i don't know about the other newbies to linux, but i have experienced immense frustrations in making the conversion from m$ xp to linux. i still am experiencing frustrations.

HOWEVER, when things do come together, linux is so much more than m$ can hope for.

today, i got the apache server running with php support and my mysql db up. now, i can test my scripts locally without having to upload them to my hosting server. i know it is possible in windoze, but i spent HOURS with windoze trying to get it to work and it never quite worked right.

so, just a note of encouragement to stick with it and keep asking questions. the problems can be resolved, and when they are, you will be thankful you worked so hard. the amount of control that linux offers is simply amazing.

anyhow, enjoy...

It's good when it's true. Unfortunately a problem sometimes leads to frustration (when you're unable to find a solution). But that's why forums such as this one are here, after all.

When I can't find a solution to a problem after I have worked like, say, a whole day on it, I will try to take a short break(if I manage to defeat my fear-to-lose attitude ). And when I come back to the same problem after a few days, or after a clean re-installation of the system, I will find them solved without much effort most of the time. So, the only thing that you need is patience.

I use the same method sometimes, but usually I just sit and try to fix/do it until I finish...

hehe the fixes to my computerproblems tend to come at night when I sleep (which is annoying, having to jot down ideas in the middle of the night) ... or sometimes out of the blue some invisible hand pushes me in the right direction ...
or quite often I find the solution here on LQ

at least it gives some sort of satisfaction, solving a certain problem you experience (rather than typing format c: and hoping your clean windows install will perform better than the old one )