Hi

I'm new to linux but not new in general to UNIX. I used to build and configure SCO boxes years ago so am not totally lost.

I'm pleasantly surprised that there as so many packages about. Most of my movement between between distros is down to not being swamped by options.

I find that having so many different packages available a little disturbing. I've tried RH9, Mandrake and now SUSE. SUSE seems to have the best defaults for me.

I am wondering what approach I should take. I did think about installing everything but quickly realised that having all these applications with all their dependencies could leave me with a few problems.

Since then I'm considering installing SUSE and only installing a minimum system and then installing what I find I need later.

What approach is best? I need std stuff like cdrecord, multimedia but don't want everything in this area. I mean I could install tons of apps that end up doing the same thing and I don't know which are best yet. Only experience will bring me that knowledge.

With windows, you get very little. But you quickly learn what extras like winzip, winrar you need and your system although very slow in comparison becomes one which suits your circumstances. With linux I'm struggling with choice :-)

-Darren

As it can be a bit daunting at first, some newcomers will install everything, just so they get those few choices and learn which ones they'll use and not use.

That's what I did when I first started using Linux a few years back. Even though there wasn't half as many there are today, I know now which one's I use and what not and which ones are going to take up space. Every install I do now is a custom install, where I'm choosing each individual package myself..

Hope this kind of helps you what to do...

Since you've settled on SUSE, your problems are a bit easier to handle, since SUSE is rpm based. A sensible approach would be to install such things as languages, gtk, tcl/tk (and their development packages). There are some rpms which will not install or function properly unless certain devel packages are installed. That will give you a foundation to work with which should cover many dependency problems.
Then, try the applications one at a time (office, graphics, etc). With rpms, thats pretty easy. Install an rpm, try it. If it doesn't work for you, uninstall it.
NOTE: rpms can be written to clean up after themselves and remove all files that were installed. But, they frequently don't (unless specific instruction are included in the rpm). So, inspect your system after uninstalling an rpm, and remove any files left behind after an uninstall.
NOTE: after installing/uninstalling an rpm, run the command 'rpm --rebuilddb' to rebuild the database of installed rpms. You might also consider running 'updatedb', which maintains the database for the locate command.