[Thomas.Clymer]

Ok, I am looking to learn LINUX.
I have been working in IT for 14+ years (military), but have NO LINUX experience (SHAMEFUL, I know).
I have a couple of different LiveCD Distros (Ubuntu7.0.4 and Knoppix5.1.1).
I looked through the file structure a bit and got rather 'lost and confused'...DEFINITELY different from M$.
I played around with a few different apps (games, audio, etc). I can see that with a little experience, I could really get comfortable with LINUX.

Ok, so here's my question(s):

1)What makes up a basic LINUX install (with GUI)
- I know there are full-blown distros, but they seem to have a LOT of 'extra' software...
2)Is there a 'best' all around version of LINUX for someone like me
- From what I've read, ALL of them are the best .

Basically, I would like to eventually have my own build (meaning, just the stuff I use and need for my system, etc)....not looking to necessarily re-invent the wheel.

BTW, I've been running my LiveCD Distros on a Dell Latitude C840 2ghz w/1gig ram, 32 mb video, 30gig hd.

Thanks for helping a NOOOOOB!

[cheesecake42]

try out a full blown distro dvd with a bunch of programs on it (suse, fedora...). that'll give you a good idea of what the mainstream programs are like. then you can go from there. I personally like ubuntu and debian. don't ask me why cause i couldn't tell you.

[bigtomrodney]

In the strictest sense Linux is just the OS kernel. The GNU toolchain and userland are used (think command line). Everything is modular and optional and there is no fixed way of doing things. In fact many of the technologies considered integral to Linux weren't even originally intended for it - X11, Samba, the init system. these are more generic Unix applications/frameworks.

Linux is just another Unix as far as I'm concerned...But it's also my favourite and probably one of the fastest moving in terms of development. You can have 'Linux' in anything from 1MB to 10GB. What goes into a distribution is up to you

Weclome to the forums and the world of Linux/OSS

[techieMoe]

First of all, welcome to the forum and to Linux. We have some introductory information we've gathered over the years to help those who are just discovering the OS:

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

Originally Posted by Thomas.Clymer

1)What makes up a basic LINUX install (with GUI)
- I know there are full-blown distros, but they seem to have a LOT of 'extra' software...

Well, you first need to understand that the only thing required for something to be called "Linux" is the Linux kernel. That's it. Everything else is optional, and up to the maintainer of the distribution.

Practically, most distributions include a basic set of GNU utilities (command-line applications) and a graphical interface (X Windows) which has a number of different available toolkits (GTK+, Qt) and desktops (KDE, Gnome, Xfce, etc.).

Keep in mind though that everything besides the kernel is optional, so you're likely to find a wide variety of "basic" installations.

2)Is there a 'best' all around version of LINUX for someone like me
- From what I've read, ALL of them are the best .

If you haven't already, take a look at the "Which distro?" thread inside the link I posted above. You've hit the nail on the head there; everyone has their favorite distribution, and to each individual person, *theirs* is the best. It's a lot like food preferences, very subjective.

BTW, I've been running my LiveCD Distros on a Dell Latitude C840 2ghz w/1gig ram, 32 mb video, 30gig hd.

That's a pretty standard sounding system. You shouldn't have much trouble running any distribution on it. If you have an ATI video card you'll likely run into difficulty getting 3D games to work, but with 32MB of video RAM I don't peg you for much of a gamer anyway.

[Thomas.Clymer]

Thank you for the info and links.

Actually, I am a gamer...just not much on my little C840 (although it plays Elderscrolls III and Guildwars just fine).

I'm active duty military, currently deployed to GREENLAND, and my main system died right before I came up here....will be building a new rig in a few months (going home next week - YEAH!).

What 'parts' do I need for a basic (thinking new Windows type install) load?
I know I need the Kernel. What else? What does the kernel include (wondering about drivers and etc).

[cheesecake42]

downloading a distro (ex: ubuntu, suse, slackware, fedora) is going to give you everything you need to install (kernel, desktop environment, basic programs, basic drivers). so you don't need to piece anything together.

[Thomas.Clymer]

Actually, I'm LOOKING to piece it together....that's kinda my goal.
I just don't know what all the 'pieces' *are*......yet.
Ok, so far I see I need the following:
1) KERNEL
2) DRIVERS
3) DESKTOP ENVIRONMENT (does it matter which one?)


I'm getting there...

[carlosponti]

if you are new i would start with a distro and learn the environment then work your way to LFS( linux from scratch) is basically a distro but you collect everything yourself. lfs is basically a pdf with instructions how to piece together your own distro.

[Thomas.Clymer]

LFS - sounds like EXACTLY what I'm looking for.

I do plan on familiarizing myself first, but I will definitely work toward my 'own special needs' (as it were).

THANKS!



BTW, is there a best place to find DRIVERS?

[bigtomrodney]

The drivers are all in the kernel already, they are part of it (or can be built as kernel modules).

The only exception would be proprietary drivers for ATI/nVidia graphics cards and a few wifi cards. Almost everything else is built in.