makes newbies look like experts...

beedyrazzle · 09-15-2002, 06:49 PM

OK I have never used linux in my life.....

I have just ordered WinLinux 2001 and I want to know some BASIC things about linux in general before I install it. (after reading this some of you will probably wonder how I could know so little hehe):

Does linux use the same file extension rules as Windows (for example, mac files have data and resource forks, I was wondering if linux worked like windows in that respect

Do any windows / dos files work with linux

Is linux as succeptable to viruses as windows systems

please help me i'm stupid

many thanks

rshaw · 09-15-2002, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by beedyrazzle

Does linux use the same file extension rules as Windows (for example, mac files have data and resource forks, I was wondering if linux worked like windows in that respect

-> no, file extentions have very little meaning in linux, there are no designated executable's such as .exe in winders. if there's an extension, it usually indicates the mime-type of the file.

Do any windows / dos files work with linux

->dos yes, windows depends on how bad you want it. there's wine(never actually seen it work properly), win4lin(expensive)and vmware(very expensive).

Is linux as succeptable to viruses as windows systems

-> no, i open viruses just to watch them die, he he.... we do have the occational worm, but the vendors usually pounce on them within a day or two.

please help me i'm stupid
many thanks

zLinuxz · 09-16-2002, 01:09 AM

nice to know you're insterested in the Linux World. Well, the best thing, that is if you really wish to eventually replace Windows with Linux, to do is to get a more standard Linux distribution like Slackware, Redhat, Mandrake, Suse...
Usually The Newbies of the Newbies like to start with Mandrake. I guess it does more auto installation for you than the rest. After that it's Suse in ease..and then we get RedHat which is a nice medium to expert level distribution. And then there is the All mighty slackware, which only if you really want to get into the bits and pieces of Linux you should install this distribution. But anyway...I suggest searching the website for each distribution and see which one appeals to you more.
WinLinux...well hehe, it sounds like almost a contradiction,

Fluffybunny · 09-16-2002, 02:27 AM

I beg to differ. Debian is the *best* true Linux distribution .

In my opinion, configuring Debian is so much easier than Redhat.

Regards.

beedyrazzle · 09-16-2002, 12:34 PM

thanks guys great help. WinLinux is just a first step so I don't have to bother repartitioning just yet. I'll probably get a "proper" distribution after i've gotten used to it.

cheers!

nautilus_1987 · 09-16-2002, 12:43 PM

enter google >> type linux

One solution

check this out:

good link here

hope this helps
regards Nautilus

zLinuxz · 09-16-2002, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fluffybunny
I beg to differ. Debian is the *best* true Linux distribution .
In my opinion, configuring Debian is so much easier than Redhat.

Regards.

heheh. Well, the first distro I ever tried was slackware 3.1. From there I got a set of discs from Debian(I forgot the version but it was from that same era) Then I ran Redhat and stuch with it after the great and first RH 5.0 came out!,

And I think I can get a lot more people to say that Slackware is better than Debian...what do you think?

KnightAbel · 09-16-2002, 11:41 PM

the only distro I have ever used is RH7.2, but that's because I just got started in linux a few months ago (die winbloze! hehe)

however, if you want to learn some basic stuff, I recommend picking up a copy of Everyday Linux, some of the stuff about setting gui options and such is outdated, but the command line section and the information on permissions and file naming conventions really helps.

of course, that's just a fellow newbs opinion

Fluffybunny · 09-17-2002, 03:50 AM

Quote:

And I think I can get a lot more people to say that Slackware is better than Debian...what do you think?

Hehehe I don't know what to say, but I can vouch that a lot of people will agree that Debian is one of the better distributions out there even though it doesn't have the bells and whistles of the newer, more risky ones like RH.

I actually started learning Linux on Debian, and till today I always compare all the others with this one.

Regards.

mace · 09-17-2002, 07:10 AM

suse 8 is a great learning distro

it's easier to install than windows 98 2000 or xp

cleaner, eye pleasing install process.

NGraphiX · 09-17-2002, 01:27 PM

let's start a distro' flame war...

If you want to learn linux I'd suggest getting a book such as
"linux in 24 hours" from sams, or the like.

beedyrazzle · 09-17-2002, 02:15 PM

haha funny sig NGraphiX

zLinuxz · 09-17-2002, 11:24 PM

I once checked out that "Linux for Dummies" book....it really doesn't help. I saw it at the book store and just gave it a quick look to see how "Newbie" oriented it is...just like a normal book, heh. Plus I don't necesarily like to be carrying around a book which calls myself an idiot,

NGraphiX · 09-18-2002, 03:28 AM

learn linux in 24h is definatly a newbies book
explains everythin g from "ls" to "kill" quite nicely

KnightAbel · 09-18-2002, 07:37 PM

Who said anything about Linux for Dummies?

I suggested Everyday Linux and NGraphiX said Linux in 24 Hours....