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Thread ID: 55149	2005-03-04 05:09:00	To Linux, Or Not To Linux???	Myth (110)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
330449	2005-03-04 05:09:00	Heyas all, I have a query about Linux. About me, I have been online maybe 3 years, and in that time have only used Windows (98, then when I bought own comp, XP (&Pro). I see all these posts about this distro and that distro of Linux; I hear about how linux does this, yet won't do that. I also hear about why I should change to Linux (security holes etc). Now... my questions are as follows: How easy is Linux to use? How much of a programmer do I need to be to use it? What sort of hardware setup do I need to do (add/remove device type setup), or is it like Windows and pretty much do it itself? Is there a linux distro similar to my XP Pro (which I use to network as well) that Im not going to have to spend years learning? And I don't want some no0b distro either (but then I don't want something that looks like a dos prompt). There ya go, that should do it for the time being; now post away :)	Myth (110)
330450	2005-03-04 05:32:00	knoppix is good to distro start off, it is a livecd and doesnt touch your hdd if you dont want it to, yes there is a slight learning curve, you just have to remember that it is NOT windows......	Prescott (11)
330451	2005-03-04 05:32:00	Hey Myth. Come to the light side. :) How easy is Linux to use? Well expect a learning curve straight off. As you may have noticed in some of the posts about linux, the terms used are different to windows. Once you've learnt them though, your away laughing. How much of a programmer do I need to be to use it? Absolutley no programing skills needed at all. I couldnt code my way out of a wet paperbag with a pick axe. Allthough you may find you pick some up along the way. Its like osmosis. What sort of hardware setup do I need to do (add/remove device type setup), or is it like Windows and pretty much do it itself? Well hopefully bugga all if any. Im running a nforce 2 board, xp 3200 19" philips monitor dvd/cdr combo drive and its all detected out of the box. Video cards are another matter if you want 3d support but it 'should' work and probably will. Is there a linux distro similar to my XP Pro (which I use to network as well) that Im not going to have to spend years learning Well Xandros does a nice job of networking. Fedora does it but its not a friendly about it. Others will have different views but if you can network windows, you can network linux. And I don't want some no0b distro either (but then I don't want something that looks like a dos prompt). I would recomend Fedora. FC3 to be precise, but thats because its what I use. The beauty of it all is... try all the ones you want :)	Sam I Am (1679)
330452	2005-03-04 05:36:00	oh another thing, internal modems are sometimes annoying to get installed thats what im trying to do at the moment :)	Prescott (11)
330453	2005-03-04 05:39:00	If your running an Nforce board i would suggest you get the drivers supplied for linux by Nvidia, slim to zero chance that detected and usable equals being used to their full advantage.	Metla (12)
330454	2005-03-04 05:41:00	Heyas all, I have a query about Linux... How much of a programmer do I need to be to use it? Not at all to use it like you use XP. If you want to do more than that, then by all means take up shell scripting and even Perl. What sort of hardware setup do I need to do (add/remove device type setup), or is it like Windows and pretty much do it itself? Some distros, especially the likes of Xandros, Fedora, SuSE and Mandrake, do all or most of that for you, just like XP. Others are very...manual, hands-on affairs. Is there a linux distro similar to my XP Pro (which I use to network as well) that Im not going to have to spend years learning? Probably Xandros. And I don't want some no0b distro either (but then I don't want something that looks like a dos prompt). All the above distros have a user-friendly facade, but as with all Linux, you can easily pass into the dark side and wrestle with the command-line, configuration files and source-code. The thing you must accept is the Linux IS NOT Windows, although some distros try to imitate Windows. If you plan to make an effort to learn Linux, do not base your expectations on your experiences with Windows, otherwise you will be confused, frustrated and ultimately give up in disgust like so many have. Have an open mind on other ways of doing things, otherwise just stick to Windows.	vinref (6194)
330455	2005-03-04 05:42:00	Now... my questions are as follows: How easy is Linux to use?Define easy. Depending upon what you want to use it for and what distro you choose, it can be as hard or as easy as you choose. How much of a programmer do I need to be to use it?None at all. You will benefit from learning a few simple commands. I am not a programmer at all, the only DOS command I knew when I first started using Linux was fdisk :p. While I can shimmy around a Linux command line now, I still can't navigate my way out of a paperbag on Windows command line (OK, that might be a slight exageration). :D What sort of hardware setup do I need to do (add/remove device type setup), or is it like Windows and pretty much do it itself?What hardware are you planning on installing Linux on? Most distro's will detect and configure all your hardware when it is first installed. Winmodems are your most likely problem area. Is there a linux distro similar to my XP Pro (which I use to network as well) that Im not going to have to spend years learning? And I don't want some no0b distro either (but then I don't want something that looks like a dos prompt).Linux is not Windows, and you shouldn't expect it to be like it either. Some distro's have dressed up the Window managers/GUI's to look like Windows, just for new Windows refugees to help them over the culture shock. Most standard popular distro's are easy to find your way around, and have helpful control centres and other tools for maintaining your system. You may wish to try out a LiveCD distro for your first look, it runs purely off the CD drive and doesn't touch the hard drive at all. Just reboot/remove the CD and you are back with Windows. Knoppix is one liveCD, however it is more technical and has lots of tools which maybe not quite what you are looking for. SuSE also has a liveCD which may appeal to you as it is much more user friendly looking. With Linux, there are heaps of distro's and you might want to try a few until you find the one that really suits you and your needs. For starters, you could consider: Mepis Fedora Xandros Mandrake SuSE	Jen (38)
330456	2005-03-04 06:00:00	yoper is quite nice too	Prescott (11)
330457	2005-03-04 06:36:00	Ok I meant ease of use as in can I just bootup and go (as it were) As far as my hardware.... MSI mobo wif Pentium4 2.6Ghz built-in sound, networking 512MB RAM Dialup Modem (currently 56K) ADSL soon maybe which will have hardware firewall/modem nVidia GeForce Graphix Card Usual Printer/Scanner (both USB) A mate of mine in the States (who has used a few Linux distros) said I should prolly look at SuSe or Fedora as well. And yes I am programmeable (a Linux distro should have no probs with me)...know a bit of DOS and used to write mIRC script Final question - where does one get these distros from?	Myth (110)
330458	2005-03-04 06:50:00	firstly find out what sort of modem you have	Prescott (11)
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