Free Scan: Update Your PC's Outdated Drivers to Optimize Performance
November 20th, 2007, 06:39 PM
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#1 (permalink)
| | Ultimate Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,253
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I have been getting steadily more disillusioned with Windows and the time of procrastenating has ended. I want to learn about Linux and switch to Linux as my OS. Since I am a total newbie I would like suggestions and reccomendations on which version to start with. I'd like pros and cons on the different versions to help me make my decision. Of course I would like to make some Linux friends here because I know I will have problems.
Thanks in advance!
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November 20th, 2007, 07:23 PM
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#2 (permalink)
| | SoMuchAnime-SoLittleTime
Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Plymouth, WI
Posts: 13,701
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I'd recommend starting with SUSE, Fedora, or Ubuntu.
As long as all of your hardware is supported correctly it should be very easy to switch to Linux, of course if it isn't you are in for a nightmare.
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The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of a mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one.
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November 20th, 2007, 07:38 PM
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#3 (permalink)
| | Ultimate Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,253
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I have heard a little about each one you suggested. Ubuntu was just highly reccomended by a tech at my cable proadband provider. Guess I will eventually try several until I find one that fits my needs. Thanks |
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November 20th, 2007, 07:57 PM
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#4 (permalink)
| | Folding@home since 1862!
Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: ~/
Posts: 8,102
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Hi there..
I would suggest taking advantage of your broadband and download several flavors till you find the one YOU like, and can work with. It varies with the user. I myself got started with Red Hat back in the day. Which nowdays seems a little bit harder for a beginner. But IMO, a Ubuntu flavor is probably the easiest to migrate to. It's setup very well, and is fairly easy to learn. Ubuntu Studio is currently my favorite.
But I have to say that 80% of my learning was done by the distro's forum boards. Alot of great tips and knowledge there. I would highly recommend you check out the forums first to see what kind of issues people seems to be having with the distros, especially hardware issues.
But all in all, it's worth it IMO. It's nice to get on a system that YOU setup. Plus, the open source community is awesome!!
Good luck, and enjoy!!  |
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November 20th, 2007, 08:36 PM
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#5 (permalink)
| | Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 949
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I agree that Ububtu is easiest to learn and use. But before embarking on a switch, download "Live CD's". Pop one in and boot to it. It does not change you harddrive. You will be working from the CD itself.
Smaller distros such as Damn Small Linux and Puppy Linux are about 50MB and run in ram. I have both installed on flash drives! Using them allows me to boot from my flash drive and I can take my files with me! (I have a 512Mb drive and a 2GB drive).
Try several different distros until you find the one you like best and then you can change your system safely.
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Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you,
Jesus Christ and the American G. I. One died for your soul; The other for your freedom
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November 20th, 2007, 08:55 PM
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#6 (permalink)
| | Ultimate Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,253
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Great advice fellow members. Expect to see me here often as I run into problems or need instructions. I respect all of your opinions.
As always, THANKS! |
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November 20th, 2007, 09:31 PM
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#7 (permalink)
| | Ultimate Member
Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Iowa
Posts: 3,196
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I have always like SUSE and Mandriva |
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November 20th, 2007, 10:26 PM
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#8 (permalink)
| | Ultimate Member
Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Out of my mind
Posts: 2,743
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What is it that you dislike about Windows, if I may ask?
Since the advent of XP, XP Pro and yes, even Vista, I have found Windows to be a stable environment for my home PC's.
I have XP Pro, Media Center Edition, Vista Home Premium and Vista Business on my PC's at home. With proper antivirus software, regular updates and spyware scanning (plus I block ALL cookies), I have not had a Windows crash that is not hardware related in over 5 years. |
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November 24th, 2007, 11:32 PM
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#9 (permalink)
| | Ultimate Member
Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Toronto Canada
Posts: 4,619
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I'd recommend Ubuntu, Fedora or SUSE. For pretty much everything you'd do it's all point and click, just like Windows. I use Ubuntu 7.10 and I like it. I've gotten everything I need, to work on it with either a little common sense or a quick trip to the Ubuntu support forums if I couldn't figure it out.
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November 24th, 2007, 11:55 PM
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#10 (permalink)
| | Banned
Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Loveland, CO
Posts: 5,493
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Last edited by Keymaker : November 25th, 2007 at 12:05 AM.
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