Basic Linux

[Info Tech Geek]

Guys, I used to use linux a while back, but for some reason I got lazy. I am looking at a company that mainly runs linux and I could probably get my foot in the door, but I don't want to look like an idiot.

I am looking for a selection of flavors that would best suite a novice looking to learn everything from basic maintenance to running a web server and maybe even some development.

It needs to be compatible with a Dell Latitude D800 and also be able to using the built in wireless, since I can hardwire it for the installation, I expect this system to be mobile.

Can I get a couple suggestions? Much appreciated.

[fourdc]

ITG,

Can you get some social engineering going and find out what they're running on the inside?

I run OpenSuse and Ubuntu, everything I got is hardwired though.

I learned more about Linux pre Kernel 2 days by running Slackware because basically it wasn't user friendly.

Theres also the Live CD versions where you wouldn't have to make a permanent hardware commitment.

[Info Tech Geek]

I have had experience with Debian and Solaris in the past, but I can't even get x running on the system now. If I am not mistaken they are running Red Hat, but I don't need the exact flavor they are running, I mainly need the best distro for this laptop or the best "wireless" distro.

I did find this: http://penguin-breeder.org/latitude/

[acidtone]

suse, Debian, and maybe openBSD.

suse would most likely run out of the box on the above mentioned rig, while the others might need a little tinkering with.

if they happen to have a website etc maybe dig around and see what you can find, also nothing that a phone call etc and some sneaky questions cannot hurt.

cheers
acidtone..

[phishphreek]

I've used both Fedora and SuSE on my laptop(s). SuSE had more support for my wireless cards out of box. However, it wasn't *that* difficult to get wireless working on Fedora. What kind of wireless card do you have? More importantly... what chipset?

I could not use my internal wireless car. I had to get a pcmcia card. The laptop is a bit older though.

[brokencrow]

SUSE is hot in the corporate world. RH (Fedora) too. We've got
two groups using SUSE. They used to use Slackware, but the
switch to SUSE was made when potential customers demanded
it or RH. The power of branding...

Personally, I use Ubuntu, only because I've too little time and am too lazy to switch to some other flavor.

[Info Tech Geek]

I currently have Debian installed, so we are down to 2 questions.

How do I get the internal wireless card of a Dell Latitude D800 working, I downloaded the wireless_tools.28, but still lost as where to go now.

--Intel PRO/Wireless 2200 (internal wireless)

Also, which desktop is most commonly used (Gnome or KDE)?

I also have a Verizon air card, if anyone has any information on that.

[brokencrow]

Connecting wirelessly in Linux is usually done manually,
via a series of commands:

1) ifconfig ath0 up (might be eth0 if that's what the OS sees the card as).

2) iwconfig ath0 essid ssid_of_wireless_network

2) dhcpcd ath0 (could also be pump -i or dhclient depending on distro)

Try this site for more info on config'ing wireless in Linux:

http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/Jean_...nux/Tools.html

[Info Tech Geek]

Connecting wirelessly in Linux is usually done manually,
via a series of commands:

1) ifconfig ath0 up (might be eth0 if that's what the OS sees the card as).

2) iwconfig ath0 essid ssid_of_wireless_network

2) dhcpcd ath0 (could also be pump -i or dhclient depending on distro)

Try this site for more info on config'ing wireless in Linux:

http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/Jean_...nux/Tools.html

Thanx, I did however find this ( http://www.debianadmin.com/enable-wp...ntu-linux.html) and I am now WIRELESS! Some of it is starting to come back to me, this is a good sign.


I was looking for a decent IRC client, to get some live/active help. What clients do you prefer? I was trying to download BitchX and I got the following error

Setting up bitchx (1.1-4) ...
warning: /usr/lib/X11/fonts/misc does not exist or is not a directory

[jockey0109]

Close your eyes, pick up an OpenSuSE Linux and you can be pretty sure that it will support all you would look for (except that great multimedia support).

I have seen things r so easy in this distro.