First Jump into Linux

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July 11th, 2003, 04:34 AM
Talith

First Jump into Linux

Currently, Im runnin Windows 98SE :( . I know, I know, I thought about getting Linux, but all my friends said that It would be really hard for a novice user (being me) to run it. I heard that it is very programming intensive. What I would like to know is, what do I need to know to install Linux? Would I need an intensive programming background? So far I just have an immensely basic knowledge of Visual Basic, and JAVA. Should I stick with WIN98SE, or with your guys' help, jump into the exciting world of Linux? ALL HAIL THE PENGUIN! :cool:
July 11th, 2003, 04:42 AM
phishphreek

Quote:

Would I need an intensive programming background?

no! you just need to know how to follow instructions. Linux is WELL documented.

Linux isn't that hard to learn... its just different from m$. for some reason.. people equate different to hard with it comes to linux. Now if you plan on programming for linux.. (which you'll need to know the OS inside and out before you do this) you'll want to know perl, c, c++ and misc other languages.

http://www.tldp.org/tldp-redirect.php?url=/

check out that link. there is a document there for almost everything you want to do with linux
if not.. it is at www.google.com/linux

if you want to "test drive" linux and you have broadband, or know someone who does... pickup a copy of a distro that runs completely from CD. You just boot to it. you can see how it is. www.knoppix.org or www.suse.com even has one

I too thought it was going to be hard... but it is not. get a good linux book and search the web for what you want to do. there is TONS of documentation...
July 11th, 2003, 04:43 AM
lumpyporridge

several linuxses are as easy as windows to install(redhat,mandrake,suse) , just make sure your hardware is supported and search these forums and you will find many good opinions on the subject .
July 11th, 2003, 04:45 AM
cheyenne1212

I'm new to Linux also but as far was Linux being programing intesive I would say it is definitely not. From what I've heard Suse is the linux distro with the best GUI. I personally use Red Hat Linux www.redhat.com, and Mandrake linux www.mandrake-linux.com. Like Phishphreek said, Linux is well documented. It was pretty easy to use since it has a since it has a GUI. Just play around with it and see if you want to try it.
July 11th, 2003, 05:01 AM
gore

Quote:

Originally posted here by cheyenne1212
I'm new to Linux also but as far was Linux being programing intesive I would say it is definitely not. From what I've heard Suse is the linux distro with the best GUI. I personally use Red Hat Linux www.redhat.com, and Mandrake linux www.mandrake-linux.com. Like Phishphreek said, Linux is well documented. It was pretty easy to use since it has a since it has a GUI. Just play around with it and see if you want to try it.

Best GUI is an understatement!

SuSE owns.

http://www.suse.com
July 11th, 2003, 06:31 AM
Talith

Wow~! You guys are great, now to figure out which Linux I want. SuSe of course looks very appealing, but Mandrake would also be fun to get. I think I'll go with Suse though, and the price and cost of it! Professional edition, only 70 bucks as compared to the 200+ that microsoft wants us to pay for its "Windows XP PRO". Thanks a lot guys, which book would you suggest me getting phishphreak? Theres a lot of books out there, dont wanna get one too advanced for my use. Also, what is a distro? I looked on google for it, but just found some stuff for a recording company, Ill take a look though through the search and see if I can find out. Thanks again guys, you're the best!
July 11th, 2003, 08:56 AM
Wrayth

I gather that linux used to be considered hard because it was ALL command line stuff (Dos used to be considered hard for the same reason). Distro is short for distribution, isn't it? ie a particular collection of apps and utils wrapped around the linux kernel...?
July 11th, 2003, 09:51 AM
catch

Linux and Windows just have different learning curves. (WinSUE is just plain basic and needn't be considered.)
Linux has a more steep learning curve at the bottom end than NT does, but the NT curve goes much deeper as a result of it's greater functionality. This is why many users think linux is hard (initially more difficult, but can be mastered in no time) and that NT sucks (they never fully learn the full depth of its abilities, even most MCSEs manage to be quite ignorant.)

For most home users with an interest in computers and low security requirements, Linux is the ideal choice as a result of its price and the fact that it is more engaging. Mostly a result of its very poor documentation, but then hey... that's excitement, right? :)

catch
July 11th, 2003, 10:20 AM
slarty

I have to largely agree with Catch on this one (heh)

Whilst your Windows 98 might be a lot simpler than a Linux distribution, as Catch suggests, a modern (say Windows 2000 server) has a lot more complicated bits underneath if you know about them.

What I like about Linux, and I recommend to anyone who feels the same, is the feeling of control - you can see what's going on, and turn it off if you don't like it. The same can't (usually) be said with Windows.

