thinking about eventually building a inux box to play around with and test. Not sure what this would entail. I know that linux is basicly an os without a gui, but how hard is it to learn the commands? As well if you can tell me like minimum system requirments for the box id appreciate it.
Linux
- Thread starter JFHuff
- Start date
codeman0013
Active Member
linux is not very detailed and intern it does not need a lot of memory to run or anything specific i have an old old box at home with 256mb memory and integrated video and sound and an old p3 in it and it runs it just fine with no problems also linux if you download fedora core 5 it has a gui by default on it now very easy to learn and fun to play with i have messed around a lot and even have it set as a local server let me know if i can help you at all man
Camper
New Member
You can try knoppix live cd Linux and boot it on your computer without installing anything. It also has a GUI almost all Linux distros do. The command are a little harder then DOS but not to hard to pick up.
http://www.knoppix.org/
http://www.knoppix.org/
Motoxrdude
Active Member
Knoppix is good. Linux is like DOS, but the distros are like windows xp, 2000 etc. Downloading just linux is extremely hard to set up, so i would just download a distro and customize that. The commands arent hard at all. Some good linux distros are knoopix, slax, ubuntu, fedora core 5, puppy linux and blag linux. Each is good in its own way and you have to experiment with them until you find the ones you like best.
dhaynes
New Member
Another good distro for Linux is Ubuntu. You can check it out here: http://www.ubuntu.com
Motoxrdude
Active Member
The most popular distros for a full install of Linux are Puppy for beginners, Knoppix and ubuntu both have Live for cd versions, Slackware, Mandrake, SUSe, and Fedora being a Red Hat distro being more server orientated. Unlike Windows or Apple/MAC you are running an OS very similar in structure to UNIX. It takes the creation of 3 or 4 paritions rather then a single for a Liinux installation to be successful. Boot, Root, usually 2gb Swap for a newer version like Fedora 4 or 5, and even an extended partition.
Linux also needs a loader like Grub or Lilo to start the gui seen on the more recent versions. Since Linux is open for change unlike MS or Apple/MAC a new feature once added or an improvement after submission is usually labled the "flavor of the month" under that infamous nickname. Many of the new "flavors" even now are starting to support games originally written for Windows or MAC. Hardware manufacturers are also starting to provide drivers for Linux at their support sites.
Linux also needs a loader like Grub or Lilo to start the gui seen on the more recent versions. Since Linux is open for change unlike MS or Apple/MAC a new feature once added or an improvement after submission is usually labled the "flavor of the month" under that infamous nickname. Many of the new "flavors" even now are starting to support games originally written for Windows or MAC. Hardware manufacturers are also starting to provide drivers for Linux at their support sites.
timothyb89
New Member
I dunno...
I'd try SUSE. It's what I'm using now, anyway.
I've used at least 20 distros, and so far the easiest to set up and use has been SUSE (sooza).
Fedora Core is okay, but still not the best for beginners.
Ubuntu/Kubuntu both are not the best. I know a lot of people say that, but I must ask them a question: "Have you even tried other distros to compare ubuntu with?"
I have Kubuntu installed of my disk. I'll admit, hardware support is okay, but apart from that, it's useless (I mean that the lack of programs that are in the download repository is a real problem).
My personal reccomendations are SUSE and PCLinuxOS. The only problem I've ever had with SUSE was that I have to run alsaconf when I start because I sound card has issues.
Both install fine, just have a swap partition around 2 GB. You only need a swap partition and a / partition that around 10 GBs If you need a free partitioner, try GParted (live cd version available) and READ THE MANUAL unless you know what you are doing.
Just to note, I have installed all of the distros listed above BUT slackware. I am planning to get my VMware install running again so I can install it. (Windows commited suicide on me)
I'd try SUSE. It's what I'm using now, anyway.
I've used at least 20 distros, and so far the easiest to set up and use has been SUSE (sooza).
Fedora Core is okay, but still not the best for beginners.
Ubuntu/Kubuntu both are not the best. I know a lot of people say that, but I must ask them a question: "Have you even tried other distros to compare ubuntu with?"
I have Kubuntu installed of my disk. I'll admit, hardware support is okay, but apart from that, it's useless (I mean that the lack of programs that are in the download repository is a real problem).
My personal reccomendations are SUSE and PCLinuxOS. The only problem I've ever had with SUSE was that I have to run alsaconf when I start because I sound card has issues.
Both install fine, just have a swap partition around 2 GB. You only need a swap partition and a / partition that around 10 GBs If you need a free partitioner, try GParted (live cd version available) and READ THE MANUAL unless you know what you are doing.
Just to note, I have installed all of the distros listed above BUT slackware. I am planning to get my VMware install running again so I can install it. (Windows commited suicide on me)
Last edited:
OUCH! on the Windows demise there. There's a few different desktops like Gnome or KDE you could choose from. PC Linux I've about but didn't get a good lookover at it. I presume that offers more support for Windows/MAC type programs, games, etc.? Fedora was a pain in the &@%@ to get running while the ubuntu distro I tried some months back wouldn't even go on. I can hear the chatter on still being a Linux "newbie".