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Linux for a guy who is a Linux USER at work?

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OfficeLinebacker

Senior member
Is there a tutorial out there for folks who have used/use Linux in either a work or academic environment, and want to load their own machine with it?

I know about command line, partitions, etc.

Thing is, I have never SET UP a Linux box. Never partitioned the hard drive, never had root privileges on a machine, nothing.

What would you recommend?
 
For desktop/ease of use out of box-Ubuntu, SimplyMepis
For "guts of linux" learning-Gentoo
For lots of support/good community: Ubuntu, Debian, Gentoo, Fedora Core
My personal flavor of the year: Debian (works well, best package management, clean box on install, no fluff like Ubuntu, which is a Debian based clone)
 
I say that you use whatever distribution that you are used to using, and learn it. If you use it at work, it will make it that much easier.

True that most distro's are a lot alike, but they all have their own way of doing things. If you use Redhat at work, then Fedora will be best for you to start with.

Anyway, have fun!
 
Hey guys, I went with Ubuntu. I also have a copy of Mandriva, and a copy of FreeBSD with which I will be playing.

Linux=free and fast and slick=RoXoRs!
 
OK I have installed Ubuntu on two machines now. I think I have a bad disk 1 for Mandriva and I was running into problems with the FreeBSD install, which turned out to be hardware related.

Ubuntu rocks, now gotta see how to get it to BOOT FASTER! Big help is that it's just ONE disc.

Thanks for all the help.
 
Gentoo is only the next step if you're really bored and like watching compiler output scroll by while you wait.
 
New to Linux installations I would suggest Mandriva,Unbuntu,Kubuntu, Mepis and my personal favorite SUSE 10.0


Ausm
 
Hmm, maybe it ISN'T the next step, then.
Click to expand...

Well I'm biased against Gentoo so take my comments with a grain of salt, but I just don't see any advantage to using it over Ubuntu or Debian.
 
You're right.

Well Ubuntu has worked very well for me (I prefer Gnome to KDE).

I will try Mandriva and FreeBSD.

I have heard of SuSe, but dont' knwo much about it. What makes it special?
 
Try openbsd instead of freebsd.

openbsd's installer is much easier to work with than freebsd's,
it will allow you to get the hang of BSD, after which you should probably be able to figure out freebsd's install.

also, another fun project is to take any OLD-SCHOOL machine and 2 NIC's and make a router/firewall out of OpenBSD / PF. I've found them to be more stable and better overall to use than your run-of-the-mill linksys/d-link/netgear/etc.. (plus you can connect via SSH, or SCP files to your firewall, now thats sweet)

 
Hell, even I gave up trying to install Gentoo...

I'd recommend OpenSUSE 10 or Fedora Core 4. I love OpenSUSE...it's the most complete Linux distro I've run (out of Redhat, Mandrake, SUSE 8, OpenSUSE, Fedora Core). I've briefly used Debian (which my brother runs regularly) and it seems like it's a contender for my second or third choice. My brother is (going to be an) electrical engineer, so I figure if he can use Debian for his purposes anyone can for simpler things. He does a lot of office work (e-mails, documents, PDF) too.
 
I will actually say go ahead and try gentoo. It isn't all about optimization and compiling. Portage (the package manager) is one of the best out there, and I like to manually configure and learn about my system. Plus, the community is one of the most helpful out there. Their support forums are second to none.

I will say this though. If you decide to try Gentoo, then read the manual. Follow every step. You usually won't have a problem if you do.

And yes, Gentoo is my distro of choice. It is what is running on all of my computers.
 
Originally posted by: OfficeLinebacker
I have heard of SuSe, but dont' knwo much about it. What makes it special?
Click to expand...
Can't say what makes it special except that it just works for me. I suppose it's relative to your personal likes and dislikes.



unmerited

 
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