Installation and error Help
 

I would like to know for Knowledge sake -

1) What is a Linux Kernel and need for it? How we will know which kernel is for which version? When and why will one update it?

2) How to Install Linux?

3) What is Distro and how will I know which distro is better for me?
How many kinds of distro are there?

4) a) what are minimum requirements for a Linux Pc?
b) And that runs Multimedia software?

5) How will I know if my installation has error?
If I install application how will I know if it has error?

I am Migrating from Windows OS. I think i will use Linux as soon as I start my Projects. As I am new to Linux I need some help from people who already have installed and have experience in Linux

Also how is Wine related to Linux ?Is Wine similar to OS or is it just a emulator ?
Also Help me through posting web links that can help me to Know more about Linux and Linux based applications.

Let me see id I can give you some answers.

The kernel is the operating system. Windoze has one, and so does nay other OS. Without it you do not have a system.

Each distro ( I'll take a shot at whats a distro later... ) provides at least one working kernel for the distro. Usually one is for general use, often there are several. Each one may be "tuned" for a special purpose. That does not mean to say the general purpose kernel won't work, it may only be a little slower doing specific tasks.

If you are not experiencing problems, there is no need to change kernels. Some new kernels supply support for new functions, or new hardware. If you don't use the function,or hardware, no need to update. How often? That's up to you, the system administrator.

That all depends on the distro. Most supply how-to information. Some provide gui type programs that progress through the install. They ask questions, the user answers, and the installer will do the necessary steps according to the installers ( your ) input. You can install form CD, DVD, disk file, or a file on another system.

A distro is put together by a team of interested people. It includes a kernel, and many applications, and often many "tools" ( programs or scripts ) that are used to manage the system. The linux kernel ( linux itself ) is free. Most programs are also free. What is different between the distros is what kernel version you get, what applications and what tools you get.

There is no simple answer here. You can try different ones, or you can do some reading for other opinions, and pick one and try it. This is one of the most asked questions. Read some of the posts on the board for more insight.

I suggest you go with one of the more mainstream distros first. For example, Ubuntu, Mandriva, or a live CD version like Knoppix. Ubuntu and Mandriva are popular, so lots of help is available. Knoppix is also popular for a live distro, you do not need to install it to a HD to use it. You run it from the CD. It can be installed ( not recommended ) but not necessary. This way you learn, but do not affect a working system.

That depends on what you mean by 'kinds'. How many? hundreds of different distros. Besides what applications come on the instll media, the way in which you install software can be different.

Some distros you have to compile the source code to get a running binary file. Others have compiled programs that are installed by a package manager. This is the route I recommend any new person goes until you gain experience. Ubuntu and Mandriva have package managers that instlall pre-compiled binary programs. ( All windoze software is compiled when you buy it ).

I believe any 486 based intel chip will run linux. I think the better question would be, for a modern desktop, and things like internet access, mail and multi-media what do you need?

I would suggest a 500mHz system, with 128 meg of ram, and 10 gig of disk space at a minimum. If you have more, great, it will run faster, this is all I have on my main machine. It provides reasonable performance, but then I'm not a gamer.

Any distro with the minimum of the above hardware. I rip CD's have play web radio all the time, use my digi-cam play videos etc.

If you wanted to edit movies, I would suggest you would need a faster machine, and more ram. Also a separate video card, like an up to date Nvidia card.

The installer will display error information on the screen.

That all depends on the application. Some report errors to log files, and others do not. You can launch any program from a konsole, ( like a command prompt in windoze ) and errors will be reported there.

The system also has a lot of logs to look at when things go wrong.

Hope this helps.

Wine is an interface that allows windoze executables to be run by linux. Some people like to call it an emulator, it sits between the windoze code, and linux. Windoze code can not be executed by linux directly. If you have windoze programs you can not do without, your best bet is to dual boot, or have two separate systems. Almost any windoze program has a linux program that does the same thing.

Wine is an emulator, it is not an operating system.

As far as links go, read through this:

http://linuxreviews.org/beginner/

first. There are lists of applications in windoze and their equivalent in linux.

For an office suite, look at Open Office; or Koffice. CD burning in linux; K3B.

Mail programs, Evolution, Mozilla Thunderbird.

Once I have Mandriva installed there are some 18,000 packages available for Mandriva. I'll never get to try them all.