I am in school for my CIS degree and the book I am using this session covers Windows XP and Fedora Core 4. I am having trouble finding & downloading Fedora Core 4. My question is: Is there a big enough difference between Fedora Core 4 and Fedora Core 14 that I would not be able to use 14 instead of 4?

It depends what they are trying to teach you. In terms of things worth learning, it's under the hood basics, and to that end I expect you'll be fine. It's mostly the twiddly bits that change most, which shouldn't be the focus of teaching courses.

you WILL have a very big problem with 4
it is a DEAD version
it hit it's END OF LIFE on April 2006
there has been NO SUPPORT FOR IT since then
on new software ! NO updates ! and NO new software will run on it !

Fedora 14 is the current

please have your instructor have all of you STAY CURRENT

fedora 4 is SO OLD that NO current software will run on it
Fedora 4 is so old that IT WILL NOT EVEN INSTALL on current hardware in current computers !!

using fedora 4 in a fedora 14 world is like learning Windows 7 by running windows 98

you might want to ask for some help over at fedoraforum BUT they will tell you much the same as i just did

http://www.fedoraforum.org/

now there is a not up to date post for using old versions
"Repository configuration for older Fedora releases."
http://forums.fedoraforum.org/showthread.php?t=221471
and have your instructor READ THIS !!!!
there is also a thread for "EOL (End Of Life) Versions"
http://forums.fedoraforum.org/forumdisplay.php?f=75

as for DL'ing 4 it is in the historical archives
http://archive.kernel.org/fedora-archive/core/4/
you would need the 4 cd's or the one dvd
http://archive.kernel.org/fedora-arc...re/4/i386/iso/

but be warned
the OS is do old that it might not recognize new cd/dvd/rw combo drives on new( current hardware)
and most assuredly WILL not recognize a blue ray drive.

I think you ought to keep quiet John.
I still run FC4 as an internal server, and strangely you can still install software, even new stuff.
Do you think I'm lying ?

I would still advise a newbie to get the latest version, but there is no need for you to start shouting lies at people.

Give it up.

CentOS is similar to Fedora in many ways, but has much slower development and a longer support cycle. CentOS 4.x is still supported and will give you a somewhat comparable experience to Fedora Core 4.

Unfortunately, this sounds like a situation where you will have to choose between getting a good grade from a professor who is obviously living in the past, or learn current software skills that will help you in the real-world job market. If I were in your situation, I would install a current Linux distro (such as Fedora 14 or CentOS 5.x) as my primary operating system for self-guided study, then install Fedora 4 in a virtual machine for the specific purpose of getting an A in the class.

Suggest : Use CentOS 5.5 :
Like the identical Redhat EL5 it's based on Fedora 6.
CentOS 5.5 is maintained until 2014.


The Fedora 2 based CentOS 4 is too old.
EDIT : Sorry, Fedora 3 based.

..

Why assume the prof is out of date? The recommended reading certainly seems to be, but unless the book depends on stuff unique to FC4, it is unlikely that a more modern distribution would cause problems. If it's a course that covers some general principles (networking or somesuch), just about any distribution should serve. I would be surprised if it's a "XP and FC4, others need not apply!" kind of thing.

CentOS 4 or 5 may be a fine choice. I use CentOS 5 a good bit, and like it. Ask the prof!

And John VV, why the mixed case histronics? Even if someone installs an old disk full of FC4 goodness, it ain't the end of the world.

And Gary, welcome to the group. Good advice can be found here... no warranties are offered, however!

smoker can you install firefox 3.6.13 on fedora 4 ? or ff 4 testing ?
or Gimp 3.6.11 ?
or kde4 desktop ?
or any qt4 app

and NOT build the whole dependency stack from source ( for gimp that would be about 1/4 to 1/2 of the OS )

You could run Centos 4.9(I think .9 is the latest) it is about as close as you are going to get to a supported version of FC4. It will still be getting security updates for a while. Based off of FC3 not FC2. Like others have said, unless this machine will not be connected to the net , FC4 is a bad idea.

As to why so many of us are so adament about not running a version without security updates, it is really a matter of self preservation. Unsupported versions usually have a lot of known security holes. The more practice hackers(really crackers) have with breaking into linux (easy prey) the more they will learn. The more that they learn, the greater the danger to current supported versions. Then there is also the linux ego thing. When a unsupported verrsion gets broken into the windows guys all point to the fact that linux is not so secure. After that it is just the fact that we do not need another bot infested(or whatever) machine out on the net.

Why assume that GIMP 3.6.11 or kde4 or qt4 are requirements? FC4 came with a perfectly fuctional GIMP. I don't use kde, 4 or otherwise, but I assume that FC4 had some version of kde as well. I have no idea whether the OP needs or wants any of this. Don't invent requirements for the sake of requirements.

If this is some throw-away install for a class, who cares if you have current stuff.

I still think a more modern distribution would be advantagous... and I still think GaryElder should ask his prof.

If the book adresses fc4, then stick to it (if you have an exam about it).
The minor changes, can influence the exam results, since hardware support e.g. is better in the latest edition (thus less hassle to deal with. And here comes the tricky part, some exam questions can just be about FC4 in combination with certain hardware.. and how to deal with it. This means old versions of tool (and thus features etc). )

My advice, use it, as provided, only if you are getting an exam about the stuff. If not, then concult your instructor about using a modern release, and let his/her choice be the leading factor.

For personal/professional usage, outside the book scope, never use an end of life product when the machine got internet access. (for security/feature sakes)
But also if it's not hooked, you are potentially in danger, if other people have access to it (LAN).
(a bad employee e.g. can try to use exploits to gain access/steal)

OK well I didn't mean to start an argument...LOL I appreciate all the responces I found most very helpful. I am positive it is not my instructor but it is the book that is kind of out dated. With the help of your post I have gone with Fedora Core 14 and seem to like it. I have used linux in the past but not this branch of distro. I still call myself a newbie due to the fact that I am, as I have played with linux over the years I am still not a pro with it. The class I am in mostly deals with how an OS works and how it communicates with the hardware and the software and the user, so I believe 14 will work and if not then I will request the school supply me a copy. Once again thanks for the advice, this is the first forum where my question hasn't been reffered to as stupid or out dated. Thank You.

Thank you for the post. My only concern is that I am having trouble finding an ISO of Fedora Core 4 to download. Thanks again.

An excellent choice. Good luck, and have fun!

A quick google for "fedora download archive" got me to the following:

http://mirrors.fedoraproject.org/publiclist/

This should help keep you in sync with your class.