1- not very hard, linux is very complicated with tweaking but user interface is almost always friendly, id recommend ubuntu thats what I have on my old computer, and its awesome, though more people would recommend mandriva probably
look above
linux is not compatible with many programs but it can persuade them to work using programs such as WINE
I think linux works on both versions, not sure though
Linux uses FAT32 mostly i think and Windows has NTFS, i think you will lose it
[QUOTE=stinkfing3r]
cool good tips. gonna look into all the stuff u all recommened right now.
i started dling the latest fedora thingy.. just to see whats its all about. think i should start with a diff one?
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Yeah, fedora is slow and ugly. Try Mandriva Linux if you want a full blown distro, or Kubuntu/Ubuntu for a lighter one. I like Mandriva because it is basically a spin-off of Red Hat (Fedora) that is faster, cleaner and pretty much better.
im getting LE.. i586, hope that works wit 64bit
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They will all work with 64-bit chips. For example, I am currently running Mandriva (mandrake) 2005 LE. It is not built specifically for a 64-bit processor, but it will make the best use it can out of my processor anyways. I just can’t run 64-bit applications (which hardly any are out anyways). If you DO want SPECIFICALLY, a 64-bit linux environment, you can download a build of Mandrake that is meant for it. My suggestion, however, is to stick with the one you’re already downloading/downloaded. I tried the 64-bit version and decided to wait a bit longer until it’s more useful. I hope that helped. I think it got a bit confusing.
edit As for 10.1 being the latest - the absolute latest is Mandriva 2005. You’re not going to lose out on too much having 10.1, but if you’re looking for the absolute latest out from Mandrake/Mandriva, you are looking for Mandriva 2005.
hey fred, thx for the info thats excatly what i needed to know i too will wait until a solid 64bit version comes out and will stick with 2005 LE. they are both taking about the same time to dl so i just left 10.1 running to, so i guess ill have both.
anywho thx everyone for the great advice. if u have any more tips or tricks or leasons learned feel free to post them. thx again.
Get a good linux book, its so much easier than going alone (even though forums are usefull0. It’ll also tach you a bit about compiling programs you download with gcc and the linux shell (which 0wns the windows one).
ok great thx ill stick with my original plan and see what happens. im going to get a book tonight to just incase, because i had a buddy install linux and he had a rough time with it, but it was like mandrake v9.1 or something so i assume that things have gotten better since then.
quick hardware question for you linux users.. how does the new 2005 LE deal with hardware? does it recognize it? or i install drivers? or is it way more complicated than that? i know my book will explain some of this but i just want the insiders scoop
thx again everyone for your help and patience answering my questions thus far!
[QUOTE=stinkfing3r]
quick hardware question for you linux users.. how does the new 2005 LE deal with hardware? does it recognize it? or i install drivers? or is it way more complicated than that? i know my book will explain some of this but i just want the insiders scoop
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As a general point it helps a LOT if you have the manuals for your hardware (monitor, graphics card, modem, etc.) to hand. You should also look under Windows to get the technical information you may need to get them properly set up. Configuring hardware under Linux is not rocket science but you may experience a culture shock if you are used to the point-and-click philosophy of Windows and now have to edit text files to get your hardware running properly.
Also I’m suprised no-one has suggested SuSE yet, I haven’t used it myself but the recent 9.3 version got rave reviews in the Linux magazines I read. For a total noob that’s probably worth a look.
switching download now.