Re: Which distribution etc

brennfalcon wrote:
Hi,
I'm keen to give Linux a try but would be grateful for some advice on
distribution etc.

I need to install it alongside windows xp on an Athlon 64 dual core
machine and fairly IT savvy, having used PCs for well over a decade
but wouldn't call myself an expert so any advice from experienced
Linux/Windows users would be great.

Welcome!
Before you go so far as to install, why not use the Live CDs which many distributions offer? These are fully functional systems which will run from the CD drive (albeit slower than if installed), and run in RAM only, not using your hard drive. My favourite is Kubuntu - one of the Ubuntu family.

You will see that your hardware works (hopefully) and will be using the system - harmlessly - in minutes! Remember that the relevant forums etc will be invaluable.

Things will 'just work' for most of the popular Linux distributions. However, please be aware that your windows experience is a false friend. It is so product specific that you will find the rituals and hocus pocus that you have become familiar with do not help with Linux, and for a short while, you may find some frustrations. But not for long!

Using a spare (low spec?) machine is an ideal and very painless way of starting out. A PIII with a lot of RAM and a network card will be fine, and any time your ambitious curiosity with your new powerful OS takes you into screwup territory, you can just laugh!

good luck!
--
ac
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Linux - for Scotty
    ... But it will let you get a feel for linux, to help you decide if it is ... As to distributions, I've not played with a great variety. ... If you choose to install a distro to a hard drive, performance is, ...
    (alt.support.mult-sclerosis)
  • Re: Making Linux Easy for Newbies
    ... Not even saying installing software on a Linux Distro is hard. ... I've never had to read installation instructions for Windows software. ... Never had to type a single command line command to install it. ... I've downloaded and installed many versions of several distributions. ...
    (alt.os.linux)
  • Re: Of mice and men
    ... I really need some kind of "Introduction to Linux" because I have no idea ... It comes as 'distributions' which you tailor to your needs. ... > install (along with Redhat's Anaconda? ... > issue with getting a "freebie" version is just limited to the support. ...
    (comp.lang.cobol)
  • Re: "academic linux distribution"
    ... Although it's not hard to install and offers ... accident) from Discount Linux CDs and have been pleased with their service. ... Are there any distributions that don't have these, ... Some of these do not qualify as Free Software or even open source. ...
    (comp.os.linux.misc)
  • Re: Help me choose the Linux desktop distribution l should use
    ... I am ready to jump in the Linux bandwagon but i am still hesitating as ... experience with various desktop distributions in the future, ... I am reading a lot about Ubuntu. ... Live CDs - boot and run from the CD with no install necessary. ...
    (comp.os.linux.misc)