quote:
what kind of interface to expect (similar to DOS?), how to use Internet (html, mIRC), where to get programs for it?
The interface depends on what you like - some will be VERY similar to windows (XPwm), some will be user friendly (gnome / kde), some will be very similar (in appearance) to DOS (xterms/rxvt et all.)
Interfaces largely vary with what window manager you use (i use blackbox). Mandrake comes with lots and Red Hat comes with slightly less but they're all different so you can choose which you like... for starters either kde or gnome are pretty "beginner friendly."
quote:
Download and burn an iso to cd.
Linux cds are also commonly found on computer magazines or in newsagents attached to a small helpbook - these helpbooks can be fantastic for a first time user, and the cds save a lot of downloading time. 8-) One point to bear in mind is that you may (especially if you use an internal modem, which will probably be a "winmodem") want to have internet access elsewhere for asking questions should you be unable to get the internet on your machine working. Internet on red-hat or mandrake is pretty straightforward if you have an external or internal hardware modem though.
You can also buy CDs off the net - i order mine (in australia) from
www.everythinglinux.com, but I'm sure stores like this exist in almost all countries.
Also make sure your cd burner can support .iso images if you want to burn linux to a cd. Most do, but Nero Burning ROM for one doesnt.
quote:
Originally posted by fett101:
...And then come back and bitch about how hard it is to intstall programs...
Both red hat and mandrake have very intuitive package management systems and they can install all the basic programs for you straight off the installation cds - the more cds you have in a set the more you can install off them obviously. The first cd will hold all the "essentials" and the cds after that typically contain other packages in order of popularity - only the first cd is essential however.
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But only one major question. How do i connect to the net and what browser to use? Mozila?
Again its personal preference. Mozilla is my favorite, but everyone else has different choices.
(Dont ask which is best or you'll start a big argument...) For starters use mozilla as its installed by default and its similar to what youve used before. After that ask what the best browser is and THEN you can watch the fight start. 8-)
Connecting to the net should be easy, just be sure that you're modem isnt a "winmodem" - modems that are designed for windows for cost reasons - its cheaper to have windows handle all the jobs the modem does, but its slower, wastes your CPUs valuable time and typically the savings in price wont be passed on to the consumer.
There are also literally hundreds of IRC clients / ftp applications / email applications etcetera for linux... if its on the internet linux can access it. 8-)
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But i'm only concerned about hardware drivers and how to install programs, where to find them in the first place, etc??
hardware drivers are typiccaly all pre-installed inside the linux kernel. Some drivers like the 3D card drivers may need replacing with "better" drivers but this isnt too hard - for NVidia cards now it's extremely easy.
quote:
i mean no win type things?
Barring games linux probably has *more* applications than windows. If it has a windows version there will be a linux program that does the same thing. Linux also has tons of emulators for windows, nintendos, consoles, playstations, game boys, dos, graphics calculators etcetera so if you cant bear to part with a program you can emulate it.
www.linuxgames.com has a list of games that run on linux - not all suck take for example UT2003. 8-)
www.winehq.com has details on a program that can run a lot of windows programs in linux, almost always at the same speed that windows runs the originals, or faster in some cases.
www.freshmeat.net has a lot of linux programs for download and if you dont want to waste download time the install CDs typically have a lot of programs already on them... in the case of mandrake about three seperate fully featured "office suites" for example.
X11 has above me also posted some good sites for help.
and finally : I was in the same position you were in a little while ago and I managed it... if I can do it anyone can.
edit : some public libraries also have linux isos available for loan (usually attached to a book or magazine of course.) and most have linux help books to borrow if you feel you need help.
[ April 05, 2003: Message edited by: Faust ]
A lot of the above edits are to do with changing freshmeats address to
www.freshmeat.net. Sorry about posting the wrong URL everybody...
[ April 05, 2003: Message edited by: Faust ]
