I'm thinking about getting a non MS operating system to explore. Could someone please give me a few details of what to get? I'm looking at Linux or Unix based.
What type of system requirement would I need. What is easier to use etc... Thanks
Now go there right away before these guys swoop down on ya and try to talk you into something else. Go and don't return to this thread. No good thing can come of it. Hurry! Run! Run Fast!
It depends.
Do you have some place on your harddrive (1-2 GB) as a free partition?
Do you wan't to install it permanently?
If you wan't to test it first without installing:
Here in Germany there are a lot of 'knoppix' - distros in the wild, on cd and on dvd, very cheap to get in bundle with a computermagazin. They have a well hardwaredetection and the possibility to install it permanently - though it is not the main purpose.
From suse is reported to be more and more windows-alike, lacking well known linux-programs.
Debian allways trys to ship very well tested packages, and therefore it is often out of date. If you can live with one or two year old software, this is not too bad.
Redhat is another bigger distributor.
It's a good idea to use something, which is used by a friend.
Those are my suggestions. The first if you really want to learn, or if you want to make servers. The second if you want a windows replacement, and you want a little support while you do it. The third if you want a Windows replacement while you learn linux... oh and if you can get past their somewhat odd setup CD's.
I agree with flugh about debian, stefanwagner is just looking to woody (stable) release, but debian has 3 mayor releases, stable, test, unstable... I use unstable (SID) and it works good and updated.
Anyway, if you want only test/learn, knoppix is a very good choice to start, just put the CD and it will boot and load linux, *not installing* it in your PC... quite good.
BTW, knoppix is based on debian...
SuSE is easy, it has ALL the best and latest Linux software, and uses Yast to manage almost everything.
Version 9.0 now includes an SMB feature to see and access all computers on your network.
SuSE is not a 'niche' distro like Debian. SuSE is not confused in thier direction like RH. SuSE is now owned by Novell, the other most stable Network OS. Novell (probably with IBM's help) is going to help rid us of the evils of SCO.
SuSE 9.0 also has a 'demo' iso that will boot and run from the CD without affecting your hard drives at all. Great way to take a look without screwing up your current loadout.
And SuSE is so incredibly easy!
SuSE/Novell shall lead us all to the promised land.
Of course we have to mention LFS.
Linux from scratch.
You first need a Linux.
(i.e.: knoppix).
Then you get the resources of gcc.
You compile your compiler.
Then you compile its libraries again with the new compiler.
And you compile again the compiler.
Then you download the kernel, and compile it with your selfcompiled compiler and libs.
Now you download the sources of kde, gnome, mozilla, ... and compile them.
A fast processor makes some sense here...
In the big flamewar, you may say that that's the only real linux.
My first experience with linux was the great and userfriendly Knoppix. Nice and no install needed but it gave me the opportunity to test the new and unknown. It was also a nice test if it found all components on my computer.
And when I was a litle more familiar with this OS I installed Fedora ;-)
Why not try WinLinux, it will run under windows and gives you a good feeling how it works. Alternatively Knoppix, this is actually a Debian version and runs directly from the CD. I use now a full version of Solaris, this of course is Unix, but is compatible with linux and can handle 16 cpu,s and 64 GByte of ram.So the choice is yours. Good luck
Please, don't be misled by these other "users". Don't bother trying anything else, don't bother attempting to read the manual and educate yourself, just go straight to debian.org and grab every .iso you can get. After installing it, join #debian irc channel, say how great Debian is. Then join #redhat and #fedora and stick your tongue out at everyone (a good "neener-neener-neener" also leaves a good lasting impression).
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