sure do well out in the sticks. They are ready-to-run out of the box and kids who don't even have electricity at home are computing.
tracyanne is having great success getting people happy with Linux, maybe she has some insights?
Yes, that is what any computer n00b needs. And maybe a link to that distros forum.
Thats what the Lindependence guys are doing, you get to see several machines running different distros. Pick one, they help you install and you are good to go!
Those OLPC XOs sure do well out in the sticks. They are ready-to-run out of the box and kids who don't even have electricity at home are computing.
tracyanne is having great success getting people happy with Linux, maybe she has some insights?
All I do is install my favourite Linux, make sure that everything works.
By that I mean that all the CODECs are installed, that it's possible to play a rented movie (if the machine has a DVD player) that they can go wireless if they want, 99% of the time it's no different than setting up a wired network connection, very occassionally it requires a bit of extra jiggery pokery because the wireless is Broadcom. I install all the games the Video card is capable of running, and as much of the different types of software the customer is likely to want to use.
Most of the time, that's all they ever want, and they file the root password away in a safe place and forget about it, and the totl of my suppot is getting them used NoScript in Firefox, or walking them through attaching files to an email in Evolution of Thunderbird, or maybe finding and installing drivers for printers that can't be included in the repostos, because of some weired idea the hardware manufacturer has about property.
The more adventurous will want lessons in how to use digikam, and theGIMP, once they start to get the hang of that, the even more adventurous will start to teach themselves.
There are only two people who require a lot of input to keep them going with just the basics, and they are both blokes.
Basically, the class of user I've been doing this for, is happy to be able to surf and email and download phots from their camera, these are the majority of the peopel who use Windows, and who end up with computers that are infested with Viruses, who take the computer back to the shop multiple times to get it cleaned out, or if they are luckier find a techie type who uses windows to do it for them, or if they are even luckier, find me to upgrade their windows system to Linux.
Liz the lady I've spoken about before, she's one of my "Little Old Ladies", is currently reading up on Linux, we found her some sites with newbie oriented information, and she's trying to learn as much about Linux as she can, this is her retirement project (if she was 30 or 40 years younger she'd probably be a first class geek). She's writing a piece about her experience with Linux, which, I hope to post here.
By that I mean that all the CODECs are installed, that it's possible to play a rented movie (if the machine has a DVD player) that they can go wireless if they want, 99% of the time it's no different than setting up a wired network connection, very occassionally it requires a bit of extra jiggery pokery because the wireless is Broadcom. I install all the games the Video card is capable of running, and as much of the different types of software the customer is likely to want to use.
Most of the time, that's all they ever want, and they file the root password away in a safe place and forget about it, and the totl of my suppot is getting them used NoScript in Firefox, or walking them through attaching files to an email in Evolution of Thunderbird, or maybe finding and installing drivers for printers that can't be included in the repostos, because of some weired idea the hardware manufacturer has about property.
The more adventurous will want lessons in how to use digikam, and theGIMP, once they start to get the hang of that, the even more adventurous will start to teach themselves.
There are only two people who require a lot of input to keep them going with just the basics, and they are both blokes.
Basically, the class of user I've been doing this for, is happy to be able to surf and email and download phots from their camera, these are the majority of the peopel who use Windows, and who end up with computers that are infested with Viruses, who take the computer back to the shop multiple times to get it cleaned out, or if they are luckier find a techie type who uses windows to do it for them, or if they are even luckier, find me to upgrade their windows system to Linux.
Liz the lady I've spoken about before, she's one of my "Little Old Ladies", is currently reading up on Linux, we found her some sites with newbie oriented information, and she's trying to learn as much about Linux as she can, this is her retirement project (if she was 30 or 40 years younger she'd probably be a first class geek). She's writing a piece about her experience with Linux, which, I hope to post here.
Ok folks I am back but not posting from a linux distro desktop. I installed several distros and found Ubuntu head and shoulders above the rest for click and go computing. I was able to get Flash running on Firefox by clicking (no commands required). Firefox and flash was a critical minimum requirement because I like to surf the web and see all the gyrating flash websites which have proliferated throughout the web. I also like Ubuntu because it supports Thunderbird mail client which I have been using for many years now. I wanted to port my mail and not have to loose it or go through the experience of trying to export a comma delimited file and then import that file. I was ready to try to install Thunderbird in Ubuntu when I hit a major snag. The video driver native in Ubuntu and the one which was available from the video adapter company whose card I had in the machine would not allow me to set it to an acceptable resolution. In fact when I set it to where the driver couldn't handle it, the screen would go blank and never come back. I had to reload Ubuntu several times to fiddle and try and find as good a setting as I could.
I have ordered a card which looks to be about 2 years old ($40 cheapie with 512mg memory) and I will try it to see if I can get the settings from a more powerful video adapter (the current adapter in the machine only has 96mb memory). If the "new" card works then I will continue on journey into using linux for my personal computing needs. If it doesn't then I will slap it into this old PC which is virtually identical accept that it has an XP Home load on it.
You see I set out on this project because my company is going through layoffs as a result of the market collapse and I wanted to get all of my personal email, browser etc configurations set up on a new PC before I got called in and let go. All of that stuff had been on my work laptop which I had used for both for the sake of convenience. Now let me say that the drivers is a critical issue. Ubuntu allows for point and click installation but if it doesn't support or have drivers for cards which are already two years old then it can not take over the world from Microsquish. What window switchers require is to be able to point and click and not have to learn commands. Just click and install, reconfigure etc. I was pleased to see a graphical file management system in Ubuntu but I didn't go far in messing with it. I am sure there will be a learning curve there as well but one I would be willing to make so long as I don't have to go back to DOS command line in emulation terminals. No typical windows switcher will go there.
