Linux For The First Time

Alright I was thinking about downloading a free copy of linux...I hope it's still free. I was wondering what would be the "newbies" starting point for linux. This will be the first time running linux for me, so I'm not real sure of what to expect. Lots of command line is what I've heard about linux, which I'm comfortable in a dos prompt. So I hope that Linux goes well with me. Anyways any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Hey Mate ...

You'll be surprise. Linux has graphical desktops that'll put Windows to shame. With that said ... the command line holds the power. I suggest you try Knoppix Liunx first. Burn to a CD and boot from the CD on your computer. If you like it or wnat more, you can then partition your HDD and have a dual boot machine.

I would also recommend you look at one of the basic linux tutorials on the net.

From Eric Steven Raymonds - Master Foo Discourses on the Unix-Nature:

Master Foo Discourses on the Unix-Nature

 

A student said to Master Foo: âWe are told that the firm called SCO holds true dominion over Unix.â

 

Master Foo nodded.

 

The student continued, âYet we are also told that the firm called OpenGroup also holds true dominion over Unix.â

 

Master Foo nodded.

 

âHow can this be?â asked the student.

 

Master Foo replied:

 

âSCO indeed has dominion over the code of Unix, but the code of Unix is not Unix. OpenGroup indeed has dominion over the name of Unix, but the name of Unix is not Unix.â

 

âWhat, then, is the Unix-nature?â asked the student.

 

Master Foo replied:

 

âNot code. Not name. Not mind. Not things. Always changing, yet never changing.â

 

âThe Unix-nature is simple and empty. Because it is simple and empty, it is more powerful than a typhoon.â

 

âMoving in accordance with the law of nature, it unfolds inexorably in the minds of programmers, assimilating designs to its own nature. All software that would compete with it must become like to it; empty, empty, profoundly empty, perfectly void, hail!â

 

Upon hearing this, the student was enlightened.

cheers

hashbang

Mandrake is an easy to use disto, As is Lycoris LX. Lycoris is probably THE easiest, at least from what I remember. Another one to look at is Xandros.

Newb friendly Commercial Linux distro's... Xandros and Linspire and SuSE (xandros or suSE being my fave of the 3).Newb fiendly Free and totally open distro's.. SuSE and Mandrake (suSE being my fave of the 2)and no thats not a typo... SuSE have a free version, and a commercial version...however for home use, stick with the free version if your going for SuSE.

One problem with Xandros is that it is not debian compatible, even thought it is based on debian. Xandros wants you to get your software from THEM. Not to mention the default GUI is crap. Not terribly ugly mind you(though I thought it was sorta ugly), and even somewhat decently laid out in some ways. But otherwise its just badly laid out in some ways. I think Linspire, at least the newer versions, is similarly broken, in that they want you to get your software from THEM and it isn't totally compatible with the assorted packages out there.My best experiences messing with Linux were with Knoppix and Mandrake.

One problem with Xandros is that it is not debian compatible, even thought it is based on debian.  Xandros wants you to get your software from THEM.  Not to mention the default GUI is crap.  Not terribly ugly mind you(though I thought it was sorta ugly), and even somewhat decently laid out in some ways.  But otherwise its just badly laid out in some ways. 

 

I think Linspire, at least the newer versions, is similarly broken, in that they want you to get your software from THEM and it isn't totally compatible with the assorted packages out there.

 

My best experiences messing with Linux were with Knoppix and Mandrake.

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Good point, however its good to see that they are attempting new ways of doing things.

for example clik 'n' run, limits choise to what they have made available, but makes it easy for your 85 year old grandma to learn

Have you ever tried Gentoo ?

they use a similar system.

there is an online database of available software, and scripts to install it.

you run a sync to update your local database to the gentoo database

then use a program called emerge, or a graphical interface to emerge to browse the available software,

on chooseing to install, a script downloads, customises software tto your preference, and compiles it.

compiling means slower install's but the extra speed of hardware specific optimisation is great.

the database is soo huge, ive been using gentoo for almost a year, and never come across a program not installable by emerge.

objiously it would be much harder to maintain such a database with all pre-compiled binary's (like apt-get is attempting to do) but i think Gentoo is great !

Well I Would Recommend Starting With Suse 9. You Can Download The OS And Install It To The Computer Its self. Or You Can Get A " CD Based " Version of it... where the OS runs off of a CD.

https://www.suse.com/

You Can Download The CD Here.

I Would Recommend NOT STARTING WITH RedHat.. I Tried to.. and Its Not Easy... atleast for me

Try Debian as it has a very large package base.

I Heard That Debian Takes Up A LOT Of Processing Power Tho? I Ran Suse On a 233 with a 8g Harddrive and it ran fine.. it laged a Little... But whats Gonna Work Fast On a 233?

Debian is powerfull and fast, but aimed at the linux competant users.. wow.. so much conflicting advice...the real answer is.... Different Linux distro's can all do the same thing, but each is especially aimed at a specific use more than other uses... some are designed to be general use.pick a distro... eventually your needs will change... or your expertese will change and you will want more control, and use a more customisable distro...Gentoo was not right for me 3 years ago... it was too hard, so i used fedora.2 years later, im a linux expert, and i want 100% controll, and want to build my system customised from completely nothing.... now gentoo is right for me.install your first distro, and expect to become curiouse and try anouther distro further down the line.

It's sure that you can get Linux OS free of charge from internet. Fedora Core 3 is downloaded from internet.
In fact, Linux is more difficult than Windows, but this is becoming better. I'm trying my best to move my job into Linux, it seems very good now. When I study Java in Linux, I feel happy.
Everyone has his own favorite thing, so you should only follow your own heart.
Before you decide, you can visit this site. Here are plenty of screenshots of different Linux Editions. You can see the screen of Linux without installing one.
Enjoy it!


OSdirc.com::Screenshot Gallery