Installing Linux Software On Mac

• Linux On Old Mac
• Installing Linux Software On Mac Download
• How To Install Linux On Mac

Now that we know what Linux is, it is the time that to learn how we should install it on the computer and choose which Distribution we should use. Let us start by understanding what a Linux Distribution is.

In this tutorial, we will learn -

Installing software on a GNU/Linux system does not have to be a tedious task for a desktop user, as thousands of programs are only a very short command away. This may not be a typical procedure for all of GNU/Linux, but there are many excellent desktop distros available today that use apt-get as their package manager making software. Many of you will want to install Linux on a Mac out of curiosity, but the sad truth is that you'll end up asking all over the Internet how to remove it, because, in many cases, it won't recognize. Dec 07, 2018  Linux was first OS which started the practice of maintaining a centralized where users could find and install software followed by Mac OSX while Windows have Windows Installer but with a GUI rather than command line. Package managers generally serve several functions: Searching for software; Installing software; Upgrading software; Uninstalling.

What is a Linux Distribution?

Well, now as you know that Linux is open-source, free to use kernel. It is used by programmers, organizations, profit and non-profit companies around the world to create Operating systems to suit their individual requirements.

To prevent hacking attempts, many organizations keep their Linux operating systems private.

Many others make their variations of Linux available publicly so the whole world can benefit at large.

These versions/ types /kinds of Linux operating system are called Distributions.

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How many distributions are out there?

There are hundreds of Linux operating systems or Distributions available these days. Many of them are designed with a specific purpose in mind. For example, to run a web server or to run on network switches like routers, modems, etc.

The latest example of one of the most popular smartphone-based Linux Distribution is Android!

Many of these Distributions are built to offer excellent personal computing.

The Best Linux Distribution!

The term best is relative. Each Linux distribution is built for a specific purpose-built to meet the demands of its target users.

The desktop Distributions are available for free on their respective websites. You might want to try them one by one till you get to know which Distribution you like the most. Each one of them offers its own unique design, applications, and security.

We will be using Ubuntu for our learning purpose as it's easy for a beginner to understand.

Installing Linux

Let's look the various methods we can use to install Ubuntu.

Installing Linux using USB stick

This is one of the easiest methods of installing Ubuntu or any distribution on your computer. Follow the steps.

Step 1) Download the .iso or the OS files on your computer from this link.

Step 2) download free, software like 'Universal USB installer to make a bootable USB stick.

Step 3) Select an Ubuntu Distribution form the dropdown to put on your USB

Select your Ubuntu iso file download in step 1.

Select the drive letter of USB to install Ubuntu and Press create button.

Step 4) Click YES to Install Ubuntu in USB.

Step 5) After everything has been installed and configured, a small window will appear Congratulations! You now have Ubuntu on a USB stick, bootable and ready to go.

Installing Linux using CD-ROM

Those who like the way a CD runs should try using this method.

(image source)

Step 1) Download the .iso or the OS files onto your computer from this link http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop.

Step 2) Burn the files to a CD.

Step 3) Boot your computer from the optical drive and follow the instructions as they come.

Installing Linux using Virtual Machine

This is a popular method to install a Linux operating system. The virtual installation offers you the freedom of running Linux on an existing OS already installed on your computer. This means if you have Windows running, then you can just run Linux with a click of a button.

Virtual machine software like Oracle VM can install Ubuntu in easy steps. Let us look at them.

Here the brief steps

PART A) Download and Install Virtual Box

Download Virtual box using this link

Depending on your processor and OS, select the appropriate package. In our case, we have selected Windows with AMD

Once the download is complete, Open setup file and follow the steps below:

Step-1) Click On next

Step-2) Select you're the directory to install VirtualBox and click on next

Step-3) Select Desktop icon and click on next, now click on yes

Step-4) Click On install.

Step-5) Now installation of the virtual box will start. Once complete, click on Finish Button to start Virtual Box

The virtual box dashboard looks like this-

PART B) Download Ubuntu

Visit this link to download Ubuntu.

You can select 32/64-bit versions as per your choice.

PART C) Create a Machine in Virtual Box

Step-1) Open Virtual box and click on new button

Step-2) In next window, give the name of your OS which you are installing in virtual box. And select OS like Linux and version as Ubuntu 32 bit. And click on next

Step-3) Now Allocate Ram Size To your Virtual OS. I recommended keeping 1024mb (1 GB) ram to run Ubuntu better. And click on next.

Step-4) Now To run OS in virtual box we have to create virtual hard disk, click on create a virtual hard drive now and click on create button.

The virtual hard disk is where the OS installation files and data/applications you create/install in this Ubuntu machine will reside

Step-5) select VHD (virtual hard disk) option and click on next.

Step-6) Click on dynamic allocated and click on next. This means that the size of the disk will increase dynamically as per requirement.

Step-7) Allocate memory to your virtual hard drive .8GB recommended. Click on create button.

Step-8) Now you can see the machine name in left panel

So a Machine (PC) with 8GB Hardisk, 1GB RAM is ready.

PART D) Install Ubuntu on the Machine

Step 1) Select the Machine and Click on Start

Step 2) Select the Folder Option

Step 3) Select the Ubuntu iso file

Step 4) Click Start

Step-5) You have an option to Run Ubuntu WITHOUT installing. In this tutorial will install Ubuntu

Step-6) Click continue.

