new linux

[stinkoman]

hey I am thinking of downloading anew linux because i am having trouble with slackware, not the program itself, but me. anyone want to give suggestions as to which distro is the easiest to download install and use?
if you were to rate them on how easy they are to download (if they are different) 1-10 stars installing 1-10 stars and which is the most user friendly 1-10 stars. Like i said slackware seems a little advanced for me and maybe i will go back to it later, but as a beginner i want something that isnt really hard for my first time.
so any help is appreciated
Thanks
Stinkoman

[oz]

Sure... take a look at the link in my signature for lots of good information on getting started with Linux. There are some quizzes that can be found there that will help you to pick a distro that's right for you.

Also, be sure to check out the polls that are linked there because one of them is for favorite linux distro for new users. I think that will give you some idea what works well for most newer users.

Remember to have fun with Linux!

[stinkoman]

i might be starting to get this down but kubuntus is the one it told me to get any suggestions for kubuntus?

[oz]

You can get that here:

Kubuntu - Download

Be sure to get 7.10 and not one of the earlier ones. I think you'll probably be pretty happy with it, especially the package manager (apt-get), and the Synaptic front end for apt.

Have fun with it and don't hesitate to ask any other questions.

[bucky]

I think the more experienced users of linux are correct when they say that it is a personal choice. however. I am not in this catagory so I say this thinking that, the vast available choices all have there good points and linux in general has its weak points. what system does not. It is difficult to pass judgement on a voluntary group, who work hard in one camp to achieve a philosophical idea on there own free time.

For new users it is hard not to become frustrated attempting to understand the wider ideal when what you want is stability at a lesser cost. and hardcore veterans of the craft are sadened no doubt by the crying masses of windows users who think it can only be done one way.

My current realization is that it is an ongoing endeavour. One important thing to consider, is what you need a system to do for you. hold fast to it. this way you will not get lost in the flurry.

The advent of klaus knoppers(sp) Knoppix live cd has cascaded into a large collection of brilliant works in computing. I like the test befor install, on the go style. This give way to more solidified choices if you want to install.

I currently like fluxbox and have been looking at as many of these as possible.they are usually lighter downloads and the unique simplicity is very intrigueing. I personally do not want a linux that looks like windows or mac, I want a fresh, artfully gracefull, simple, fast, functional, fun os that, in addition to a reasonable download, is stable and easily modified. this in mind what do expect I will suggest you download.

I just installed Vector 5.9 std gold so I appreciate the slackware concerns..a more experienced user may love it, I found it hard to understand the permissions although it was an easy install and looks great. the software is seemingly growing more consistant across the camps, so if you like it, I do, then its all about ease of use and stability in the distro.

if you loved windows then there is no shortage of start buttons available,which I find somewhat detestable
ubuntu and its derivitives are very popular debians. I did not like it personally as I though it an upside down windows. but intend to try another one of the spin offs.
I also recently spun up Antix M7 a fluxbox mini of Mepis also debian.it did not like a modem for me so I am setting it aside as a new 7.01 has solved the package changeover from ubuntu to debian testing I think.
for entertainment value mint looks interesting..I await the fluxbox mini that holds great hope of a dialup frendly posture.
pclinuxos seems to have bumped ubuntu in popularity at distro watch..I downloaded minime o.93 a while back and liked its refreshing desktop look for some reason..maby the wallpapers are getting better overall. Vector seemed so shiney to me too. but then I am comming from a long stint with damn small who's wallpaper was a little glum.

But dsl is in fact a powerhouse at 50 meg. I have it on a thumb, a live cd, and hd install with likely a gig of addons. but I no little about the new system, I have 2.4 which is pre unc and only downloaded the .dsl and .deb from debian aptget. the live cd is hard to resist. I found it easy to download, easy to install, easy to use, and highly expandable but beware, if you want to learn common linux tree structure it is somewhat unique.

I enjoyed playing with basic linux3 and still use it to partition drives on old machines and check that the mouse works, it is only two floppys and boots to x. I just seen a thing today about adding opera. if command lines are interesting to you or you want to learn partitioning it has a good info source. it is not a desktop work station.

I suggest anyone who is new to linux do some reading on partitioning and simple commands while spinning some live cd's they are willing to download, this gives knowledge to install and familiarity with software at no expence at all. it will releave frustration also if you google some general hardware specs. linux is getting much better on this but it pays to look if you only have the one machine. especially if it is a laptop

I would avoid dual boots and linux under windows but suit yourself. personally I got the best knowledge from basic linux and use dsl on a thumb while spinning live cd's in the hope of finding something to use everyday. I have dsl, vector, ubuntu installed but always use dsl, maby because I have been useing opera for so long and it was the first to have it available in my searchs when I was ready to install. this also lead me to vector

a long unhelpfull post no doubt but I forgot my blog password.

