Greenup

[Stretched]

I want to setup a desktop with linux for surfing and writing. I know zip dink about linux. Where should I start? I guess you could say I'm lower level intermediate on WinOS, can write Vb script, but beyond that, I'm pretty limp.

My "plan" could be to:
-get the os to run on my P-4 box
-get a decent router (suggestions?)--I'm using a lowest end DLink
-get Kaspersky up--Or?
-get firefox into the net
-set up good security
-by this time I should be able to setup some apps.

OR?

All help will be greatly appreciated.

[techieMoe]

For general knowledge about Linux, I recommend this thread:

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/lin...ead-first.html

For security questions I recommend this one:

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/lin...-security.html

For hardware recommendations... well, hang in there. I imagine everyone has a favorite and they'll pipe in shortly.

[Roxoff]

-get Kaspersky up--Or?

Or dont bother... I'm assuming here you mean an anti-virus program? You should be completely safe without, provided you surf the web as a regular user with no root/admin privileges. The worst that can happen is you trash your home directory, and if you're just using it to surf, then that's no big deal - delete and start again.

You really only need a cheap hub/switch/router to do what you're asking - so stick with what you've got.

If you pick one of the major distros (Debian/SuSE/Fedora Core/Ubuntu, etc.) then you'll have all the apps you could ever want, and you wont have to 'setup' them - they'll just be available in your package manager - just point, click, and install.

And as far as security goes, then there are certain things you can do to make it very difficult to break into, but the security level is already quite good after doing the plain vanilla install of these distros.

[Stretched]

THANKS! a bunch.

I'll get one of the distros Roxoff mentioned although The Quiz suggested a couple of others (I heard you, Techiemoe about bein' a pain).

I will begin surfing and see how things go. I'm a Libertarian type and hate the idea of being spied on, big biz controling the web, massoSoft's monoply. Any sites that relate to any of this, I'm interested. I would love to Balmer and Co brought back to Earth. They need competition.

Thanks again.

PS, I'm sure someone will let me know if this post crosses the line on posting rules. It's about as irrascible as I get.