Re: Where the F**K do I begin?

On Fri, 31 Aug 2007 02:54:34 -0500, GregForester wrote:

I have never even had any interest in Linux, but since I just got a new
computer I have my old Pentium III 700mhz.
[snip]
Well, all I really wanted to do was see what Linux looked like on my
screen. I really had no intention to actually use it.
[snip]
Greg

Greg, I have two pieces of advice for you:

First, if you seriously want to learn about linux, go to your local
bookstore and visit the computer section. Not sure what's in your area,
but major booksellers like Barnes and Noble, or on-line stores like
Amazon will have books that cover the major distros like Ubuntu, Fedora,
etc. Make sure you find a book that has an included DVD (or CD, if you
don't have a DVD drive). Then not only do you have the installation media
without a long download, you have a handy guide on how to install and use
the new operating system and it's major software applications. Yeah, I
know, buying these books isn't cheap (they retail in the $50 range), but
like the old saying goes, 'If you think education is expensive, try
ignorance'. Without any guidance or experience, I can practically
guarantee that you won't be impressed with linux and will likely give up
in frustration. But learning as you go with a good guide may make you
give up Win98 and WinXP entirely. The rewards of linux seem to me to be
directly related to the amount of effort put forth by the user.

Second, starting your posting with the subject "Where the F**k do I
begin" and ranting about how confusing it all seems is a great way to
invite flamers and to have most of the others in the group ignore or kill
file your post; it makes you sound like a troll. Read the FAQ for the
group about posting, then check out sk8r-365's post "Something Newbies
Should Know", still one of the best bits of advice for linux beginners I
have seen to date.

Good Luck

Rich

.

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