Re: I've had it with Windows--I'm switching to Linux

HIT Fanatic wrote:
[...]
I started a Torrent download of Fedora Core 6--is this a suitable version of Linux? I admit right now, not knowing very much about installing Linux. I have done some basic administration of RedHat servers at a previous job, but these were already set up, and I simply followed pre-written instructions on how to reboot web applications and the servers in question. Because of my knowledge of MS-DOS, I'm fairly certain that this knowledge is easily transferable for the Linux command line. I also know all about the -rwxrwxrwx thing.

I have not used FC6 except perhaps briefly as a live CD. It is a popular distribution and should be no problem.
Other choices can be seen at for example
www.distrowatch.com

I would suggest a little caution when reading on from msdos to linux command line. In my own limited experience the only thing you would take from one to the other would be careful typing. Linux cl is pretty powerful.

My concern is by choosing a certain flavor of Linux, that certain applications might not work for me.

generally windows programs and viruses will not run.

Programs in linux can usually begin - if you wish - from source code, which you may compile and make and install into your particular distro. That is something I try hard to avoid though. A distro such as FC6 (or mine, kubuntu) has thousands of programs available ready to install effortlessly with a mouse click or two. You choose if you want an easy life (!) :-)

Can Fedora run most Ubuntu programs?

Fedora is I believe based on red hat so will use .rpm packages. These are self installing files.
Ubuntu is based on debian and uses .deb approaches. However, it is possible in theory to convert a .rpm file into a .deb file. The results are not guaranteed so your experience needs to be ready to cope.

Distribution specific packages are abundant and are already checked out for your trouble free use.

Are all Linux programs supposed to theorhetically work on all versions of Linux because of the kernel?

With very broad brush principles, yes. But the packages will have specific needs - many libraries, dependencies, other packages etc. All will have very specific versions needs. It can be very onerous for a beginner, and possibly a thankless task.
You *can* compile your own kernel, to your specific needs, with the modules of your choice. This is not how I choose to use linux though.

hth
--
alan c
Kubuntu user#10391
.

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