Hello,

Which Linux version will get me moving close to what XP users are getting from their systems? I am familiar only with Windows 98SE and just can't bring myself to the Big Brother XP!

I think I narrowed it to Mandrake or Slackware but need some help.

I'm in the researching phase hoping to soon experiment with a dual boot of Windows 98 and (easiest to mess around with) distribution of Linux,
before dumping the Windows, or keeping it as an alternate.

I'm used to building computers from scratch and have ability, and patience to get hardware and software to cooperate. So I'm not a newbie in that respect.


Someone said buy the Mandrake power pack cd's stating that it was easiest to get started with. Other's said to download for free, but I'd rather do whatever could get me the COMPLETE setup in one shot (download or purchase) Whichever is easiest to get the feel of Linux which will give me what I'm used to with Window's 98 and 98SE. (Cable modem, Music, Instant Messaging, Webpage design)

Not afraid to learn the ropes, I just wan't to get a good jump with something slightly familiar at first.

Thank's so much with help to what may be a common question on this forum. (I did a few searches on this forum, but didn't get the hits I needed)

Thanks again.

Hopefully, NONE!

Just kidding. Man... the frienliest distros right now would be:
Red Hat (or fedora, if you like), SuSE, Mandrake.

If you want to go little by little, instead of using one of this install-to-get-it-working distros, try Live-CD ones.... I have Knoppix, and I don't know if you could try Mandrake-Move. With this distros, you have a install-like cd that doesn't install at all, but runs boots on linux (graphical front end), let you do work and once you shut it down, it's like you have never used a linux on that box before.

Mandrake is easiest, but if you really want to learn try slackware.

wow what a help...I need someone qualified to answer thanks

eantoranz: ha ha I knew you had qualifications... no offense taken... I will check it out Thanks for the reply.

Welcome to the Linux community. I have to recommend Slackware for you man. I've been with Mandrake, and if you TRULY want an XP like experience mandrake is there. However, it's too much like Xp (bugs, slowness, etc.) I really don't recommend it for you. It would be a shame to waste such skills as yours on a brain-dead venture like mandrake. Slackware offers speed, reliabiliy, and education. Yeah, it's not all point-and-click, but after using it, I'll never go back to a n00b distro again, and I recommend Slackware for ANY linux beginner. Whatever you choose, keep us posted on your progress.

If I may be blunt, without giving offence, NONE. I can't think of any Linux distribution which is that buggy, vulnerable to attack, etc. Migration to any variant of Unix requires a change in mindset. It won't be as vulnerable as anything from Microsoft, or compatible products (which necessarily call upon the vulnerabilities of the operating system they run under). It will require that you learn a lot. You will have to become a system administrator in order to install, configure, and maintain your system. For most folks who just want to point and click, Linux is not where they want to go. If you are comfortable with windoze, and don't want to learn the ins and outs of software, stay there. If you are not afraid to learn, willing to learn, and don't shy from a challange, then give Linux a try. You will find that Linux is a lot cheaper that windows (free), the applications to run are cheaper (free), and the support is a lot cheaper (free; just check out the boards; join a few; post your questions). You have the additional advantages that you can buy a support contract from the distributors (much cheaper that windows contracts); apps in Linux can open, create, save, windows files which windows apps (such as ms office) can't tell weren't created in windows (in other words, office will open then just fine), but windoze apps can't say the same for Linux files. I could go on for hours. Just brouse the web, and see for yourself.

thebeast.... mnan... slackware for beginners? :S

This is your philosofy:

Wanna learn to drive? Get a Diablo!
Wanna learn programming? Hey... give assemmbler a try!
Wanna learn linux? Slackware is waiting for you.

In case you choose to go with Slackware.... be sure to have printed as many how-to as possible in order to "hand-craft" some things.... or get a good linux administration book (at least). (you're gonna need it... even with Mandrake)

I agree with the other posters that trying to emulate XP in a Linux setup is the wrong approach to take. Part of the whole appeal of Linux is that you can mold it to do exactly what you want it to do, and you can tackle things at a very deep level if you need/ want to... things you just can't do with Winblows.

If you are a newbie then I'd recommend Mandrake as a user-friendly way to lose your cherry, and then move onto a sleeker distro like Slack when you want to move to the next level.

OFF TOPIC.
Kovacs >> whats the icon set on the Flux BOX

Mandrake wouldnt be a bad option for a newbie... I am currently using it on my Laptop works like a charm.

Yes, eantoranz I do recommend Slackware for this guy. He already knows enough about computers, just not *NIX type OS's. You too should try it. I see you're using Mandrake, and in my experience, with no offense, Mandrake is nothing like linux should be. Although I haven't tried any recent SuSE's in a while, this may be a good distro for someone that's too lazy to learn a bit. But I really think a distro suitable for a guy with the interests and skills he has would be Slackware. Yes, it's simple, but I was raised on it, and I love it. If you want to learn something, you have to get into it hands on, not just let some Drake wizard do it for you in the background.

glad to have you join the Linux community. either distribution will get you there. people are pretty loyal to one distribution or another. Mandrake will get you up and running quickly. It will get you the Microsoft Windows experience the easiest. Slackware will get you the fastest running. One thing you need to realize..... Linux is NOT Microsoft Windows. While GUI interfaces all work pretty much the same.... under the hood Linux is totally different. Linux has many different GUI desktops to choose from. If you have a good tolerance for some frustration, then give Slackware a try, but if you want to just get the Linux experience the easiest, then Mandrake. I'd suggest going to www.linuxiso.org and downloading the install cds for both, burning them and try them for free and then after you decide, then pruchase the retail.

good luck....

I would first download Knoppix and run it on a CD. This would give you a clue on if your system can run Linux without doing a lot of work and it would give you a feel for Linux. When someone asks me about Linux I hand them a Knoppix CD and tell them to run it and see what they think. Most of the time they are impressed enough that they want to try Linux. The next thing I would suggest is looking around in the area you live in for a Linux club. You would be surprised to find that most places have a Linux club of some kind and it is great for newbies.

Slack is easy to install and use. I dont know why all you say it is hard, if you have half a brain it is easy to use. The only thing you may not want to do right off is compile your own kernel, they have plenty which will run decently for you. I installed slack and had no problems at all and I did not make my own kernel.