Step-7) Select option to erase the disk and install Ubuntu and click on install now. This option installs Ubuntu into our virtual hard drive which is we made earlier. It will not harm your PC or Windows installation

Step-8) Select your location for setting up time zone, and click on continue

Step-9) Select your keyboard layout, by default English (US) is selected but if you want to change then, you can select in the list. And click on continue

Step-10) Select your username and password for your Ubuntu admin account. This information has been needed for installing any software package into Ubuntu and also for login to your OS. Fill up your details and tick on login automatically to ignore login attempt and click on continue

Step-11) Installation process starts. May take up to 30 minutes. Please wait until installation process completes.

Step-12) After finishing the installation, you will see Ubuntu Desktop.

Summary

• An operating system based on the Linux kernel is called a Distribution or Distro
• There are hundreds of Distributions available, some of which are designed to accomplish a sole purpose like running servers, act as network switches, etc.
• Naming the best Linux Distribution is difficult as they are made for different.
• Linux can be installed on your system via the below-mentioned methods:
  • USB stick
  • Live CD
  • Virtual Installation

Don't junk your old Mac hardware just because it can no longer get new software updates. Get some new life in your old Macs with the GNU/Linux operating system! We'll show you how to 'try it before you buy it' so to speak to see how a specific version of GNU/Linux, Ubuntu, will run on your aging Mac.

Why bother trying GNU/Linux on your Mac?

I have a late 2010 MacBook Air. It's not as fast or as optically pretty as my 5K iMac nor my iPad Pro for that matter. I do, however, use it daily. I'm writing this article on it. As old as it is, it's 'good enough' for what I use it for and I still prefer the keyboard on it to the one on more modern MacBooks.

My MacBook Air just made the cutoff for being compatible with the newly released macOS High Sierra. I'm happy to know that for at least one more year, I'll be able to get the latest and greatest doodads, bells and whistles, and more importantly, I'll get the latest security updates (good thing too as while I'll write this, we've just found out that WPA2 has been cracked and clients will need to be updated with security patches).

However, Apple at one point will deem this well working, useful, good-enough MacBook Air as unworthy of any more updates. And as I understand the reasons why my venerable MacBook Air can't be supported indefinitely, I still find it to be wasteful that a decent-enough, capable, and not to mention still functioning computer be put to pasture because of lack of software updates.

This is where GNU/Linux comes in. GNU/Linux is a free and open source operating system very similar in many respects to the under-pinnings of macOS. It comes with modern networking capabilities, web browsers, and content creation tools. Not only is it known to run well with older hardware, but you will also get many years of software and security updates that you'd likely miss out on if you were to remain on a macOS-only installation.

See how well Ubuntu Linux runs on your Mac

You needn't throw out the baby with the bathwater and wipe your old Mac's hard drive clean before trying it out. All you need is a USB drive of a least 2GB in size and an internet connection to get started. Here's how to do it.

Get your USB drive ready

1. Backup your Mac.
2. Launch Disk Utility.
3. Attach your USB key to your Mac.

4. Select your External USB device from the list of volumes. (BE VERY CERTAIN YOU SELECT THE PROPER DEVICE).

5. Click Erase to format your USB key.
6. Name your USB key.
7. Select MS-DOS (FAT) as the type of Format you wish to perform.

8. Click Erase.

Download the Ubuntu Linux installation file.

1. Go to the Ubuntu website.
2. Click Ubuntu Desktop.
3. Select the Ubuntu Linux version your prefer. If you want longterm support and stability, select Ubuntu LTS (recommended). If you prefer the latest software bells and whistles, select the non LTS Ubuntu.
4. Download the file.

Prepare your USB key to run Ubuntu Linux

We now need to make the USB drive capable of booting Ubuntu Linux with special software. Ubuntu recommends using Etcher.

1. Go to the Etcher website.
2. Download Etcher for macOS.
3. Install Etcher by double clicking the .dmg file you downloaded.
4. Launch Etcher.
5. Select the ubuntu install file known as an Image.
6. Choose the USB drive you prepared with Select Drive.

7. Click Flash to start the process.

Try Ubuntu Linux!

You're now ready to try Ubuntu linux by booting off of your newly created bootable USB key drive.

Linux On Old Mac

1. Leave your USB Key installed into a USB port on your Mac.
2. Click on the Apple Icon at the top left of your menu bar.
3. Select Restart.
4. When you hear the familiar 'Bing' sound press and hold the alt/option key.
5. You'll see the 'Startup Manager' and you can now select to boot from the EFI Boot disk.
6. Select Try Ubuntu Without Installing.
7. Tap Enter.

8. Ubuntu Linux will now boot up!

You'll be able to connect to Wi-Fi, browse the web, write up an article (or anything else you may want to do) without making any permanent changes to your existing hard drive. See how much you like it and you can eventually install Ubuntu side by side with your macOS install or go full bore with a Linux only installation (tutorials coming later).

What do you do with your old hardware?

I get a real kick out of repurposing old technology with new abilities. I really value the longevity of a computer system that can still run modern software. If I can keep it going beyond it's expected lifespan, I'm a happy camper. What's your take? What do you do with your old hardware? Let us know in the comments!

Installing Linux Software On Mac Download

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How To Install Linux On Mac

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