Alright, so I am trying to install Linux now..

[_E_]

Hey everybody.

As the title says, I want to try out Linux on my desktop. I've never tried it before nor am I completely acquainted with it either, so you could say I am a noobie at this Any advice on where to get started or any tips of which version to install/...etc ? Thanks

[Coolsvilleman]

well if you get an ubuntu version of linux you can try out a fully functional livecd and see if linux is really the way to go. Also if you have no experience with a unix based system your gonna have some trouble working things in the beginning.

On the whole your linux experience will be very limited to your knowledge vs your installation. Since there are so many to choose from its best to start with a wider know version a.k.a redhat, ubuntu, etc.

[KillerShots]

Depends on your comfortable learning curve. Some people with a very shallow curve (either by choice or by personality) tend towards Mandriva or Red Hat. If you can handle a steeper curve, you can try debian or slackware. If you want a really steep (but valuable) learning curve, jump into Gentoo.

My father (age 60) surprised the crap out of me by mastering Gentoo in a week. He took a small mini-itx machine I'd engineered for him as a HTPC (Home Theater PC) that was having some minor problems, wiped it clean, and installed Gentoo from scratch, managing to get everything working correctly in the end by himself. Prior experience - well, he's been using Windows since 3.1 and DOS before that... and he has a very small amount of unix experience from over 20 years ago, but come on... he's 60 and his last experience was 20 years ago

EDIT: Also, what scale of an experience are you after? Are you just dual-booting your existing desktop? Are you setting up a small server? Are you going to attempt to go for a full-blown home theater PC? Are you trying to install a vehicle PC? There's an awful wide range of utility that you get from linux...

[Exodus]

I don't know much about linux, but I had gone through a "let's try linux" faze a while back. After trying to do it manually, I gave up and found a liveCD. Definitely get a liveCD.

And for the record, I ended up going with Mandrake Linux. I don't remember why.

[Samor]

ubuntu - even installing is easy

[_E_]

Well, I am installing it mainly for two things : dual boot my system and get myself familiar with an OS other than windows ( I am a CS student after all )
Right now I am giving SuSe a try, but I'll see if I can download ubuntu as well. One question though : Do I have to partition my disk before installing Linux? I am keeping Linux and Windows on two seperate harddrives, however the HDD I chose for linux happens to have backup data. Those dont get formatted during installing, or am I wrong here?

edit : meh, seems like i have to partition after all...

[Hard core Rikki]

Nice choices as distros. Pick your p0ison. ntfs-3g brings NTFS reliable and fast read/write support to GNU:
- symplyMEPIS. Screenies HERE

- Kubuntu (Ubuntu is based on GNOME and is more limited, the KDE counterpart s application-full)

- openSUSE

- Gentoo (for super pros. very tricky to use)

Using ext3 for the linux partition should be best. All personal data is best stored on partitions accessible from XP AND GNU, however.

For quick learning, perhaps it'd be wise to try virtualization, in case you wish to get acqainted to GNU/Linux, especially to try it.

Would be wise to try using VMware Player, either fitted with an appliance. openSUSE too works, as well as other popular distros:
- the LiveCD appliance (to boot ANY distro that can work without installation)
- the Ultimate Deployment appliance (excellent appliance. to install any system you have an ISO of. works nice for XP. Good for trying permanently)

[Betamax]

I'd have to agree w/ what has been said thus far, however if your looking to learn the system the community's behind the distro is just as important IMHO. I don't have an experience w/ opensuse, but the ubuntu and gentoo communities at usually quite tolerant of noobie questions.

[Kraelis]

Using LiveCDs spares you the headache of partitioning, unless you plan on keping Linux for good. You'll be able to keep your current Windows box immaculate that way. I really suggest you try VMWare Player so that you get a foretaste of what you're going for if you want non-liveCD builds. I've helped too many people uninstall Linux before (before LiveCDs were common), so I always suggest a trial first.

On a side note, you know, I never really understood what the "OMG Ubuntu R0x0rs" fanfare is all about. I suppose the wide acceptance of Ubuntu allows for a more newbie friendly community though, so that's a plus.

[cyclonmaster]

You can check the best here: DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD.
Also Live CD is a choice to wonder around.

[FLaRe85]

Ubuntu's Debian base is what excites me.

[Mad]

Im having problems setting debian here, but red hat/fedora has always been easy.

[DoktorSeven]

Mepis and Ubuntu are probably the the easiest way to get things running for new Linux users-- Mepis a bit easier than Ubuntu I think. Even with the easiest, though, expect to have to learn a bit to get things going exactly like you want it. Don't give up, though. Persevere even through the trickiest stuff because the effort is well worth it in the end.

[Hard core Rikki]

Originally Posted by DoktorSeven

Mepis and Ubuntu are probably the the easiest way to get things running for new Linux users-- Mepis a bit easier than Ubuntu I think.

Mandriva 2007, (especially the ProPack and ProPack+, fitted with even better hardware support, all supporting accelerated desktop) I say, is exceptionally superior to those, followed by MEPIS (UGLY interface, a turnoff) and farther, Linspire...Surprise !! Linspire and Xandros dumb it down too much for techies.

Ubuntu benefitted primarly from being free, as in free stuff, and community-driven internationalisation, btw. Also, free shippin' anyone ?

After testing over half a hundred distributions over last year, I can confirm Mandriva 2007 (Free edition comes with limited hardware support, still better than Ubuntu's, but...) and MEPIS are indeed the most capable of the GNU/Linux systems still very suitable for non-tech people, all while offerin' techies and non-techies highly competent desktop solutions. An excellent, uncompromised balance.

And before you ask, I dont work for Mandriva.
Once I put up my new site, I'll screenshot and document those GNUs, from a newbie and techie viewpoints.

[DoktorSeven]

Indeed, Mandriva is definitely nice for beginners, and is worth a try.

[Mad]

Ah my problem with debian was just a wrong DNS server input, now running.
Its pretty easy to setup.

[Exodus]

Mandrake became Mandriva, right? I think I remember hearing something about that.

[DoktorSeven]

Originally Posted by Exodus

Mandrake became Mandriva, right? I think I remember hearing something about that.

Right, due to some silly garbage about someone else having the rights to the name "Mandrake", so when they merged with Conectiva Linux they got cute with the two names and created the terrible name "Mandriva".

Yeah, I didn't like the name. Sue me.

[_E_]

W00t, more suggestions I attempted to install kubuntu and it got stuck at 85% ( apparently it cant read from my CD drive), and all attempts to copy a new CD were fruitless ( I wasted 7 CDRs...damn CD burner -_-; ). So now I ordered one of those free ubuntu CDs and it's not gonna come after 4-6 weeks from now. Better than nothing, I suppose.

[mogster]

Ubuntu... I tried to boot that this morning. For a while it sat with a loading screen. Then a wonderous green line woompfd across my screen. Then it froze.
Can't say much about Ubuntu if it freezes on boot...