Linux Beginner (the ?s are flavor, etc.)

[MGully]

Ok I have never used Linux but I have always wanted to fiddle around with it. I figure I'll have sometime this summer, but I only have a dialup and right now I have an edu connection so I would like to get everything downloaded before I go home. So I've got some questions:

1. What version is the best to start using first?

2. I am at a edu right now so I have a pretty fast download speed. Where can I download the version from and have decent speed?

3. Is there any software that is a requirement or that I would like? I will be at home with just a dial up so I would like to try and get everything before I go back. Just throw some apps out there that might be interesting.

4. Anything else I might need to know or would be useful?

 

[NorthenLove]

http://www.linuxiso.org/

 

[Bremen]

Basically all the software you need will be included within the distribution. So just make sure you get an up to date distro. Slackware would probably make you learn the most, however it is slow to be updated (rather conservative about unproven software). Debian would come in second on making you learn, however most of it is downloaded as you go... This leaves RedHat/Mandrake/SuSE. Of course I'd recommend none of them ;0) But if you have to I'd say Red Hat, on the basis that it distracts you less than the others with pretty things ;0)

 

[Chaotic42]

<< Ok I have never used Linux but I have always wanted to fiddle around with it. I figure I'll have sometime this summer, but I only have a dialup and right now I have an edu connection so I would like to get everything downloaded before I go home. So I've got some questions:


1. What version is the best to start using first?
>>



In my opinion, Debian. I started with Debian 1.3, back in the olden days. I have no regrets, learned a bundle, and I would not use another Distro. I would recommend Red Hat at all, under any circumstances.



<<
2. I am at a edu right now so I have a pretty fast download speed. Where can I download the version from and have decent speed?
>>


http://www.debian.org/



<<
3. Is there any software that is a requirement or that I would like? I will be at home with just a dial up so I would like to try and get everything before I go back. Just throw some apps out there that might be interesting.
>>



Gnome, Sawfish, XMMS, GnomeICU, XChat, GIMP, and Nautilus. These are the ones that I use regularly that I can think of off hand.



<<
4. Anything else I might need to know or would be useful? >>



Get a copy of Running Linux. Be patient. *Read the documentation*. Feel free to ask for help, and don't pay attention to the "You are suck because you don't know linux, I know linux and you suck, why can't you learn it, man you suck" morons that are everywhere.

 

[MGully]

ok thanks you guys have been a great help so far. I have started downloading Red Hat. But I am going to download some others just to have a variety (probably debian from the feelings I've been getting so far). I went linuxiso, I download the one under the i386? thanks again for all the help so far.

 

[EHobaX]

Gentooooooooooo!

I'm loading that mother on Sunday!

 

[thornc]

Goto to the Linux Documentation Project and get the howto and minihowto in a single file just to be in the safe side... usually they come in every distro but you never now...Also take a look at the guides there...

And remember man is you friend!!

Good luck and have fun....


edit:typos!!

 

[MGully]

Thanks everyone, you've been a great help. I was wondering if there is any other documents that would be helpful, because I have 200 free pages to print before the end of the week and I might as well take advantage of them!!!

 

[mcveigh]

don't forget openoffice.org to get some work done

 

[nihil]

<< Thanks everyone, you've been a great help. I was wondering if there is any other documents that would be helpful, because I have 200 free pages to print before the end of the week and I might as well take advantage of them!!! >>



the installation guide for whatever distro you happen to be installing. that would be useful.