Linux help

[nzafi]

I will be buying a Compaq 1000x. It will probably be 1.4 centrino, 256mb, 30gig 4200rpm....so it is barebone...My purposes for it will be for only doing programming hw since I am a cs major, not movies, games....some internet surfing....I have never used linux before and want to learn. I will be putting linux on this laptop....Was wondering which linux is good for beginners and what is the compatibility of linux with this laptop....So far Mandrake has come highly recommended. Does anyone have links or advice for me?Thanks in advance

 

[sciencewhiz]

You don't specify the model. Try http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/compaq.html

 

[Gyrene]

I will always recommend Gentoo. It's easy to install for beginners, and it's robust enough for advanced users. Take a look at their website, aptly named Gentoo.org.

 

[civad]

I will always recommend Gentoo. It's easy to install for beginners, and it's robust enough for advanced users. Take a look at their website, aptly named Gentoo.org.

Either that or Linux From Scratch. Esp. since he is a cs student.
btw:

My purposes for it will be for only doing programming hw ...

Would that be programming homework(s) or programming for hardware??

 

[drag]

If you can follow directions very well, go with Gentoo... If not check out Redhat and other rpm based distros (mandrake, SuSe, etc etc)

Plus if you look at SuSe's and Redhat's sites they have hardware compatability lists... Porbably look up your motherboard chipset and video card or something along those lines.

 

[nzafi]

It is all programmig hw...mainly java, in future course ill be doing xml, perl, soap, xsl, some C++...maybe programming for harware in the future.....thing is all i know is windows, which is a problem because companies like to know that you have "dabbled" with multiple software and that you are not a complete beginner