Q: I have several older books: Slackware Linux for Dummies, and Red Hat Linux Secrets (2nd edition) is a good
What (Edit): distrobution to learn on? I know a few simple commands . and using Red Hat * * return when
I not want to buy any books (Im broke)
I suse heard was good . all others?
Best Answer: There are loads of different distros available for linux. I would suggest Mandrake coz it's relatively easier to install and use. Fedora Core 4 is also good, as it's backed by RedHat Inc. You can try Ubuntu too.
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Re:Bah, Gentoo blows for newbs. Sure check it out if you like it and the install directions are ok, then use it.
But in my experiance if you want to actually LEARN it your going to be screwing things up, and won't know how to fix it. WHat newb wants to spend 8 hours to install a distro and then 30 minutes to destroy it?!? Although going thru the install stuff gives some good basic information. IF you have a very fast computer, then Gentoo just may be the ticket.
THe best LEARNING distro is SLackware (IMO). It's simple to set up, has everything you NEED and not hardly anything you don't. IF you can handle installing Windows using dos commands like format and fdisk, within a couple weeks you'll be doing fine with Slackware. Plus you can download ISO's which can be used to create familar CD install disks.
Think of Slackware as the no-frills distro of linux.
Plus 90% of what you learn to do in Slackware is is directly applicable to any other distro ever made.
I'd say Debian is OK for a first timer. Although it's apt-get system is integrated in everything you do. The menus kernal compiling etc etc. Lots of what you do is pretty debian-specific stuff. Otherwise it's also a very handy OS.
Go with Slackware for the first time, then move on to others like Gentoo or especially Debian, then maybe on to the RPM-based Distros and see how they try to set everything up all automated and such.
HOWEVER!!!!
If you just want to USE Linux and avoid as much head-ache's as possible go with one of the newb-freindly rpm-based distro's: Redhat/SuSE/Mandrake. I have no personal experiance with Mandrake, but Redhat is good if you have a fast computer, and SuSe is nice. Personally I like SuSE more. That way you can get on the internet/do irc/e-mail play games or whatever you like to do.
THat way you can get a more gracefull transition from windows to linux. Going SLackware/Debian/Gentoo will be something of a culture shock.
But, learning linux is like learning a foreign language. If you just read about it, go to school (boot up in it) every once and a while you can learn to speak and read it. However in order to get fluent and understand normal-everyday talk easily then the easiest way is to actually visit the place were they speak it. Like going to Germany to learn to Speak German.
SO if you get frustrated with one distro, go try something else. With a fast cdrom and internet connect It would be easy to go thru and install/uninstall Redhat, SuSE, Slackware, Debian, Mandrake and a few others in a one weekend until you find something you like.(of course once you find one you like and it's a non-profit, then it would be nice to give them a small donation as thanks for all the bandwith you just burned up.)
Of course, if you have a second HD laying around I'd use that for experimenting. Just pull the Windows one, and keep it safe (or just unplug it). THat way their would be no worries about frying your MBR or something like that.
For a modern Distro I'd make at least a 4gig partition (Slackware "install everything" option will take 2-3gigs of space) partition minimally up to about 10gigs, and give yourself 500M swap partition. If you have more then 6-10 gigs to spare for linux, I would give yourself a couple gig /home partition to save downloads and documentation on so you don't have to lose your pics and mp3s every time you reinstall(just be carefull not format it.)
Have fun and good luck.
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Re:Originally posted by: guy
Debian or Slack. I have used both, and I agree with *most ppl* here. They are great distros to learn. Havent tried Gentoo. So I cannot really say anything abt it.
Gentoo would probably be a good distro too, and it does have a really nice installation doc.
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Re:Debian or Slack. I have used both, and I agree with *most ppl* here. They are great distros to learn. Havent tried Gentoo. So I cannot really say anything abt it.
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Re:slackware is the only LINUX.
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Re:Debian or Gentoo
I used Gentoo for my first "real" installation (used redhat and mandrake years ago, both didn't stick around for more than a day, two max 
)
Still using Gentoo many months later – learned tons and have a pretty decent grasp of how linux works – doubt I would have that with redhat or mandrake or whatever.
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Re:If you want to really *learn* linux then you should go with either debian or slackware. Of course, you could learn on any other distro, but with these two (especially slackware) you really are forced to learn the system.
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Re:windows xp pro…
meh, j/k, i used mandrake.
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Re:Originally posted by: guy
Ever tried Linux From Scratch? (http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/)
Is that a pick and choose thing that lets you compile just what you want?
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Re:Ever tried Linux From Scratch? (http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/)
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Re:I started with slackware, and I am still using it. To learn on its good because it actually makes you do some stuff, like its not as "user friendly" as Red Hat and others, and I like that
Re:for learning, avoid mandrake. it shields you from too much. i'd say slackware/debian. gentoo is good but it takes a long time to install.
Re:Originally posted by: se7enty7
Originally posted by: guy
You can use Knoppix. It boots directly from the CD. You don't need to install anything on your HD
i've got a 10 gig, and a 40 gig hdd to use for this.. im not sure which
don't i need two drives, or partitions?
2 partitions. swap and / minimum.
Re:Slackware. Hands down. Because we know everyone learns the same, and I learned best on Slackware, so everyone else must learn best on slackware too!
Or why the hell is this being asked again? Try them all and stick with one you like.
Also known as: WRONG FORUM.
Thanks for playing.
Re:RedHat or Mandrake perhaps?
I used RedHat 7.3.. it was fine…
I now have Slackware 8.1 IIRC at home on one of my beater PC's.
Re:Originally posted by: guy
You can use Knoppix. It boots directly from the CD. You don't need to install anything on your HD
i've got a 10 gig, and a 40 gig hdd to use for this.. im not sure which
don't i need two drives, or partitions?
Re:You can use Knoppix. It boots directly from the CD. You don't need to install anything on your HD
Re:Suse, Mandrake and RedHat. I've tried all three, and installation is a snap, and they're all a lot like Windows if you don't feel like using the command line for some reason or another.
Re:gentoo – I was always a redhat guy but gentoo absolutely rocks
Re:debian imo has the best free help online. mandrake and redhat has alot of great support but it's for a fee. debian guys have just been alot more helpful.
Re:the word you're looking for is distribution.
Re:I have always used Redhat. I learned on it and I still like it, many years later.
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