Best Linux for newbie?

[bigjon]

I have a Pentium 166 with 64mb ram that I want to install linux and a web server on for fun. I haven't used linux much and I've never installed it, so I don't really know what to expect, other than I'll have a bit of a learning curve to overcome.

I have TurboLinux (came with a Linksys nic). Any good? Pros/Cons? I've heard a lot of people say good things about Mandrake and Red Hat, but nothing specific.

P.S. Don't tell me not to try, I've gotta start somewhere

 

[Braxus]

I just started using Linux too... played with RedHat, Mandrake, TurboLinux, and Debian... so far I've found the Mandrake distro the easiest to learn.

 

[bigjon]

Cool, just the feedback I was looking for. Thanks Braxus!

 

[Scarpozzi]

One thing you might want to know about Mandrake....it's Plug and play is awesome. However, it is probably the most bloated version of Linux available. I would install RedHat if I were you, but that's only because I know that you have a P166. If you plan on using X in Mandrake, you'll need all the resources you can get...but your system will fly(just always helps to have as much memory and processing power as possible). Also, there is a site somewhere called POGO. They will give you free copies of Linux...2 per household. Check em out if you can find the site. Good luck.

 

[bigjon]

Thanks, I'm actually downloading the Mandrake ISO at the moment (I'll grab Redhat later this afternoon).

Yeah, I'll probably be running X most of the time, so I'll probably end up using Redhat/some webserver on another Pentium (I have 2 P166's) later.

At this point, I have 2 more questions:

1. Does VMWare run on Redhat? I assume it does since it runs on Mandrake and they're supposed to be compatible.
2. Can I share files between Mandrake/Redhat and a Win98 PC on a network? I assume I could set up an FTP server on the linux box but is there an easier way? (I.E. Netbeui, Netbios)

Thanks!

 

[alpha7x]

Suse linux has worked well for me, easy to install (for linux!)

 

[Wizkid]

1. Yes it does
2. You can use samba which will allow you access the linux machine through network neighbourhood. It works just like a windows pc You can also access shares on a windows computer from linux using smbmount.

 

[bigjon]

Cool, thanks Wizkid I'll have to try out Samba.

 

[defiant]

another vote for mandrake here! I installed it a few weeks back and it is great! It is easy to use for a non-unix person.

 

[Wik]

I liked Red Hat better then Mandrake. It just seemed to be easier to install and worked with my old 166 system better

 

[MI6]

Once i get the cash for the hard drive i will be going with SuSE 7.0 since it has stuff for newbies, pros, and advanced users. WOn't have to upgrade (although i probably will to 7.5 with a new kernel).

 

[fatboy]

Another vote for Redhat 6.2, I installed Corel, Mandrake, Turbo, and Redhat. I liked Redhat the best out of them all. I was a newbie when I started too.

Best thing to do is just try em and see what ya really like, they should all pretty much do what ya like in the end tho!

have fun!

 

[Wolfie]

<< so far I've found the Mandrake distro the easiest to learn. >>



And one of the easiest to install. If you haven't installed linux before... This is the one to get.

Wolf

So I can't spell when it's 4AM blah.... hehe

 

[bigjon]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I've downloaded Mandrake and will be downloading Redhat as soon as I can find a good link

 

[BCYL]

If you want to download RedHat, just go to their website and use one of their FTP servers... always work for me...