Re: Learning debian Linux

From: ben (ben_foley_at_web.de)
Date: 11/20/03

  • Next message: Johann Spies: "Re: Learning debian Linux" 
    Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2003 11:43:46 +0000
To: debian-user@lists.debian.org

    On Thu, 20 Nov 2003 10:42:31 +0100
    "Knut Willy" <willy35@c2i.net> wrote:

    > I am a novice at Linux. Never used it, but want to teach myself.

    fair enough. good luck.

    >
    > 1. Have a Windows-98 PC, which has internet connection.
    > Do not intend to use Linux on this one.
    > Afraid of having two operating systems on same machine.

    no need to be afraid, but it's your machine; you shouldn't anything with
    it that you don't want to do.

    >
    > 2. Have a portable Compaq PC, (Windows-95) on which I intend to
    > install Linux.
    > This Compaq has no internet connection, no CD station. Only a A:
    > station for 1,44 mb diskettes.
    >
    > 3. My intention is to do all downloading on the Win-98 PC, and then
    > copy everything over to the Compaq, using diskettes.

    that, while do-able, can get really tedious. if you could set up a cable
    (serial or parallel) between the two machines, it would make the process
    much easier.

    >
    > 4. I read somewhere that Debian Linux is the best choice for a novice
    > learner. And also that one does not need to install EVERYTHING from
    > Linux.
    > Just a small starter package will do. A minimum package.

    first, whoever wrote that debian is the best choice for a novice was
    smoking out of the wrong end of his pipe. more competent commentators
    have said that it's not necessarily the linux to start with, but the one
    to end up with. very few tend to go with debian from the start, which
    doesn't mean you shouldn't give it a go. i'm sure there must be some
    here who did stick with it from the first try.

    if you're primarily interested in a linux distro that's easy to use, you
    might want to check out mandrake, which really holds your hand in every
    aspect of the installation. while that sounds like a good thing, it can
    end up feeling very restrictive, especially as one becomes more familiar
    with what a linux distribution should and can provide. that said,
    mandrake is a good place to start.

    as far as enabling a minimal installation, most linux distros will let
    you trim the system, but if you want to run x, i.e. have a windows
    similar gui, you're going to need about 500megs of space, depending on
    which window manager you end up using.

    the thing with debian is that the learning curve is pretty steep. if
    you're determined to go ahead--and please don't think that i'm trying to
    discourage you--then, along with whatever steps you undertake to get the
    system loaded, use the web to read as much as you can about what you're
    getting into. debian is not an out-of-the-box solution, but, if you can
    handle the initial frustration, the reward is getting the best linux
    available, with the best support from this list. that's something else
    to keep in mind, that most debian users end up spending a portion of
    almost every day, reading and writing to this list.
    >
    > 5. Is it possible to go ahead as I have mentioned above?

    i think the best answer overall would be to say, yes, it's theoretically
    possible, although a bit more information about the compaq and about
    what you mean by "minimal" would make it easier to be more supportive.

    ben 

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