[LOKEsTeR]

i tried to install Rh9 i got the cds but during install when it asked for the second disk i put it in. it had error cannot mount cdrom
not to sure if its my cdrom drive or the cds i got any help would be apperciated



thanks

[Whiteskin]

Most likely cd. Try checking the md5 sum of the iso.

[LOKEsTeR]

i got the cds from Red hat linux out the box but how do i check the md5 sum of the iso thans again whiteskin your help is aperciated

[AbvAvgUser]

I would suggest install Fedora 1 instead of Red Hat 9. Its from Red Hat but is the latest version. It could have been Red Hat 10 but Red Hat changed its business tactics and now its Fedora 1.

I have the CDs of Fedora, can give you a copy. I also have a new installation called PCQ Linux 2004. Its by a reputed Indian Tech magazine. This Linux version is based on Red Hat and at present is the only distro to carry KDE 3.2 and Kernel 2.6 (the latest ones). Both the distros are 3 CDs each.

[LOKEsTeR]

that sounds coo does fedora 1 have all the packets that Rhl9 has like python and perl i will run whatever linux i can to this computer i got for free to test linux if i like it i will abandon winblows xp but i got ot be sure its worth it know what i mean AbvAvgUser so if u could give a link to download fedora 1 i would install ...................i want to run linux on my dell insprion 2650 my primary system but i want to know if linux is good with wireless i got a US robotics turbo pc card do u know if linux supports it thanks again AbvAvgUser

[tsunam]

Yes fedora is the continued efforts of red hat corp. to in a way save face when dropping the non commercial version of linux.

Fedora is a continuation of the red hat system under a different name. It is basically going to be a testbed for stuff that may make its way into the commercial releases. Its also a community supported os, so that means that anyone and their uncle can contribute to the development of it. Its basically a win win for people who enjoy red hat's system, and for red hat as a test bed for commercial apps.

Since commercial applications need their systems to be predictable and stable. A personal os on the other hand doesn't need that .

[LOKEsTeR]

thanx tsunam for the info i really aperciate it does fedora come with more compatibilty than Rhl9 and what are the major diffrences between the other distros like slackware, mandrake,and susue which one would be better to work with a wireless card say US robotics turbo card cuz i just got one it works great on xp there like wireless access points in alot of places especialy in my neighborhood any more input would be nice thanx

[tsunam]

Hmm nice questions, means that your really interested in linux always a good sign.

Most distributions have support for a good amount of wireless connection hardware., you just have to compile it into the kernel. Now i haven't done fedora's install but there should be somewhere in it to a network setup and have the option to set up a wireless part. If not that might be something you have to go back and install after the initial install.

As far as the other distro's you touched on.

Suse, is a very popular get your feet wet type of os for linux. It comes out of Germany so make sure if you want to use it, you get the English install. Unless you want to learn German It's highly configurable.

Slackware is a windows replacement, meant to look like windows in essence. Think of it as windows without the bugs , and quicker bug fixes if there are any. Also a get feet wet os.

Mandrake, I've never personally used or any system that uses it but, it is highly recommended by the community in general for starting out as well.

So in other words you picked out a couple of distro's that were all good choices for getting into linux without diving so far in headfirst that you get lost in the muck.

Personally it comes down to a choice, I'd recommend either the fedora project, or mandrake. Course as i said that personal preference.

Also if you'd like to just see what linux is without having to install it there is a distro called Knoppix that is a live cd (basically a bootable linux from a cd rom, there's also linux distro's that fit on floppy's) These come with hardware detection that will tell you quite well if your hardware can and would be a issue if it has trouble finding it.

All these distro's mentioned above can be found at http://www.linuxiso.org . They are also the latest versions
of it on said site.

If you wonder about the multi disc iso's, they are generally cd's bundled with software such as kde gnome Open office

[LOKEsTeR]

thanx tsunami think i try fedora if i cant get the Rhl9 to work on my desk top what os are do u have and does fedora work good with laptops if i have any problems can i contact u about the wireless situation thanx for your help again tsunam

[Whiteskin]

I dont really think of slackware as a windows replacement, especially when it purports itself to be the most "unixy linux" out there. As a windows replacement, Lindows/Mandrake seem to be the front runners.

[tsunam]

I personally use Gentoo, I've enjoyed it and I do admit the emerge system with it is just a nice way to install stuff quickly, and update the entire system.

Laptops...I know a few friends who have laptops, not sure what kinds buts one runs slackware, and the other runs Knoppix. Just go with the redhat and see if it works.

Gentoo, is a bit more of a bang your head installer if you do it for the first time. Just as a warning. No nice graphical installer etc...although while doing it I did learn a good bit more of the heart of linux and what exactly things are, how to do them etc. It also made me curse my computer a bit, when it refused to do what i wanted. LOL but i think all our computers do that.

[Whiteskin]

On my laptop i run Debian stable (woody). I have a couple of things that i have built from source, but most of what comes installed under the laptop meta package in debian is good.

[AbvAvgUser]

I would suggest use Fedora or Red Hat or any distro based on them. One very simple reason. You will find more books, tips and sites for red hat than all other distros combined. It is easier for someone who wants to learn it on his own.

[LOKEsTeR]

thanks everyone for your help and input i went with Rh9 i just got it installed today one of the cds was bad. however, i was only exploring the os. One thing i could not find was the python program if anyone can tell where to retreive it. It would be greatly appreciated.

[Whiteskin]

YOur welcome.

Python program? You mean the interperter for python programs? I belive it would be here <http://www.python.org/>