Getting Started

jmlikos · 08-17-2007, 09:49 AM

If I am wanting to learn Linux, which is the best route to take to get started? I also want to be able to dual boot with Windows. TIA.

swannema · 08-17-2007, 12:15 PM

Just start with a live cd, it will give you some idea if you like Linux at all and if your hardware is supported.
Here is a good list with Live cd's:
http://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.php

It's hard to recommend one, give Mepis, SUSE, Knoppix and Ubuntu a try, it will be worth your time.

jmlikos · 08-17-2007, 01:08 PM

Thanks. Nice link, deffinitely a few to choose from. Where can you find out if your hardware is compatible? Thanks again.

swannema · 08-17-2007, 01:52 PM

That's the nice thing about a Live CD, if it doesn't work just try the next one. If you have really new hardware then you might want to chose SIDUX, very fast and cutting edge distro, if you like you can install also on your hdd.
For a beginner MEPIS is an excellent choice, the best complete packages come from SUSE and Fedora. I personally use SUSE for a couple of years now and I am still satisfied. SUSE 10.3 will be one of their best releases since years, the beta version is already top and I am really looking forward to it. SUSE is my main OS and has long replaced M$ Windows.

jmlikos · 08-17-2007, 02:08 PM

How hard is SUSE to learn? My computer is a few years old, so I don't know if that would cause a hardware conflict. I am looking for something to put on my hdd and eventually replace M$ Windows. I appreciate all you help and information. Thanks.

**k0NG0** · 08-17-2007, 04:42 PM

I use OpenSUSE 10.2 and it's pretty nice, although I'd been using Linux on and off for a couple years before installing it earlier this year, so I can't tell you much about how it feels for a beginner. I only boot Windows when I need to burn a CD/DVD.

I'd probably go with Ubuntu if I was installing today. SUSE is nice, but I liked Ubuntu better, even the earlier versions. So that's my suggestion: Ubuntu.

My computer is a 1.2GHz Tualatin Celeron, TUSL2-C and 512MB of PC133 SDRAM. Older hardware means less chance of missing drivers.

swannema · 08-17-2007, 05:01 PM

My computer is a couple of years old as well. Shouldn't be an issue. The best to get your feet wet with such an "oldie" is MEPIS. I never liked Ubunty, MEPIS is based on the same structure but a lot more user friendly.

**k0NG0** · 08-17-2007, 06:12 PM

I first got started with Slackware, I could add. Which wasn't very user friendly at all, but a great way of getting to know what really made stuff tick in Linux (no whiz-bang GUI package managers or anything, terminal everything). Ubuntu today is vastly(!) more user friendly than Slack 8 was.

Learning the hard way is still learning

.

jmlikos · 08-20-2007, 12:44 PM

I really appreciate all your input, it helps me out alot. What do you think of Red Hat? I have thought about trying Ubuntu. I guess it is best to dual boot with windows? I would actually like to move away from Windows and use it only when I have to. One more question, is Windows software compatible with Linux? Thanks again.

08-17-2007, 09:49 AM	#1
jmlikos Soli Deo Gloria Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Rocky Top Posts: 812	Getting Started If I am wanting to learn Linux, which is the best route to take to get started? I also want to be able to dual boot with Windows. TIA. Last edited by jmlikos : 08-17-2007 at 11:26 AM.
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08-17-2007, 12:15 PM	#2
swannema ???????????????? Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 9,627	Just start with a live cd, it will give you some idea if you like Linux at all and if your hardware is supported. Here is a good list with Live cd's: http://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.php It's hard to recommend one, give Mepis, SUSE, Knoppix and Ubuntu a try, it will be worth your time.
(Offline)

08-17-2007, 01:08 PM	#3
jmlikos Soli Deo Gloria Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Rocky Top Posts: 812	Thanks. Nice link, deffinitely a few to choose from. Where can you find out if your hardware is compatible? Thanks again.
(Offline)

08-17-2007, 01:52 PM	#4
swannema ???????????????? Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 9,627	That's the nice thing about a Live CD, if it doesn't work just try the next one. If you have really new hardware then you might want to chose SIDUX, very fast and cutting edge distro, if you like you can install also on your hdd. For a beginner MEPIS is an excellent choice, the best complete packages come from SUSE and Fedora. I personally use SUSE for a couple of years now and I am still satisfied. SUSE 10.3 will be one of their best releases since years, the beta version is already top and I am really looking forward to it. SUSE is my main OS and has long replaced M$ Windows.
(Offline)

08-17-2007, 02:08 PM	#5
jmlikos Soli Deo Gloria Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Rocky Top Posts: 812	How hard is SUSE to learn? My computer is a few years old, so I don't know if that would cause a hardware conflict. I am looking for something to put on my hdd and eventually replace M$ Windows. I appreciate all you help and information. Thanks.
(Offline)

08-17-2007, 04:42 PM	#6
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,630	I use OpenSUSE 10.2 and it's pretty nice, although I'd been using Linux on and off for a couple years before installing it earlier this year, so I can't tell you much about how it feels for a beginner. I only boot Windows when I need to burn a CD/DVD. I'd probably go with Ubuntu if I was installing today. SUSE is nice, but I liked Ubuntu better, even the earlier versions. So that's my suggestion: Ubuntu. My computer is a 1.2GHz Tualatin Celeron, TUSL2-C and 512MB of PC133 SDRAM. Older hardware means less chance of missing drivers. __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Offline)

08-17-2007, 05:01 PM	#7
swannema ???????????????? Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 9,627	My computer is a couple of years old as well. Shouldn't be an issue. The best to get your feet wet with such an "oldie" is MEPIS. I never liked Ubunty, MEPIS is based on the same structure but a lot more user friendly.
(Offline)

08-17-2007, 06:12 PM	#8
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,630	I first got started with Slackware, I could add. Which wasn't very user friendly at all, but a great way of getting to know what really made stuff tick in Linux (no whiz-bang GUI package managers or anything, terminal everything). Ubuntu today is vastly(!) more user friendly than Slack 8 was. Learning the hard way is still learning . __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Offline)

08-20-2007, 12:44 PM	#9
jmlikos Soli Deo Gloria Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Rocky Top Posts: 812	I really appreciate all your input, it helps me out alot. What do you think of Red Hat? I have thought about trying Ubuntu. I guess it is best to dual boot with windows? I would actually like to move away from Windows and use it only when I have to. One more question, is Windows software compatible with Linux? Thanks again.
(Offline)

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