Brand new to linux and looking for a lot of help
 

I am looking to buy a netbook and I'm a little wary about running windows on it since I seem to be constantly hearing about new viruses and was recently told that it would be better to run it on linux rather than windows. Then I came across a post on this site (that was quite old) suggesting to have both rather than remove windows.

I can use basic programs well but when it comes to the actual systems I am completely clueless. I apologise if the answers to my questions are clearly available elsewhere, I have looked around but as everything is new it is a little overwhelming. I also apologise if my questions are really stupid and/or frustrating, this site just seems to be the best place to ask.

As I've previously said, I am not very computer savvy so I do have a few questions that I would love basic answers for. I'll just list them for now but if its better some other way please tell me.

What is linux and is it a good idea to have it run along side windows?

Is there more than one and if so, which is the best?

Where can I get it from? (I'm in Australia if its store bought)

What anti-virus does it need?

I'll probably have more questions if I get answers if thats ok

Hi, welcome to LQ!


Posting from MacOS, wanting to get away from Windows and asking for
Linux is a mighty fine selection of OSes. :}

Best of luck.


Cheers,
Tink

Hello.

You should be already aware that Linux is an operating system. It can be dual-booted with windows. You can as well run only linux on your computer and have windows installed in a virtual machine.

Linux itself is a kernel. There are a lots (hundreds) of linux distributions, also mentioned as "linux" by many people, but in fact it should be called "distro" if you'd like to name it short.
The most popular distro for beginners is ubuntu.
There is a nice test to choose your distro: http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/ , try it :)

You can download most linux distributions for free, if your bandwidth allows that. Otherwise you can order a CD(ubuntu ships CDs for free in Russia and most other countries, I am not aware about Australia, check that out on their site) or get one at your local area.

Basically, none. There are antivirus programs designed to wipe out viruses for windows (ex from mail server traffic). Since linux viruses is a rare and unstandard thing it is quite hard to detect ones. For myself I never used any antivirus even in windows, but that requires some level of knowledge. May someone else bring you more insights on antivirus topic.

And remember, that Google is your friend. If you can't find something, google it. It's a way I solved 99% of linux-related problems myself in the past.

Welcome to the forum. Everyone is new to linux at some point.

Linux is the core operating system, there is only one, but it has many versions. If you decide to run linux, use one of the newer releases. Linux usually comes as a 'distribution', distro for short. There are many distros. Some come as a bootable CD or DVD. These are 'live' distros, and are not installed to your hard drive. You can run one of these to try, before you install. They will not effect anything on your hard drive.

Once you install, yes you can install it along side of a windows install, or other system.

Is this a good idea? In some cases yes, and some no. Good it you know enough on how to do it without destroying your windows system. It allows you to run linux as you learn, and keep the windows you know for things that just need to get done. It makes maintaining both systems harder, it you don't have some knowledge. If you have little experience, I would recommend the live CD first. If possible, install to a system without windows, on a second machine. That way you won't screw up windows with the install of linux.

Yes, there are many distros. Pick one of the more user friendly ones. What tends to separate them is the install program, some are easier than others, the programs to install new software, and various programs to set up things like printers, network cards and video cards, etc. Remember the core ( linux ) is the same. The which one is best? If you put that question on the board you'll get lots of different answers. There are threads on that topic, so look around the board. Ease of installation - Mandriva - very good at hardware detection also. Has nice tools to maintain the system - MCC ( Mandrake Control Centre ).

A lot of nobs go with Ubuntu. I run it on my netbook, and it runs well. Way better than Win7 that came on it. There are several buntu's, depending on desktop you want. Yes, you have choices there also.

Download and burn a copy is the easy way. You can buy it, if you want. Some magazines come with out of date copies. There are online places to order burned copies if you don't have a CD or DVD burner.

Follow this link to find a lot of popular distros download locations.

http://iso.linuxquestions.org/

There are instructions on how to burn the CD or DVD in windows. Follow those instructions. Do the md5sum check, burn it as slow as you can with nothing else going on at the time of the burn. If you don't, then you can find lots of threads on this board started by nobs that don't follow that advice.

The simple answer is 'not for linux'. If you run a dual boot system, you can boot linux, and scan your windoze system for viruses.

If you do not have a router, then run a firewall. Most routers are a firewall.

Hope this gets you going in the right direction. Best of luck.

I've also seen lots of noobs go with Mint (Ubuntu Variant) and PCLinuxOS. These are similar to Ubuntu in that stuff generally works out the box.

Personally I think its dependent on you as a person and what you want to use your machine. If you just need an alternate to Windows for normal daily use; by all means the above distros are great for that purpose.

However, if your primary goal is to learn Linux in depth, then there are many choices of distro you could choose (don't get me wrong; I'm not saying that with Ubuntu/Mint you cannot learn the ins and outs of Linux).

I went with Fedora since I wanted to have something that's cutting edge and requires a lot of tinkering to get right (not everything will work straight away seeing that Fedora releases the latest packages/apps). Also it helps me since my job involves RHEL; which is based on older versions of Fedora.

I also do run Ubuntu (albeit in a VM) since for certain everyday tasks; you simply can't beat it:)

Sure. You might even want to delete Windows once you get to like it!

Linux is just the basic core OS, it can't be used to do any work. You have to use a Linux distributon, or distro for short, which is the Linux kernel with all the stuff and commands and utilities to have a working desktop.

