Linux Newbie ?

**Urban_Squrill** · January 31st, 2003, 01:11 AM

I am going to install REd Hat 7.3. THis is the first time i have ever messed with. WHat settings? what desktop i herd kde is better then gnome. And should i just install everything. Space is not a problem.

Urban

**novadragoon** · January 31st, 2003, 01:13 AM

Install both KDE and Gnome you can pick which one you start with when you log in each day

**Xeroid** · January 31st, 2003, 01:14 AM

I prefer KDE but there's lots of nice programs in Gnome which you can also access from KDE. I'd install all the window managers so you can play around with them.

Mike

Edit: spellcheck, where's my spellcheck

**nishark** · January 31st, 2003, 02:02 AM

well, if space is not a problem, then not only installing all window managers, but all rpms is a good idea as well.

good luck, am sure u'll get lots of help around here if u get stuck

**nukes** · January 31st, 2003, 05:49 AM

I would also strongly reccomend installing the development libraries and headers. If you don't plan on running a web/ftp server then don't install the servers as they just eat resources.
KDE seems a lot more 'polished' than GNOME, but there are those who will disagree and they will probally be along soon. There are some other WMs that are lightweight and functional which are good once you have it going how you want it. (ie BlackBox)
Just dive in there and have a good time.

**S.D.Willie** · February 1st, 2003, 09:56 AM

since your just starting out you might want to do a basic install rather than going through custom install. there are too many packages that you will be unfamiliar with. doing a basic workstation install should give you most of your window managers.

definitely start with kde as you cant go wrong. here's redhats own install guide if you need.

SD

**Cody** · February 1st, 2003, 10:01 AM

I personally reccommend RedHat 8.0 because you don't have to worry about which you use... they both look/act the same with BlueCurve.

Cody

**S.D.Willie** · February 1st, 2003, 11:06 AM

they both look/act the same with BlueCurve.

thats what i hate about RH 8 and i know im not alone, they look the same. whats the point if you want variety right? they butchered kde like a serial killer. just my $0.02 (non) cents

SD

**krohnjw** · February 1st, 2003, 03:40 PM

Heh, they did butcher the hell out of KDE

I can attest to that. I am a KDE fan, gnome is way too bloated for my tastes, along with most gnome based apps IMO, but that's another story.

**Urban_Squrill** · February 1st, 2003, 03:56 PM

I am pissed. i got my cds back from a friend and they were scrached teh hell out of. So sorry guys thatnkz for the help thoug. I should get mandrake from a friend. Any suggestions on that.

P.S. Anyone wanna burn me suse and redhat 7.3((again) i will pay shiping.

**linux_guru** · February 1st, 2003, 10:35 PM

Mandrake is a top choice. I personally prefer it over the bastardized versions of RH. Make sure you get 9.0 or 8.2 version of Drake, if you decide to give it a shot.

**Urban_Squrill** · February 2nd, 2003, 12:41 AM

ANd crap my friend did not get ot sp could someone get em a copy spp please?

**jokostel** · February 2nd, 2003, 04:40 AM

goto linux.org and download it dude...

**CMonster** · February 2nd, 2003, 05:21 AM

If you don't plan on running a web/ftp server then don't install the servers as they just eat resources.
KDE seems a lot more 'polished' than GNOME, but there are those who will disagree and they will probally be along soon.

-No argument from me, on both counts I agree 100%

SuSE Linux 8.1!

**the jester** · February 2nd, 2003, 05:47 AM

Urban Squrill you don't need a CD to install mandrake or suse (and probably other distros too)

see this thread from the mandrake forums on how to install from the downloaded iso images (the ones you have to download to burn the cds)

I have actually done a suse install by ftp - looks way scarier than it actually is

try one and let us know if you need help

**Redwolf** · February 2nd, 2003, 01:12 PM

If you have broadband (128k ISDN, Cable, or DSL) just downlaod and install SuSE over the internet. Goto here for instructions on how to make a bootable floppy for SuSE:

ftp://ftp.suse.com/pub/suse/i386/current/README.FTP

I reccomend this mirror for downlaoding SuSE during installation form:

ftp://mirror.mcs.anl.gov/pub/suse/

There seems to be a problem with the installer, so you'll need two things. First, you need to find out the make and moddel of your ISDN modem or Ethernet card. If you are using Ethernet, you should be able to load the 'Ne2k' drivers in the pre-setup screen. You'll also need the IP adress of the server and the directory. Here's both for that mirror site I listed:

IP:
140.221.9.138
(include the dots between the numbers)

directory:
/pub/suse/i386/current

It will load about 40 mb into memory (It's the YaST installation progarm) and then you can set up as if you had the CDs. This won't be the same as the SuSE you can buy from the stores, as none of teh 'commercial' programs are avaliable. no worries, it runs perfectly.

The same can be sone for Redhat, but I have never done that before.

**kaziah** · February 4th, 2003, 12:00 AM

Well, I'd still classify myself as a newbie to linux(100%). If your friend toasted your CDs and you really wanna learn linux, I'd recommend buying a book that includes Red Hat 8 with it. You can visit bookpool.com and search for:

Red Hat 8 Bible

That's not the best book to learn from I hear, but I learned a lot from it. Considering I knew nothing about linux though, that's not saying much =) If you don't have a broadband connection, a book with CDs would be a nice solution to your problem. It's not the cheapest route though. I'd just find a friend with broadband and download them if ya can. Then spend your cash on some good books =) If cash is an issue though, there's lots of help and docs on the net.

You could do the same for Mandrake 9.0 if ya want. I used Mandrake 8.0, and then 8.2 for awhile, and even 9.0 for a few weeks before I switched to Red Hat 8.0. My wife and I have become pretty fond of RH, so I doubt I'll go back for now. I did like how much stuff came with Mandrake though... tons of apps, games, window managers galore, and just about everything... I really like their "you should be able to choose" philosophy.

Reguardless of which one you choose, you should consider buying some books if you really want to give linux a fair chance. Maybe some good ones like O'Reilley's 'Running Linux' and 'Linux in a Nutshell'. Those two go nice together. Linux in a Nutshell is more of a reference. 'Learning the Bash Shell' is a good book too. I'm an O'Reilley fan, can ya tell? =)

Anyway, have fun! Like I said, I'm still new to linux, so you might want to heavily consider the more experienced members' opinions. I just thought I'd pitch my 'newbie' opinion your way and let you know what's been helping me out. Books and the online linux community are at the top of that short list =) short list, but vast in what it covers =)

Good Luck,
Kaziah

**Urban_Squrill** · February 4th, 2003, 12:36 AM

i got 56k and i kinda want the cds

**kaziah** · February 4th, 2003, 01:12 AM

Hmmm... you might consider a book that includes the CDs then. You can pick one up for a reasonable price, and it would help your learning process too =)