Hi everyone,

I consider myself a fairly advanced computer user, and I figure its about time I took a look at linux to see what all the fuss is about!

The computer I want to install linux on is a celeron 2.2 ghz laptop with 128 ram in it, its very slow running windows XP and im hoping linux might speed it up a bit.

Now, a friend of mine who is into linux told me I should go for Mandrake, but the download is something like 3 x 700 megabytes. Being on a 56k, this is an impossibility for me to download.

Can anyone give me some suggestions to smaller downloads of linux that are decent for a new users to linux? (as in, wont take me days to download and install...)

Im also alot into graphical web design, would installing linux stop me from using programs such as:

- Adobe Photoshop
- Macromedia Dreamweaver



thanks for any help given, and sorry if this has been asked before, I couldnt find any topics which quite matched what I needed.


James

hi there
if u want to run that appliations, i dom not know if w hav a linux version of these.but we do have many applications which will allow u to do that work here

also talking of small linux,maybe u should for
damn small linux----i do not know the size
or u can go for peanut---350 Mb
xandros 2.0 free edition---300 MB

also it will be better if u catch someone using linux and get urself a copy of that instead of downloading on a 56 k modem
use linux users group(LUGs) to locate someone

regards

You can run those programs, but you would need to install WINE to do so. Go to www.frankscorner.org to see how to do it.

As far as the downloading goes, have you considered either a) getting a magazine with a distribution on the cover, b) going to, say http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start....co.uk/&e=7207 and grabbing several distros for a low low price (similar sites exist in different countries) or c) going to either a local Linux User Group (or a friend with a quick connection) and asking for their help.

And welcome to LQ

www.cheapbytes.com

Sells lots of different distros at very reasonable prices.
You might also look into slack81.zip
This is a minimal distro you can add to a little at a time. It is based on Slackware 8.1

when i first started i got Mandrake 9.1 for about $4 off eBay.

Hi traviance,
There is no dreamweaver or photoshop versions for linux yet. For image handling though, you can try "the gimp", which is, while not the standard photo app like photoshop, a very complete editor.
In web design and/or website creating, there are tools you might want to look at, like Quanta Plus. But I don't know how much this fits the needs.

If you wanna run win apps under linux you can either choose between vmware or wine. Vmware will emulate an entire pc, allowing you to install win inside it (yes, that's it). Wine is a layer that translates win applications internals to the linux system, so you can run win programs.
But notice that its somewhat pointless to decide to use linux just to run emulators with win applications inside it, right? Better stick to win, or use linux apps.

To use wine or vmware I would recommend you install either mandrake, red hat or suse. These are "traditional" commercial linux distros that will friendly guide you through this new world. these are not small downloads, you better buy it from some local dealer, its very cheap. Knoppix is also a good choice, and its only 1 x 700MB download.

check out...

http://www.distrowatch.com/

As far as which one is for you. You get to decide. Pick 2 or 3 to try. I'm partial to Slackware, so give it a try.

You friends' advice is good - Mandrake is generally considered among the easier of distros for newbies. Why not get someone with broadband to d/l MandrakeMove? It's a LiveCD, runs from the CDROM and will give you a good feel for the distro.

Which country are you in? Most Linux magazines carry distros on coverdisks...

hi

if u want to go for an easy distro
i will recommend xandros 2.0 free version, 1 cd version and installation tales 15-20 minutes and as easy as windows

after this u can move to other full linux distros

regards

Im in france atm but I live mostly in the UK, ill take a look at some magazines, or download it from college.

Mandrake is a French distro. Try the nearest computer shop...? Is there a computer society / club at your college?

Magazines: 'Linux Format' and 'Linux Magazine' are based in the UK and Germany respectively. Both in English. Both good for coverdisks. Linux Format more useful for newbies, IMHO. WH Smiths, Borders or the French equivalent...

As far as photoshop and dream weaver are concerned, I`m sure you will find the linux equivalents to be surprisingly good, and they are free. However if you absolutely must have photoshop and dream weaver, there are ways in which you can run these apps under linux e.g. i believe photoshop is supposed to run flawlessly under "crossover". But you will have to pay for it. Or you could buy the Mandrake powerpack which comes with crossover and a whole heap of other things as well.

Cheers