[jmruth72]

Hello all,

I am a new member trying to figure out how to get into linux/unix (not sure the difference). I have no idea where to start or what distro to use. I am currently using a Emachines T2984 (please no laughing). It was what I could afford when I bought it. Planning on building a computer soon, but I figured I would use this one to learn a new OS as I don't care if I fry it. Here are the specs that I can confirm;

Intel® Celeron® D 340 Processor
Operates at 2.93GHz
256KB L2 cache & 533MHz FSB
Intel® 845GV chipset
Memory: 512MB DDR (PC 2700)
Hard Drive: 80GB HDD
Optical Drive: 48x Max. CD-RW Drive; 16x Max. DVD Drive
Media Reader: 8-in-1 digital media manager (USB 2.0, Secure Digital™ (SD), Smart Media, Compact Flash, Memory Stick®, Memory Stick PRO, Micro Drive, Multimedia Card)
Video: Intel® Extreme Graphics 3D
64MB Shared memory
Sound: AC '97 Audio
Network: Intel® PRO 10/100Mbps built-in Ethernet
Modem: 56K ITU v.92-ready Fax/Modem
Peripherals: Microsoft wireless keyboard and mouse.
Ports/Other: 5 USB 2.0 ports (1 in Media Manager; 4 in back), 1 Serial, 1 Parallel, 2 PS/2, Audio-In & Out

I have found that I can get linux drivers for the Processor, the chipset, the brother printer (but not the Canon). So my questions are what else do I need to know as far as drivers? What are the differences in distros (ie debian, unbuntu, fedora, etc..). The only two things I know are that I am tired of winblows, and I want a capable GUI. I have a lot of pictures and am wanting something for videos as well. I might have to dual boot the computer so I can keep using the canon printer for pics atleast until it dies and I can get one as good or better that is supported for linux. I am sure that I am forgetting things at the moment, but I am tired and getting ready to go to bed. Any help to get all this stuff working and sorted out would be truly appreciated. Thank you for your time and sorry this is so long. Good night.

John.

[KyKo]

Ubuntu is a good distro for new linux users to start out with: Ubuntu Home Page | Ubuntu

Ubuntu should autodetect most of your hardware. Download, burn, boot, enjoy! It will boot into a live environment so you can get your feet wet without installing it to your hard drive. Then if it tickles you fancy you can install it.

Good luck.

[Agent-X]

Older computers tend to work better with GNU/Linux because people have already figured out how to create drivers and more for them: People have figured out how to make the old hardware work the way it is expected to work. Newer technology tends to be harder to setup.

The differences in the distros would be speed, program availability, hardware compatibility, and security. Some of these things can depend on the Linux kernel the OS uses.

When you learn to compile things, a lot of things start to seem similar.
I am still liking Debian-based systems, though.

[GNU-Fan]

Originally Posted by jmruth72

I am a new member trying to figure out how to get into linux/unix (not sure the difference).

Hello,

Unix is a trademark and it would cost an considerable amount of money just to call your operating system so.

GNU (aka GnuisNotUnix) was written as a free replacement for Unix and consists of the most essential programs that are used to work with the computer. This set of programs is accompanied by a kernel, which drives the hardware and is usually Linux, and both of them together form the actual operating system, GNU/Linux.

You are lucky, as most of your hardware is from Intel, which does an excellent job in supporting Linux drivers. On a modern distribution, I would expect them to run out of the box.

There are three major GUIs--Desktop Environments to be more precisly.
Xfce, KDE and GNOME. Which one you will prefer is a matter of taste and I recommend you start by downloading three LiveCDs, each with another GUI and play around a bit until you have found your favorite.

Once you have one, it is much easier to decide on the distribution of GNU/Linux you are going to actually install.