[HenryVI]

I want Linux, but I don't want to put it on my comp because I'm afraid I will mess it up. And don't you work a lot in the command prompt with Linux?

[DW49]

HenryVI,
I suggest that you do like I do..check out this site:
http://distrowatch.com/

for a 'live' cd version that looks appealing to you..download and burn it to a cd, and try it out. By using a live cd..you don't have to install anything to your computers hard drive, the software runs off of the cd that you burned via your computers memory. I hope this helps..
David

[lynch]

Originally Posted by HenryVI

I want Linux, but I don't want to put it on my comp because I'm afraid I will mess it up. And don't you work a lot in the command prompt with Linux?

Go here for a list of LiveCDs that wont be installed to a hard drive but will run from CD.
Yes, the command prompt is a very handy thing if you are a computer user (as opposed to a person who just uses a computer.) Saying that, you could get by with a minimal knowledge of the CLI. Try Knoppix or Mepis or Ubuntu for a LiveCD point n click experience.
lynch

[Stoner]

Hi HenryVI

I think you might like the new distro of Slax to check out.
It's about a 200mb download, so it's quick on a broadband connection.
Check the cheat codes, now it all can be loaded in ram and is faster than having to constantly go back to the CD.
http://slax.linux-live.org/download.php

An even smaller download is DSL or Damn Small Linux.
http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/
50mb download.

A lot of people like Knoppix
http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html


Here's a comprehensive list of 'Live CDs'
http://www.frozentech.com/content/li...ort=&showonly=

enjoy

[gotrootdude]

don't you work a lot in the command prompt with Linux?

If you want to fully experience linux, you'll need to become familier with the command line. A lot of software is not pre-configured for each distro, and sooner or later you'll need to learn how to compile and install from the console. It's not hard. The hardest part is probably learning that mounted drives show up in the /mnt/directory and you need to learn how to use the chown, chgrp, and chmod commands to set directory permissions.

When people say they run linux, generally they are saying that they run programs using the linux kernal.. Linux itself is only the part that handles the input and output commands of the computer.. Every-thing else, such as your GUI "Gnome, Blackbox, WM, KDE.." is added onto the linux kernal. You can make your own linux by starting with a minimallistic distro, then adding on the programs that you want..

If you do this, you need to keep in mind that some (actually most) programs built for linux require other programs to work.. The programs needed to make others work are called dependencies. Newer distros, such as red-hat, debian, etc, include tools that will resolve and correct the dependencies in the background, so you don't have to worry about them as much. But it's still a good idea, when you go to install something new, to check if anything else is needed and install it first.

[HenryVI]

Well I have a cd that I borrowed from the library in a book called Linux for Dummies, and it came with redhat 8 on the cd. With a cd can you just run it for a testdrive so to speak, meaning can you just look at it to see if you would like it, or do you install it then play around with it?