OK...I'm ready to try Linux. Help?

[JanMichael]

Now that I've got a spare computer I'm ready to give it a go. It seems like a CD set is probably the right direction and I found this.

It's $5 and should I assume that I need the source code CD's too?

Also would something like this be good for a non-programmer type like myself?

The main reason I want to do this is to be able to eventually jettison windows and also to use a Linux (The Windows version is experimental and sucks) based GIS freeware that I've been eyeing.

Any suggestions?

[kalian]

1. Do you have a broadband connection...?

If so, you can download any Linux flavor. I would recommend Mandrake
since its the easiest to install and setup. Next in line I would
recommend Red Hat (or Fedora).

Download the ISO images from linuxiso.org and then burn them to
CDs. Boot off the 1st and you're off! ;)

[JanMichael]

2. DSL but I don't have a burner.

I suppose I should get one, eh?

[kalian]

3. I'd recommend one

Well, if you don't mind spending the money go ahead and purchase one
of the CD sets.

[Liberal Veteran]

4. Absolutely....you can get a fast decent one for 29 bucks easily.

Check Best Buy or Circuit City.

They are super easy to install too.

[Deja Q]

6. Why Red Hat Fedora?

SuSE is much better, comes with more, costs less, and is owned by a corporation I don't hate. What more could anybody possibly want?

[kalian]

10. For that I would then recommend Debian....

bottomline is: any Linux flavor is hundreds of times better than
Windoze...

[MrSoundAndVision]

5. Red Hat 9.0 is very good

Easy to install, looks great, plenty of apps. Just a couple of let downs (no mp3 support until you get the patch, which is easy to find, let me know if you go this way and need help). Also no build in ability to read Windows hard drives. Also REAL PLAYER is a bitch to get working correctly, requires research.

So I guess I'd recommend Mandrake for you as a beginner.

It's a head ache at first, but then it just kicks ass once everything runs smoothly. I've heard of people having their Red Hat machines running for more than 5 years without a restart. Think about that.

[Briarius]

7. All you should need are those 2 Cd's

I don't have any experience with Slackware, but I can highly recommend Mandrake. I've been running it here for a while and I've found it pretty easy to use. If you're really just looking at trying it I agree that if you can just download the iso's, check them and burn them for free. You can also pick up burned copies on ebay for pretty much the cost of shipping if you're on dial-up.
Good Luck!

[JanMichael]

9. "download the iso's"? OK...I'm a GIS guy....What's an "iso"?

I'm already leaning to the "Buy a burner and download something" stage.

[Nomad559]

8. I hope you have a lot of spare time

Linux can be a real pain In the ass. :evilgrin:

[Briarius]

11. it's an "image" of the cd

it's a copy of the cd that has all of the data in the same location as was on the cd. You can take an iso and use a burning program to get an exact copy of a cd.

[alfredo]

12. Mandrake or SUSe are the way to go for first timers, but they also scale

well for the more experienced. You do not need the source code.

RTFM, and find a friend to help with the learning curve if you have never used a UNIX like OS. Once you "get it", you will love it.

You have two environments, Gnome and KDE. KDE is good for the transition from the Windows world. Gnome is good too, and both easy to use. I like Gnome better because it is more pleasing to the eye for this old Mac user. KDE looked too Windows-ish for my taste. It has improved greatly since those days.


http://www.justlinux.com/ good site for info on Linux.

good place for Linux CD's. He seems like a good guy, and his service it prompt. http://www.edmunds-enterprises.com/linux/index.php I have bought from him for years. He has never failed me.