LINUX! about distributions newbies

first of all, let's not start a distribution flamewar :-)second: we all agree that linux is better than windows, right? hehe.third: which distribution do you use?right now i have debian. it offers you more options on installation, you have more freedom what to install and what not.untill two weeks ago, i used mandrake 10.1 beta 2, and loved every minute of it. next format, i'll probably switch back :-)four: newbieswell, let's take away the fears of newbies when talking about linux :)i'm talking about mandrake linux 10.1 now, which i'd advise for 1st time users.first of all: linux is pretty much user friendly. it looks like windows xp and acts like it too.you have a desktop, a start menu, 'my documents', you can use your cdrom, usb stick,...installation: best to do it on a seperate partition. you can make a new partition with partition magic or a similar program. there's probably some freeware around that'd do the job. i'd advise to take about 3 gigabyte at least.download the 3 cd's from a mirror nearby and burn them using nero or any program you like. insert the cd and reboot.press enter.follow the install untill you reach the screen where you have to choose what you want to install and what not. tick the boxes you'd want (i suggest you install the gnome desktop! it's very user-friendly, better than kde) and then the box on the bottomnow you'll be able to pick any program you want. i suggest noatun and mplayer gui for playing music and movies besides that, most of the things are already installedoh, right: in the internet client section: choose mozilla!!! a really good browserthen press next, and wait :)you'll have to choose a root password. remember it, you'll need it for configuration stuff.don't log in to the root account too mucht though.what does root mean? it's a bit like administrator on a windows system, but much more powerfull. you could easily erase your entire harddisk, even linux itself!press next, next,...restart, you'll have a menu where you can choose which os you want to use: your good old windows or linux. go for linux, complete the installation.some more things: -don't worry about getting programs for linux. like office and stuff like that: most of them are pre-installed. you can open pdf files, word documents, excell and powerpoint,...-linux does support most modems, so you'll be able to use internet without problems-you have some kind of configuration panel:go to settings and choose 'configure my computer'. enter the root password. there you go! just like in windows-don't worry if you can't see your cd drive in 'my computer'. just insert a cd, it'll apear after a few seconds!-you have programs to write cd's inlcuded, that are really easy, no command line stuff-...i could go on and onthe point is: don't be affraid of linux, try mandrak or fedora. they are really easy! and free! and safe!

ow, i forgot:during installation, when asked about partitioning, select: 'manual partition'!!!that way, you can make sure you don't loose windowsselect the empty space and choose 'create new' and then press okor select the existing partition that you want to use, choose 'edit'make filesystem: ext3and mounting point: /you can also use an extra partition: the swap partition. this is the 'virtual memory of windows'. it should be bigger then you amount of ram memory, but not to big. filesystem is 'swap', you don't need a mounting point.i'd advise to make a swap partition of just about the size of your ram and then the other one to fill up the empty space.

ow, i forgot:

during installation, when asked about partitioning, select: 'manual partition'!!!

that way, you can make sure you don't loose windows

select the empty space and choose 'create new' and then press ok

or select the existing partition that you want to use, choose 'edit'

make filesystem: ext3

and mounting point: /

you can also use an extra partition: the swap partition. this is the 'virtual memory of windows'. it should be bigger then you amount of ram memory, but not to big. filesystem is 'swap', you don't need a mounting point.

i'd advise to make a swap partition of just about the size of your ram and then the other one to fill up the empty space.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i think we should let ext3 die now.....

ext2 was great... it was patched with journalling support and called ext3.... but its just not cutting it anymore...

 

give reiserfs a try !

And if you don't want to die in 2 days with Linux Try Suse 9,1 personal, essential, with the new 2.6 kernel(attebntion with the raid support), i think thata for the users that come from Win world is a good choice 'njoy

At the moment I don't have any distribution installed. I'm in a Linuxlessness situation

 

The reason i that my second computer, also known as Penquin (the one I'm using right now is called Joker. And yes I have given names to my computers and i'm only slightly ashemed of it) is still on pieces next to my dining table. Anyways when I get over this lazyness and put the 'Quin (Yes I also shorten my computers' names...) together I will install Debian to it. The reason is the same as Marijnnn's; you get to tailor your installation greatly. I also like the way how Debian is developed.

