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Linux for a new user

C

clicknext

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Hi, I've been a windows guy from the time I started using a computer. I've recently become more of a "power user", having built my computer and stuff. Just now I've realized how much I'm missing out, after using os x at my uncle's house for a few weeks. Now getting a mac isn't an option for me, but I still want to try a better os than this stupid piece of thing that crashes whenever I poke it. Linux seemed the natural area to delve in, so here I am. Now I want to know which distribution would be best for me. I want one that I can download.
So which one do YOU think is good? Remember... beginner beginner beginner...
 
Most people will tell you to run out and download Redhat or Mandrake, but I personally believe that if you get yourself a good book, you should stick with something like Debian or Slackware (or FreeBSD if you want a *BSD). The problem I see with Redhat and Mandrake is that they do everything for you. So when something breaks, you don't know where to start. With operates where you have to start from the ground up, you get a better feel for how things work.
You can download whatever you like from LinuxIS😵rg. Try em all if you like. Hey if you have the connection to do so, why not?

*EDIT*
You can also try Knoppix Linux, which runs directly off your CD-Rom, so you don't have to screw with your hard drive. Get it from knoppix.org.
 
Alright... Thanks. I think I'll go with mandrake for now, and if I want to later, I'll go into something deeper.

Next question: How do I go about doing a dual boot with WinXP? I don't want to shaft XP yet because I've still gotta play CS. 😀 Do I just start the installation and it'll ask me if I want to?
 
On the contrary... I believe the best way is to start from the top down with a working system.

Much easier to say... how do I install a web server on my working machine than to say... I have a non working machine, now how do I set up networking, oh, BTW, how do I know that my networking is installed?

Go with a RedHat, install it, maybe completely custom, and play with it. When its broke, figure out what you did. Much easier than figguring out what you didn't do with a complex system that assumes you know what you're doing. After all, you probably don't, and that's what RH, et. al. are catering to, but you can still customize it the same if you learn how.
 
If you install Mandrake, it should automatically find that you are running XP and add the appropriate lines to lilo so that you can dual boot. If you want to know more, go to google.com/linux and search dual boot.
 
Whats the point in learning the intricacies if you dont know the fundamentals? (notice no distro affiliation here, just a comment)
 
Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Whats the point in learning the intricacies if you dont know the fundamentals? (notice no distro affiliation here, just a comment)
Click to expand...
Exactly! I only used distro's as examples because he did say he was new to Linux, except for FreeBSD, that was a shameless plug 😱
 
Originally posted by: clicknext
I've got one more question. 🙂

Can my linux partition be the same one as my windows partition?
Click to expand...

Simple answer: no.
Complex answer:

If you are using the FAT filesystem, you can use UMSDOS to install Linux on your Windows partition. You'd then boot to DOS (you'd need a boot disk since you use WinNT) and then use loadlin to start Linux. This, however, is slower, less stable, and totally insecure. You can not install Linux on an NTFS partition in any way.

You really should resize your Windows partition and create a native Linux partition, and a swap partition. I'm pretty sure Mandrake's installer can safely resize NTFS partitions, and I know it can resize FAT partitions, since I've done it before.

Hope you decide to stick with Linux. Since you liked OS X so much, you'll probably like Linux enough to keep it. If you decide to use a desktop environment, GNOME can be made to work and look EXACTLY like Mac OS 9, and KDE can be made similar enough to Aqua (OS X's GUI) that you'd have to look closely to tell the difference. 🙂 But if you're more concerned with lighning-fast responsiveness, and still insist on a GUI, you'll need to use Blackbox, WindowMaker, or another fairly thin window manager. Avoid Enlightenment like the plague, it is pretty but it is slow, even on my dual t-bird 950 with 1GB of RAM.

 
I gots another question. 🙂

All my drives are NTFS. Do I have to convert them to FAT or something for both Linux and Windows to be able to read them?
 
No. Linux is able to read NTFS filesystems pretty well, and the driver in kernels 2.4.18 and up can write to them. However, Windows will not be able to access your Linux partition, which is a good thing the way I see it. 🙂
 
Okie thanks... now... right now I have 3 partitions. C, D, E. I want to make my Linux partition F, so that I don't ruin any links, registry stuff, etc. by changing drive letters. How do I do that with partition magic? It seems to only want to make my linux partition D.
 
Originally posted by: clicknext
Okie thanks... now... right now I have 3 partitions. C, D, E. I want to make my Linux partition F, so that I don't ruin any links, registry stuff, etc. by changing drive letters. How do I do that with partition magic? It seems to only want to make my linux partition D.
Click to expand...

Dont make partitions, resize and free up some space. There will be no F:! I humbly request that you put down the software and read about linux before you do something that will scar you for life. You seem to need the blue pill.
 
I'm sorry, I still don't really know what you mean.

Do you mean that I should resize, free up some space, then install linux?

Thanks, I appreciate your help.
 
Originally posted by: clicknext
I'm sorry, I still don't really know what you mean.

Do you mean that I should resize, free up some space, then install linux?

Thanks, I appreciate your help.
Click to expand...

Free up some un partitioned space.
 
OK, I did some reading... am I right in thinking that paritions arent really catagorized in linux? At least not as letters?
 
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