Tri-boot Computer (98SE, XP PRO, Linux)

[dew7]

LN, Neil and any others that know about computers.  I am considering including Linux in my computer.  I would like to know what brand of Linux is the best one for a beginner in the Linux world but an intermediate/advanced computer person.  Thanks for any help and have a great day!

[Yonkey]

I was actually wondering the answer to that question, myself.  They all seem like you need to have some form of UNIX experience, but maybe I was just using the bad ones.

[Louisiana Night]

hmm...

it really all depends.

For now, I will ignore the possible costs invlolved ( Linux distros are not always free ).

My opinion:

-Debian if you want an easy to upgrade distro ( for security patches, and getting the software/dependencies you need, to run certain programs )

-Redhat if you want tech-support and help-books readily available ( this is what I found to be the best choice for me, since I find it easier to learn an OS with books )

-Mandrake ( probably the easiest to use out of the bunch, but I find it somewhat annoying )

All are newbie friendly ( by comparison )  .

Personally though... I think Dew7 would prefer Debian ( "apt get" simplifies tasks that would have made many a Windows user cower in fear ). Although, if he was to use it, he should probably join a Debian/Linux forum( since books on Debian seem difficult to find in stores ). Gentoo also has "apt get"( different program and name, but same basic concept ), but since I've never used it, I can't recommend it.

and feel free to ask me any questions you have about Linux( and if I can't help, I can point you to someone/something that can ).  


Note
A handful of programs you should know about, that will probably be part of your distro ( and if they don't come with your distro of choice, get them ) .
Wine ( for using Windows apps )
OpenOffice ( free version of Microsoft Office  )
TheGimp ( so you can make Neil into a stick figure )
X-chat ( IRC client, to get into Chamber )

and after you get Linux, you'll need to learn how to compile binaries ( the only way to get most Linux software to run, since they don't come with "installers"  ).

[Louisiana Night]

I was actually wondering the answer to that question, myself.  They all seem like you need to have some form of UNIX experience, but maybe I was just using the bad ones.

Yeah, to use the majority of software that didn't come with the distro, you'd need some basic Unix/Linux concepts down ( like "bash" ) .

but it's MUCH easier to use than it used to be ( and it's getting easier every year ) .


In other words... USE LINUX!!!

P.S.
Why am I the only one on this forum, that posts things about Linux... that aren't questions?

[racx_00]

I personally prefer Redhat out of the bunch

[Louisiana Night]

You use Redhat?

or just prefer it?

[dew7]

The forums suggested I use Fedora by Red Hat Linux and if I do use Linux I will have it on a seperate system. I recently ran into a snag on the XP side where I forgot a password and EZARMOR firewall is so good that I have not been able to circumvent it even in safe mode.  Currently, Computer Associates is helping me out but I will have to wait 2-3 days and be without XP PRO.
Wow, this is so sad since I will not be able to use my XP-radiated side of my computer.  98SE is so much simplier and easier to use.  Sure, it does not manage memory as well as XP and you have to add entries to allow memory to go above 512 mb's and then again to go above a gig of memory to a maximum of 1.5 gigabytes of memory.  Microsoft will only support systems that have 1 gigabyte or less but it is possible to get up to 1.5 gigs of memory and maybe even 2 gigs of memory but 1.5 gigs is the most memory that I have ever seen on a 98SE machine.

[racx_00]

You use Redhat?

or just prefer it?

I had Redhat installed on my computer for a year and loved it, and as soon as I get my computer upgraded I will definitely be reinstalling it

[dew7]

Thanks! Do you use Fedora 3?  I have heard it is good.  I am not going to tri-boot by the way.  I have decided it is enough work to maintain my customized boot.ini dual-boot 98 Second-Edition with XP PRO. that is based on the New Technology source code that is based on a cmd.com (command.com) prompt that uses a false DOS mode.  Microsoft did this to cut costs and corners.  They wanted to emulate the Not There as early Microsoft Technicans called the source code because it was inferior to 9x which came from true MS-DOS.  IBM-DOS and OS/2 (operating system 2) also from IBM competed against the MS-DOS and IBM lost and now mainly focuses on computer services.  That is all and everyone have a nice day!  I would appreciate all relevant comments.

[copycat]

My opinion:

-Debian if you want an easy to upgrade distro ( for security patches, and getting the software/dependencies you need, to run certain programs )

-Redhat if you want tech-support and help-books readily available ( this is what I found to be the best choice for me, since I find it easier to learn an OS with books )

-Mandrake ( probably the easiest to use out of the bunch, but I find it somewhat annoying )

All are newbie friendly ( by comparison )  .

What, no SuSe/Novell? I agree with Mandrake being the easiest though, but I too was not feeling comfortable when I ran it from a Live CD.

and after you get Linux, you'll need to learn how to compile binaries ( the only way to get most Linux software to run, since they don't come with "installers"  ).

Usually, there's always a readme included somewhere that tells you what to do, and if you've got an rpm, it's even easier.

Yeah, to use the majority of software that didn't come with the distro, you'd need some basic Unix/Linux concepts down ( like "bash" ) .

I can use the console pretty well,  but I don't think I've done a bashing too much, unless I was unaware of it while I was doing it.

P.S.
Why am I the only one on this forum, that posts things about Linux... that aren't questions?

Because I didn't have enough time to check out this part of the forum at the appropriate time.

I have decided it is enough work to maintain my customized boot.ini dual-boot 98 Second-Edition with XP PRO. that is based on the New Technology source code that is based on a cmd.com (command.com) prompt that uses a false DOS mode.

That's why they refer to it as prompt and not mode. Also, I find it difficult to understand the setup you describe requires lots of maintenance. Maybe you can clear it up for me.

[Louisiana Night]

What, no SuSe/Novell? I agree with Mandrake being the easiest though, but I too was not feeling comfortable when I ran it from a Live CD.

I like Suse... and it is decent for new Linux users... it just slipped my mind.

Usually, there's always a readme included somewhere that tells you what to do, and if you've got an rpm, it's even easier.

Well, I rarely use RPMs(since I can't use them across multiple distros), so...

[copycat]

Well, I rarely use RPMs(since I can't use them across multiple distros), so...

How many different distros are you running at the moment?

[Louisiana Night]

umm... *thinks*

Fedora4, FreeBSD(despite not being Linux, it usually uses Linux software correctly ), MandrakeMove(I carry my data on a "memory stick"), Suse, and Redhat6( ).

and no... I don't keep them all updated(and they're not all on the same PC).

[Oldbushie]

My Gentoo machine still rocks...

I should use it more though... it's kinda loud though.

[copycat]

I have two SuSe distros, one 32bit, one 64bit, and then XP Home. The data of the two Linux distros are on two seperate partitions. After all, 32bit programs should best be kept apart from 64bit versions.