How to install GNU/Linux distros on a mac

dragoraexpirafuego · 04-12-2015, 04:01 PM

I'm working on switching from mac os x to gnu/linux. so far the distros that seem most favorable to me are the ones listed here.

what should I try? also, x86_64 is the version I should use for a mac, not i386 or i486 or i686, right? I know I can run i386 but I think x86_64 is what will allow me to use all the ram.

I am trying dragora right now and I can't get it to install. I used gnu parted to make a linux partition but it doesn't recognize it when I try to setup.

how do I remove or partition the gpt?

Is there any way to make multiple bootable install partitions on non-rewritable DVDs?

Head_on_a_Stick · 04-12-2015, 04:08 PM

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...4/#post5346362

As I said, you can change from a GUID partition table (GPT) to an MBR type disk but your OS/X system will be completely broken.

I think it would be better to find a GNU/Linux distribution that does support GPT (most do) -- if you are new to GNU/Linux I would recommend Mint.
http://linuxmint.com/

dragoraexpirafuego · 04-12-2015, 05:35 PM

In light of the recent revelations of rampant mass surveillance by NSA et al (also targeting political dissidents, sysadmins, the security/privacy-conscious, etc) and coming from an ethical perspective in agreement with Richard Stallman (re: proprietary user-subjugating software), I'd prefer to stick to a truly free piece of software that is also 100 percent open source. So, that would mean any one of these: https://www.gnu.org/distros/free-distros.html

Head_on_a_Stick · 04-12-2015, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragoraexpirafuego

In light of the snowden revelations and coming from an ethical perspective agreeing with Richard Stallman, I'd prefer to stick to a truly free piece of software that is also 100 open source. So, that would mean any one of these: https://www.gnu.org/distros/free-distros.html

Fair enough.

Debian is also "Free" (as in speech) as long as the "contrib" & "non-free" components are omitted from /etc/apt/sources.list
https://wiki.debian.org/SourcesList#Component

I applaud your political stance; if my hardware was compatible I would be using Parabola...

yancek · 04-12-2015, 07:42 PM

Setting GPT partitions explained at the link below, the second link is the GParted Manual with a Table of Contents to find what you are looking for.

http://akabaila.pcug.org.au/gpt/gpt_gparted.html

http://gparted.org/display-doc.php?name=help-manual

Quote:

Is there any way to make multiple bootable install partitions on non-rewritable DVDs?

No. You don't have partitions on a DVD. If you mean putting multiple iso files or extracted iso files of different distributions, yes that can be done and you can have as many as will fit on the DVD. I don't know of any software to do it with a few commands or mouse clicks and if you are not familiar with Linux terminology, I expect it would be pretty frustrating. Given the availability of software to create bootable flash drives with Linux on them and the low cost of flash drives, it is a much better method to use.