not sure what,where,why,how

misterbadnback · #1 August 8th, 2006, 07:43 PM

I have never seen or know anyone who has ever used Linux so here are some questions.
Can I put it on it's own HD? Is it anything like windows so I don't get in over my head? I was reading about downloading it as a ISo file and checking to make sure it was downloaded correctly then burning it to CD. What version would be the best for the ultimate beginner? To get it to run anything, is it anything like DOS in how you do your commands? Would it be better for me to put either of these(Ubuntu,Kubuntu or Mandriva) on a CD and run it from there just to learn first? Plus for the downloads they have the PC (Intelx86) the Mac (PowerPC) and the 64bit (AMD64). Which would be the best for me to download out of the 3 versions of Linux? Plus which would be the one for me to download? I have the 64bit chip but I don't have any of the 64bit programs installed.

JoeC0180 · #2 August 9th, 2006, 07:21 AM

Yes linux can be installed on it own HD
No, it is very different from windows. Although if you go with a distro that uses kde as its desktop environment you will have a siimilar interface

Since your just starting out, you may want to look at Mepis, Ubuntu or kubuntu, suse, or the recently released freespire may be a good choice

Most of these distros wouldnt require you to touch the command line, so it wouldnt be anything like dos. Although the command line is still there for you to use if you choose

Trying a live cd is a great idea to test to see if your hardware is going to work. You should install a distro though before making a final judgement on linux

You should choose choose the x86 or 64bit versions. Most apps arent availabe in 64bit versions yet and most things I have read people havent really seen to much of a speed increase with the 64bit so you would probably be best with the x86 versions of them.

**smurfy** · #3 August 9th, 2006, 07:37 AM

Q. Can I put it on it's own HD?
Yes, that's my recommended method to avoid potential loss of Windows data or functionality.

Q. Is it anything like windows so I don't get in over my head?
Yes and No. Some desktop managers are Windows-like in the manner of menus and taskbars and desktop shortcuts so on the surface a Windows-user can feel reasonably familiar but the file system and application installation and launching methods are quite different. Think of it like a car. You're used to driving your Automatic, gasoline powered (and guzzling) V8, rear-wheel drive, 4 door sedan.
That's MS Windows.
Linux is a stick-shift, hydrogen-electric rotary, 4wheel drive, 2-door coupe
The basic concept of starting it up and pointing it in the right direction are the same but one takes a little more skill and finesse than the other and if you pop the hood then it's all different.

Q. What version would be the best for the ultimate beginner?
Read some of the other topics here - that's been answered many times.

Q. To get it to run anything, is it anything like DOS in how you do your commands?
Theoretically yes, the DOS is a command-line interface as is the Linux command shell, the syntax is different though, not just a different dialect but a whole new language.

Q. Would it be better for me to put either of these(Ubuntu,Kubuntu or Mandriva) on a CD and run it from there just to learn first?
See the "Live CD" sticky. In my opinion, a live CD gives you some idea of the look and feel but not really how to drive.
http://www.cybertechhelp.com/forums/...ad.php?t=49057

Q. Plus for the downloads they have the PC (Intelx86) the Mac (PowerPC) and the 64bit (AMD64). Which would be the best for me to download out of the 3 versions of Linux? Plus which would be the one for me to download?
Many Distros of Linux have a fully functional 64-bit version now unlike Windows (pending Vista release).

Q. I have the 64bit chip but I don't have any of the 64bit programs installed.
Many, in fact most of your Windows programs will not run in Linux. You will either use an open-source Linux native alternative, a Linux ported version (rare - there are a few games), or a WINE derived emulator to attempt to run them.

misterbadnback · #4 August 9th, 2006, 09:57 PM

I am going to download and make 2 CD's 1 with Knoppix and 1 with Ubuntu and try them both just to see how everything works. I hope I can catch onto Linux because everyone seems to think its 100% better than Windows. So i'm going to find out for myself and if I run into any problems I'll be back to ask you.

misterbadnback · #5 August 9th, 2006, 11:54 PM

I went to the Knoppix website and went to the download section and I chose the enc.purdue.edu as the site to download from. Then when it opened to pick my download I chose the Knoppix V4.0.2CD-2005-09-23-EN.iso. after it downloaded I tried to burn it with NERO but it wouldn't burn it. What kind of disk do I have to use? I used a DVD-R and it didn't work then I tried a CD-R and it didn't work either. I used NERO to burn VISTA from a iso image so it should work. There are different versions to down load too there is
iso.md5, iso.md5.asc, iso.sha1, iso.sha1.asc now what are the differences between all these? In NERO should I use "make a bootable DVD"?

I finally got the CD's burnt and tried to run feather linux from the CD on my backup system. It started and I started to answer the questions but part way thru I had no idea what the questions were so I had no idea how to answer them. So I had to stop because it wouldn't go anyfurther without answering the questions right. I checked on the featherlinux website and there was no info. on answering the questions. Is there anything that would tell me how to answer them?

Rockhound · #6 August 11th, 2006, 08:04 AM

Im sitting here thinking....how did you wind up getting from Ubuntu to Featherlinux? Your best bet with Linux is to calm down, have a little patience, don't get flustered, and not keep trying random things until something works.

Having said that, what you need to do is go back to your Ubuntu iso and get it burned properly. It's easy to screw up a burn with nero such that you wind up copying the iso instead of creating the filesystem. I just tried Kubuntu a few weeks ago and the install is prety much idiot proof....boot from the cd, hit enter when asked, and smoke em if ya got em while it installs!

The md5, asc, etc pretty much all have to do with validating the actual download. The one you need is just the xxxxx.iso file, nothing else after the iso part! It'll be the largest file at approximately 600meg. Dont worry about those other files unless you're really paranoid about file integrity and security.

Without knowing the specifics with regard to where you're getting hung up in Feather, the above info is about the best I can do for you so I hope it helps you out to some degree.

misterbadnback · #7 August 11th, 2006, 05:25 PM

I tried Knoppix in my backup computer today while the Ubuntu was being burnt to CD. It definately is different!!! I use Comcast.net as my Home page and when I went to download the macromedia flash player I had to go to the home page and get one for Linux. Then it downloaded to my desktop but when I double clicked on it nothing happened and it didn't install. So I was checking out the rest of it and kind of got a little confused. LOL When I did log out it went thru a process of logging out when it quit it said to press the return key or something about 2 minutes. I waited and nothing happened so I rebooted and took the CD out. What's the return key? LOL
Now I have Ubuntu,Kubuntu,Knoppix and featherlinux all burnt on different CD's. Does anyone know which will be the easiest to learn? Is there a page or something out there that would give me all I need to know about using Linux? Maybe even Linux for dummies. lOL

Rockhound · #8 August 12th, 2006, 12:02 PM

return key = carriage return = enter key

As for ease of use I think Kubuntu would probably be your easiest transition distribution out of the ones you've got at hand. If my 15 yr old neice who is fairly computer illiterate can install it and get er up and running I think pretty much anybody can!

misterbadnback · #9 August 12th, 2006, 03:29 PM

Thanks for the replys..I will have to use it a while to get use to it and maybe go and get a book on Linux.