15 Apr 05
Originally posted by steerpikeI run Slackware on my desktop at home and at work and yet I would agree that Slackware is not really the best distribution for an introduction to Linux. It's not because I think it's any harder to install than say Mandrake because I don't think it is. It is more because you get a console based installation system instead of some qt based GUI thing or whatever the installation GUI de jour is. Also Slackware goes through the installation and then dumps you at a login prompt. I've have never found any part of the Slackware installation that says something like "Oh by the way you might want to type "startx" or "xinit" or perhaps run Kdm from your startup scripts/inittab/whatever". It's not a big thing but Slackware just doesn't look as nice until it's properly installed and I think that might disappoint those who might be converted.
Saying Slackware is not as hard or timeconsuming as Gentoo - where you are expected to build your system from source files, after setting compiler options - is a bit like saying the Mediterrenan is not as wet as the Pacific. 😉
Great for the hard core. And I also bet there are people who would prefer to buy their new car as a heap of parts and assemble ...[text shortened]... introduction to Linux.
Now I hope I have not set off a flame war between Linux distribtions.
Having said that, it IS the best distro out there and I'm ready to throw the first bun in the Linux distro bun fight war!
15 Apr 05
Originally posted by WheelyOh well, two vs one. Maybe it's not such a good distro for beginners; it was just my karma with it 😉.
I run Slackware on my desktop at home and at work and yet I would agree that Slackware is not really the best distribution for an introduction to Linux. It's not because I think it's any harder to install than say Mandrake because I don't think it is. It is more because you get a console based installation system instead of some qt based GUI thing or wha ...[text shortened]... e best distro out there and I'm ready to throw the first bun in the Linux distro bun fight war!
Having said that, I would say Gentoo is probably my favourite distro, followed closely by Slackware. I just like the idea that everything you compile is optimised for your PC right from stage 1. Slackware is only available for x86 (I think they have one other port also) so when I buy my iBook (after I win Lotto) there is no doubt Slackware is a pass.
16 Apr 05
Originally posted by WheelyMy first install was RedHat 5.1. At the prompt I typed xwin, xwindows, win, windows - took ages (through a MS machine and browser) to find the right command. Then I had to work out how to mount a drive, write scripts to get on the internet.
I run Slackware on my desktop at home and at work and yet I would agree that Slackware is not really the best distribution for an introduction to Linux. It's not because I think it's any harder to install than say Mandrake because I don't think it is. It is more because you get a console based installation system instead of some qt based GUI thing or wha ...[text shortened]... e best distro out there and I'm ready to throw the first bun in the Linux distro bun fight war!
Perhaps I am just a wuss - but I love the way new distros auto detect sound cards, modems and set up everything I need. There are more interesting things in life for me than editing configuration files.
As for best - best for me so far is MEPIS. Easy install from one cd, then use Synaptic Package manager to keep everything up to date and install more.
I carry home a Windows laptop every night. And I never bother plugging it in.
16 Apr 05
1 edit
Originally posted by steerpikeThat is "mysterious".
My first install was RedHat 5.1. At the prompt I typed xwin, xwindows, win, windows - took ages (through a MS machine and browser) to find the right command. Then I had to work out how to mount a drive, write scripts to get on the interne ...[text shortened]... e a Windows laptop every night. And I never bother plugging it in.
Why? don't you plug it in? More mysterious... why do you carry it home if it's worth nothing? Even more mystery... What do you leave behind that you have to hide by carrying a worthless windows machine home?
So. You are out of prison now? You never did tell us why you were in.
And I don't like you so I will just pester you to fess up. I ain't ever been known for being too PC. Besides... I really , really don't like new zealanders. They asked for it. So I am giving it to them.
16 Apr 05
Some interesting posts in this thread, although it has wandered - such is the nature of a BBS! I've read some of the early posts.
I'm building a brand new system using Asus motherboard and 64bit AMD CPU. I will install the Fedora Core 3 (64 bit version) onto the new PC and see what it can do.
My main reasons for trying it are that I don't like what MS is doing with their OS. I never did install W XP - still soldiering on with W2000 Pro. I hate the way MS implemented that check whereby hardware alterations could invalidate your OS so that you had to call MS to get the key to unlock your system. Other reasons - too much bloatware on Windows based systems, and very expensive software (if you pay for it) with copy protection set to make it impossible to make naughty copies.
I have done gaming - is this going to be impossible on Linux? Isn't there some sort of Windows emulator or interface to make gaming possible on Linux systems? I've heard of a product called WINE...
16 Apr 05
Originally posted by StarValleyWyI carry it home as my office has been broken in and laptops stolen. Sometimes I look at the code I have written, but usuallly I dump it on the floor and turn on my desktop. Bit of a nuisance as my path to work involves a ten minute walk down a beach, but I need the exercise.
That is "mysterious".
Why? don't you plug it in? More mysterious... why do you carry it home if it's worth nothing? Even more mystery... What do you leave behind that you have to hide by carrying a worthless windows machine home?
So. You are out of prison now? You never did tell us why you were in.
And I don't like you so I will just peste ...[text shortened]... s... I really , really don't like new zealanders. They asked for it. So I am giving it to them.
I don't mind you pestering me - you really are one of the more interesting poeple here. As for not liking us - being liked by a bigot from Utah is not really a great recommendation, is it?
16 Apr 05
Originally posted by UncleBucketHey unc,
Some interesting posts in this thread, although it has wandered - such is the nature of a BBS! I've read some of the early posts.
