Getting Linux
 

I want to switch to using Linux on my desktop computer. I am a junior CS student but I don't know much about Linux and the only place I can really use it is at computer labs at school. Last summer I installed Gentoo but I think this was the wrong choice and I didn't get the wireless connection working with it.

Priority 1 for me is setting up my wireless connection. I am looking for a system that I can set up a wireless connection with quickly, with minimum hassle. My wireless adapter is a DLink AirPlus G, with only Windows drivers. My question is:

"What should I look for that will enable me to start using this connection from Linux immediately?"


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As I recall, Gentoo required a working internet connection to install most of its packages. I got ndiswrapper which looks like it might have helped me get the connection working, but installing it required sources to be available which were not, and I'm not sure how I can make them available or even if they are present at all. The only way I can get data to the Gentoo on my computer is by copying it to a CDR in Windows and rebooting, and I have no way of getting data out of Gentoo. This severely limits my ability to do anything useful with the system. On the bright side, it means I haven't put much worthwhile data on Gentoo, so I have no problems with starting over.

I'm looking for a full-featured distribution. I have way more hard drive space than I need or use (80 GB).

Thanks for any tips!

By that, do you meen something that will hold your hand? Try Ubuntu.

Kubuntu
www.kubuntu.org

SUSE
http://en.opensuse.org

Mandriva
http://frontal2.mandriva.com/en/downloads/mirrors

Mephis
http://www.mepis.org/

Xrandros
http://www.xandros.com/

if you want to find some others:
http://eedok.voidofmind.com/linux/chooser.html
http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/

Jake

No, I mean I'd prefer more features over fewer features, space not a concern. More utilities/programs/etc. included in the distribution is better. Not that I'd object to a little ease of use, although one reason I want to start using Linux is to become skilled with Linux. But that's a secondary concern--I need to know what should I get that will allow me to quickly get my wireless adapter working. I'm never going to use a system much if I don't have internet access.

My question:

--Is there a distribution that comes with ndiswrapper, or a lot of drivers, one of which might be the right one? Is there a distribution known for including this type of thing?

Kanotix or PCLinuxOS would both be good choices. As they both come with a ton of apps. Your best bet is to try a few distros that come as Livecds , once you find one you like that works install it.

FrozenTech's LiveCD List
http://www.livecdlist.com/

DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD.
http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major

Ubuntu is supposed to be one of the best at hardware detection. PCLinuxOS too.

Personally i have found Arch the best distro to learn with (of those i have used) but there isn't much autodetection of anything.