hi everyone, i am brand spanking new this this. no idea waht i can/should do with Linux. really interested in learnign this but have no idea where to start.
any good books out there for me to get? titles?
what about web sites?
like i said, i am really clueless.
thanks in advance

Check out a few links in my sig, also look at the tutorial over at www.linux.org it's the best thing I've ever done.

A book, well you can get a printed copy of:
http://rute.2038bug.com/rute.html.gz

Cool

Here is a web page that lists various Linux programs that can be used to replace various Windows programs:
http://linuxshop.ru/linuxbegin/win-lin-soft-en/#5

Below is a link to the Linux Rute User's Tutorial and Exposition:
http://rute.2038bug.com/index.html.gz

I have used Linux for about 1 1/2 years and have used several Word Processors. For about a year I used the word Processor in Open Office to create and print a newsletter for a small local club. The newsletter was in multi-column format with photos and clipart. Before that I had used Microsoft Word for to do the newsletter. With the multi-column format and photos I found the Open Office word processor easier to use than MS Word. The one thing I never liked about Open Office was how long it took for the program to start. Because of that I recently switched to the Textmaker workprocessor. It starts up in only 1 or 2 seconds and is very fast and is a full featured word processor. It also seems to have good support for complex layouts using frames, multi-columns, photos and clipart. It is not free. I purchased both the Linux verison and the Windows version and use both depending on which I am booted up into. I prefer to use a wordprocessor which is available in both Windows and Linux versions. That way I can use the same word processor to edit the same documents no matter which I happen to be booted up into at the moment. Below are two links to reviews of Textmaker:
http://www.desktoplinux.com/articles/AT9264070723.html
http://www.linuxandmain.com/modules....rticle&sid=348

Below is a link to the Crossover Office Software which I use to run Word 97 and Excel 97 under Linux. It is not free and it will not allow you to run all versions of MS Office and not all Windows programs:
http://codeweavers.com/products/office/

Below is a link to a description of Midnight Commander. It is a directory browser/file manager for Linux. It was already installed by default on my copy of Red Hat 9. To start it and use it I just type mc ffrom the command line:
http://news.tucows.com/ext2/99/08/de...devel1pf.shtml

Below is my favorite page of the latest Linux news:
http://linuxhomepage.com/

Are you interested in using a database program to create a web page with forms and everything on a web page? That could be used on the Interet or on a company's own private Intranet or on an extranet. If so, that is frequently done with a combination of HTML, PHP, MySQL and the Apache web server. Those come free on the installation CDs with most versions of Linux, but are not usually installed by default. Below is a link to my favorite book on the subjet. I have been experimenting with that some lately but am not yet an expert at any of that.
http://dmcinsights.com/phorum/read.p...&i=2157&t=2157

thank you all.
this is really helping me. i will for sure check out the things you guys have suggested.
this site is great. i have alreayd found some answers to my problems. for instance i can't GAIM to install for soem odd reason ( C compiler not found), i was able to find the answer on this site.

well just wnated to say thank you. keep all the good inputs rolling.

thanks again.

If we knew your distro and release, we might be able to tell you how to install the compiler

Mandrake:

urpmi gcc

apt-enabled distros:

apt-get install gcc

# Guides to software and installation and uninstallation
LNAG - How do I install a program I downloaded from the Internet?
Rute Guide's software explanation
You might want to check out CheckInstall to manage source code installations/uninstallation

o cool.

i have RedHat 9.0
thanks inadvance.

You can use your install disks, select the expert method and upgrade and make sure you select the "developmental packages" for software and kernel.

That should install it.

Otherwise, download and install the two rpms for apt4rpm and apt-get install synaptic for a gui front end and use apt-get to install it.

You can install Red Carpet, subscribe to the Red Hat channel and use that to install.

# Guides to software and installation and uninstallation
LNAG - How do I install a program I downloaded from the Internet?
Rute Guide's software explanation
You might want to check out CheckInstall to manage source code installations/uninstallation

# Redhat links
RedHat Linux Manuals
Get your mp3 support here
Maximum RPM
rpmfind
Easier software management: apt4rpm - Red Carpet
RedHat 8.0 Tips & Tricks

# Redhat 7.3 down configuration commands
setup leads to several configuration tools

# Redhat 7.3 up configuration commands
Configure soundcard:
redhat-config-soundcard
Configure X server:
redhat-config-xfree86
Configure network:
redhat-config-network

# Handling NTFS
New Technology FileSystem (NTFS) HOWTOs
Linux NTFS project

thanks fancypiper.

i tried installing the development packages but there were some dependencies issues, and since i don;t really know what i was missing so i decided to reinstall redhat and start from the beginning and just install the developmental package from the CD at reinstall.

hopefully this will work.


one more question. how do i update the system? i know there are someout dated stuff that came with redhat, but i don;t want to pay for the automatic update thingy from Redhat. is there another way for me to do the patches?

Easier software management: apt4rpm - Red Carpet