Linux Format forums

stuart_c · Joined: Tue Mar 20, 2012 5:20 pm Posts: 7

I have a Windows box with no recovery disk, so I'm thinking of taking the plunge into Linux.

It's only really used for surfing the web; but I don't want to delete the commercial s/w and it only has a small HDD.

I like the sound of booting into SUSE Live from USB.

Is this a practical way to surf the web long term and, crucially, does iPlayer Desktop support that distro?

BBC only state support for four (old) distros - did they stop supporting Linux at some stage; or do they support distros from those ones onwards?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/install

I understand that third party s/w may allow download of BBC prog's; but for the purposes of this thread, I am thinking about compatibility with the official s/w.

Many thanks.[/url]

wyliecoyoteuk · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 6:13 pm Post subject:

It is not the BBC, but Adobe that have dropped support for Linux.
iPlayer desktop requires adobe AIR.
Having said that, it works fine here with Ubuntu 11.10.
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Bruno · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 7:56 pm Post subject:

Hi stuart_c, firstly, a warm welcome to LXF forums.

Secondly, the BBC probably haven't updated their iPlayer requirements page for a while, that's all, so that's why it lists OpenSUSE 10.3. There have been 6 OpenSUSE releases since 10.3, currently we are on 12.1. The pace of Linux distro development is typically much faster than that of proprietary platforms.

Yes, booting OpenSUSE from a USB stick will work for websurfing, and should allow you to save settings and files, too. BBC iPlayer should work if you install Adode Air.

stuart_c · Joined: Tue Mar 20, 2012 5:20 pm Posts: 7

Thanks for the replies.

A couple of people have kindly suggested alternative distros given the modest spec' of the P.C(s) I have access to, and my all round online requirements:

Lubuntu;
Chrome OS,
http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2012/04/howto-run-the-new-chrome-os-environment-without-a-chromebook.ars?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+arstechnica%2Findex+%28Ars+Technica+-+Featured+Content%29

The former I have not come across before. The latter would be a "no", for installing Adobe Air, I take it? Sad