Linux for a beginner

[PLaYa OnE]

I have used Windows XP for a few years now, and I have been reading stuff about Linux. Yet I don't understand... Which distribution of Linux would be the best for a general purpose pc and are there any guides out there for installing/running Linux for the first few times? And ultimately, is Linux worth installing on a computer if I have XP?

Wow, a few questions there...

Any help appreciated, +rep for those who can help:D

[aintnothang]

I have used ubuntu and I really like it. Its pretty straight forward and easy to understand. Everybody on here will have there opinion on what they prefer. Just research each one and see what you like. Oh and what are your specs?

[PLaYa OnE]

Thanks for that I'll look into that =)
As for my specs, I'll probably install it on a crappy computer made from spare parts lying around. I'm on my laptop at the moment too, so I can't remember my specs for my good computer anyways.

[SgtM]

Like aintnothang suggested.. ubuntu. It's probably the most user friendly for someone switching from windows.

[progbuddy]

Either Ubuntu or Fedora, but more on the Ubuntu side. It's easy to use. You just have to burn the ISO on to a CD and you are in business. :]

[Xpirate]

I've been using Ubuntu on a smaller hard drive ever since my XP system got a virus so powerful that it hosed the system up a couple months ago.

Linux is nice, but it still isn't for everyone. I managed to get Google Earth to work on it, but I had to go to the command line and change permissions on the installation file. Several other things still require command line work. So if you're not into using the command line, you probably won't like Linux.

Ubuntu Linux boots up a lot faster than XP did on the same hardware. XP is on a newer hard drive which is probably a little faster than the one I have Linux on.

The Open Office word processor and stuff isn't as easy and nice to use as the MS Office stuff. Gnu Cash is definitely no competition for Quicken. I did not think Gimp was that good until I used it some more, which made me regret buying Photoshop Elements.

So I probably will need to go back to XP to get the software I paid for running again. Linux also won't run all the hard ware devices I have either. But I do intend to keep a machine with Linux. I've enjoyed being able to surf without fear of getting a heavy duty Windows virus.

I did get some kind of malware for Linux the other day that kept running in the background. But, I was able to kill the processes and I never seen them again. Good luck with your Linux experience.

[phen0m]

I suggest Ubuntu, not only is it easy to use, it is one of the most popular distro's. I made a video on dual-booting for beginners. Its really simple.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ptwa6VB-SKE

[Datech]

For a beginner, you should definitely go with Ubuntu. Before you switch however, I would make a list of all the hardware devices you intend to use with the computer as well as all the software you are used to using with XP.

There are literally tens of thousands of guides, walkthroughs, and HOWTO's on the web that will show you absolutely everything you need to do and want to know about your distribution of Linux. Don't be scared to join a Linux forum and start asking questions. For each arrogant Linux user out there, there are ten more that are willing to guide you through your first Linux experience.

You should do a google search and find two or three guides you like that encompass everything you think you need, read them and print them off for future reference. Also do a few searches about the hardware you have in relation to the Linux distro you are using, and make sure you wont run across any snags in getting them to work properly. Same thing with your software, make sure that the program is compatible with Linux, or find an equivalent that is.

Good luck!

[aintnothang]

http://www.ubuntu.com/

[PLaYa OnE]

Thanks for all your help guys, I'm only gonna put linux on a crappy computer that I'll build during my summer holidays. if I like it, then i may look into dual booting off my XP machine. And yeah, Ubuntu looks like the one I'll choose. Thanks for all your help guys:up::D

[aintnothang]

I run vista and ubuntu dual boot.

[overmark]

I have been using Ubuntu on an off over the last two years. I have it as dual boot now, only because my wife doesn't like using Linux. I find myself using Ubuntu most of the time because it boots fast and shuts down just as fast. Took me 5 minutes today to shut down Vista! There are plenty of free alternatives to the software on XP/Vista and you can achieve most tasks.

Datech is right about the help out there, I have been able to solve most problems with the help on the forums. I have found with Ubuntu 8.10 most of the old bugs and issues have disappeared and I found myself at the command line less.

Good luck

[nevermind1534]

Took me 5 minutes today to shut down Vista!

Vista starts up and shuts down really fast for me. That's probably because there isn't a ton of crap that loads at startup, though.

[Datech]

Here's a good website to help you out with ubuntu:

http://www.knowliz.com/2008/09/20-things-to-do-after-installing-ubuntu.html

[gramatton]

Well, just like everyone else has said, Ubuntu is pretty much great for beginners. In fact, I'm writing this post from my Asus eee running Ubuntu.

On the other hand if you are looking for something super easy to use to just try linux out its worth checking out PuppyLinux (http://www.puppylinux.org/). Its a great little distribution, runs great even on ancient hunks, and it can fit on a 128mb flash drive(tutorial on their site for putting it on one). And you can take that flash drive to another computer and use your install.

Well just my 2cents.

Gramatton out

[aintnothang]

so wheres everyones rep??? just kidding.

[Cymae]

Just be very careful if you're dualbooting with multiple physical drives, It messed up my MBR when it tried to run the dual boot client. If you are going to run it on a second HDD UNPLUG YOUR WINDOWS HDD

[SXRguyinMA]

is Ubuntu also good for a server application? I picked up a dual P3 3u server setup and was thinking of running Linux on it, but I'm a complete noob to it, so it'll be a learning experience as well

[XcOM]

ubuntu client is good, and will work for a file server, but the server edition is very good for managing a network, but beware theres no GUI with the server edition

[Omega]

I suggest using Ubuntu or any of it's related distributions (I use, for example, Kubuntu 4.1.2). It's quick and easy to pick up, but still has a powerful engine. it's great for just starting out or even if you've been around the block a few times.

[LiTHiUM0XiD3]

if your looking for the ultimate server linux.. then your really not lookin at linux at all. freeBSD is the way to go. i wont lie, its is a royal pain in the arse to setup but its also a very very strong OS that can be used for everything cept gaming. server or router u name it really

[XcOM]

yea, im looking into it to setup a nas box

[LiTHiUM0XiD3]

http://www.freenas.org/

[XcOM]

im looking at using that when i come to replace my old server, aslong as i can get it to talk over a gigabit NIC then its going on.

[simon275]

I started with ubuntu and fedora. I have since moved to Debian and I just add things as I need them. I find this much better in a way as there is much less preinstalled stuff that I will never use that comes with ubuntu. If you are starting out with linux ubuntu is a safe bet. The community on the offical ubuntu forums is very helpful and you can find the answer to most problems there. Also don't be afriad of the command line it is a very powerful tool and soon you will wonder why you need a gui at all.

For servers I would suggest FreeBSD or Debian.

[nevermind1534]

And using sudo apt-get install [program] after enabling access to universe can make installing programs not listed in add/remove a lot easier. I had to use that to get gpart in command line only with the ubuntu system recovery disc.

[si-skyline]

I love SuSe, http://www.novell.com/products/opensuse/

it is my fav linux distro to go with. overall ubuntu is the easiest and has a huge support on devices and software

Suse can be easy to install programs as they use a fimiler service as most linux distro are now called "YeSt" what auto installs programs much like a exe installer.

Also i cant believe that no one has mentioned VMware or something of that nature for trying out linux on a computer. its cool program to have instead of messing up MBRs and wiping hard drives and to have more flexibility then what a LiveCD can offer. its also good because you can run the os's parrel to one another so if you hit a brick wall in learning just switch screens and look on the internet.:banana: