Hello forum,

I'm new to linux. I'm currently operating with the Puppy distro on an IBM Thinkpad.

I've recently purchased an IBM 6221 Intellistation with no operating system. It sits waiting to be brought to life. Any help with recommendations as to distros and drivers for the video card etc. would be very much appreciated. Thanks for your attention.

J

You can find many distros at http://www.distrowatch.com. There is a column on the right that lists the most popular distros right now.

Your drivers will come with the distro.

Thank you for the reply. I guess I need to be more clear about how I am confused.

It is my understanding that device drivers for printers, video cards etc. differ slightly between Windows and Linux. With the basic default going to Windows. I'm concerned I may not be able to get the best of use out of my computer if I have difficulty with the drivers.

I am not a gamer. But it is also my understanding that Windows based games are not compatible with Linux OS. I AM interested in learning animation and have read that Linux is the preferred OS for that.

Any of even the most basic of information is appreciated.

J

What happens when you try to run a liveCD such as Puppy or Knoppix? Does it work? If it does, then pretty much any distro will probably run.

you would be correct that the device drivers are different, in windows they are separate files loaded into somewhere in the windows installation, in linux,with the exception of printer drivers and proprietary video card drivers, they are part of the kernel and all updated at once when you update the kernel

as for windows based games there is WINE which is an implementation of the windows API under linux, which runs a large handful of windows games.

Well, that's probably very helpful if I was better informed to understand it.

"Updates the kernel" Is this meaning that any linux distro will configure itself the drivers for pci card, printer, etc? I know I should probably just jump in feet first. But I don't want to do this wrong and have to clean it up.

Also, I know there are many distros. Are they all free if so, what are the better ones?

J

Try a few distros, for a few days each. That's the only way you'll find out which is best for you.

the kernel is kind of like the engine of a car, it is the core functionality of any operating system
in linux all the drivers are part of the kernel unlike windows where you need a separate driver file for each device
in most popular distributions, the kernel is updated when you run a software update, assuming there is an updated kernel available for that system

to put it more simply, all the drivers you should need are already included with the system and get updated when running a system update if a newer version is available for that distro with the exception of printers, those drivers are part of the printing system, but all drivers s should be automatically configured on install, to configure printers you simply need to run the print system configurator (the command varies depending on the distro) to add the printer,

Thanks again for all the help, and the patience with someone not always able to make the best of it.

Any distro will update the kernel by surfing the net for the drivers? Am I getting that right?

I have another question as relates Linux. I understand some folks download it to Playstation 3. Doing this, would one be able to enable a PS3 to be used to download music files? Say to an ipod or cell phone?

Like I say, still hesitant. But with the good things I read, I need to get my self informed and make the jump.

J

Not meaning to start any Flame Wars .... But - Windows XP anyone ???

Hi - it's not even a case of surfing the net & installing the drivers for you - it has the functionality available at installation time & installs it as necessary.

Well... PS3 can take linux relatively easily s discussed here

http://www.tweaktown.com/guides/1305...your_sony_ps3/

but maybe one project at a time?

My questions to you would be -- what do you want from the IBM 6221? What is your experience from having puppy linux on the Thinkpad? And crucially, what experience of animation have you? If you are planning on looking at learning a new OS solely to get you into animation, have you considered using open source animation software under Windows?

Don't get me wrong, I'm a linux user entirely at home, but consider if it's right for you.
As for worrying about doing it "wrong" & having to clean it up - don't. Most modern distros handle all the hardware detection & guide you through installation. And if you're totally unhappy with the result you can over-write it all & start again.

Ok, I have decided on Linux Mint 6. I'm very happy with it.

My next question is about downloads. I had difficulty here and had to order a DVD to get my operating system but that's ok.

But now that I have an operating system, my trouble with downloads continues. I've downloaded GRAMPS, the Linux genealogy program. But I don't know how to open it or otherwise use it.