[Blink]

I'm planning on putting Linux on a seperate partition on my computer to get a feel for the O/S. I was thinking of going with Redhat 9 because I heard that you could run a server setup with it to configure a comp as a server. Which I plan on setting up for my home network in the future. I've also heard that Mandrake 9.2 is more friendly to those unfamilar with the Linux operating system. But can you set it up to run as a server? Also do i want the i386 iso or the SRPMS one. I'm currently using a P4 2.53 @ 533 fsb. The i386 is self explainatory but what does SRPMS stand for? Thanks for any input.

[gruntwerk]

Watch yourself, I believe that if you go for the SERVER install , it will reformat ALL drives... (*i.e. by-by windoze*)

[ESmandrake]

SRPMs are source packages. You use them in cases where you want to compile packages yourself, but at a minimum you need a base system and compiler, plus tools, installed first. Unless you have a particular need to compile with non-standard options you won't need SRPMs, certainly not when first trying out GNU/Linux. As for server software, all the main distributions include a wide selection, Mandrake included. What sort of server operations are you planning to try out? Ignore my nick btw, I switched to Debian, guess I should have waited before registering here

~~~
Steve

[Xenocrates]

Originally posted by gruntwerk
Watch yourself, I believe that if you go for the SERVER install , it will reformat ALL drives... (*i.e. by-by windoze*)

i'm not sure about that.... I did server install and it didn't reformat my whole hd, just my linux partition.... but, if theres even the slightest possibility this just might be true (and since someone actually said so, theres more than that) and maybe I didn't do a server install (now that I think of it i think i did a full intall which installs all packages including server ones), you may want to be extremely careful with that... and yes, any flavor of linux will work as a server, but im not sure which ones come with the software right in the installation (the current disrib in testing is Lycoris- supposedly able to rival Windows' media capabilities- im not sure that has it built in.... its not made for a server, but im sure u can make it one)

[Blink]

Cool thanks to you all for your help I got Mandrake up and running and so far its pretty cool. But after some reading I learned i should really mess with server install untill I know what I'm doing.

[whiteknight]

A couple notes with the server install of Redhat. It installs no GUI (it will be text based, like dos) and as someone already pointed out it reformats your entire hard drive. If you are looking to run a server on linux you don't necasarily need to run a server install. You can do the Redhat workstation install and also select the server packages (apache and I forget the ftp one). That way you will also have the GUI to play around with Linux. If your completly new to linux I recomend you read a book like RedHat Linux Bible ($35). You can purchase it here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846

As a bonus it also comes with the three cds you need (by the way you need to download the 386 ones) so you won't have to use your own bandwithc.

[Blink]

Thanks alot. Especially with the book. I'm printerless atm and reading a screen just sucks. Hopefully I can fix the printer problems soon there is a overwhelming amout of information throught the linux community its just being able to sit down and read it with a family.

[whiteknight]

If your problem with your printer has to do with Linux drivers a good place to look would be http://LinuxPrinting.org

You can search for your printer and it will provide the driver you need and how well it works with Linux. Good place to look. It also includes tutorials on how to use things like CUPS.

[Blink]

Unfortunately no my Hp - 1120C just gave up the ghost after 5 years. But thnx for the info I will jot it down for future reference.

[whiteknight]

Your welcome. That always sucks when it happens....