[XJan87]

Yes, but you can't download ISO's - if you want to install it on more than one machine, you must download all of the install files from their ftp and set up your ftp with their files.

"It is not possible to generate installation CDs from a complete download."

Redhat is easier to download and install for the new user

That's true...

[RAMWolff44]

Hey guys and gals,

Just to let you all know, Mandrake 9.1 has been released. It's had some awesome reviews that I have read here and there (sorry, no links on me, I was at work when I read them on line)

Here is the link to the official Mandrake review though:

http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/9.1/features/

You might want to take a look at it. Designed for Newbies and Pro's alike. When Cheap Bytes gets there "OK" to sell it officially I will be in line. I already am a Silver Member of the Mardrake Club so I get the Cheap Bytes copies of the OS for under $20.00, mostly just tax and S&H!!

Have fun!!

PS: It's a huge review and graphically intense, you have been warned for all who have 56K and below!!

Richard

[RIP!]

Glad to see this thread here, I to an fixing to endeavor into Linux as a second OS / Learning experience and I would like to know what is the best for my needs. I have seen so many venison's out there that it's almost scary.

I want one that is good to use as a second OS / learning curb, but I also want compatibility so I don't have to worry to much about Hardware and can run pgms on it to actually be able to get some use out of it.

Thanks for all the input here so far and thanks for starting this thread.

Good Luck,

[lilwip]

Rip,

Let me know when you are serious about giving it a go, I have a distro called knoppix that runs from cd. Nothing to install on your machine. Try it, if you like it, then we can get you some other info on ditrobutions that you can install. I loaded knoppix on my laptop (notoriously difficult to load linux on, and even worse, it is a Toshiba Satellite) and it found ALL of my devices. Ran GREAT! Let me know if you want it, I can set up my ftp server and give you a password so you can download it directly from me.

Shannon

[RIP!]

I am seriously ready to give it a try. I would greatly appreciate all the input / help you all can / do give.

[Weaver]

Here is where I have to step in... and give my .02

It is great that people around here are interested in learning a new operating system. LSL, or Linux as a Second Language is something that you hear in all types of windows forums. The problem is that people do not always keep in mind the inherent differences between Windows and Linux. The most important difference to keep in mind is their purpose or intent.

If you are going to go through all of the trouble of learning a new OS (We will say Linux) and then just use it to browse the web and read email. Then you might as well just stick with Windows. Windows *is* a better desktop environment. You would have to be a fool to say that KDE or GNOME run better than the Windows UI (Luna is it called?).

However, if you want to dabble with your own mailserver/webserver/FTP Server/ (Insert Service here)Server then Linux is your choice. If you want to learn more about how your computer works, Linux is your choice. Finally, if you want to learn more about the internet, how it works, what it can and can't do... Linux, is your choice.

I did not mean to get off on a rant here, and I do not intend disrespect to anyone's abilities nor their intelligence... but I have had it with people running Red Hat, Mandrake, etc. that bragg about their use and knowledge of linux and then turn around and ask how to get their soundcard to work...? Again, nothing wrong with not knowing how to install linux drivers (they are called modules), but then please do not advertise that you are a l33t li|\|ux d00d.

To reiterate, use Linux if you desire to know and do. Use Windows if you want to do. I have no gripes on the Windows front other than some of the security holes and Microsoft's EULA's. Microsoft has the desktop environment almost perfect. Linux is a long way's behind in terms of a desktop environment. KDE and GNOME are commendable, but they are nowhere near as fast as XP Luna. Partly because they run on X11, well exactly because they run on X11. Anyway, I am sorry for the rant.

One more time, don't try Linux just to "have tried" linux. Have an honest desire to understand the fundamentals of that $1,000 25 pound hunk of circuits on your desktop.

Send flames to jurbanek@dwave.net

-Weaver

[RIP!]

Weaver I for one appreciate your insight and input. I have been using computers since (like) 1980 and I have a real desire to learn Linux, I don't have a reason for using it at the time. Just a desire to learn it, like you stated (I know this is basic) it's not called Drivers, it's called modules. I would love to know Linux as it would deff. at the very least come in handy with my line of work. (Building and Repairing PC's, would give me an expansion)

Again, Thanks!

PS. I have been looking and trying to DL a good ver. of Linux to start on over the last week and no luck so far, any suggestions / ideas, anyone?

[Weaver]

If you want to get your feet wet, use a squirt gun... There is a great squirt gun distribution called Knoppix. Shannon mentioned it earlier in this thread. You can run Linux right off of the cd without installing anything. I urge you to give that a go.

-Weaver

(If the support is enough, I may go ahead and write a little linux intro/tutorial for ya guys. Basics, basic questions answered etc.)

[RIP!]

Thanks Weaver, I will look into that.

[lilwip]

You can download the Knoppix ISO here

It is a really sweet intro distro and will not destroy your existing file system. The way to go if you want to "sample" some of the features of linux and don't have a PC to do it on. Like Weaver said, this is the way I would go to make sure you know what you are getting into before you start building a dedicated machine for an OS that you aren't going to use... Just my $.02