I'm building a brand new system using Asus motherboard and 64bit AMD CPU. I will install the Fedora Core 3 (64 bit version) onto the new PC and see what it can do.
My main reasons for trying it are that I don't like w ...[text shortened]... r or interface to make gaming possible on Linux systems? I've heard of a product called WINE...
I think that the WINe is more of a networking tool. But I don't know for sure. I read it a couple of years ago and the memory fades.
If i remember correctly, WINe is a curve on "vines" and that happy little scheme of networking peer to peer.
I have three "dead" computers that i am going to make into a "raging" giant someday. I am thinking of actually doing the Linux thing as per my buddy steerpiker.
Who would have thought? But that is how one learns. I'll let you know how it works. If I ever get time to do it.
16 Apr 05
Originally posted by UncleBucketI would suggest a dual boot - most games are PC based and may not work/ be very slow under Wine.
Some interesting posts in this thread, although it has wandered - such is the nature of a BBS! I've read some of the early posts.
I'm building a brand new system using Asus motherboard and 64bit AMD CPU. I will install the Fedora Core 3 (64 bit version) onto the new PC and see what it can do.
My main reasons for trying it are that I don't like w ...[text shortened]... r or interface to make gaming possible on Linux systems? I've heard of a product called WINE...
Best solution - partitiion a hard drive, install a Linux distro and be prepared to play. See if can dump Windows onced you have it running.
16 Apr 05
1 edit
Originally posted by steerpikeWhat is a distro?
I would suggest a dual boot - most games are PC based and may not work/ be very slow under Wine.
Best solution - partitiion a hard drive, install a Linux distro and be prepared to play. See if can dump Windows onced you have it running.
what tool do I use to partition the drive?
I really want to learn to do this. I'm just asking.
16 Apr 05
Originally posted by StarValleyWyI'm touched. I even feel like sending you a copy of Linux.
Hey unc,
I have three "dead" computers that i am going to make into a "raging" giant someday. I am thinking of actually doing the Linux thing as per my buddy steerpiker.
Who would have thought? But that is how one learns. I'll let you know how it works. If I ever get time to do it.
Why? Because I am free to copy it and send it to whoever I like - even to Microsoft slaves who buy their software but can never own it and who must obey the rules.
Nice turn around on freedom isn't it?
16 Apr 05
Originally posted by steerpikeYea. But I really do want to learn Linux. Is that so bad?
I'm touched. I even feel like sending you a copy of Linux.
Why? Because I am free to copy it and send it to whoever I like - even to Microsoft slaves who buy their software but can never own it and who must obey the rules.
Nice turn around on freedom isn't it?
16 Apr 05
Originally posted by StarValleyWyA distribution is a CD full of Linux programs -which is the easist way to start. EBay will sell you 2cds for $3.99.I use MEPIS, put together by a chap called Warren in West Virginia.
What is a distro?
what tool do I use to partition the drive?
I really want to learn to do this. I'm just asking.
Linux needs its own file system which needs to be formatted during installation. If you have a whole drive for Linux using older cheap drives and computers, it is much easier. You only need to partition if you intend to have Windows and Linux on the same drive- and this is best set up before you install Windows.
16 Apr 05
3 edits
Originally posted by steerpikeSo if I fdisk a 40 gig drive then get the above mentioned software...
A distribution is a CD full of Linux programs -which is the easist way to start. EBay will sell you 2cds for $3.99.I use MEPIS, put together by a chap called Warren in West Virginia.
Linux needs its own file system which needs to be f ...[text shortened]... drive- and this is best set up before you install Windows.
What do i need to do? I can get it easy enough. I already found warren on google.
So. That's it? I put in the download... from windows. Then what?
Say I download to "my documents" folder. and I have the full cd available. What do I do next?
ooops. Wait. I can't fdisk until later? Sorry about that. What do I do after I download?
<edit> nevermind. I just read the instructions. Ok. I have now copied and burned a "bootable" CD.
Now I fdisk? The instructions are not real clear on this. Partition? Why? There seems to be a hedge here. Like... "Don't really commit to this. Put it onto another virtual drive. Just in case it doesn't work".
Or did I miss something?
Why not just go full out? Like Windows does? What's all the hedging and fear of failure?
16 Apr 05
Originally posted by StarValleyWyYou don't muck around - impressive download speed,
So if I fdisk a 40 gig drive then get the above mentioned software...
What do i need to do? I can get it easy enough. I already found warren on google.
So. That's it? I put in the download... from windows. Then what?
Say I download to "my documents" folder. and I have the full cd available. What do I do next?
ooops. Wait. I can't fdisk ...[text shortened]... ng?
Why not just go full out? Like Windows does? What's all the hedging and fear of failure?
Put in the CD, and set your machine to boot off the CD. It will boot up in Linux and you can run right off the CD.
You can go all out and ihstall to hard drive - but your drive gets formatted ( just like Windows does), Some like to run both systems on one disk - but now a second hard drive is so cheap now you don't bother about it.
16 Apr 05
1 edit
Originally posted by steerpikeThat is cool.
You don't muck around - impressive download speed,
Put in the CD, and set your machine to boot off the CD. It will boot up in Linux and you can run right off the CD.
You can go all out and ihstall to hard drive - but your drive ge ...[text shortened]... second hard drive is so cheap now you don't bother about it.
So I only have to have my one drive? I will do that. If I get time to rebuild the three monsters into a single machine.
Thanks for that. I appreciate your advice and help.
Mike