GIMP Version: 2.8.14
Operating System: Mac OS
GIMP Experience: Intermediate Level

---

I am just about over it with GIMP and mac at the moment (since upgrading to Sierra) and I want to start using a linux OS on my VM ware and looking for suggestions and help with installing the LINUX OS and the extras...just putting it out there to see if someone can help me please...its driving me nuts.

Do I DL the OS and put it on a bootable disc ..how can I get this done please

I'm not a Linux user, but you can download it and boot from a USB drive/thumb drive.

You can download a .iso file and save it to a dvd or a usb drive. You can then boot from the drive and try it without disturbing your present operating system. Booting from a dvd, however, it will run very slowly! I have not tried booting from a usb stick, but expect that to be quicker.

I have been using Ubuntu for several years. I opted for Ubuntu because there is a LTS (Long Term Support) version which is supported for five years.

I am using the 32 bit version on very low spec desktop and laptop. It runs very well, even on these machines.

If you wish to try it there are clear instructions on the Ubuntu website.

david.

Long time since I used VMWare, moved to linux machines and VirtualBox, but there will be similarities.

Which distro to use: If you look at http://www.distrowatch.com there is a list of popular versions and you can follow links for information to end up at a download location.

As well as the actual distribution - Ubuntu - Mint - Fedora there are options for a "Desktop Enviroment" (DE) which as well as how the thing looks, will affect how much resources are used.

From the regular Ubuntu Trinity, fairly heavy on resources to lightweight LXDE.

I do not know how much memory your Mac has but say 4GB then maybe you can afford to allocate 2 GB to a virtual machine. Perhaps VMWare will decide for you, but do a little checking first.

For ease of installation along with Gimp already installed, I advise Mint with the MATE (DE) Since your VirtualMachine less than 4GB memory 32 bit is ok. Mint has a good and friendly forum with lots of advice.

Download the "live" DVD iso - tend to be on the big side these days 1.5 GB - such is life. Hopefully VMWare will allow directly using the iso as a virtual disk rather than burning and booting from a physical DVD drive.

This example, trying out the new Bodhi 4 - a very light on resources DE on an ubuntu base but not for beginners. That shows the virtual DVD drive but lots to configure from the amount of memory to sharing folders, with the host machine.

http://imgur.com/mWlO9zK

You might not succeed first time round, but the virtual machine is just a set of files in a folder. Delete and start again.

edit: looks largely automated https://vimeo.com/117362745
and for the tools
http://tutorialforlinux.com/2014/11/17/ ... ual-guide/

I use PCLinuxOS, and you can download an iso and run it from a CD or USB key as well. If you have VirtualBox on your computer, you can set it up to install directly from wherever you have stored it on your hard drive. Most of the iso's come with GIMP already on them.

I have used Ubuntu, but I like PCLinuxOS better. Their magazine also has a special edition about migrating from Windows to Linux and contains instructions for installation.

http://pclosmag.com/special.html (second down on this page)

Have fun!

I have 16GB and allow about 4Gb for the GIMP I am running now so will have no probs with it if I decide to go with UBUNTU, which is wear I am heading now...I am not using the VMware for anything else much and certainly not for the net, so will dl the OS and put it on a stick and boot from that. Thanks for the input

Thank you everyone for your input. I value all of your opinions and look forward to possibly joining the Linux community here in the neaer futre. It is something I have thought about in the past but now feel like I am leaning more that way. Thanks again.

I can recommend Linux Mint xfce. I have tried Ubuntu but can't get along with it. Ubuntu was too heavy for my laptop.

Thanks Kimba for that recommendation. I just want alight version anyway as it will not be my main OS. I am just doing it for GIMP use only.

Mint is Ubuntu... The difference is mostly the default desktop manager. So there is little difference between Mint with XFCE and XuBuntu (the Ubuntu+XCFE distro).

Thanks for the clarification, Ofnuts.

Well I finally have linuxMint installed and seemingly running ok on my VMware...now...how the heck to I install the gazillion scripts and brushes and et al which I already have on my mac...I need to get them from the mac to the linux OS and then install them..trying to get it done without having to re download them.

Looks like to have to set up some file sharing or file transfer between host and guest as if they were networked machines. For a one-shot deal file transfer would be the easiest (if both have SSH it is already available) but in the long run, sharing directories between the two makes things simpler.

As in earlier post, I use VirtualBox in linux however the procedure looks similar.

Have you installed the VMWare Tools?

then first hit with google and reasonably up-to-date.

https://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/micro ... Id=1004055

As an interim measure, copy to a usb memory stick then open that in the Virtual machine. That probably needs VMware Tools as well.

In the end you will need a shared folder, just for ease of getting your work out and into your Mac.

Actually I was thinking of using a usb stick...but I havent got a clue where to put the things either (installing them)

I did point you to a run-through of a gimp installation in linux in another thread

However, I do have a Mint 14 MATE VirtualBox VM available. Not much difference to the latest, apart from the colour.

VMWare Fusion looks like it might even be easier to set up than VirtualBox. Providing the USB gets recognised, it should go something like this.

https://youtu.be/YTWL8rE3TWI 5 minutes.

I'll have another look at it but I found it a tad confusing I am afraid. But thanks rich..I'll get back and try again

Well you have to look at it first

https://youtu.be/YTWL8rE3TWI

main points

Show hidden files
make plugins executable.

once you understand that and become comfortable with linux and Mint help can be given on more advanced topics.