Should I try Linux?

Neon · March 30th, 2002, 04:20 PM

This is probably a very frequently asked question, so I apologize in advance for the n=n+1 version of it.

The reasons for this (right now anyway) are to get familiar with Linux and to have an alternative to Windows. I will not install WinXP, and am not interested in .NET and subscription based OSes. Mandrake Linux seems to be a favorite for newbies, so that's the direction I am leaning towards.

The specific concerns are that this will be on my old computer, which has the following specs:
Pentium 200MMX / i430TX / 128 SDRAM / Win98SE
This hardware seems to have available Linux drivers:
Diamond Stealth 3D 2000 Pro / MAG DX715T / HP 7200i CD-RW / Ensoniq AudioPCI
Not sure about:
Netgear FA311 / Canon BJC-4300 / Logitech WheelMouse
No Linux drivers for this?
Toshiba XM-6102B CD-ROM

I would want to set up a dual boot. The HD is already partitioned, and there is a 6GB partition that could be dedicated to trying out Linux.

Is this hardware sufficient, or will I have problems and be sorry if I try this?

lynchmob · March 30th, 2002, 05:13 PM

I'd go for it,Neon.The only piece of hardware I'm not sure about (off the top of my head) is the netgear nic.You can check your hardware here at the Mandrake site.
Lots of happy Mandrake users here if you run into any snags.(I use SuSE 7.3 myself)

lynch

Germ · March 30th, 2002, 05:27 PM

Go for it. I'm not sure either about the nic, but the rest of your hardware looks OK.

Germ

SpookyEddy · March 30th, 2002, 05:34 PM

A quick google suggests that the NIC will work OK, but worth checking yourself.

And I agree that giving linux a try is well worth it, but then I can be a bit of a linux zealot

Regards

Eddy

Cody · March 30th, 2002, 06:07 PM

I reccommend SuSE if you haven't picked a distro yet.

It just is nice and works... generally compatible too (from my experiences in 6.4 and 7.2)

Cody

Praetorian · March 30th, 2002, 06:21 PM

My FA310TX works, and I do remember seeing that the FA311's will work to.

Mandrake 8.2 is the latest so get your hands on that if you can.

If you run into problems, we'll be here for ya.

Neon · March 30th, 2002, 06:36 PM

I searched Google, and found a site that has drivers for the National Semi chip that is used on the Netgear FA311, so it looks like a go.

Next question... is the boxed version of Mandrake worth it, and is it available? The website is taking "pre-orders", so maybe it won't be available for a few weeks?

ngc457 · March 30th, 2002, 06:40 PM

Why don't you by a web TV? You can't do much more with Linux because its software is crap.

Also Windows XP is not subscription based. Stop believing in myths.

vass0922 · March 30th, 2002, 06:55 PM

ngc if you want people to stop believing in myths, why don't you yourself stop believing in the myths that linux software is crap.

I'd say all systems go

I'm getting ready to try out Mandrake 8.2 myself...
btw, when you say a 6 gig partition (plenty) as long as you know that a windows partition (Fat32 or otherwise) is not used with Linux.
If you have 6 gigs free non partitioned that is great (even if it is already partitioned that is ok because Linux install can remove it and put in its own necessary partitions (/, /swap, and possibly /home )

Go for it, I'm certainly glad I did

Xeroid · March 30th, 2002, 06:57 PM

I'd say give Linux a try. I'm seeing it more and more. We are running it on some of our print servers and from what I understand it's found it's way on most internet servers. If you think about it, companies today are trying to squeeze every cent out of their products because of the economy. Linux is a low cost alternative to M$ products. IMHO if you learn something about it now you will be preparing yourself for the future. I don't think Linux will replace M$ products but I think Linux has its place in the marketplace.

Mike