New to Linux

[Jmbaldy]

Ok, this is my first post on these forums so I'll try to explain my situation hoping I can get a bit of help.

I have been using computers for almost my entire life now, all eighteen years of it but only under windows. About a year ago, I read about Linux and thought I might give it a try but one thing led to another and I never perused trying it.

I finally got a new laptop for me to take to college and currently have windows xp professional installed on it. Back in high school I became somewhat interested in programming and web page design so I took a few classes for them but nothing too serious with it.

I have decided that I want to pick up programming again but this time I wanted to do it on Linux. I have been reading as much as I can about Linux, and how to obtain one. I have read many "how to be a hacker" sites and realized that the best thing I can do is READ everything I can. I have been on the Linux main site and also the Red Hat site trying to figure out a way in which I can get Linux on my system while still keeping Windows. I have learned that I can download a Linux or "distribution" off the Internet for free. I also know now that I can duel boot between Linux and Windows (except I don't know how I do that yet).
Using the search here I have found I might have to get Partition Magic to resize my partition to make room for Linux.

I guess the questions I have so far are these. I was going to download Linux but from what I see, it seems like there are different kinds of them. I go to Red Hat and it says to decide which Linux is right for me. The thing is, I don't know which one is right. Is there such a thing as a standard Linux, one for starters maybe, or can anyone suggest a good one for starters? When I go to the main Linux site they list TONS of different things I can download that are all "Linux." Another question I have is, what is used to duel boot my system? Also, can I resize my partition without reformating it, and is 40 gigs good enough to have my Windows and Linux things on it.

I have written a bit lengthy first post, so I will stop and see what anyone has to say. You may laugh at some of the ways I tried to explain my questions but the truth is I am pretty good with computers (windows based) but I just have a problem getting started with Linux.

[indicanblend]

Starting with linux

You have a number of options, find the version you want and download them to your computer (ISO files) then burn them to CD's, just be sure to check the MD5 checksum. If your new to linux I would recommend going down to Barnes and Noble and either pick up a linux book with a distro or a Linux Format magazine, which comes with a different distro every month. Linux can use a few programs to duel boot, LILO and GRUB if I am not mistaken...Split your harddrive down the middle and that will give you more than enough room to play around.

I would recommend Mandrake 9.2 or Redhat for beginners, or...you could try the slackware ;) lol.

[ck3k]

College Linux is a slackware based distro which allows easy install...good for beginners so they are all ready for slackware.

[Jmbaldy]

Thank you both for your help. I'm going to look into the College Linux and get a Linux book from somewhere (I have seen a few that are recommended).

After I download my College Linux, I will get the rest of the tools that let me duel boot ect.

Thanks again for the help and I'll keep on reading and posting any problems I have if any arise.

[night_flux]

Thank you both for your help. I'm going to look into the College Linux and get a Linux book from somewhere (I have seen a few that are recommended).

After I download my College Linux, I will get the rest of the tools that let me duel boot ect.

Thanks again for the help and I'll keep on reading and posting any problems I have if any arise.

College Linux is a nice install, however when I tried to put it on one of my computers, there was a problem with LILO and it would not load. The problem occured during installation, but I am not sure if my experience is an isolated incident.

As far as books, I'll reccomend a couple which have helped me a lot. I would say get the latest edition of Running Linux published by O'reilly, which will take you through the install process and initial setup/configuration of your system. Then I would get Linux In A Nutshell 4th edition, again by O'reilly. This book is a post install book with many, if not all, of the bash commands, etc.

Good luck!

[darrenstamour]

1st post!

This is my first post here, so I'm going to make it useful. Or, at least try...

When you go about formatting your hard drive, I'd reccomend going more for a 25/15 for windows/linux. If you're like me and play games, they're getting HUUUGE and they all like to eat their fair share of harddrive space.

After you've partitioned and formatted, I'd reccomend to install windows first on the disk, as with my experiences, windows likes to take control of the MBR and if you've installed linux first, you'll have to use a floppy to get into it untill you get LILO or grub back in control. Also, most of the newer distros will autmatically detect windows on the hd and create a boot manager entry for it. Window's 'doesn't play nice with others' and won't do this if you install XP second.

I started off with Mandrake a few years back and progressed to Redhat, though either are probally just as good for a first install as both are fairly automatic. I can't comment on the college distro, as I haven't tried it. I'm currently running slackware, though I have many friends who swear by gentoo. Again, I can't offer any other information about it, other than it apparently has an 'emerge' package manager, that automatically checks and downloads dependancies for packages. Somthing like redhat's rpm I suspect.

I personally learn by making mistakes and let me tell you. I've wiped and reinstalled more times than I can remember because I've trashed my linux system. I might have just been 'special' in that I required so many attempts before I finally stopped breaking things, but I'm sure others have had the same experience. That being said, I'd have to reccomend not keeping anything of great importance on the linux partition. A book is probally a big help too :).

[SUMMARY]
1. 25gb windows/ 15gb linux if you're a windows gamer, 20/20 if not
2. Windows xp first, then windows when installing the os's
3. Plan on reinstalling a few times
4. Get a good linux book


Good luck!