Hey everyone! I'm new to Linux and honestly, it's been a bit of a struggle for me. I chose Linux Mint because I heard it was super user-friendly right after installation, but I'm running into issues since my PC is completely offline. Whenever I try to install programs, it prompts me to add new packages, which isn't possible for me because I can't connect to the internet. Am I using the wrong distro, or is Linux just not suited for offline usage? For example, I wanted to install the audio player qmmp. I thought I could download the tar.bz2 file, extract it, and follow the instructions in the readme. Everything was going well until I discovered I needed cmake. I'd usually just run a command to install it, but that's not an option for me right now. Any advice would be hugely appreciated!
5 Answers
Installing software offline can be tricky! It’s like trying to fix an old Windows machine without internet access. You can use a USB stick to transfer files, but it definitely involves a lot more manual work. I get that it can be frustrating since what used to be as easy as running a .exe now requires back-and-forth file transfers. Just stick with it, Linux has a bit of a learning curve but it’s worth it!
It's great to hear you’re enjoying Linux otherwise! Maybe looking into portable apps could help you manage without constant file movement.
Honestly, being offline means you won’t be able to access new software updates or installations at all. Linux packages are stored in repositories, and without internet access, you can't download what you need. It’s a bummer!
Honestly, being offline with any OS can complicate things. Updating, upgrading, and installing new software relies heavily on having access to the internet. It's just how package management systems work. If you're dead set on being offline, think about how you’ll manage updates and software installations in the long run!
Being offline limits a lot of abilities with any OS. If you really want to stick with it offline, you might consider looking for specific Linux distributions that cater to offline usage, or maybe even exploring portable applications that don’t require installation.
Check out the migration page for tips on offline installs. It’s tough, but you can find some workarounds! Just remember, you need internet at some point to keep everything updated. If you're looking to function offline for longer, you might want to consider a distro that handles offline installations a bit better.
Yeah, I totally understand the pain of doing all this extra moving. Just don’t give up on Linux! It can be a fun experience once you get the hang of it.