Also, while giving a pretty UI, some of the server bits in Windows 2000 (NT to a lesser extent) are actually pretty complicated, and work in a non-trivial and counter-intuitive way. I always felt that the underlying semantics were what made something hard, not how pretty (or not) the GUI works.

You try setting up file replication in Windows 2000 server ... it may have a pretty GUI but it's still a b^H female dog :)
July 11th, 2003, 10:39 AM
er0k

dude, (m/f doesnt matter, still a dude) Linux is the first step to actually achieving realization of your skill. What you need to do, is jump headlong into linux, realize that you aren't good with it, read manuals, books, tutorials, etc, then go back to it... you will then realize your potential...

(sorry, a bit outta my head)
July 11th, 2003, 11:52 AM
Shrekkie

Quote:

I gather that linux used to be considered hard because it was ALL command line stuff (Dos used to be considered hard for the same reason).

It still is command line , and that's the fun of it.... Sure there are nicer GUI's and stuff, but configuring is easier and more functional for me (although I had to curse a lot, still do , hehehe).
for.ex. samba server. Configuring that via gui never worked for me. I tried the via command line and, poof first time right.

Anyway... you'll never stop learning in linux, my guess...
July 11th, 2003, 12:42 PM
phishphreek

Quote:

Originally posted here by Talith
Wow~! You guys are great, now to figure out which Linux I want. SuSe of course looks very appealing, but Mandrake would also be fun to get. I think I'll go with Suse though, and the price and cost of it! Professional edition, only 70 bucks as compared to the 200+ that microsoft wants us to pay for its "Windows XP PRO". Thanks a lot guys, which book would you suggest me getting phishphreak? Theres a lot of books out there, dont wanna get one too advanced for my use. Also, what is a distro? I looked on google for it, but just found some stuff for a recording company, Ill take a look though through the search and see if I can find out. Thanks again guys, you're the best!

Since you are planning on purchasing a copy and not downloading it... I would say have a look see at the books that come with SuSE. Gore says that the docs from that are pretty good.

I use Red Hat myself, and have the Red Hat Bible and I have a couple of other ones.
I personally like Using Linux Unix and Linux Complete and the online docs. The OS itself has tons of docs too, so you don't have to read online... you can read locally too.

One command you will want to get to know right away from CLI (command line)

man
man = manual pages

man ls
will give you a whole little manual about the command ls which lists files

also if you put a --help after your command you will get a shorter version most* of the time.

ls --help

have phun learning linux!
July 11th, 2003, 02:51 PM
Geppy

Have to agree with most of you, Linux is not that difficult. I think that one of the issues is that Microsoft wants the world to beleive that Linux is very difficult and that you better can use M$ products. Also microsft makes good products, but it is all part of PR and $.

Linux is free (you can even download ISO for free and make your own copy of linux) and when you play around with it for a while you will get used to the somewhat different approach. (Shell, Open source, Software sharing, etc.) Very powerfull OS.

Another misunderstanding is that Linux is 100% secure compared to Microsoft products, but Linux also has Bugs&Vulns and need to be hardened, upgraded and patched freq.
Just like MS.

Take best of both worlds!!
July 11th, 2003, 04:22 PM
3r2

If you have a moderately large HD, you could dual boot. Grub loader works great and is a simple install from RH. And I suggest that the first install will not be your best, one of the beauties of Linux is configuration is left to your imagination, and needs. No one knows everything that is happening in Windows, given time you can get very good at seeing what is going on in Linux. I like the text level configuration, simple.
July 11th, 2003, 04:45 PM
RoadClosed

You are going to load up linux and say.... "Wow I should have loaded this thing a looooong time ago."

Welcome to the collective.
July 11th, 2003, 04:53 PM
Shrekkie

Quote:

Grub loader works great and is a simple install from RH.

Mine is LILO but like almost everything it's a matter of flavor.
Installing linux is like assembling your perfect woman, each piece you can find at dozens of flavors.
The OS itself is the body, .....etc...

Just try the one that you think would suit you best...
July 12th, 2003, 04:51 AM
Talith

Quote:

Originally posted here by 3r2
If you have a moderately large HD, you could dual boot.

Just wondering how big of a HD do you suggest me having before I dual install? I just have a 40gb hard drive right now, but almost 1/5 of it is taken up by my stuff (games,etc..) Is 40 enough to dual boot with Linux and Win98?

Thanks again to everyone who has helped me! You guys are the best! :D
July 12th, 2003, 05:21 AM
gore

Quote:

Originally posted here by Talith

Just wondering how big of a HD do you suggest me having before I dual install? I just have a 40gb hard drive right now, but almost 1/5 of it is taken up by my stuff (games,etc..) Is 40 enough to dual boot with Linux and Win98?

Thanks again to everyone who has helped me! You guys are the best! :D

40 GBs is more than enough, have fun.