Virgin to Linux.
 

Hi,
Lets start with myself.. as a total newbie for Linux.

I have a laptop having AMD64 Processor and I want to see how linux fits my needs. I have not seen linux interface at all yet (Pity but true)

Can you please suggest me:

1.Some basic flavours of Linux I can install for 64 Bit which are running successfully. I dont want my laptop to be used for testing purposes.

2.Can I boot and run linux from CD/DVD ? if thats possible then that can solve my initial hitch of trying and using linux.

3. Any other precaution I need to take care while using linux?

Thats all for now.. Thanks

Try a few LiveCDs to see which ones work well with your laptop.

I would recommend, PCLinuxOS, KAnotix, Knoppix, MEPIS, Slax,

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

You do not need to be too hooked on having to use 64 bit Linux. There isn't such a performance advantage and you can install or compile multi-processor kernels with 32 bit Linux.

Laptops can be more tricky to set up than PCs. Try a live CD. Knoppix is very good. If you want to install Linux and keep Windows you are going to have to shrink your hard drive NTFS partition. The Knoppix Live CD can do that for you.

As for which flavour to install. Ubuntu/Kubuntu is popular, supposed to be easy to get going and comes in a 64 bit version. I have an AMD 64 dual core PC and run Slackware. There is no official 64 bit version but there is a multi-processor kernel provided.

Alan

For screenshots check out the list of interfaces at:
http://xwinman.org/

Or just google around for "linux kde screenshots", "linux gnome screenshots", etc.

And just so you know, 64 bit distros normally aren't worth the trouble. They provide little benefit for the number of app / library hassles you'll encounter. imho, even Windows isn't worth the jump to 64 bit yet. It isn't like you'll see a huge speed decrease if you go the 32 bit route, in fact I doubt you'd notice a difference.

As for precautions, I don't know if you are dual booting or not, but a lot of people complain when lilo / grub override their boot partition. It's easy to fix once you understand more, but initially it can seem like your Windows partition was "destroyed". If you aren't dual booting, no problem then.

I agree with craigevil. If you try out a live cd it will help you understand how linux does things.
As for percautions Not sure of any.

I too would recommend a live CD. Specifically Slax. It is great in that it is the only LiveCD I've ever found that really is *easy* to customize. I tried to use Knoppix, supposedly the flagship of hardware detection, but both the CD and DVD versions failed to find the CD drives on both my desktop and laptop. But still give Knoppix a try too if Slax won't work. Most people have good success with it.

craigevil mentioed the Live CD List, Live CDs are an exelent way to test linux without touching your system. So I too am with the above in suggesting Live CDs. Just going a step further with the link craigevil posted try this:

http://www.livecdlist.com/?pick=Linu...All&sort=&sm=1

Or for 64bit Power PCs (macs etc) try: http://www.livecdlist.com/?pick=Linu...All&sort=&sm=1

and if you are still unsure: http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/

hope this helps

Jake