Newbie to Linux! Need some Help!

[OverVolt]

Hey everybody!

I wanna use linux, sounds like it can do some cool stuff. I downloaded Mandrake-Linux v9.1, just the 1st CD. I Setup my dual boot with WinXP 'n' everything worked just fine. I planned on using Linux to run some sort of server on my network, with my old computer, haven't made my mind what i wanna do with it.

Well anyway, after Linux-Mandrake boots it's a command prompt style thing. If anybody's ever had expierience with mandrake-linux help me out here cuz i'm kinda lost. I figured out some command on my own, but what are some basics so i can be on my way with learning how to use linux?

Also on the screenies at mandrake's site, looks like it has a desktop, word processor, some other stuff thats looks similiar to windows. Any idea how i can run it like that? I guess that would be on the 2nd CD? I'm real lost with this stuff i could use help.

Here's what i'm talkin about Mandrake Screenies how can i get it from command prompt to desktop, what other software will i need?

 

[Spyro]

Try running "startx"

EDIT: Hrmmmmm, apparently I've become a platinum member...............

 

[OverVolt]

Yeap! Got me into Linux!

Thanks a lot man, typing this in linux, very cool. Whats some other cool stuff i can do with linux?

 

[Spyro]

. Whats some other cool stuff i can do with linux?

Well, you can do pretty much everthing that you did in windows and just a few mosr things. For one thing, Linux is a great server OS, and mandrake's control panel makes it really easy to do internet connection sharing and other things like that, but if you're a gamer you might want to check out Transgaming's website.

 

[DaveR]

You will find some great reading here.

http://www.tldp.org/guides.html

The site is the LDP...Linux Documentation Project and some of the books (above link) are now online and downloadable!

Originally posted by: OverVolt
Hey everybody!

I wanna use linux, sounds like it can do some cool stuff. I downloaded Mandrake-Linux v9.1, just the 1st CD. I Setup my dual boot with WinXP 'n' everything worked just fine. I planned on using Linux to run some sort of server on my network, with my old computer, haven't made my mind what i wanna do with it.

Well anyway, after Linux-Mandrake boots it's a command prompt style thing. If anybody's ever had expierience with mandrake-linux help me out here cuz i'm kinda lost. I figured out some command on my own, but what are some basics so i can be on my way with learning how to use linux?

Also on the screenies at mandrake's site, looks like it has a desktop, word processor, some other stuff thats looks similiar to windows. Any idea how i can run it like that? I guess that would be on the 2nd CD? I'm real lost with this stuff i could use help.

Here's what i'm talkin about Mandrake Screenies how can i get it from command prompt to desktop, what other software will i need?

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

Yes, get used to RTFM'ing, this stuff takes alot of time and work to get proficient with. It's only a matter of time before the grand illusion that is mandrake - breaks in one way or another. Linux certainly is not a drop in for windows xp at this point.

 

[Spyro]

Originally posted by: BingBongWongFooey
Yes, get used to RTFM'ing, this stuff takes alot of time and work to get proficient with. It's only a matter of time before the grand illusion that is mandrake - breaks in one way or another. Linux certainly is not a drop in for windows xp at this point.

While I do agree with you, the grand illusion that is mandrake has a very very active comunity on usenet. Its almost a one stop solve all resource for mandrake problems.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

Originally posted by: Spyro

Originally posted by: BingBongWongFooey
Yes, get used to RTFM'ing, this stuff takes alot of time and work to get proficient with. It's only a matter of time before the grand illusion that is mandrake - breaks in one way or another. Linux certainly is not a drop in for windows xp at this point.

While I do agree with you, the grand illusion that is mandrake has a very very active comunity on usenet. Its almost a one stop solve all resource for mandrake problems.

But most people are just as likely to use that as they are to RTFM in the first place. Also - some things are simply broken regardless of people helping you, like their package management. No community can make rpm not suck. I can't really speak for the rest of mandrake since I haven't used it, but suffice to say that the more code you pile on top of things, the harder it falls over, and that's a problem that people tend to run into alot with redhat, mandrake, windows, et al.

 

[Spyro]

Originally posted by: BingBongWongFooey

Originally posted by: Spyro

Originally posted by: BingBongWongFooey
Yes, get used to RTFM'ing, this stuff takes alot of time and work to get proficient with. It's only a matter of time before the grand illusion that is mandrake - breaks in one way or another. Linux certainly is not a drop in for windows xp at this point.

While I do agree with you, the grand illusion that is mandrake has a very very active comunity on usenet. Its almost a one stop solve all resource for mandrake problems.

But most people are just as likely to use that as they are to RTFM in the first place. Also - some things are simply broken regardless of people helping you, like their package management. No community can make rpm not suck. I can't really speak for the rest of mandrake since I haven't used it, but suffice to say that the more code you pile on top of things, the harder it falls over, and that's a problem that people tend to run into alot with redhat, mandrake, windows, et al.

RPMs are bad, but I don't really think that thy're that bad. The average home user (i.e. one that doesn't use a lot of programs) will probably never have to install any more than what came of the CDs and by the time they do they won't be using Mandrake (or Red Hat) anymore. Regardless of how bad the packaging system is, Mandrake is much easier to get started with than Debian. However I've found that keeping a Mandrake system alive during the long term is far more involved than a Debian install.

