Hi I new to linux/unix but ive just started programming at the college and can see the potential in this o/s basically I have the money to buy unix and I was wandering what the best o/s version is for this system

athlon XP 2000+
geforce4 mx440
creative 128 soundcard
soltek motherboard
512 ddr ram
48X DVD reader javascript:smilie('')
48x artec cd writer
Epson Stylus Color 580 printer
Genius vivid 3 v2.3 scanner(not fussed if this aint compatible)

my other system (I primarly want unix for above sytem if possible)

pentium 3 800 mhz
ATI RAGE FURY MAXX 64MB graphics card
soundblaster 128
16X DVD reader
512 sdr ram



basically I have the money to but unix but im not sure which is the best to buy, I want to be able to program on it and perhaps be able to use the capabilities of my athlon and geforce 4mx440 as be able to run 3d graphics also I want to be able to use a shared internet connection and dual boot with windows me.

I have used linux mandrake but I want to buy a powerfull unix o/s the reason i want to buy is because a manual and some kind of after sales support would be handy and knowing that the files arent corrupted. I no there a many flavours(too much) thats why im not wanting to go out and buy until i get advice from someones who running a multipurpose unix system

Please help
Regards
Dave

Buy?

Who said anytning about spending money? Besides, aren't you going to need your lunch money?



Anyways, you can download just about any version of linux for free, or if you don't have the bandwidth, then you can get them (cheaply) at www.cheapbytes.com.

As for which distro I prefer, I like SuSE

But go ahead and try the others and see which one you like best.

BTW, welcome aboard

John

This might not help you much at all, but I wouldn't use Windows ME at all, it's the biggest joke of em all in the whole Windows line of OSes. I don't even think Microsoft supports it (or 98 for that matter if im not mistaken).

I've never used ME, but I've heard the same things as well.

For what little I need Windows for 98SE suits me just fine...


John

Ewww, I had that POS for about a month until it ticked me off for the last time. Booted back to Libranet (One of the easy Debians ) and toasted the partition. Good riddance ...

<Unabashed plug> Debian is one of the most secure and stable distributions, and Libranet sells a nicely polished Debian based distribution as long as you're looking to buy. I've never had to use it, but I've heard more good than bad about the support. There's always someone that just can't be pleased </plug>

Maybe I missed something, but this person wants unix, not linux???

Might wanna check out a supported version of RH if that's your bag. I don't really like to go RPM style, but it's probably the best supported Linux right now IMO, and it looks like you are wanting support.

As far as that hardware, linux will go on it, any version that is made the x86 arch will do. Some won't be as optimized as others. RH for example is still 386 optimized, where Mandrake gives you at least a 586 opt. You could also check out something like Gentoo where you compile each package yourself for your arch, and with the new GCC (the compiler) you can get the biggest bang for your buck on AMD hardware.

Cool

You... don't... mean... BSD???

Arrrgggghhhh!

Anything but that!


John

Oh, I missed the smiley I meant to put there, following that sentence was supposed to be a



ha ha ha, well there are worse things out there rootboy, but he couldn't use them like he could BSD, so it's a step in the right direction at least

Cool

I do have to admit that they have a cool mascot in any case


John

My favorite distro is freeBSD, so I recommend you give it a a shot .

Thanks for your help all Ive had a look and Ive ordered Linux mandrake power pack addition , the reason being is because I want to get into unix but I need to learn more and so I thought this was a reasonable price to start of with , when I get a bit more clued up and goot with this O/S I think then I will purchase UNIX also on the mandrake that I downloaded just now Ive got the linux patch for UT GOTY addition and it seems to have installed but Im getting a cant find file entry error I no this is changing the original subject of my post and Im sorry for that but I think Im close to getting it working as I have went into forums and seemingly that cant find file entry error is a decompression error when its installing so is there any software I could download to decompress the unreal unr files right

Regards
David

I'm not sure that I follow what the problem is, can you post your error messages?


John

Or even put a space or 2 between the 2 sections of that conglomerate paragraph, that might help us to see where the problem begins

Whoa, and looking it over, I just saw a complete lack of periods too,

Breathe

Cool

LoL. Well ya, that too


John

I'm quiet new to linux and unixin general... but there is ONE unix that beats everyone else... it is tru64UNIX... the only problem is that it won't work on your system... it is designed for Alpha processors ONLY (64bits).

I think that All distros have their pros and cons... you should search their specs on each one's home page and then make your compare... It could be hard buecause on the homepages they say all the pros and none of the cons... that's what google is for...

IMHO Mandrake is the best for starters... it is more user friendly than anyone else... but RadHat has a better support...

Save the penguin