So I might create a dedicated Linux box (need free software)

[GasX]

I have an idle box I'd like to install Linux on. What software should I get?

OS Distro: Ease of install most important - I know NOTHING about Linux
Browser:
Office Suite
E-mail
Other basic stuff:

 

[YoungPrince]

I suggest fedora or mandrake, they both are simple to use and have everything you require

 

[dighn]

oops too tired

 

[jfall]

i'd say go with fedora

 

[igowerf]

Mandrake and Fedora will both come with all of the software that you need.

 

[drag]

I am thinking Fedora.

Suse and Mandrake are other ones that are as easy to install, but Fedora supports yum out of the box.

That way any programs you want you can set up online repositories on FTP and HTTP sites were you can install programs over the internet easily. That way you don't have to go from website to website looking for RPM packages.

Be sure to choose "install everything" option. It's to easy for a newbie to leave stuff out.

For instance "developer tools". People leave that out thinking that they are not programmers or developers so they can save some space. However you would need that to compile programs that are not aviable in RPM package format and you would need them to create a custom kernel in case you have some special need that isn't fulfilled by the stock one.

Then once you get it installed you can turn off services you don't want to have running to make the box easier to keep secure. Then you just use yum to keep everything updated and patches installed. Update on a monthly/every other weekend basis and you should be safe from most crackers and script kiddies indefinately.

 

[everman]

I believe SuSe released an iso for their 9.1 release, you can also do an ftp install rather easily. Debian, Fedora are nice too depending on what you want. Free BSD and Gentoo are nice as well...er basically there are a lot of fine choices. Do you want it to just be nice and easy, or do you want to play around with it (be frustrated), and learn a lot?

I think you'd do great with Suse 9.1 for an easy to go thing.

 

[randumb]

I'd go with Mandrake, I think it's probably the easiest to use. Most reviews of Fedora Core 2 weren't so hot.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: everman
I believe SuSe released an iso for their 9.1 release, you can also do an ftp install rather easily. Debian, Fedora are nice too depending on what you want. Free BSD and Gentoo are nice as well...er basically there are a lot of fine choices. Do you want it to just be nice and easy, or do you want to play around with it (be frustrated), and learn a lot?

I think you'd do great with Suse 9.1 for an easy to go thing.

FreeBSD is not Linux.

 

[GasX]

So, I get Fedora or Mandrake, install it, and I have a fully functional PC with all of the software I described in the OP?

Cool!

 

[OZEE]

I don't know which browser you use in Windoze, but be sure to check out Firefox for Linux - especially if you're using it in Win! It looks like and feels like the windoze version.

You can also get Thunderbird for linux -- I haven't done that yet (Not using my Linux system as much as I need to...) but I understand there's a work-around to be able to access the same email/address book databases from both OS's on a dual-boot machine.

For your Office Suite, check out OpenOffice - I know it's on the install disks for Mandrake, don't know about Fedora. OO can open/save as MS Office formats. There are just a very few of the very rarely used functions of the MS Office programs that don't work in OO, but they're few and far between. The only "biggie" there that I'm aware of is if you use passwords on your word or excel documents. The passwords don't work at all in OO... But in general - a great program.

 

[Cheetah8799]

Originally posted by: everman
I believe SuSe released an iso for their 9.1 release, you can also do an ftp install rather easily. Debian, Fedora are nice too depending on what you want. Free BSD and Gentoo are nice as well...er basically there are a lot of fine choices. Do you want it to just be nice and easy, or do you want to play around with it (be frustrated), and learn a lot?

I think you'd do great with Suse 9.1 for an easy to go thing.

They did. It's the first time, maybe ever, that they released a downloadable ISO. It's only one CD, so doesn't have all the apps that come with the Pro or FTP version, but it should work fine for normal desktop use.

You can download it here

 

[GasX]

Hmmmm, for $29 I can get Suse with manuals...

This nub might just pull the trigger!

 

[everman]

I know FreeBSD is not linux, I should have listed it seperate. I don't use it myself, But I did recently try out the 4.10 release and really liked the ports system.