Really though, one of the main problems with many RPM-based distros is a serious lack of quality control. IMHO, this is why Linux standards would be a good idea, but I don't really see this improving anytime soon. Mandrake and Red Hat are both extremely innovative with their approaches o the home user but there is no excuse for attempting to "baby" users and save them from a sharp RTFM. Mandrake has severely failed in this aspect, an overabundance of wizard's in the wrong places and frightening hack jobs to get apps to work eventually add up, making Mandrake almost no better than windows.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

Originally posted by: Spyro

Originally posted by: BingBongWongFooey

Originally posted by: Spyro

Originally posted by: BingBongWongFooey
Yes, get used to RTFM'ing, this stuff takes alot of time and work to get proficient with. It's only a matter of time before the grand illusion that is mandrake - breaks in one way or another. Linux certainly is not a drop in for windows xp at this point.

While I do agree with you, the grand illusion that is mandrake has a very very active comunity on usenet. Its almost a one stop solve all resource for mandrake problems.

But most people are just as likely to use that as they are to RTFM in the first place. Also - some things are simply broken regardless of people helping you, like their package management. No community can make rpm not suck. I can't really speak for the rest of mandrake since I haven't used it, but suffice to say that the more code you pile on top of things, the harder it falls over, and that's a problem that people tend to run into alot with redhat, mandrake, windows, et al.

RPMs are bad, but I don't really think that thy're that bad. The average home user (i.e. one that doesn't use a lot of programs) will probably never have to install any more than what came of the CDs and by the time they do they won't be using Mandrake (or Red Hat) anymore. Regardless of how bad the packaging system is, Mandrake is much easier to get started with than Debian. However I've found that keeping a Mandrake system alive during the long term is far more involved than a Debian install.

Really though, one of the main problems with many RPM-based distros is a serious lack of quality control. IMHO, this is why Linux standards would be a good idea, but I don't really see this improving anytime soon. Mandrake and Red Hat are both extremely innovative with their approaches o the home user but there is no excuse for attempting to "baby" users and save them from a sharp RTFM. Mandrake has severely failed in this aspect, an overabundance of wizard's in the wrong places and frightening hack jobs to get apps to work eventually add up, making Mandrake almost no better than windows.

Lately I've seriously been wondering why redhat (but this applies just as well to mandrake or suse) doesn't just scrap all of their garbage and build something on top of debian. Debian already has a great system going, the only things that tend to suck the most about it are things that are confusing to new users, and this is what redhat/mandrake/suse are great at. They could just take an existing standard and fill in their gaps. It would make things alot more consistent, raise the quality of their distros, and just in general solve a whole lot of annoying problems. I guess it's a matter of pride? I'm not sure.

 

[OverVolt]

RTFM- Read The Manuals, right?

Well anyway anysoftware out there that i can use my CD-RW in Linux or is that a Windows thing. I'm having a hard time finding software for Linux now that i have it up and running. Will it take normal games and programs ect? I know i'm a total n00b to this.

Don't tell me to RTFM plz! i'm currently doing so any help would make it that much easier!

 

[Spyro]

RTFM- Read The Manuals, right?

Yup, that's it alright

Well anyway anysoftware out there that i can use my CD-RW in Linux or is that a Windows thing.

hope this helps

I'm having a hard time finding software for Linux now that i have it up and running.

What kinda software? I'd be glad to help

Will it take normal games and programs ect?

Normal as in windows.... er..... nope.... Linux has its own apps.

I know i'm a total n00b to this.

We all were once......

Don't tell me to RTFM plz! i'm currently doing so any help would make it that much easier!

O.K.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

Originally posted by: OverVolt
RTFM- Read The Manuals, right?

Read the fvcking manual, or read the fine manual, depending on the mood of the person you ask.

Well anyway anysoftware out there that i can use my CD-RW in Linux or is that a Windows thing.

Yes, cdrecord does it - there are lots of windows-like frontends like xcdroast and gtoast and a bunch of others. Search freshmeat.net.

I'm having a hard time finding software for Linux now that i have it up and running. Will it take normal games and programs ect? I know i'm a total n00b to this.

No. Some will work under wine, some have linux ports, but for the most part you have to do alot of fiddling to get any of them working, if at all.

 

[DaveR]

...and I stopped the long quotes. You know even TUCOWS has a Linux section with mostly FREE software. Google comes up with stuff too. I used to look at freshmeat.

 

[Spyro]

Originally posted by: DaveR
...and I stopped the long quotes. You know even TUCOWS has a Linux section with mostly FREE software. Google comes up with stuff too. I used to look at freshmeat.

Well, since he is using mandrake I would like to recommend RPMFind.net

 

[civad]

Well anyway anysoftware out there that i can use my CD-RW in Linux or is that a Windows thing.

My preferred application: Magma. Though it has a CLI ( COmmand Line Interface), it is menu-based and is easy to use.
You can give a search for Magma on Freshmeat.

 

[EmperorRob]

I can't believe no has said this yet but check out the top thread in this forum.