[techkid]

Hi all,

I'm a newbie when it comes to using Linux, but I am considering learning how to properly use it on my system. I am pretty good when it comes to using Windows (installing software and maintaining some level of administrative control) (I hear you say "As if that was hard!" ), but now I would like to take Linux for a test drive.

I would like your opinions on selecting a distribution that would prove to be a real learning curve for me, but has a reasonable ease-of-use in the following areas:

- Installing 3rd party software
- Configuring a Wireless adapter
- Networking
- General administration

Any suggestions would be most welcome.

[Elvandil]

For learning, it's good to have plenty of support and forums to consult. For that reason, and due to its popularity and the fact that your knowledge can be put to use on some production models that come with it, I'd suggest Ubuntu.

[CouchMaster]

Largest Linux support forum on the planet - http://ubuntuforums.org/
If you start using Linux you won't need all of that stuff listed in your Sig. (SpyWareBlaster etc.) anymore!

[kickback999]

Ok completely ignore those people.
If you want to learn about Linux and a reasonably steep learning curve yet simple:
- Installing 3rd party software
- Configuring a Wireless adapter
- Networking
- General administration
I would suggest Gentoo. A lot of people say that Gentoo is complicated, but really they provide excellent step by step instructions for the hardest things (e.g. installation) and have excellent and very helpful forums.
TBH you dont sound like you want the simpletons Linux, but if Gentoo looks a bit too complex for you, I suggest Fedora. Its just that bit more like a real linux than Ubuntu, while retaining user friendliness for the tasks you listed (well its at least as user friendly as ubuntu, while being faster and more customisable)
If you do want the very most simple type of (real) Linux, then maybe try Ubuntu, although there are some that are just imitations of XP for the complete computer newby that are very easy to use but dont let you really learn anything.

[techkid]

Hmm...

You all have given me something to consider. I have heard good things about Ubuntu, but I've also heard that, in its respect, it's a bit "WinXP Home" in comparison to other Linux distributions.

Fedora is known to be a bit more of a challenge. I tried to run Fedora Core 6 once, but I had a devil of a time trying to set up the wireless card on my laptop.

I haven't heard anything about Gentoo yet, so I can't make any comparisons on this score.

I'll leave the thread open for a while. Ubuntu seems to be in the lead at this point, and I am considering that it might be the way to go. Maybe once I get the hang of it, I might bump it up to something like Fedora.

[kickback999]

Fedora's wireless networking is much better now than it was (all Linux distros are improving very rapidly!)
Gentoo is a "proper" Linux. To install it, that has to be done on command line, you have to partition the hard disk yourself, install the base programs yourself from the source (it compiles automatically anyway)
and compile the kernel yourself.
It sounds complicated but they do provide very good instructions on installing it and all you really need to do is read and copy in the commands it says. So its definately not as complex as it sounds or looks.
The advantage is you get a system perfectly configured to exactly what you want and it is very fast (faster even than Fedora)
Generally speaking, Linux these days is not really a challenge to anyone as long as you know how to google search or ask for help on a forum. If you can do that then no problem will prove too tough for you.

[saikee]

A newbie's good food guide in Linux.

Personally I can't understand why people ask which one to install. There is no law against installing all of them. 99% Linuux are free and are just a download away. If you can install and boot one Linux you can do the same to next 100 of them.

Who are better than yourself to judge which Linux is best for you?

[kickback999]

Good point. It is much easier to install multiple linuxes than windowses.
and select the one you want to boot from the grub menu

[techkid]

I've made my decision, and I think I will attempt Ubuntu. It might be a "simpletons" Linux, but I think I could use it as a leg up to bigger and better distros, such as Fedora or Gentoo.

Thank you all for your input.

[kickback999]

How is Ubuntu easier than Fedora?

[monckywrench]

"Who are better than yourself to judge which Linux is best for you?"

No one. Saikee hit the nail on the head.

Try many, try them on a spare computer (a KVM switch is nice to have for that) so you can keep your main box online to help you learn, and try many live CDs. (They are easy to use and make great rescue tools for Linux AND Windows.

[techkid]

Well, I have successfully installed Ubuntu on my system. I must admit it is pretty easy to handle.

I did enjoy connecting to my wireless router (once I learned how, I saved the link so I can remember it), and have successfully done my own software installations (easy again, I decided to try the BOINC client for SETI@Home). I also like that I have access to my Windows partition (since I have had to leave my MP3s behind due to lack of space).

All in all, I think I made the right choice, and I look forward to expanding my knowledge here.

[CouchMaster]

[minoruhackerguy]

Ah. I think you made a good choice using Ubuntu. Though I would agree that Fedora is more like a typical linux OS, I still would recommend ubuntu to begin with BECAUSE it's so simple to use. BUT! Don't let yourself think that all Distro's are this way. Learn the command line tools as much as you can. The terminal is the heart of ALL linux distros and, if you know how to use it, you'll find you use it more than you'd think. Also, push your knowledge. Don't always use the software managers to install software. Try compiling programs yourself. If you keep pushing yourself you'll soon be able to do anything on linux.