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Old 01-15-2007, 02:41 PM   #1
rony2
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I'm Just Starting Linux


In the early eighties I was familiar with UNIX running on AT&T 3B machines. Since about 1988 I have been using PC's running dos & windows. I would like to "get into" Linus to see if I like it. Any suggestion where to look for recommendations for the hardware I need, what version of Linux to get, how to get up and running from a new clean drive etc?
 
Old 01-15-2007, 03:00 PM   #2
pixellany
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What's with the big font??

Go to Distrowatch.com and pick any of the distributions (versions) in the top 5 on their "hit list". They have links on where to download , etc.

No special hardward required. If it will run any version of Windows, it should be fine with Linux.
 
Old 01-15-2007, 03:18 PM   #3
V!NCENT
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I think you should pick up the Slackware distribution (because it's the most UNIX like) since you are familiar with UNIX.

Edit: It is Linux btw. Linus is the original developper for Linux that started it.
 
Old 01-15-2007, 04:34 PM   #4
rony2
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Thanks

I have cataracts and don't see very well. I guess this wes a little extreme though!!

Is a 6GB drive large enough?
 
Old 01-15-2007, 05:55 PM   #5
pixellany
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6GB is Plenty--at least to get started.

Send me private e-mail or PM in re cataract surgery--it is amazing
 
Old 01-15-2007, 09:41 PM   #6
sumguy231
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Quote:
I have cataracts and don't see very well. I guess this wes a little extreme though!!
Your browser most likely has an adjustable minimum font, which would probably make everything way easier for you. If you're using Firefox, then that's under Tools -> Options -> Content -> Fonts and Colors -> Advanced. I don't know anything about IE though.
 
Old 01-15-2007, 09:54 PM   #7
indienick
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rony2:

If you're used to UNIX systems, as I am, I heavily recommend Solaris or any one of the widely available BSD's (FreeBSD, NetBSD or OpenBSD).

 
Old 01-16-2007, 01:17 AM   #8
kdrlx
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Arch Linux is also a good option for some one coming from Unix/BSD .
 
Old 01-16-2007, 01:31 AM   #9
rickh
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Quote:
In the early eighties I was familiar with UNIX running on AT&T 3B machines. Since about 1988 I have been using PC's running dos & windows.
That was 20 years ago. It's real easy to find people here who think newbies can jump right into Arch, Gentoo, or Slackware right off the bat. Those are excellent distros, but they have a reputation of being difficult for people with no recent Unix or Linux exposure.

Look thru the Major Distribution descriptions on DistroWatch.com and think about it. I would recommend one of the standard middle ground distributions to get a little immersion. Probably Fedora or Debian.

You have enough computer experience that you don't need a touchy-feely beginner distro, but it isn't necessary to jump into the deep water right away, either. Once you have a feeling for the major components of a Linux system, you might want to consider a truly built-from-scratch system.
 
Old 01-16-2007, 01:33 AM   #10
Daws
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Your browser most likely has an adjustable minimum font, which would probably make everything way easier for you. If you're using Firefox, then that's under Tools -> Options -> Content -> Fonts and Colors -> Advanced. I don't know anything about IE though.
Konqueror and Firefox(Iceweasel) default to Ctrl-+ and Ctrl-- to increase/decrease font.
 
Old 01-16-2007, 01:52 AM   #11
IndyGunFreak
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sumguy231
Your browser most likely has an adjustable minimum font, which would probably make everything way easier for you. If you're using Firefox, then that's under Tools -> Options -> Content -> Fonts and Colors -> Advanced. I don't know anything about IE though.
You can also click "View", then Text Size, then Increase/Decrease, till its where you can comfortably see the on screen type...

IGF
 
Old 01-16-2007, 05:54 PM   #12
sumguy231
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Quote:
Konqueror and Firefox(Iceweasel) default to Ctrl-+ and Ctrl-- to increase/decrease font.
Yes, but you have to do that for each page.
 
Old 01-16-2007, 06:41 PM   #13
rony2
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Thanks to all for your info. Regarding the type size, I apologize. In Firefox a simple "Ctrl" + or - increases or decreases the font. However, I saw that print size was an option for postings on this site so I used it..... Sorry, It won't happen again. Which brings up a question. Do the Linux browsers have this kind of functionality?
 
Old 01-16-2007, 07:21 PM   #14
IndyGunFreak
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rony2
Thanks to all for your info. Regarding the type size, I apologize. In Firefox a simple "Ctrl" + or - increases or decreases the font. However, I saw that print size was an option for postings on this site so I used it..... Sorry, It won't happen again. Which brings up a question. Do the Linux browsers have this kind of functionality?

Yeah, they pretty much work the same way.

Indeed sumguy is correct, follow his advice as opposed to mine. It doesn't make sense that it only changes the font until you change sites, but that is indeed what it does..

Good luck

IGF
 
Old 01-16-2007, 08:33 PM   #15
Xmarks
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Weird that.. I've been using DOS/Win since about 1988 too.. I started with Linux a few months ago, and am pretty angry with it to be honest. It is the subject of entire volumes of text, and it's a complete waste of space rendering all my existing knowledge utterly worthless. I only use it because there is no real alternative at the moment. I haven't a clue where everything is in my directories etc, or how the kernel works or the windowing or GUI system. The startup blurb might as well be in Greek.

And have you seen the other "newbie" posts here about Linux?? Look at this one:

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...d.php?t=519946

This guy can't even install/build Python with his state-of-the-art Linux. And does his post make any sense to a non-computer scientist? Never mind learning Python language and OOP and using Python. He needs hash-shebang garbage and expert help just to stick it on his system! Then he has to debug a zillion error messages. And THAT is supposed to be a NEWBIE post, never forget.

All these Linux "advocates" do is move goalposts around so and coerce the direction software development takes, so that they are NEEDED in the future that they envision. And we should be grateful for the "help" they kindly provide. (sarcasm) All this because of Usenet!

Last edited by Xmarks; 01-16-2007 at 08:42 PM.
 
  


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