Installing a *nix OS

[Furious]

I'm not very familiar with the *nix platform, what would you recommend I use, or read up on to familiarize myself with it?

[MyndFyre]

Fedora Core 4 is fairly straightforward to install and use.  From what I've read, Gentoo is the most noob-friendly (or was that Ubuntu?)  It's some wacky name.

You'll need some hard drive space somwhere to use Linux.  I recommend having at least 6gb free for your main file system (this is installed as the root or / file system), and a 2gb partition for your swap space.  Formatting a partition as a Linux Swap partition will automatically cause it to be used as swap space.

Some distributions will auto-detect your Windows partitions and mount them; others, like FC4, require an extra package to be installed to read NTFS drives.

IMO, the best way to do it is to have an extra computer, pop *nix on that, and have your first computer online with AIM and an emergency window with iago or Newby open. 

[Furious]

Heh ok, what about just using a seperate HD on the same computer?

[MyndFyre]

That would be fine.  The installation program will normally take you through partitioning the swap space and the main (root) filesystem.

[Ergot]

Fedora Core 4 is fairly straightforward to install and use.  From what I've read, Gentoo is the most noob-friendly (or was that Ubuntu?)  It's some wacky name.

You'll need some hard drive space somwhere to use Linux.  I recommend having at least 6gb free for your main file system (this is installed as the root or / file system), and a 2gb partition for your swap space.  Formatting a partition as a Linux Swap partition will automatically cause it to be used as swap space.

Some distributions will auto-detect your Windows partitions and mount them; others, like FC4, require an extra package to be installed to read NTFS drives.

IMO, the best way to do it is to have an extra computer, pop *nix on that, and have your first computer online with AIM and an emergency window with iago or Newby open. 

That's how I did it
Gentoo is pretty hardcore @_@... It's probably Ubuntu since Joe uses it ;P

[Furious]

I have an extra computer available, but my dad uses it in the garage to watch TV on and what not, so it's not readily available, but I do have a couple extra HD's lying around 

[Joe]

Your dad uses your extra computers to watch TV on? Wow, talk about using things efficiently. "I don't want to buy a TV. Lets use Bob's old computer."

But eh. I was introduced to Linux through playing around on darkside (iago's computer) via VNC (back in the pre-Pie days). He mailed me slackware a few weeks in, and I installed it without a single issue, nor doubt that I was doing something right. Maybe something. Yeah, I remember rebooting to ask him. But eh, one thing.

[MyndFyre]

Heh, I've never had a Linux installation go that smoothly.  I have retarded, half bleeding-edge and half 2-year-old hardware in my machine.  The older stuff Linux picked up on, but the newer stuff (the Audigy 2 Gamer or GeForce 6800, or wireless PCI or USB adapters) typically aren't autodetected.  You can get something for the wireless adapter called NDISWrapper that wraps Windows drivers to be used in Linux, but you have to have an internet connection first.  For me, that's fine, unless you're using FC4 and need access to NTFS.  It turns out, the NTFS package is only available online and so you have to actually burn NDISWrapper to a CD first.  Then you need to get the sequence of commands right....  It's still a hassle on my laptop because I change networks.

Code: [Select]

su

modprobe wlan0
iwconfig wlan0 essid asu
iwconfig wlan0 mode managed
ifconfig wlan0 up
dhclient up

I think.

[Furious]

My dad is an electrican, specializes in MME ( Micro Miniature Electronics ), he tends to use things pretty efficiently, he turned an RC car controller into a controller for his racing games on the computer, he uses our old stereo and huge ass speakers in the garage, but anywho, I will update you all with my problems when I get around to wiping one of the old HD's

[iago]

I recommend Knoppix.  It runs straight from the CD without touching the harddrive.  It gives you a good feel for Linux without actually installing it or making a commitment. 

[Blaze]

Slax!  I used it to get comforable with the enviornment, and If you don't want to use it anymore, take out the CD.  I also use it at school lots.

[Furious]

From what some people say, Linux is a waste of time.  Should I make a 20g partition and just install it on there, and keep my windows?

[Sidoh]

From what some people say, Linux is a waste of time.  Should I make a 20g partition and just install it on there, and keep my windows?

It completely depends on what you use your computer for.  If you're a hardcore gamer, you probably shouldn't be using Linux as your primary OS.  However, if you're something like a programmer (or network security specialist! ) and you just play some games on the side, Linux is great.

I would definitely recommend splitting your hard drive into two partitions (or buying another hard drive) instead of trying to replace Windows with Linux.

[Furious]

Oh, I didn't plan on replacing windows, I'm not that confident ;/ I just want to play with a *NIX OS to broaden my horizons so to speak, just something to occupy my time with in a semi-constructive way

[Sidoh]

Oh, I didn't plan on replacing windows, I'm not that confident ;/ I just want to play with a *NIX OS to broaden my horizons so to speak, just something to occupy my time with in a semi-constructive way

Hehe.  It's definitely far from a waste of time.  Having that knowledge under your belt could be very useful some day!