 

Previously I have had Red Hats and Mandrake installed and both I was very satisfied to both. They are very easy to use and both worked like a charm and I can highly recommend them to everyone.

I like RedHat, but now I'm isntalling Mandrake on the second comp cause I don't have RH. These distributions are good and easy to use.

Gentoo is my favorite linux distribution:
https://www.gentoo.org/

Here is a list I have tried:
turbol linux 6.0
redhat 9
fedora core 1
debian unstable
gentoo
slackware 10

I would like to custom it to fit my need.Gentoo and slackware are all good enough to change.There are many portage mirrors for gentoo which save me time from install software greately.
So I choose gentoo.

I am still a novice at Linux ::Tried ::Fedora Core2Mandrake 10Ubuntu 4.10LycorisXandroDamnsmall LinuxCollege LinuxGenerally, Ifeel that they are really good for a basic user, but if it comes to more specialised Fx, I'm still an idiot .. The greatest problem is Internet connection Sharing .. Can't seemed to get it to work .. Does anyone have any solution ( almost-idiot -proof ones pls ) ??I can see Linux being the next big thing .. now that there are many MS equivalent supporting softwares. I'll wanna explore to see if we can use it for charity organisations in 3rd countries. Hmm .. maybe I should start a new thread to seek advice on this ... .. ..

wha have you tried ???i cant remember what, but its only 2 commands, an echo 1 > into the /proc tree to enable ip_forwarting.and a slight adjustmant to a NAT table in thefirewall.idiot proof method.... Let an automatic program such as firestarter setup your firewall for you.there is an option in firestarter to allow internet connection shareing.you will need to Network interfaces, one to be dedicated to the Internet, the other to the local area network.

Sorry to prodigy,I think I should quote to say clearly for this topic.

 

I am still a novice at Linux ::

 

Tried ::

 

Fedora Core2

Mandrake 10

Ubuntu 4.10

Lycoris

Xandro

Damnsmall Linux

College Linux

 

Generally, Ifeel that they are really good for a basic user, but if it comes to more specialised Fx, I'm still an idiot    .. The greatest problem is Internet connection Sharing .. Can't seemed to get it to work ..

 

Does anyone have any solution ( almost-idiot -proof ones pls ) ??

 

I can see Linux being the next big thing .. now that there are many MS equivalent supporting softwares. I'll wanna explore to see if we can use it for charity organisations in 3rd countries.

 

Hmm .. maybe I should start a new thread to seek advice on this    ... .. ..

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have little experience in iptables. But I think there is a easy solution to it.

Let linux as gateway .

Firstly,open ipforward,let linux box act as router.

for ipv4:

echo "net.ipv4.ip_forward = 1" >> /etc/sysctl.confsysctl -p

then set up a local network(here is a ethernet example) :

ifconfig eth0 192.168.0.1 255.255.255.0 ifconfig eth1 "your outcoming ip" "your netmask"

if not sure

iptables -Fiptables -t nat -F

Finaly ,set your gateway as 192.168.0.1 and select some ip such as 192.168.0.2 in your windows box.

 

It is more compilicated if you like your windows box can be visited by internet directly.You have to google some useful information about "arp proxy" ,"iptables".

I have just succeed in this only once(In that case,the interface is vtun).

Where do I insert those codes?? Will it work if my other PCs are on WinXP??

There'st a mighty weapon against the forces of GUI, this weapon is so powerfull it is worshipped by many but of course a lot of people worship the evil GUI. Abandon the path of the evil GUI, because its the wrong one. The only true Good path is the path of the Almighty Terminal, may it's holy light shine upon us and enlighten our computer experience.just kidding , you just have to type it in a terminal (that's something like a dos-prompt).Dunno if it will work, just P.U.S.H (Pray untill something happens)sorry for the story at the top... I just felt like it

No Offence intended.... but after you refered to those commands as "codes" and didnt know how to issue them, i assume you are new to Linux.

You may want to look into programs like firestarter (free and open)
it will ask you easy to understand connections like "Do you want to share your internet connecton? Is this computer a Web server ?" and then it will automatically set up your network settings.

Securety is always better when you custom write your oen firewall to match your specific needs, but automatic tools are more than adiquate for a home system. (plus th logo is a cool penguin playing with matches )

firestarter comes with many linux distro's, if it dowesnt com with yours, you can get it here .

http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/

enjoy.