Hi,

Is their a version of linux that would really really suit the absolute
beginner. I am not a programmer and all my computing is self taught, I am
able to understand the basics of computing but nothing to do with
programming at all.

Could someone kindly advise is if it is possible and worthwhile for me to
install a copy of linux on my computer. It has plenty of room and resources
as its a latest model. Is it possible to have a linux running next to
windows?

Which linux would be the most easy and userfreindly to install for a
complete newbie.

Thanks

Joe wrote:

Possible: yes. Worhwhile: depends on your abilities and your
needs/desires.

Yes.

I often see Mandrake recommended for beginners. If you make the plunge,
then also subscribe to alt.os.linux.mandrake .

--
Blinky Linux Registered User 297263

"Blinky the Shark" <no.spam@box.invalid> wrote in message
news:slrncu4cuv.k6g.no.spam@thurston.blinkynet.net ...
Thanks Blinky, I'll look up Mandrake

Joe wrote:
I use slackware and have used it exclusively on all my machines since I
started using linux 5 years ago. there is no need to dual boot unless
you use windows for something specific. One excellent beginner distro is
suse I believe it is up to 9.2 now. Anoher good one a lot of my friends
are raving about is ubuntu. You best bet is to go to linux.com and look
around.

mAineAc

On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 06:33:41 +0000, Joe wrote:

I use Mandrake 10.1. Excellent installer and hardware detetection. Why
not get a live CD and try Linux that way before you commit to an
installation?

http://www.mandrakesoft.com/products/move/
http://www.suse.com/us/private/downl..._eval_int.html
http://www.knoppix.net/get.php

--
Parko
Now go away and have fun!

Joe, <joe@noreply.com>, the flammable, soft-nosed whore, and professional
food taster, pressured:

X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.2180

Hmmmm. Have your XP CD handy and make sure you know about the fixmbr command
in the recovery console. And learn to backup your treasured shit and defrag
your HDD /before/ you attempt to install any kind of linux.

I am relatively new to linux, after many years of developing windows
applications and using windows exclusively as a desktop OS. My opinion is
that there really is no 'linux for newbies' except in a corporate
environment where everything is done for the user.

However that aside, everyone has to begin somewhere. After trying many linux
distributions, I finally found one that supports all my hardware and does
what I need it to do... Mandrake 10.1.

After just a few weeks of using Mandrake, I find myself increasingly more
reluctant to go back to windows. If you have patience and the aptitude to
learn, Mandrake is worth a good look.




--
Kadaitcha Man: "When an omnipotent metaphysical X decides to
bend your will to its obedience, just what the fuck are you
going to do to stop it, you moron?"

In article <crt7k5$ck$1@newsg4.svr.pol.co.uk>, Joe says...
problem. but what will Linux offer you that Windows doesn't do?

My personal preference is for SuSE.

--
Conor

An imperfect plan executed violently is far superior to a perfect plan.
-- George Patton

There is a Linux distribution that works directly off CD
(it boots like a floppydisk)..its called Knoppix v3.6
check it out on Google..JB

"Joe" <joe@noreply.com> wrote in message
news:crt7k5$ck$1@newsg4.svr.pol.co.uk...

On 10 Jan 2005, Joe scribbled in 24hoursupport.helpdesk:

As the aquatic creature with the dorsal fin and all the teth says,
Mandrake is a good distro, with a very good user-friendly installer.
SUSE is also pretty good.

--
The Old Sourdough
You know what I like best about the NCAA Basketball Tournament? Sixty-
three losers.-George Carlin

jon brookes, <jonbrookes@ntlworld.com>, the weather-bitten, mecopterous
horse trader, and professional varnisher and lacquerer of dead beetles and
other small insects, chinned:


BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!!




--
True posts from 24hourfuckup.idiotdesk
Question: "How do i use new's groups?"
Response: "are you looking for a certain group ?"

Problem: "I cannot get the system to read the CD drives"
Response: "Maybe you have to change the bootup sequenze in your BIOS first."

On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 05:10:21 +0000, Kadaitcha Man wrote:

Such startlingly insightful commentary!

way the linux faggot wrote:
So much so, /you/ contribute to that which you are critical.

Bravo, you fuckwitted cuntwipe. Care for a second attempt
at PKB to see if you can be accredited fuckwit of the week
award?

linux makes you stupid and a faggot.

http://www.knoppix.net

it's free and you don't even have to install it ... runs from a CD so ya
can keep yer current setup while trying it out

a recent book just came out about knoppix that has lots of tips and the
CD ... so ya don't even have to DL it iffya spring $20 for the book at
yer local bookstore or amazon etc ........... the book is pretty good ..
worth 20 clams no doubt ........

ISBN: 0596007876

Joe wrote:

that CD for a try at some Linux. Take a look at http://damnsmalllinux.org/
The forum there is very helpful. Only about 4 hours to download on dialup.
From this 50 MB you can install to hard drive if you like and upgrade from
there. Knoppix/Debian based, it is very impressive. I run it on my older
laptop, dual booting with Win98.
HTH
--

gust wrote:

Another good option book+CD+DVD tutorials is "Point & Click Linux":
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...l/-/0131488724

Haven't actually looked at the book yet, but have used the distribution a
fair bit and been generally very impressed with the features and ease of
use for new users.

--
JPB