My Friend and I, want to try out Linux and I was wondering where we should start. My Computer is a Pentium 3, 512mb ram, 733mhz, and 40gig hd and I'd like to keep my Xp on the harddrive and dual boot between the two. MY friends computer is a Pentium 2 with 128mb ram and thats all I can remember off the top of my head. Anyone have a suggestion for a Linux Distro I should try?
I am not your linux guru. In the ocean of information that is linux, I have learned a thimble full.
I'm a couple baby steps ahead of you is all.
That said - here's an idea for you to try, until you get some better advice.
Play around with some linux Live CDs.
Free to download. Although if you don't have a fast connection, you're going to be downloading for quite a while!
After you d/l, burn it to a CD. Boot from that CD, and you're running linux!
No changes to your hard drive.
No permanent install.
The downside: it is not usually a 'complete' version of some distro. After all, it fits on one CD.
It can be slow - again, it may be running from CD. ( some allow you to load the whole thing into ram, if you have enough)
I'm not suggesting this as an alternative to a complete installation of linux.
I don't think it is fair to compare them.
But - for exposure for new comers like us - it is great!
Here are some links for you to explore:
http://www.puppylinux.org/user/viewpage.php?page_id=1Puppy linux is small - you can read about it there - something like 50 or 60 meg.
They have forums there too.
http://www.slax.org/Bigger. 200 or so meg. More features.
Forums here too.
http://www.knoppix.org/ (click a flag to get your language)
Big. 700 meg. I haven't tried this one yet.
It is often the one that is most often mentioned when anyone is talking about
Live CDs.
There are others. Many. You can google for them.
You can also visit:
http://www.livecdnews.com/and
http://distrowatch.com/and
http://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.phpYou're going to be reading for a while!
Other interesting sites for you to visit:
www.linuxquestions.orgwww.linuxforums.orgYou're completely new to linux, right?
Go here:
http://www.linux.org/lessons/Start with the link: Getting Started with Linux - Beginner's Course
Don't worry that it is talking about Debian/Gnu linux.... it is good to get yourself oriented and exposed to some of the new words that you're going to be using.
I found the courses there very helpful. The first one goes quick... I don't know...it's been a while since I read it all .... maybe an hour or less to read it.
Did I already say that you're going to be doing some reading?
http://linuxcommand.org/Another one to bookmark. You'll see, someday.
About your original question: Which distro for you?
You're never going to get just one answer.
Perhaps you will get some recommendations based on your hardware - let's see what you get with that.
Be prepared though for answers like: try one... if you don't like it, try another.
Your question gets asked a lot, check those other forums - more linux only oriented - skim around.... you'll see.
Be prepared for a different world. Sometimes it can be frustrating when you know what you want to do, but don't know how. You learn a new level of patience.
