[Lord AnthraX]

Ok.

So after my recent failures with windows I have decided to go to linux.

Now I have never used linux, ever.

I have a 200 GB hard drive that I have been using for music that seems good for linux, and If I need to go back to windows, so be it as it's on my raptor.


Now what would be the best distro for me?


I appreaciate your guys help, as Im a total linux noob.

[Snake-Eyes]

(Read with one warning, i am a linux noob, too, but i have used it enough to get by. I don't know console commands and stuff like that.)

A bunch of people suggest Ubuntu with GNOME desktop environment, but i prefer Kubuntu with the KDE desktop environment.

Either way, they are both very good for the beginner. I suggest Xandros, personally, because they have Xandros Networks which acts just like Windows Update. You can also get some pretty awesome stuff from XN, like games, dictionaries in different languages, different tools for programming, etc.

The the easiest way, IMO, to switch to linux is finding the linux equivalent of Windows programs. Like in KDE, they have Konqueror, which is just like Windows Explorer. Outlook Express or Thunderbird becomes Thunderbird or KMail (i think it's KMail. Something like that). Winamp/WMP becomes XMMS. AIM/MSN/Yahoo becomes GAIM. Et cetera.

The hardest thing about linux, IMO, is console commands. The console is just like command prompt, only with different commands. It's a bit challenging to learn, though, not too difficult.

Edit: Wow, that was longer than i was expecting. Oh, well. If you need help getting a distribution, there are tons of guides via google. Have at it. Also, as a final note here, no distribution is perfect for the newbie, so you'll get mixed answers (as i hope you'd expect). Everybody eventually finds a distribution they like and they stick with it.

[Lord AnthraX]

Thanks snake eyes.


Yeah I remember reading some posts in here and someone will be like type this into the console command, and it's like how they remembered that is beyond me.


Would it be a good idea to go look at all the programs I run now and see if they have linux versions?

Im sure obvious stuff such as Itunes and such.

But what about programs like Sony Vegas 6 and Photoshop and such.

[The General]

I have been using Linux on and off for a few years, but primarily for about 10 months now. Ubuntu 5.xx was unusable, I am telling you right now that Ubuntu 6.xx is excellent.

Gnome is my GUI of choice, KDE hurts my eyes, but I'm just used to Gnome. It's really your choice... I find Gnome to be more refined, and KDE to be a bit sloppy and ugly.

If you made a list of things to use the computer for, what games you use, I will investigate everything for you, and write tutorials for all of them, if they don't already exist on the internet. Definitley list some programs you use a lot, like Photoshop/Gimp, etc.

@ Snake-Eyes, Thunderbird is okay, but I really really really love Evolution. You should check it out. It's a GTK app though, so if you use KDE it will be pretty lame looking.

Anyway, just write down all the stuff you need to know how to do right now, and after you get that worked out you can learn all the other stuff. I know, ideally you should be learning the command line first, and then everything else, as the command line is the basis of everything that goes on in Linux, but for someone going cold turkey, you kind of have to go about learning it backwards.

If you are old enough to take classes at your community college, definitely take an intro to Linux class, as they go over a LOT of the command line, and very little GUI. I am taking an intro to Linux class right now, and it has been very helpful, even though I was pretty confortable using it for months so far.

I plan on taking a class called Applied Linux after this, which should be even better.

The command line is a bit scary at first, but once you realize the huge amount of power you have with it, you will love it. I have a terminal open all the time. It's called Yakuake, when I press ~ it slides down like in games.

[Lord AnthraX]

Excellent General!

Really appreaciated!



Il start on that list right now.

PS: Have you ever thought about taking Linux+ Certification test?

[Snake-Eyes]

Side note, be sure you read my edit. I just added it in as you posted.

There is WINE (Wine Is Not an Emulator). It can run a bunch of Windows programs. Stuff like iTunes i'm sure has a linux equivalent, if not just a straight up linux version. For Photoshop, most distro's come with (or you can get) GIMP (Graphics and Image Manipulation Program, i believe). It's a weaker, open source version of Photoshop. It's weaker because it doesn't have as many extremely nifty features, but it's still quite good.

I'm not sure about Vegas. Maybe WINE could handle it.

BTW, hopefully by tomorrow jakec will pop in. He's always a big help when it comes to linux. He's in Australia, so chances are he won't be online when we are.

