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Old 12-02-2003, 04:10 PM   #1
thehellwitu
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What distro to use for a long time windows user?


Well ok i need the easiest to use linux os the only reason im switching is cause its stable and doesnt give me errors. But i need it to be free. I will not need to install anything like apache and mysql but i need to have msn aim and yahoo compatable with it. Now i totally like the Turbolinux cause of the way it sounds so as im typoing this im actually downloaidng it. But on a site that i see and on here i dont see anything about it so i dont know if its popular and just doesnt have issues so no forum needed or nobody uses it and its a bad distro. Someone give a bit of info on this distro or which distro i should use meeting my criteria stated in first few sentences.
 
Old 12-02-2003, 04:24 PM   #2
fancypiper
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Rule number one: "Thou shalt know what is in thy box"

I'm afraid you might have to check it out for yourself if it isn't a top 5 popular distro. The features are listed in the first link you will see below. Hang on to your hat as Linux does have a learning curve if you just gotta point and click and can't type commands in a terminal.

# How to choose a distribution and why run Linux links:
A Beginner's Guide to Choosing a Linux Distribution
Reasons to Choose or Not Choose Linux
Deciding if Linux is Right for You
LWN distro list
elinux Linux Distributions

If you download:

# How do I burn a bootable CD with Nero?
Information and Links For Nero CD Burning Software
How To Check MD5sums On A Linux Iso Image

If you rather have pre made or pre-burnt CDs for a few bucks
# Cheap CDs
AlmostFreeLinux
Discount Linux CDs
Linux Central
Cheapbytes
TuxCDs
ComputerHelperGuy
CheapISO
Os Heaven

Some things to do before installing

# Pre-installation guides
GNU/Linux pre-installation checklist
The Pre-Installation Help File

# Partitioning
Linux Partition HOWTO
Rute - Partitions, File Systems, Formatting, Mounting
Proper Filesystem Layout

Last edited by fancypiper; 12-02-2003 at 04:27 PM.
 
Old 12-02-2003, 04:26 PM   #3
thehellwitu
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Ok i dont want to do reading although i will just cause i have nothing to do but can someone give me the best windows like distro meeting my criteria not links to forums and stuff to read about it i want distro name and few basic features
 
Old 12-02-2003, 04:31 PM   #4
fancypiper
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Quote:
Originally posted by thehellwitu
Ok i dont want to do reading
Hmm... Linux minus the reading... I fear Linux may not be for you then.
 
Old 12-02-2003, 04:31 PM   #5
XavierP
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Actually, Fancypiper gave you a pretty comprehensive list of links to help you choose and install a distro.

Check out www.distrowatch.org - they have lists of distros and the features.

Enjoy.
 
Old 12-02-2003, 04:33 PM   #6
fancypiper
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BTW, XavierP, the first link in my bunch of stuff is to distrowatch
 
Old 12-02-2003, 04:35 PM   #7
thehellwitu
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Well in your guyses minds what is the best distro for me If i have to wait 10 days or more then 1 hour do do a simple thing then that distro aint for me I want the best windows like distro free. And maybe anyone that is advanced enough out there with linux build me one lol But i know if you did alot of users would use it if it was just like a window os but was stable and well ran linux and windows programs and i mean all basic ones like msn messenger not office
 
Old 12-02-2003, 04:40 PM   #8
RolledOat
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It has to be free, you don't want to do any reading so it has to be 100% intuitive, it has to do everything, and has to be error free. Might I recommend you steal a Mac?

R.O.

P.S. Error free install? Maybe minimal reading required to see if your hardware is supported.
 
Old 12-02-2003, 04:41 PM   #9
thehellwitu
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well i dont mind doing aboout 30 minutes of reading but now like i have to read on how to login and how to change screen size and stuff minimal reading is ok and if u recommend redhat get away from me. I spent 2 days trying to get the screen resolution bigger. Redhat is for advanced users in my opinion.
 
Old 12-02-2003, 04:45 PM   #10
XavierP
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Ooops - apologies Fancypiper. I didn't read your links fully. Then again, I thought it odd that you didn't link to it. Oh me of little faith!

thehellwitu - Linux is all about choice. My next preferred distro is Slackware. Reading what you want to do that is not the distro for you. You obviously know what you want to do, so read up on Distrowatch and make a decision. We cannot make the decision for you.

Lindows is very Windows-like, btw, and hey, you even have to pay for it, just like Windows! LOL

Seriously though, Linux has a steep learning curve. Many Windows programs have equivalents in Linux - but you have to do some reading to learn how to install them. This isn't Windows and you can't get away with just pointing and clicking. As I said earlier, Fancypiper gave you some ace links, follow them.

Good luck.
 
Old 12-02-2003, 04:47 PM   #11
thehellwitu
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Well then forget linux. If noone can answer my question linux is a bad os. I mean come on someone just make a window like distro that is easy for us windows power users. I mean come on please. I know so much bout windows but its unstable and thats why i want linux. I would get a mac but i have to buy the entire system and forget that so i guess i will stick with poor old microsoft and never recommend linux to anyone. Humph!!!
 
Old 12-02-2003, 04:49 PM   #12
RolledOat
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I would recommend knoppix then. It has great hardware detection, and you can play with it before you actually install anything. I don't recommend Redhat either. I use it, I like it, but, as you found, their Xconfigurator replacement is the worst I have seen.

R.O.
 
Old 12-02-2003, 04:51 PM   #13
thehellwitu
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well it has to be a full distro not some stupid cd running distro I AM A WINDOWS POWER USER can u all understand that so i need to have a windows like distro with minimal errors. I mean i get more help for windows the linux and windows dont even have forums. I figured windows out so much so easily and if linux cant do that then linux sux and shouldnt be used. someone needs to make a windows/linux os then
 
Old 12-02-2003, 04:52 PM   #14
fancypiper
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You could pop in one of the live cds such as the KNOPPIX Linux Live CD and play with it without installing. That's about as close as you could come to "easiest". If you like it, then you can install it as a full distro with all it's tools.

It's Debian based, btw which has a good rep for stability.

Last edited by fancypiper; 12-02-2003 at 04:55 PM.
 
Old 12-02-2003, 04:52 PM   #15
XavierP
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Quote:
If noone can answer my question linux is a bad os.
Seriously??? Tell me then. What's the best car/place to live/country for me? Try a number of distros, do a bit of research, make an informed decision. You don't get to be a power user (even in Windows) by insisting that others do all of the work.

Knoppix is a good start for you. But follow Fancypiper's links.
 
  


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