[InterKnight]

I was supposed to receive a copy of Red Hat Linux 9 from my college professor, but unfortunately I do not think that he will be able to get it to me for quite some time. I have read about all of the different distributions of Linux, and I want to try to get a copy as soon as I can, but I am not sure which one I should choose. I am going to have to try to find a free version from online somewhere though, that I can copy to a CD to install because my budget is not permitting much when it comes to this; this is the reason I wanted to try Linux, knowing that it is supposed to be freely distributed.
I am a bit disappointed that I did not receive a copy today, but I really would like to start working with Linux as soon as I can. I am really tired of Windows to a certain point. I bought a book on Linux tonight, a pocket reference; I just realized that it was for Fedora, but I am unfamiliar with this. I have Linux experience, and I want to expand that to something entirely intense.
My only concern is that of my vision. I am legally blind...I have sight in only one eye. I can see well enough to work with Windows thanks to magnification software, and I can also work with Linux because of the negative color scheme (white text on a black background).
Is there a site that I could go to download a version of Linux for free? If so, which distribution would be best recommended? And are the commands the same on all versions, or are there some differences? I am really excited about working with Linux, and I honestly hope to work with it on my PC as soon as possible. I am really anticipating it. But what would be the best way to set up a partition so that I can boot from Windows or Linux? I have heard bad and good things about this kind of set up. My main concern is that my wife uses Windows, and I still intend on using it as well, but I really wish to work with Linux.
What path should I take?
Thanks in advance for all advice and guidance.

Also, will I find any worth in the Fedora Pocket Reference book that I purchased?

[lynch]

For the most part, the commands are the same and that book will help you. I have it and wish it had been around a few years ago.
Go to www.linuxiso.org to get a copy of Fedora or just about any other distro there is.
HTH
lynch

[saikee]

Linux is in the Internet everywhere available for download.

This distrowatch site announces new ones almost every other day and you can just click the iso you want, download into the PC and burn the image.

That is how I build all my systems.

Budget? What budget, just a plain CD-R for one distro generally. Big system like Fedora needs 4 CDs.

Dual boot? What dual boot? You can load as many Linux and Windows you want and boot all of them by Grub. The other Linux bootloader Lilo can do a maximum of 15. Even the Windows can boot 9 Linux if you kick its axx. I wouldn't even consider a Linux has been installed if it does boot Windows.

[InterKnight]

Thank you for all of the guidance.
When I spoke of my budget, I meant that I thought I may have to purchase a distribution from a store, and the cheapest I saw (last night, actually) was $60.
I am currently a college student, and due to the circumstances concerning my vision, I face a lot of rejection from employers...so I am going to dedicate myself to doing well in college to prove to them that I am capable of doing what I say I can...and along the way I want to build my knowledge in Linux among other things. But unfortunately, I only receive SSI each month (which I feel I do not deserve...I want to work for what I get...), so my income does not allow for much.
I was wondering, though, would it be best suited for me to go with the Fedora distro?
I appreciate all of your help, and I hope to see you all soon in the forums.
Take care.

[saikee]

I give each distro a 5Gb partition. Fully stretched Fedora needs about 7Gb and should be housed in a 10Gb partition.

The easiest one to get into could be Knoppix 3.6 as

(1) It has only one CD
(2) Boots up a fully system in 5 minutes flat, without asking you a question or a driver.
(3) If it doesn't fire up all your hardware you don't have to install it.
(4) It is a full system that can run on CD and does not have to be installed into a hard disk.
(5) It is good for just using it as a tool, say to clone a XP partition, repair hard disk partition table, rescuing other Linux etc.

Most other Linux live CDs can do all of the above too.

[craisin]

Thanks Ive ordered a Knoppix CD here in New Zealand cost $10-90 delivered choice

[saikee]

Yoper is a Linux from New Zealand that does the similar job.

I don't know the exchange rate but many Linux CDs are given away with Linux magazines.

The latest versions are always downloadable but it may be difficult to get hooked to the new releases as everybody is downloading too.

There is no harm in support a Linux community but the cost of the software should be just for preparing the CDs.

[Whiteskin]

There is also accesability software. i know that Gnome has been making great steps forward in its accesibility. http://developer.gnome.org/projects/gap/

[InterKnight]

I have been trying to download Fedora Core 3 at various times today, but I keep getting messages stating that the servers are full. I don't think that this will be a problem, but my concern is what exactly to do when it comes to burning the ISOs to CDs and then installing them. I read the instructions at http://fedora.redhat.com/download, but I am not exactly sure what to do when it comes to the installation. I just want to make sure that everything is done correctly as to prevent as many problems as possible. Any ideas on how to go about this? I am completely inexperienced with the burning of ISOs and the installation of Linux. Thanks for any guidance provided.

[saikee]

If you have Nero (Mine is Nero5)

click file

click burn image

select the iso image from your file directories

and then click write.

That is all to it.

[FF103]

In the last few months I have become quite a fan of Yoper, It installs from one CD and can be downloaded for free. it uses apt-get to install debian packages. Seems to have some promise, if they could keep their servers up.