n00b help! =)
 

hello everyone :D


i have never used linux before until today :( but decided to try it out because im wanting to host a personal webserver off it to improve on my php skillz. If anyone could point me in the right direction it would be appreciated. I am running Mandrake 8.1 and so far havent figured how to even install something using it :(

thanks again in advance.

The Mandy is built on RedHat and it uses rpm as package management database, so whenever you upgrade your packages or install new ones using rpm the db is updated. Now, to start off take a look at rpmfind . There are a lot of stuff for Mandy and other distros that use rpm.
After you d/l'd an rpm package (filename.rpm) you can install it, I guess for now just open up the file manager window (in KDE it is konqueror) and click on the package, it will ask you for the root password during the process, you should enter it.
There are also packages known as tarballs (usually filename.tar.gz) they are installed differently. After downloading them unpack the archive with gnozip or archiver found under K->applications->archiving I guess, after you unpacked them read the INSTALL or README files on how to install the software, it imvolves the use of console (like DOS prompt in windows)
Check out these sites:
www.freshmeat.net
www.slashdot.org

for more info,
www.linuxnewbie.org
is a very good source for a newbie

thx for the info neo!

No problems, there is a huge documentation source on your machine regarding Linux, various man pages and docs, should be in KDE inder Documentation in K start menu, check it out.

yeah im kinda getting used to it now but i believe that all of these problems are because of my adsl modem and mandrake not having the drivers for it. I was looking at RedHat and was wondering if it would have the drivers on it to save me doing all this compiling of a new kernal? :newbie: :D