Hope you have fun in your search for a new linux

Here are some links of posible interest

http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/HOWTO-INDEX/categories.html

http://www.volny.cz/basiclinux/

http://damnsmalllinux.org/

http://featherlinux.berlios.de/about.htm

http://www.puppylinux.org/user/viewpage.php?page_id=1

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/lin...are-linux.html

http://www.freeos.com/articles/3102/


http://antix.mepis.org/index.php/Main_Page

http://mepis.gabston-howell.org/down...nual7_3-2.html

http://www.ubuntu.com/products/whatisubuntu

http://linuxmint.com/

http://www.pclinuxos.com/

http://www.gentoo.org/

http://www.pendrivelinux.com/2007/09...20070-install/

http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/
http://distrowatch.com/

http://www.levenez.com/unix/



In the event you install dsl 2.2 or 2.4 for fun this may help
I suggest xcalc,jpilot, gqview, xmms alarm xine, lame, audacity, abi, cups, tkd,k3b,opera,dia, wmdrawer, xmms skins

Newbie questions about 2.2 hd install
answered by the forum, many thanks:

Read the help file. it is available in cpanel
Read the wike-link on home page
Or search the forum

Q:How do I turn on dma, I have a grub install on hd?

A: From the menu/apps/tools/emelfm choose- emelfm as super user.
From the right list choose- boot/grub/menu1st
click menu1st, right click and open, click- view file, see titledsl in the list- see no dma in its string- backspace "no" save file . exit . reboot

Q: How do I see whats on my floppy and cdrom

A: Go to emelfm and look in the right list for crom or floppy. left click to highlite then right click for menu and left click mount. you should see the content.

Q: How do I get dillo to stop poping up at boot and showing the getting started page?

A: Fix dillo patched -
menu/apps/tools/ emelfm/ emelfm as superuser - click "H" shows hidden files
Find and right click open -xinitrc - see dillo add "#" in front (#dillo.....) . save. the"#" stops dillo at boot.
Goto home/dsl/fluxbox/menu, scroll down see (dillo patched) ( blablabla) replace with (dillo)(/usr/local/bin/dillo) . save.
Goto dillo desktop icon and click properties change command to just- command: dillo
this will restore dillo to normal.

Q: How do I turn off the desktop stats and the boxs at the bottom left of the screen?

A: To turn off desktop stats and workspace boxs goto home/dsl/xinitrc and "#" torsmo and/or fluxter . save . restartx, remove the # to restore.

Q: How can I quickly resize a window, I can not see the top?

A: Push alt+ left or right mouse buttons to move and resize windows.
alt+left to move, alt+right to resize

Q: Is there a file splitter for dsl?

A: Split and cat - file split and rejoin for floppy storage. in fm type split or cat --help for info. click the directory the files are in.
ie: split -b 1380000 /home/dsl/eboard.dsl chess
this should give chessaa, chessab, chessac.
ie: cat chessaa chessab chessac > eboard.dsl
Note: test join before storage. if the file size is not correct try refresh by exiting the directory and reopening..

Q: How do I replace icons with my favorite ones?

A: Convert(in editor of choice) your favorite icons to .png or .gif and add to home/dsl/xtdesktop then choose them via icon properties by right clicking the icon or in icontool if creating a new shortcut.

Q:How do I create a desk top Icon for dialup?

A: Click icon tool from menu/desktop . click add. choose icon from list and type name choice in icon label,type sudo /usr/sbin/pppdial in full path. click ok
The path can be found by looking in the fluxbox menu

Q; How do I save to the directory on another hd partition from dsl

A: Open emelfm as superuser, right panel is home/dsl
left panel- open /mnt, open your partition, click directory to link to. click syslink button
In root@box$ type. chown dsl.staff /mnt/hd<b1>/<directory> where <b1> is the drive and partition number and< directory >is the name of the directory you wish to access from dsl.

Q: How do I add my favorite wallpaper to the desk top?

A: Add jpg wallpapers to home/dsl/fluxbox/backgrounds and change via desktop/ menu/ wallpaper

Q: How do I replace icons with my favorite ones?

A: Convert your favorite icons to .png or .gif and add to home/dsl/xtdesktop then choose them via icon properties by right clicking the icon or icontool if creating a new shortcut.

Q: Does the thing in the bottom right hand corner have to be where it is?

A: If you rightclick on the slit the menu allows autohide and movement to different locations on the screen.

Q:How do I stop the screen from blacking out after 10 min?

A: Add the following line to /home/dsl/xinitrc
xset s off &
this should be placed above the last lines

Q: how do I increse the aterm font size?

A: open emelfm, open xdefaults find aterm*font:fixed
change fixed to one of 7x14/8x16/10x20. save
xlsfonts|less will list alternative fonts
or look in /usr/x11R6/lib/x11/fonts/*fonts.alias

Q: How do I uninstall a program I do not like?

A: dsl as a hd install does not offer uninstall..however if the program is static or not causeing issue-

Go to emelfm as super, look in fluxbox/menu for the program/path..go to the destination and delete, then return to fluxbox menu and delete the program entry and save the file..this will remove the menu entry and file executed by clicking it. you may find other referances, carefully remove.

if the program created problems reinstall dsl..hd install is not recomended partly for this reason.