I posed this question (bottom) in the freebie forum and was told I may get an answer here. TIA.
Thanks, OP dude! Ordered their standard package. Hopefully, all the folks who order will also use it.
For linux newbies:
If you are hesistant about installing a full-fledged linux operating system, please try out the bootable CDs and DVDs from knoppix first. Download the ISO, burn to CD or DVD and reboot (make sure the boot sequence is CD/DVD drive before hard drive in the bios). This will boot the system into linux and you can play around to your heart's content.
Just a friendly suggestion. Just google for knoppix or search for knoppix on any bittorrent sites. Thanks.
Ubuntu also has a live cd version. So you can use that if you wish. Ubuntu looks prettier IMHO, and may be easier for beginners to use, while Knoppix tends to have more software on the CD, but is much uglier.
I'm a complete novice, what download from Ubuntu? The CD image that I would have to burn? What happens to the Windows OS when I download and install?
If you use Live, your XP remains as it is. (not touched) If you install, your XP can exist in dual-boot mode. Although, if you have no clue about the 2nd option, 1st option is the way to go for now.
tedsky
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 22, 2005 @ 12:02p
Thank you IQ70, I definitely will use option 1, I am a complete novice.
legzakimbo
Senior Member - 3K
posted: Nov. 22, 2005 @ 12:07p
To install ubuntu to your hard drive, download the appropriate install CD (choose from PC, Mac or AMD64)
To use the ubuntu live CD, choose the correct one for your architecture (again, PC, Mac or AMD64). This will not touch your hard disk but will be a lot slower than a native ubuntu install. When you boot using this it will autodetect your hardware and configure everything in RAM
If you want to install to your hard disk, you should re-partition before you begin using partition magic (or something similar) Just leave the space unformatted and 10gb is more than enough to get going with (I still have a PC with a 4gb disk running gentoo - it's about 60% used with a full X windows/openoffice install)
Once you start the install, you'll eventually get to a disk partitioning/formatting section. Just be sure and double check that you haven't chosen to reformat the whole disk and that you selected the free space for your file-systems. At a minimum, you will need two (one for swap and one for / ) but more is recommended (i.e. for /boot and /home)
I'm sure most people will recommend the live CD, but I dislike them for anything other that troubleshooting. Performance is poor and doesn't give a true representation of linux
wascwywbt
Senior Member - 2K
posted: Nov. 22, 2005 @ 12:48p
^ excellent advice from both IQ and LZK
par38lamp
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 27, 2005 @ 10:15p
I used knoppix once on CD. I needed to write a floopy file for the free version of NASLite, and couldn't use Windows to do it. Booted Knoppix, wrote the floppy, and everything worked!
jitinarora
Broke Member
posted: Dec. 17, 2005 @ 2:55p
How about an official thread for all things Linux, including other free software? I am not sure whether it would fit in Computers or under Free Stuff, so I didn't start it myself.
I did notice that some Linux software is now coming of age and hence is increasingly becoming a viable alternative to Windows, which of course can help save a bundle, apart from other advantages. For those who are interested, there is a lot of information on Wikipedia.
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