Linux Newbie too!

[gsmd_bari]

I am also a Linux Newbie. I just bought a new Intel mini-mac with hopes of using it for a small home server for the rest of my Macs, and also to learn Linux. Now after reading a bit, I think I will first set up my old PPC G4 to learn on etc.
Questions:
1. Was thinking of installing Xubuntu. Would this be a good solution for this hardware, and should I download the latest version?
2. What book(s) do you recommend for learning Linux for newbies? I will reserve a few from the Library.
Thanks!
-Don, in Seattle WA, USA.

[kostasan]

You can also try Ubuntu, the mini-mac should have more than enough horsepower to run it well. The latest versions of both Ubuntu and Xubuntu are great and come with a 3 year support for updates. You should definitely go for the latest version 8.04. Other good user friendly distros are Mandriva, opensuse and Fedora.
You can also make any Linux distro look like a mac if you want, with the added bonus of compiz-fusion effects! Check this post: http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/ubu...x-desktop.html

[gsmd_bari]

I really wanted to install it on my old G-4 not the new mini. I wanted to wipe the hard disk clean then install the Ubuntu. How can I install this using Yaboot on a computer with no OS already? Sorry, I am a newbie here.

[L4Linux]

Ubuntu 8.04 does not support PPC. I suggest you try Debian that supports this architecture. Also, Ubuntu is Debian based.

[rokytnji]

Good source of PPC distros and shows what works on what.

penguinppc.org: Distributions

[gsmd_bari]

YES, I was going to install Ubuntu "6.something" or some such... I can't remember the version

[L4Linux]

Ubuntu 6.06, that supported PPC, is already 2 years old and will be supported with patches for 1 more year. Unfortunately Ubuntu 8.04 does not support PPC.

[gsmd_bari]

OK Thanks! I think I'll install Debian then. Can someone answer my question I posed three posts from the top?
-Don

[danielsmw]

The Debian website has a really good manual that talks about installing from different types of media. This is the manual for PPC: http://www.debian.org/releases/stabl...install.pdf.en. It discusses using yaboot as well. Check chapter 4.