Hello, I've been trying to get into linux for a good couple of years but can't seem to do without windows long enough to really get stuck in. Finally after getting hold of an oldish laptop I've managed to install and connect to the web (via wifi) my first linux distro. Ok so it's not my first installation (done about 4 but they've never stayed) but this one will be staying and used for hopefully everything.

Basically I really want to learn linux from the command line and the Fedora 3 distro I've now got seems to be just like XP... I think it's excellent and a lot better than XP but I also want to set up a server running a mail server and torrents etc from the command line.

Soo.... basically want I would like to know is what's the best way of doing this? For convienience I would really like to do it first on the laptop to prove that it all works. My borther has been telling me to use Slackware so would like to give that a go. I'm currently downloading the iso's on my Windows server and when they're done want to add slackware to this machine. My first query really would be: "How to I re-partition this installation of Fedora 3 to make room for slackware?" Now normally I'd jump straight to partition magic but have no idea in linux...

And finally... once I've installed slackware is there a 'best' way to learn all about linux?

Sorry for the long waffle... would really appreciate any advice.

why not using a partition magic boot-cd or disk?
it´s a good proggi.

think the ´best way´ learn a lot ´bout linux is ....like all other OS´s.....try try try try
with lot of coffee and good nerves! ;-) )

http://www.gnu.org/software/parted/parted.html

I've never used it, but I hear parted is a good FSF Partition Magic replacement.

Right! Slackware!!!
First, get any book about Linux, e.g., I have book on 'RedHat7'. Then, when you know how to find, copy, kill process, poweroff, logoff, cd and so on - READ MANUALS (I know it's boring, but it Describes ALL ABOUT Linux). I'm myself too lazy to read mans, that's why I'm asking questions here!
PS: Poem:
Let's bury M$ -
It's the wholy a$$!

If I were you I would stick with Fedora Core for now. Slackware can be an intimidating installation for a newbie (tried it once, but plan on trying it again). To learn about the command line I would start by using a terminal window. It runs the console on top of the GUI. A good book for basic commands is the Linux Pocket Guide by O'Reilly. It has all the basic commands and it was written specifically for Fedora Core users (plan on reviewing it later or tomorrow when I get a chance).

i found that the O'Reily book "Running Linux" is about all I needed to get the basics of Linux, after that I used the same method I do for just about everything, fiddle around with it until you break it and then fix it. Did a lot of searching here on the forums to find previously asked questions and so forth. Most of the questions that I had at one time were already asked here and were solved. Not all though.

there are some good webpages that list all the useful command line stuff as well as what the directory structure was like. I think the directory structure was something that confused me the most.

don't fear slackware. it's not as bad as it sounds. just go into with an open minde and you'll be fine. eigh...if you screw up the install just start over I would suggest to go with the Expert mode for installation because somethings like PHP and stuff are not included in the "Full Install" at least none of the ones I have done have been.

Good luck and enjoy!

check out the excellent Rute User's Tutorial and Exposition:

http://www.gnoppix.org/pages/rute/rute.html

also the great stuff at tldp.org and redhat.com

as overlord said, best way to learn it try to do different things, install/config different software, break the system a few times, fix it, etc. (and bookmark LQ.org )

> Basically I really want to learn linux from the command line

See my webpage,

http://www.websamba.com/Linux_Docs_Links

Scroll down to Console Commands

Sheng-Chieh

Cheers guys I will get straight on it. I thought that any questions I had would already be answered on here but those websites will prove most useful

I'll keep you posted...