Venturing into the world of linux

Robert · 22-11-2006, 23:05

I've wanted to try it for a while, but never got around to it. What's the best linux distro to use? It'll be going on my laptop, which I use for word processing etc.

Daz · 22-11-2006, 23:09

(K, X)ubuntu, if you're a relative noob. Nicely wrapped in cotton wool with a decent userbase on their forum, and good one stop wiki. Be sure to get automatix after you're set up, it's just a much easier way to get a browser that will do everything (firefox with java/flash etc), and support for a lot of common formats (mp3, divx) installed with no hassle

Robert · 22-11-2006, 23:11

So it's definately a good base to build on, or would you suggest starting on something harder?

Burble · 22-11-2006, 23:12

Start off easy something easy then if you want to, have a go at something a bit more involved. Ubuntu (or one of the variants) are a great start but if you fancy being thrown into the deep end along with the sharks then have a look at Gentoo.

Daz · 22-11-2006, 23:13

Well, it's a good place to start and get familiar. It's debian based, which means everythings pretty standard and where you would expect, with GUI's for pretty much everything if you're not used to a proper CLI yet. When you really want to learn the nuts and bolts of it, try a Gentoo install.

Will · 22-11-2006, 23:26

heh - I have an redhat box which hasn't been properly used for a while - I've mainly just forgotten how to use it, and not needed to use it

should really get round to using it more - but can't find a real use for it.

Daz · 22-11-2006, 23:27

That's the key really. You need a project which you can throw linux at to really get to grips with it. A goal to attain.

Will · 22-11-2006, 23:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daz

That's the key really. You need a project which you can throw linux at to really get to grips with it. A goal to attain.

Yup like any computer project or any project in general - if there is no goal, you get bored.

Daz · 22-11-2006, 23:31

Mine was a vpn server of some description to handle windows clients. I've used a number of projects with varied results all round, but still to this day never actually achieved what I set out to do

Easy to see why people buy hardware solutions these days

Burble · 22-11-2006, 23:33

Mine was a box to do IP masq, Samba and a few other odds and sods. That was 1998 I think.

22-11-2006, 23:05	#1
Robert Chump!!! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North West Posts: 993	Venturing into the world of linux I've wanted to try it for a while, but never got around to it. What's the best linux distro to use? It'll be going on my laptop, which I use for word processing etc.

22-11-2006, 23:09	#2
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	(K, X)ubuntu, if you're a relative noob. Nicely wrapped in cotton wool with a decent userbase on their forum, and good one stop wiki. Be sure to get automatix after you're set up, it's just a much easier way to get a browser that will do everything (firefox with java/flash etc), and support for a lot of common formats (mp3, divx) installed with no hassle __________________ apt-get moo

22-11-2006, 23:13	#5
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	Well, it's a good place to start and get familiar. It's debian based, which means everythings pretty standard and where you would expect, with GUI's for pretty much everything if you're not used to a proper CLI yet. When you really want to learn the nuts and bolts of it, try a Gentoo install. __________________ apt-get moo

22-11-2006, 23:26	#6
Will BBx woz 'ere :P Join Date: Jan 1970 Posts: 2,147,487,208	heh - I have an redhat box which hasn't been properly used for a while - I've mainly just forgotten how to use it, and not needed to use it should really get round to using it more - but can't find a real use for it. __________________ *No No!*

22-11-2006, 23:27	#7
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	That's the key really. You need a project which you can throw linux at to really get to grips with it. A goal to attain. __________________ apt-get moo

22-11-2006, 23:11	#3
Robert Chump!!! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North West Posts: 993	So it's definately a good base to build on, or would you suggest starting on something harder?

22-11-2006, 23:12	#4
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	Start off easy something easy then if you want to, have a go at something a bit more involved. Ubuntu (or one of the variants) are a great start but if you fancy being thrown into the deep end along with the sharks then have a look at Gentoo.

22-11-2006, 23:31	#9
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	Mine was a vpn server of some description to handle windows clients. I've used a number of projects with varied results all round, but still to this day never actually achieved what I set out to do Easy to see why people buy hardware solutions these days __________________ apt-get moo

22-11-2006, 23:33	#10
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	Mine was a box to do IP masq, Samba and a few other odds and sods. That was 1998 I think.