My first installation of Linux was Mint.... Intel NUC Skull. I was learning so much during that time about how to build a pc and all the different Linux OS systems available... it was like discovering a whole new virtual world.

I was already deep into linux, first with Sun, then with HP. I remember Microsoft bragging about how their OS server was staying up upto 4 wks at a time, while our unix servers were operational 6 months and longer. As a software engineer I loved Unix.

Of course I have a copy of Tanebaum's book on a simple OS like Unix, I was elated. A friend emailed(corporate style email) me about a version of Slackware that had a Unix style interface, I got a copy and with his help created my first Unix style system on a 64kb intel system. It took hours using multiple floppies. I couldn't have done it without his help. Unfortunately, in those days the only affordable aps ran on Microsoft. Compared to Unix/Linux Microsoft is still a dog. It's never figured out true multi-tasking.

Still love Unix/Linux

I had read about Slackware in Nuts and Volts magazine. I ordered Slackware 3.0, (which came as a stack of 3.5" floppies IIRC)and installed on a 386SX PC. I had the terminal session running quickly, but getting X-windows configured to my liking took a couple of days. I enjoyed the experience so much that I quickly began learning to program in C on it and never looked back. I think that was about 1995 or so, but I am not sure of the year anymore.

It has been an interesting ride and Linux still fascinates me!

It was RH Linux version 4.0, being in a MS world it was refreshing to see an OS that did not cost a lot and had potential. Overall it was fun...!! Linux is and will always be valuable...

What strikes me most about this thread is the huge number of posts from people who seldom post anything but clearly are experienced Linux users who have been lurking around here for a long time. We seem to have hit a nerve.

Very good point, I had honestly not thought about this. Where would I be without Linux? Probably on Windoze, but certainly not happy with it. I only wish I had got into it sooner. Thank you to Linus, Stallman, and all the other developers who helped to create what we have today. Maybe not to Pottering though.

Indeed! GNU/Linux brought us more than an OS: a philosophy of technology and human relationships, collaboration, network, solidarity... an oasis in the world of money, commerce and bribery.

Now, I think, the problem took a workaround and big corporations are like vampires in the jugular of FLOSS... not only from the outside (copying ideas or directly using code) but from the inside, with a certain big company making its way the only way, pushing their nasty init system, audio and video tools, and eliminating alternatives. That would kill GNU/Linux as we knew it... I hope not, but...

One of the things I like most about Linux (yes, it's free, it's secure on the internet, it's easy to understand, but above all...) is the community. The fact that if you run into any problems, you can come to a place like this and explain what is going wrong for you, and you will be guided via various diagnostic tools into fixing it yourself.

I believe my first Linux install was a Red Hat Linux install before the enterprise edition. I was totally disillusioned with Windows me
and the price of NT4.0 was to steep for my budget.I had to mail order for a book on Linux from either O'Rielly or Que to even learn about Linux operating system.Only used Linux for a few years before I started using XP. After my retirement I went on to use Debian,Ubuntu and Linux Mint.

Rick

It was not as easy as people say it is. In fact, I have given up even trying.

I bought a Red Hat Linux book that came with a Disk. I was excited and terrified! I think it took me a few tries to install it. The book came with stickers and I put them all over the wall near the computer.

soooo True!

I'm really sorry to hear that. If you've given up, then I'm sure you've spent a lot of time trying, but in case you haven't or would like to give it another go then I'm sure myself and others would be happy to offer assistance.

As Hazel said,

I found linux mint in a magazine.
With search engines I researched linux.
I had to create directory's to remember things.
I used 32bit format to transfer files over.
Vim creates files quickly.
The systemd file format took a little time & GUI's helped.
Within 2 weeks I moved on to a less GUI linux.
I'm enjoying the command line.
Productivity is not stopped compared to windows updates.

my very 1st ever was Linspire 5
and even if later Linux community pissed on it so much, at the time i was quite
both excited and quite amaized how it offered good transition from windows to Linux