New Linux Setup

[jjessico]

I just freed up a spare computer for testing and dorking around on, and now I'd like to get it up and running with some flavor of linux. I am familiar with the end use of non-GUI of Solaris but that is about it.

So I'm wondering what distributions would you guys recommend trying out?

Thanks,
Jason

Hardware is PII 400 w/96mb RAM, 9GB HD

 

[asb002]

I personally feel that either RedHat or Mandrake for people new to Linux. It has a lot of graphical front-ends that make it easier for new users to change system settings. Some people here will probably recommend Debian, which is geared more for advanced users. You should try a bunch until you find the one that best suits you.

 

[HarryAngel]

asb002 is right on the money. i say redhat, not beacuse its easy for newbies to setup or anything but because you will get experiance with a comercial widly used distrubution.

 

[TheOmegaCode]

I'd say stay away from RedHat if you really want to learn Linux (or if you go with RedHat do an FTP or Minimal install). Then again, most people don't read before they go out and do something, so...

 

[Bremen]

If you've used solaris you'll be fine. Slackware might be easier to switch to, but then I'm kindof biased towards it :0) You'll be fine with just about any distro.

 

[civad]

Slackware or Debian might be good if you want to 'learn' Linux or GNU/Linux, respectively. If you want to play around with it initially (just to get used to a Linux system) I think Mandrake might be a good place to start with. It has a lot of graphical tools for configuring your system. Once you are comfortable with the graphical tools, try using the command line and use the GUI as a backup. Over a period of time, you will find it easy to migrate to the non-GUI mode for configuring/ administering your system, and that might be a good time for you to try Debian or Slack.

Alternately, you can try it the hard way and start with either Slack or Debian from the very begining.

 

[chsh1ca]

If this is a server then you really have only one option: Slackware. All other distributions I've tried (and no, I haven't tried SuSE) are geared for end-use, but Slack is really server-oriented. The gui can be configured if you need it, but if you're used to CLI solaris, then Slack is a good start, you don't need that gui crap anyways.

 

[Spyro]

Originally posted by: chsh1ca
If this is a server then you really have only one option: Slackware. All other distributions I've tried (and no, I haven't tried SuSE) are geared for end-use, but Slack is really server-oriented. The gui can be configured if you need it, but if you're used to CLI solaris, then Slack is a good start, you don't need that gui crap anyways.

Debian is better for that, IMO, due to apt-get.

 

[Spyro]

Originally posted by: civad
Slackware or Debian might be good if you want to 'learn' Linux or GNU/Linux, respectively. If you want to play around with it initially (just to get used to a Linux system) I think Mandrake might be a good place to start with. It has a lot of graphical tools for configuring your system. Once you are comfortable with the graphical tools, try using the command line and use the GUI as a backup. Over a period of time, you will find it easy to migrate to the non-GUI mode for configuring/ administering your system, and that might be a good time for you to try Debian or Slack.

Alternately, you can try it the hard way and start with either Slack or Debian from the very begining.

Well said, civad, but I don't think that Debian is really that hard at all as long as you're willing to RTFM, but then again who ever reads those things anyway

 

[civad]

originally posted by: wizardLRU
Well said, civad, but I don't think that Debian is really that hard at all as long as you're willing to RTFM, but then again who ever reads those things anyway

Either RTFM or a book. But again, since they both involve the process of reading, which very few are capable of, I guess recommending RTFM-ish things is like fighting for a lost cause. Now if only they had audiobooks for GNU/Linux installation and system admin.....

 

[oniq]

Not this again.. does everyone have a new linux setup every week?

LFS!!

 

[Spyro]

Originally posted by: oniq
Not this again.. does everyone have a new linux setup every week?

LFS!!

Yup, I don't see why not

 

[magomago]

Xandros is based on debain...that is the probably the simplest OS to use.

But if you are used to no GUI then I'm guessing using the CLI (ugh....I love the GUI and would die w/o it) would be good for you.