Hi everyone! Long time no talk!

A year ago I tried my run at Red Hat. Having not liked it I uninstalled Red Hat Linux and never came back since.

I have a new PC now running Windows XP with SP2. Due to the various issues regarding SP2, especially considering p2p applications I am pondering using Linux under a dual boot method.

I always heard that Mandrake Linux seems the best Linux distro for newbies like myself. If I decide to go back to trying out Linux I am thinking about going with this one. Any opinions on this matter?

Secondly, are there any issues or any advice for installing Mandrake Linux and Windows XP on the same computer? Anything I need to know before proceeding?

No, I don't think so. Mandrake should automatically find XP and select a dual boot option. Mandrake is very user-friendly, but if you want an XP look and feel you may want to try Linare Linux. You can download versions from this website, or buy a full version at www.linare.com.

If you want p2p apps, then I suggest limewire for newbies. I believe it runs on the Gnutella network.

I'm planning on using BitTorrent.

That's a main reason why I might go back to using Linux as well as Windows. SP2 has caused my p2p apps to not work.

I'd say try SuSE 9.1 Personal edition... you can download the single disc ISO image at www.suse.com/us so good luck to ya..

BTW - SuSE is very user friendly and super-easy to configure, not-to-mention very polished with a nice corporate look ot it...

Also, if you're just sick M$'s Bull$hit but don't really care about learning a ton about Linux... Xandros IS fantastic, and is also nicely polished. You can buy the latest release for $90 which included CodeWeavers CrossOver office version 3 (Make SUPER-SIMPLE work out of installing things like M$ Office XP, FileMaker Pro, QuickBooks, etc..) Or you can download the Open Circulation distrobution for free.. Also, a very nice desktop with a Windows XP feel to it.. Good Luck...

I honestly wouldn't recommend Mandrake...IMHO, I thought the hardware detection kind of sucked, as it wanted to re-install my wireless card upon every reboot... And I just didn't think it looked as nice and professional as say SuSE or Xandros...

Alright, it will either be Suse 9.1 or Mandrake 10. Right now I am kind of leaning towards Suse.

Am I correct in assuming that programs like OpenOffice and Mozilla are not on the Suse disc?

While I am going to install Linux to learn it, I want it's main function to be BitTorrent. Is BitTorrent difficult to use with Linux?

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...00#post1173200

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...55#post1161255

I'm not sure if the SuSE 9.1 personal disc comes with OpenOffice and Mozilla... I would Assume it does.. since those are 2 of the most widely used applications on linux...

But you could also do the SuSE 9.1 Professional installation via FTP... It's not as difficult as it sounds at all... I have done it like 4 times in the past month... Just follow the directions and you'll be fine...

Again, I would recommend SuSE over Mandrake because Mandrake is notoriously buggy... and I don't think it's as nice looking as SuSE...

Good Luck..