Re: Switching to Linux, now what to buy?

From: Peter T. Breuer (ptb_at_oboe.it.uc3m.es)
Date: 09/23/05 

Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 16:22:53 +0200

pmlonline@gmail.com wrote:
> cheapbytes.com, but I have no idea what flavor of linux to buy. I see

Then buy them all. Or download them for free. What's the problem?

> CD's and which one is the correct one to buy. For example, they have
> "CheapBytes Fedora Linux 1 Install Set, $13" and "CheapBytes Fedora
> Linux 1 Full Set, $7" Are they both install cd's? What's the

Ask Cheapbytes. Why ask us? What is an "install cd"? I don't know what
you mean by the term ... do you mean it contains a program of some kind
that copies the rest of the stuff on the cds onto your disk and then
asks you some foolish questions about what to put in some exceedinly
bvious configuration files?

> difference? I just want to install the darn thing and get it over
> with-- no servers,

Eh? Every linux machine is a server of many things, even if only to itself.
How will you run any graphical applications without an X server? How
will you receive mail without a mail server? How will you log in to
your box without an ssh server?

> just a good secure firefox or netscape browser,

Then anything will do. As it would if you wanted a "server".

> calculator, good word processor.

> I have an old 7.1 Mandrake, but I can't get it to work with my dhcp
> router.

That's nothing to do with mandrake. A router which serves DHCP requests
respons when you run a dhclient. The client does the rest of the config.
Run dhclient and see!

> I have spent two solid days on it, read all the forums. It
> won't work! Someone said I need to install the dhcp-client.

Of course you do! How else would you ask the dhcp server for an IP
address lease?

  
> Did that,

Well, that's a start! Are you ging to tell us you turned on the computer
next?

Wow!

What happened when you RAN dhclient?

> still don't work.

How do you know? What did you do that you think should "work" and what
do you consider "work"? What does tcpdump show of the conversation?
What does dhclient say?
 
> I thought maybe 7.1 doesn't understand the latest
> version of dhcp

It's nothing to do with the kernel or the distro. It's purely a
function of your client.

Many things could be wrong. Not configuring a hostname in
dhclient.conf, for example. But until you show us yoru config and or
the tcpdump, we won't know, and nor will you!

> until I talked to my friend who installed the latest
> Mandrake 1.5 years ago. He said it didn't work with his dhcp also, but

It works fine.

> that was 1.5 years ago. We both are behind a router. That's one good

DHCP does not pass routers.

> thing about Windows-- you just tell it you're using dhcp and it works.

On linux you just run dhclient and it works! Why is windows making it
so hard for you?

> I see a good buy on Mandrake, "CheapBytes Official Mandrake Linux 10.1
> (4 CD-R) $9" Is Mandrake still the kick as king in Linux security?

Eh? Linux does not need "security"!

> Don't get me wrong, user-friendly is just as important to me as

Nonsense. "Idiot-friendly "is what you want.

Peter

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