propaganda

I dont have Linux and I havn't even used it but I'm hearing its pretty good so I might just want to give it a shot but the thing is I don't want to ahve to get a new pc to run it. I hear some of you guys have Linux and Windows on two seperate HDDs so I would like to know how that works if you dont mind.

rubicon

Search through the board - there are a _great_ many posts at TFP about Linux.

Linux should run well on slower hardware compared to a Windows OS. Dual booting or using two hard disks works very well. During the install most Linux distro's will ask you what hard drive to install on - select the one you want.

What do you want to do with Linux that you can't do with your current OS? Some people switch because they like the control that Linux offers over Windows. Even with the nice GUI installs and such, I feel that Linux is a "do-it-yourself" OS. I'm very proficient with Windows and computer technology and it's slow going with Linux when you need to do things that aren't part of a default install. Not impossible, just requires some reading and re-education.

Here's some quick suggestions on playing around with Linux:

-- Go to a local book store and browse through one of many Linux guides - it'll give you a feel for Linux

-- Get a "live CD" version of Linux that runs straight from CD-ROM: I find Knoppix very compatible and works well for playing around

-- Try it out on a second hard drive

-- Get a Mac - OS X is UNIX with the convenience of the Mac UI

Good luck!

__________________
How you do anything is how you do everything.

TrogDor

You really got to ask why you want to go to linux. Is is it Windows somewhat lacking security, are you tired of the somewhat lack of customizability of windows...or do you just want to switch to an OS that is a proprietary beta?

Linux is a whole different world, and as Rubicon said, not much works from default.

PS - That last question was just a joke, in case any linux zealot comes in here flaming.

giblfiz

Linux is a really diffrent world, but the statement that not much works from default is just plain wrong.

If your not sure why you want it then perhaps a good reason is just to have something to dick around with.

I would sugest mandrake 9.2 as something good to start on. It will start off working in just about every major way. I find that usually the question is then ... ok I got it, and it works now what?

well thats where I don't know anymore, what do you want it to do?

__________________
Use the star one and you'll be fighting off the old ones with your bare hands
-A Shoggoth on the Roof

propaganda

Exactly what I want to do with it. No real reason right now but its always good to know random things like this atleast for me it has always served me well.

devnull

I would highly recommend one of the more user-friendly Linux distros to get started, one that comes with a 'for dummies' book to learn the basics. There are a LOT of subtleties and quirks to Linux and it's very very easy to get lost and even easier to screw something up and have no idea how to fix it. Honestly, go with Redhat and a Redhat for Dummies book your first few times you use it. Once you get that distro down pretty well, I suggest going to something like Mandrake, Gentoo, or Debian. Redhat is a good beginner's linux, but you'll find that most hardcore linux users refuse to use it, and for good reasons. I personally use Gentoo and will never go back to another distro for as long as Gentoo is supported and there is continued development done to it.

devnull

Oh yeah, and don't forget this saying: Less is More. This has so many meanings and is very important in the linux world.

if( Bloated == Bad ) { return TRUE; }

TRUE

Ganguro

hahaha..
that didnt make sense though..
anywho there are a buttload of threaeds about this already.. so try the handy search button next time..

this thread has helpful advise: http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...threadid=28928

Good Luck!