[PPX]

Hey guys, my name is Chris, I'm new to the Linux world. I'm hoping i can start to learn it as quickly as possible. I got a new job as an intern while going to school, but they require me to know and understand Linux. Ive been a windows guy for pretty much my entire computer years, so I'm hoping my transition to Linux wont be to hard. I got a second hard drive to put Linux on because i didn't wanna risk my first disk. I downloaded the Centos 5 iso files and burned them onto cd's as iso images. Will i need to partition my new disk? there is nothing on it and don't plan on putting anything else on there besides Linux. Since I've been so used to windows, i don't have any command line experience, is there a fast way to learn the basics? my job just wants me to get a basic knowledge of the command line before starting. Thanks again for your guys time!

[Segfault]

Welcome, Chris!

No need to partition or format, you will be asked where you want to install.

Windows experience is not very helpful, people often find it is rather hard to take new concepts that contradict your previous experience. There are lots of things done in totally different and even surprising way in POSIX world. You may want to read this.

The Linux Documentation Project
Bash Scripting Guide

The quickest way to learn command line is to start using it.
Good luck!

[PPX]

thanks again! well tried installing linux, and my #2 cd was corrupt i guess. so im going to redownload the iso files and transfer them onto cds as images again. cant wait to get this thing installed and to start getting my hands dirty!

[geniuz]

Originally Posted by PPX

thanks again! well tried installing linux, and my #2 cd was corrupt i guess. so im going to redownload the iso files and transfer them onto cds as images again. cant wait to get this thing installed and to start getting my hands dirty!

If I may suggest, most distro's also have a net-install cd, you need a working internet connection though. It's much easier imho, you only have once cd and can easily select the packages you need/want. They will be downloaded and installed automatically.

[PPX]

Originally Posted by geniuz

If I may suggest, most distro's also have a net-install cd, you need a working internet connection though. It's much easier imho, you only have once cd and can easily select the packages you need/want. They will be downloaded and installed automatically.

and itll be installed onto my disk? i thought livecd just ran off the cd? or is this different?

[PPX]

i was going to install centos5, what is another good distro to use?

[geniuz]

Well, a live cd CAN function as a OS on a CD basically, but most live-cd's offer the chance to install the OS onto the drive too, which is usually a net-install.

As to which distro is also good to use...I cannot form a clear answer.
That's very personal, if you're new to linux you should be fine with ubuntu (also have a live-cd with net-install). Or if you're familiar with linux you could check out debian, they have a good net-install cd too.

[Freston]

Well, if you must learn Linux, I take it you are having to learn it because you will come into contact with machines deployed in business environments? Then CentOS is exactly right IMHO. That's a rebranded Red Hat system. It's a bit boring as a desktop, so don't expect too much of it on the cool factor. It's a workhorse. It doesn't get impressive until you put it under heavy (and I mean HEAVY) loads

I don't think you need all 6 iso's by the way. Some of them have source code on them. That doesn't really offer functionality to you at this moment. I doubt you'd be compiling your own packages right after install. The day will come, i am sure, where you will be compiling, but first get the system up. Worry about source later.

Just burn the CD's at a slow pace. High speed burning can cause problems, although that depends on the hardware you've got. In Linux you run a md5sum against downloaded iso's and freshly burned CD's to make sure they are not corrupt. I'm sure Windows has something similar, but I've been away from Windows so long I wouldn't know how if my life depended on it

I don't think you want CentOS net-install. The way I read it, it's for installing from pre-mounted directories, or a (HTML|FTP|NFS) server within your own network, just like Slackware and the BSD's have. That is useful, but to advanced for someone so new to Linux. In order to learn what mounting is, you first have to let go of the idea of drives. And for that you need a working system (pssst. mounting filesystems is much easier than switching drives, once you understand the concept).

The command line is pretty intimidating at first. Threat it with respect. It's a foreign place for you, but rest assured it's not a hostile place Keep notes. Learn how to use these commands: man, info, apropos
Set tasks for yourself. Do stuff from the command line. Did you know that you can switch from the GUI to the command line with a simple Ctrl+Alt+F(1-6)
Write little scripts for routine tasks. Define aliases for common flags or commands. Once you get used to it you'll find the shell isn't as intimidating as it seemed at first.

[PPX]

thanks again guys! i finally got linux (centos 5) installed. just going to play around with it a little so i can start to get more relaxed in this enviorment!