I have been using computers for over 30 years now. In the early 1980s I even contemplated putting a midrange IBM system (system 34 or 5340) in my home for spreadsheets, word processing etc. Systems 34s were about the size of 2 stacked fridges laid on their sides. However the 1000lbs was too much for the room where I wanted to put the system and abandoned the project. Of course I followed with zeal the rise of personal computing and started from scratch with an Atari (hand built on plywood with sheet metal screws to hold the hard drives and other IO in the case along with hand soldered memory address lines to expand system memory etc) running windows before there was an MS windows OS. I was highly proficient in DOS and doing the configurations etc. I built them, fixed etc. I explain all this so that even though I am an old guy I wanted you all to know that I understand computing in ways that many of may not even be able to imagine. I used to joke at work that when a disk drive fell over, if it didn't kill you (the disk enclosures used to 7' tall with [platters the width of truck tires and weigh 600lbs) then it wasn't a real disk drive.
Therefore allow me to conclude this note with what is in my mind. Ubuntu is very good. Until is totally point and click, plug and pray on IO and supports the vast majority of drivers out there it can't rule the world. It is close and I hope my new video card is supported in their latest distro so that this old dog can continue to experience the future in PCs. If it can't I will wait another few years, as I just have, and try it again. I will try and check back here to see if there are any questions you all would like me to answer. However things are getting very dicey at work so I can't really say how much time I may have. Again thanks to all of you for your help. I really appreciate it. Happy holidays to you and yours. Thanks.
I have ordered a card which looks to be about 2 years old ($40 cheapie with 512mg memory) and I will try it to see if I can get the settings from a more powerful video adapter (the current adapter in the machine only has 96mb memory). If the "new" card works then I will continue on journey into using linux for my personal computing needs. If it doesn't then I will slap it into this old PC which is virtually identical accept that it has an XP Home load on it.
You see I set out on this project because my company is going through layoffs as a result of the market collapse and I wanted to get all of my personal email, browser etc configurations set up on a new PC before I got called in and let go. All of that stuff had been on my work laptop which I had used for both for the sake of convenience. Now let me say that the drivers is a critical issue. Ubuntu allows for point and click installation but if it doesn't support or have drivers for cards which are already two years old then it can not take over the world from Microsquish. What window switchers require is to be able to point and click and not have to learn commands. Just click and install, reconfigure etc. I was pleased to see a graphical file management system in Ubuntu but I didn't go far in messing with it. I am sure there will be a learning curve there as well but one I would be willing to make so long as I don't have to go back to DOS command line in emulation terminals. No typical windows switcher will go there.
I have been using computers for over 30 years now. In the early 1980s I even contemplated putting a midrange IBM system (system 34 or 5340) in my home for spreadsheets, word processing etc. Systems 34s were about the size of 2 stacked fridges laid on their sides. However the 1000lbs was too much for the room where I wanted to put the system and abandoned the project. Of course I followed with zeal the rise of personal computing and started from scratch with an Atari (hand built on plywood with sheet metal screws to hold the hard drives and other IO in the case along with hand soldered memory address lines to expand system memory etc) running windows before there was an MS windows OS. I was highly proficient in DOS and doing the configurations etc. I built them, fixed etc. I explain all this so that even though I am an old guy I wanted you all to know that I understand computing in ways that many of may not even be able to imagine. I used to joke at work that when a disk drive fell over, if it didn't kill you (the disk enclosures used to 7' tall with [platters the width of truck tires and weigh 600lbs) then it wasn't a real disk drive.
Therefore allow me to conclude this note with what is in my mind. Ubuntu is very good. Until is totally point and click, plug and pray on IO and supports the vast majority of drivers out there it can't rule the world. It is close and I hope my new video card is supported in their latest distro so that this old dog can continue to experience the future in PCs. If it can't I will wait another few years, as I just have, and try it again. I will try and check back here to see if there are any questions you all would like me to answer. However things are getting very dicey at work so I can't really say how much time I may have. Again thanks to all of you for your help. I really appreciate it. Happy holidays to you and yours. Thanks.
It sounds like you're having difficulty with nVidia drivers. At least I have an experience that sounds like yours.
The Ubuntu installation of nVidia drivers never works for me. I use Envy, and have never had any trouble. Also, the Ubuntu forums are pretty friendly if you have trouble using it:
http://www.albertomilone.com/nvidia_scripts1.html
There are instructions on the site, but essentially you install envyng with Synaptic, then run a GUI to install the driver.
The Ubuntu installation of nVidia drivers never works for me. I use Envy, and have never had any trouble. Also, the Ubuntu forums are pretty friendly if you have trouble using it:
http://www.albertomilone.com/nvidia_scripts1.html
There are instructions on the site, but essentially you install envyng with Synaptic, then run a GUI to install the driver.
newbie knowing which video card it is could help us to help you, and as bigg suggested the Ubuntu forums are very friendly and full of advise.
Unfortunately changing systems will require some learning and have a teething period, you have to be willing to learn how the new system works if you want to change. I am sure in your 30 years of computing experience you have had to learn new systems every now and again.
Good luck at with your work experience.
Unfortunately changing systems will require some learning and have a teething period, you have to be willing to learn how the new system works if you want to change. I am sure in your 30 years of computing experience you have had to learn new systems every now and again.
Good luck at with your work experience.
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