It's free and open-source software. That means anyone can copy it, modify it, give it away (even your modified versions), and even contribute back to the original developer. And it's perfecly legal, and even encouraged.

Most distros can be downloaded from the internet.

You probably don't.

Sure, that's what this site is for.

Also, you might want to read this first:

http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm

Hi

Welcome to LQ and GNU/Linux!

This is called 'dual booting' and is done all the time with multiple installs.

'How to Ask Questions the Smart Way' would be one link you should look at to help us to help you in the future. Composition of a well presented question is important for everyone. :)

You've started the thread with a good approach. I appreciate the manner in which the queries and requests have been given to us. So your already one up with your methods.

Linux is generally referring to the distro in general but Linux actually is the heart (kernel) of a popular OS! The installs are independent. If you want then a Host can provide a Client operations via a Virtual Machine (VM). I prefer VirtualBox but there are others.

Yes there are many other distributions which can be found at LQ ISO. You can use a LiveCD from 'The LiveCD List' to test drive one. This of course would require a DVD/CD ROM device to boot in order to test drive

Most Universities have a bookstore that will have Books that will include copies. Linux User Groups is a World list that should list local user groups which may aid you in GNU/Linux endeavors.

This is something that is viral when it comes to GNU/Linux! :) Actually at present GNU/Linux overall technically isn't immune but one should be aware of 'rootkit' or Trojans that could potentially cause access to ones system.Which would cause unwarranted problems.

Fire Away! BTW, LQ has a great spell check. :)

:hattip:

Just a few more links to aid you;

Linux Documentation Project
Rute Tutorial & Exposition
Linux Command Guide
Utimate Linux Newbie Guide
LinuxSelfHelp
Getting Started with Linux
Bash Reference Manual
Advanced Bash-Scripting Guide
Linux Home Networking
Virtualiation- Top 10

:hattip:
The above links and others can be found at 'Slackware-Links'. More than just Slackware® links!

Anti-virus programs are available to protect Windows clients if you run Samba or an e-mail server.
There are programs such as rkhunter to check for root kits. Securing your Linux box is still important. Prevention is more important than reacting to an incident.

Oopps! Network problem induced double post. Nothing to see here.

Linux is very cool but it takes learning
 

hey, you have good questions... and in one week you will have MANY more ;) , my advise is, try "Learn Linux for a beginner" by unixacademy.com, if you are going into Linux deep, with command line, I found it to be useful and quick path
You also will need to make a decision which system to install, it may be worth taking a look on any of "Linux Jazz" sets, it contains all mainstream distros and convenient to try them all and pick the one you prefer(and fits your computer the best).
Linux is WAAYAAYYyyyyy more sophisticated (but bot over-engineered like windows) and you must dedicate some time for learning and discovering of its numerous features etc... but after that, you can really ENJOY and appreciate the way its way...

Hope it helps

Welcome to the forums.

I put Ubuntu on my wife's Acer Netbook and it runs fine. Not as speedy as a more powerful machine, but it doesn't leave you wanting for anything. She is a complete, and I mean complete, novice when it comes to computers and has already decided that she likes it MUCH better than windows, claiming that it is far easier to use. The Ubuntu variants have the advantage of being well supported for hardware and a solid package repository with much of what you could want that will generally just work.

There are a few articles out there regarding Linux security for the Window's mind set. You would do well to read a few of them. Basically, unless you install server applications or do something "deliberately stupid", i.e. beyond a normal mistake, security such as viruses and open ports won't be a real issue.

In the US you can order netbooks and some laptops with factory installed Linux. (I have heard that in some other countries, such as the Uk, it's more difficult.)

I have two Dells that came with Ubuntu.

Dell has recently made it more difficult to find the operating system options. You have to go to the computer model on their website, then drill down to the "tech specs" or "customize my system" to find the Ubuntu option. They will keep nagging you that "Dell recommends Windows x" but ignore them.

The plus of getting factory-installed is that you won't have to hassle with wireless drivers--the wireless will work out of the box.

The last time I checked, a couple of weeks ago, Dell was still shipping Ubuntu 8.04 (8=2008, 04=April). The current Ubuntu is 10.04. The boxes may upgrade seamlessly on line though--my Dell 1545 laptop has upgraded with each new Linux release. The Dell Mini9 has not upgraded the OS release, but it has gotten all the security updates.

Always choose the "first-run" option to make a restore or install disk if one didn't come with the shipment.

Frankbell's suggestion is a very good one. Watch their pricing, though, if you consider this option. Before buying the netbook, I looked on Dell's website and looked at the ones with Linux on them. It turns out that they wanted the same price for Linux only as one with Win-7. In other words, even if you don't receive it, your still paying for it.

Edit: just tried looking on their website. Couldn't even find this as an option. Yes, they are making it difficult.

Thank you all so much for your help. I finally got my netbook (an asus eepc) and am actually using it now. I decided on ubuntu as I feel that it is best for me right now, given my extreme lack of linux knowledge.

I did have some questions regarding partitioning but just as I was about to post, I found a site that said by installing ubuntu through wubi partitioning isn't necessary. So now I don't have any questions I just wanted to thank you all again :)

So if your original issue is solved mark the thread as solved (in Thread Tools).

And don't be afraid to ask here if you have any more questions later!