Newbie question

[Srooibok]

Hi Everyone

Brand new to this forum and pretty new to Linux, just a dumb question really. I am going to build a Linux server and am going to use Centos 5.1. I have built many windows servers in the past but really want to learn Linux. A linux guru bud of mine says to install the command line only version to start with if I want to learn linux properly. Now the dumb question, I've never installed linux before and is there any special way to install so that I only have the Cli and no Gui's?

Thanks for your time in advance.

Srooi

[oz]

Welcome to the forums!

I'm not sure about CentOS, but lots of distros give you an option to select packages, or package groups during the installation. You'd just need to make sure you don't pick any of the xserver packages, or groups.

You can easily boot to command line only even if you do happen to install all the GUI goodies, though. Of course with a server, you might not want/need the GUI stuff.

Have fun with Linux!

[Ogion]

Any special reason to use CentOS?
When you don't, may i suggest to use Debian? IMO it has the best opackage management system, and really the biggest repositories (aka precompiled package 'storage') avalilible. But well, thats just my opinion.

Well, like ozar said, in many installers, there is a possibility to choose your pakets. And if there isn't and you got yourself an install with some GUIs, it's no big problem, because you can deinstall all that.

Hmm, i am not sure, if it is necessary to just install the CLI, because even if you intend on not using any GUI-Programs, it is much easier with X, because you can as well use terminals there (and much more and mre convenient), and you can use a graphical browser, since the internet really helps with learning Linux...

Ogion

[Freston]

Welcome!

Any Linux box can be made into a textual mode only machine. I can't remember the exact CentOS installer options from the brief period I tried it... But I'm sure with the necessary precautions you can remove any graphical feature after install.


Now if you really have your mind set on this 'learning Linux' ordeal
It's not gonna be easy to do from the command line. Not without proper knowledge of bash. My advice is to buy a book and a marker. And keep notes on what you do.

Have fun and feel free to ask any questions that you may have

[Srooibok]

Thanks Guys

Feel like I'm at home already. Well onwards and upwards

Srooi

[oz]

Ok... good luck with it, and don't hesitate to post new threads with any new questions.