Re: Newbie needs help..

On Thu, 30 Nov 2006 12:07:39 -0800, KevinB wrote:

I'm a programmer/analyst by trade, so I know a lot about computers, but
I'll be the first to admit my basic lack of skills when it comes to
configuring and installing new hardware. I just received a brand
spanking new 400 GB hard drive, and I want to get to know Linux.

What I'd appreciate is some pointers to resources that tell me how to
partition my new hardware, and what other steps I need to take to get
up and running on Linux. I have a pretty bog standard Dell box, about 2
years old, and I don't have any fancy peripherals like cameras, etc.; a
Lexmark printer is about it. So I just need basic information at this
time.

Any help would be appreciated, and I'd also like to hear what distro
you think is easiest for a newbie to install and learn (I did
successfully install Caldera about five years ago, but that was on
existing hardware, and I had purchased their manual and CD; this time I
wanted to try it strictly off the net.) Thanks in advance for your help!

FWIW - there isn't any 'best' or 'easiest' or whatever. There are over 350
active Linux distributions - it's naive to think there is a 'best'
solution on such meager criteria. I suggest you go to distrowatch.com and
look around for a bit and see what appeals.

Since you're new to Linux (or will be) I'd recommend you take the simplest
partitioning approach for your first few installs - all you need is a swap
partition and one for root (/). I suggest you allot about 10-20 gb per
distro and reuse the same swap for all. Pick out several interesting
distros and install them - it is quite simple to multiboot.

.

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