@General, i'll give Evolution a shot. I reformatted XP about a week or two ago, and i wiped out all my linux, so i'll be installing a KDE and GNOME distro.

[macdude425]

Originally posted by The General
If you are old enough to take classes at your community college, definitely take an intro to Linux class, as they go over a LOT of the command line, and very little GUI. I am taking an intro to Linux class right now, and it has been very helpful, even though I was pretty confortable using it for months so far.

Excellent idea, unless your professor is my father, who teaches SuSE+YaST.

[The General]

Originally posted by Lord AnthraX
Excellent General!

Really appreaciated!



Il start on that list right now.

PS: Have you ever thought about taking Linux+ Certification test?

Yeah, as soon as I finish this class I should be able to pass the test with ease, I didn't want to waste the money on the test without knowing for sure that I could pass it.

Originally posted by macdude425
Excellent idea, unless your professor is my father, who teaches SuSE+YaST.

Aww...

lol

[Lord AnthraX]

Ok so here is the list of programs I'l be using (or would like to use)

• Itunes
• Mozilla Firefox
• Steam
• AIM
• MSN messenger
• Xfire
• Adobe reader
• Limewire
• Storm Codecs
• Alcohol 120%
• Azures (torrents)
• Win Rar
  
  And 3-2 that im sure I missed

Those are basically the programs I use daily (few exceptions)



Games Il play

• Steam related games such as HL2 and CS:S and GMOD 10
• UT2K4 and UTK2K7 (I know this will work)
• GRAW

And thats about it, as I dont play games as much as I used to.

I might look into Wolfstein enemy territory



Also I have some driver questions.

How are drivers with linux?

Hard? Pain in the @ss? smooth?


And of course. Internet.
Wireless linksys internet, I have a feeling this is going to cuase some problems

And all my software for my keyboad and mouse.
Can this work with linux or will I just have to download it off logitech site specified for linux.

Lots of questions, thanks for the help

[jakec]

Hey Lord Anthrax,

Good to see you getting into linux, Good God Windows Vista sure is helping opensource grow ain't it

anyway just some suggested reading for you:


Linux Tutorials: Introduction to Linux, Hands on guide
http://www.tldp.org/LDP/intro-linux/html/index.html

Ultimate guide for beginners
http://www.linuxlots.com/~jam/

The beginners Linux guide
http://www.linux.ie/newusers/beginners-linux-guide/

Linux Networking:
http://www.lesbell.com.au/Home.nsf/0...b?OpenDocument

Sharing files between Windows and Linux
http://www.fbeedle.com/technote/03-0...5/etude15.html

Linux online bible
http://rute.2038bug.com/index.html.gz

Where to D/L Linux:
http://www.linux.org/dist/list.html
http://www.linuxlinks.com/Distributions/
http://www.distromania.com/

as for which distro you are going to get a baised opinion here, so I'd check out these Linux distro choosers: http://eedok.voidofmind.com/linux/chooser.html
http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/

Kubuntu
http://www.kubuntu.org/

PCLinuxOS .92
http://ftp.nluug.nl/pub/metalab/dist...glish/preview/

This is the distro I use and recommend, Why because it works right out of the box. No need to configure Everything, everything just works. It also comes as a 1 CD install that is a live CD that you can install later if you wish.

Mephis
http://www.mepis.org/

Everything you will ever need on 1 CD. Hardware detection is exelent, as is the feel and look of the distro

Installing Mepis http://www.mepisguides.com/install/i...artitions.html

Dual boot mepis: http://www.mepisguides.com/install/i...and-clear.html

OPENSUSE
http://www.opensuse.org/Download

but if you follow the advice of most people on this forum, you will end up with ubuntu so here is a tutorial on how to install it

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installing


if you would like to go the more 'windowsesk' type environment try Xrandros: http://www.xandros.com/ there are other Windows type distros out there:

AMIGO Linux
http://amigolinux.org/

DragonLinux
http://dragonlinux.sourceforge.net/

Klinux Linux
http://70.84.79.46/ar/announce-en.htm

monkey Linux
http://ftp.spsselib.hiedu.cz/pub/linux/monkey/

Phat Linux
http://phatlinux.com/

• Topologi Linux
http://topologi-linux.sourceforge.net/

ReactOS
http://www.reactos.org/xhtml/en/index.html

Lindspire
http://www.linspire.com/


hope this helps,

Jake