Linux Flavor

[pentachris]

After spending a few daysreading up on Linux, I'm getting ready to take the plunge.

Redhat seems to be very polished, though perhaps daunting for the new user.

Mandrake seems to be very customizable, though perhaps requiring excessive configuration to get some applications to work as you want them to work on your particualar hardware.

Lycoris seems to be designed for the new user with everything working as it should, though perhaps a bit limited in its "growing room" (as the user becomes more experienced, they might look for a different distro that offers immediate access to some of Linux's advanced capabilities).

If you've got a different take, an alternate suggestion or reccomendation, whatever - please post your thoughts and help me make an informed decision.

Thanks! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

edit Note that I plan to dual-boot with Windows 98 on a 13 GB (decimal) hard drive.

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Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

[This message has been edited by pentachris (edited 04-15-2002).]

[yawningdog]

I recommend Mandrake 8.2. The only problems I've had have been getting Java applets to work in the various browsers available, but I've gotten all those problems ironed out, so I can help if you need it. It detected all of my hardware flawlessly and I've yet to load a driver. In the year I've been using Linux, it's been crash free, except the time I tried to change floppies without unmounting first.

When I first installed Red Hat 7.0, I had to re-partition. I'm not sure if partitioning has gotten easier since. I could swear I remember reading that Mandrake was working on partitioning automatically during install.

Dual booting against win98 is a snap. Both lilo and grub boot utilities work great.

Good Luck. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Linux- Because you wouldn't buy a car with the hood welded shut, why should your O.S. be different?

[This message has been edited by yawningdog (edited 04-15-2002).]

[pentachris]

Yawningdog: Thanks for your reply and offer for further help. I'm sure I'll be taking you up on it. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif

Regarding boot loaders: know anything about XOSL (http://www.xosl.org)?

I noticed a few options Mandrake installation offers that I'm not sure about:

dhcpcd, dhcpxd or dhcp-client? (I'll be using a Motorola cable modem and a SMC NIC)

CUPS, LPRng or PDQ? (I'll be using an HP inkjet - I want CUPS, right?)

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Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

[Rick]

I have to agree with the Mandrake 8.2 being the way to go

After years of Off and On using Linux .

I have used RH, Debian based and Now Mandrake

I will suggest you Use Grub as a Boot loader.
It’s easier to work with.
Easier to Change the configuration
You can floppy boot using it
In Fact with a little effort you can add new
Operating system without losing the boot loader

[mjc]

Mandrake...installs fairly easily (unless you have some unusal hardware or going for something more than a normal dual boot), detected my hardware, an i810 chipset with an addin PCI vid card, the only problem I had was configuring my printer (but that was kind of HPs fault...Mandrake did not like the ECP setting for the parallel port, which I believe HP is not quite using the standard configuration for).

8.2 does have a couple of difficulties with some of the newest hardware (I can think of someone who had problems with SMP on an AthlonMP setup.. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif), but mainly that is a Linux thing in general...takes a little while for kernel support to catch up to the hardware, but if you are running hardware over a year or two old it should all be detected...

ANd if you have a broadband connection you may find this place interesting http://www.linuxiso.org/

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[pentachris]

Thanks, Rick. I was leaning towards GRUB over LILO, but still considering XOSL.

Gnome or KDE? I know I can always change later, but I'd like to start learning with the best instead of finding out later I should change and have to back up and learn the other.

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Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

[Rick]

If you have the HP printer turned on during the Install
Mandrake will ask if you want to use auto detect for the printer.
Just for grins during the last install
I let it do it.
It found and identified My HP 970c correctly loaded the drivers and printed a test print during the installation ..


MJC I think I know who your talking about http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif
BTW. The fix was a Bios update and mandrake 8.2 ..
Long Live SMP http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/tongue.gif

Why not Just install both. KDE and Gnome
You can switch between them at boot /log in .

Then decide what GUI you prefer .

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 04-15-2002).]

[pentachris]

Excellent. Seeing as how I've already got the Mandrake discs burned and I've got friends here who are using it and recommend it, that's what I'll go with. Thanks, and watch this space for cries for help! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

[iisbob]

Gee, i feel positively left out with my old RH 5.1! Still running it in cmd line! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

never could get the Xconfigurator to get my setings right on an old trident pci card with it-so i just use it to hone my cmd line linux skills with.

I've got Mandrake 8.2 installed on a seperate PC also to try it out-installed it awhile back and have no problem's, other than when i forget that i'm not in window's anymore and try to access a feature as if i was still in windows'. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

haven't ever seen the Lycoris distro before-have to check that one out. Didn't like the new EZlinux-and i've noticed that Corel is now Xanadu-wonder what kernel changes they've made to it?




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iisbob

Computer-Show me the Enterprise; no bloody A, no bloody B, and no bloody C-just the original...Mr Scott { from a STNG episode }

[Rick]

Corel Is Now Xanadu ? I dropped them after Version 2.
When did they drop Debian?

I’d stay away from corel.
I got Poor support from them when I paid for the Deluxe with WP 8 included.
They are porting everything to Wine Not Linux..