Want to install linux and *learn* which distro should I use?

[abaez]

Hi, I had installed mandrake 7 awhile back, fiddled with it, then just stopped using it period. Now what I want to do is try again, but I want to do it without all the gui stuff. I have partition magic 6, so the partitions boot is no problem. But I was wondering what distro to use that has kge or gnome? I read slackware is good, but what I really want to do is get a great linux book. Then go from scratch using the book and installing. If anyone has any ideas how to I could use them. Thanks, btw I'm running ME only on a 46 gig 75gxp 15, 20, 15 gig partitions.

 

[DAM]

ill sum up everyone responce down for you, Mandrake 7.2, Red Hat 7, or SuSe.





dam(im biased to suse)

 

[Rogue]

Why doesn't anyone ever recommend Caldera eDesktop 2.4 for a newbie? That has to be by far the easiest install program (Lizard) and overall the easiest distro to use (COAS and Webadmin).

 

[velvtelvis]

Slackware or Debian, all the way.

Don't use anything but the man files on the CD.

Don't assume that people on /. know what they are talking about.

 

[MGMorden]

Agreed Slackware or Debian are your best bets to actually LEARNING Linux and not just using it. Believe me once you get the hang of Slackware (or Debain, they're both "raw" distros, I just haven't used Debian in years, it was my first distro though) you can configure the system EXACTLY to your likings and have a much better idea of what's going on (and how to fix/add things).

 

[abaez]

Ok I guess slackware it is, now can anyone recommend a good book to help me through the process?

 

[velvtelvis]

O'Reily's _Running Linux_ is by far the best out there, though there is more than enough stuff on the CD's and on the web to figure it out fine.

Running Linuxat amazon.