[AbvAvgUser]

I am a total newbie to Linux and would be installing and trying it for the first time. I will installing Linux distributed by a reputed Tech Magazine. The Linux version is based on Red Hat 8 and so will have most of its features (and drawbacks, if any). I have following questions.

• Can I have DOS and Linux installed as dual OS? I guess I surely can. I have a couple of DOS based applications that print to Dot-Matrix printers quickly and if Linux is there, I don't need Windows . Or is it possible to execute DOS applications from Linux in anyway? If yes, I don't even need DOS
• I have a Plextor 16x10x40 CD-RW drive. Is there a free software in Linux for burning CD-R/CD-RW?
• Is there a reliable free anti-virus available for Linux (like AVG)? Or is the system secure enough if I don't log-in as root?
• I have a 56 KBPS internal Motorola Modem. I have heard Linux has problems with internal modem. Can I not connect to the net using this internal modem?

Any tips/advise/recommendations will be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[lynch]

I am a total newbie to Linux and would be installing and trying it for the first time. I will installing Linux distributed by a reputed Tech Magazine. The Linux version is based on Red Hat 8 and so will have most of its features (and drawbacks, if any). I have following questions.
[list][*]Can I have DOS and Linux installed as dual OS? I guess I surely can. I have a couple of DOS based applications that print to Dot-Matrix printers quickly and if Linux is there, I don't need Windows . Or is it possible to execute DOS applications from Linux in anyway? If yes, I don't even need DOS

Yes, you can install linux to a computer that is running DOS.
Depending on what printer you have and what kind of applications you run with that printer,you may not need DOS at all.
There is a program that comes with Linux called wine that will run some win16 and win32 programs.
[*]I have a Plextor 16x10x40 CD-RW drive. Is there a free software in Linux for burning CD-R/CD-RW?

I burn tons of CDs with that same exact CD-RW drive .I use XCD-Roast as my burning software of choice.It should come with your distribution.
[*]Is there a reliable free anti-virus available for Linux (like AVG)? Or is the system secure enough if I don't log-in as root?

As a rule,there arent many viri created to attack Linux systems though there have been some.I would say,you dont need virus protection unless you plan to run a mail-server that can be accessed from the internet.And yes,running as a regular user is safe enough;just never surf the internet as root
[*]I have a 56 KBPS internal Motorola Modem. I have heard Linux has problems with internal modem. Can I not connect to the net using this internal modem?

It really depends on wether or not the modem is hardware-based(it has it's own controller) or is a software modem,ie. a winmodem.If you can find the chipset numbers on the modem,you can check here for the best information on your particular modem.

I hope this answers some of your questions.
lynch

[AbvAvgUser]

Thanks lynch for all the tips. The information will surely be useful.

I have no plans to run a mail server. I am going to use it on my desktop at home.

I will have a look at wine.

I am not going to use any printers with this machine. But I do major confidential data entry at this machine in a DOS based accounting program, transfer it to another windows machine via e-mail and print it there. So may be recognising a printer on the machine is not a problem. Only thing that I need is that application should run there.

I will have a look at the CD-Burner software that you mentioned. Hope that it comes bundled with my installation and it works with my Plextor CD-RW drive.