helloooo!
 

hi all.
im new to this linux stuff but after reading about the problems with windoze vista i thought it about time to make the first tentative steps into linux,i am from Newcastle under lyme in dear ole blighty and i spend most of my time repairng windoze computers for others.
hope that in time i can be of use in the forums.

thanks

jj2000

Welcom
 

Welcome to LQ and linux.

Here is two ways to get your computer to use linux:
1st Download a distro (short for distribution [of linux])
2nd order a free disk from shipit.ubuntu.com

The first one is a bit complex for a new user, but doesn't take as long as shipit.
Shipit however is convenient if you have dialup or plan to redistribute linux.

1:
download and install a download manager (Leechget is nice)
download and install a ISO burning capable software if it is not on your computer yet (Burn4Free is nice too)
go to lqiso.org, or the Ubuntu download site, and download an ISO that fits your PC.

PPC is for macs
X86 is for Intel
x86_64/AMD 64 is for 64-bit based processors.

Once that's done, burn the disk, boot on the cdrom, and enjoy linux.

Ubuntu permits you to test linux as a liveCD first, where linux runs on the disk, and permits you to install it on the hard drive if you wish to do so once booted up.

Welcome! :)

thanks for the welcome
 

i have already d/l slackware dvd iso and am just getting around to installing it but there is so much info to read,its mind boggling to us poor windoze converts lol.

jj2000

Slackware is the wrong way to go if you are a linux newbie.

That's why I suggested Ubuntu.

Slackware is not as easy as Ubuntu, to say the least.
Might as well download Gentoo, or LFS while at it.

oh, and once your done installing Slackware, use "startx" to start the GUI.
You don't need to do that with Ubuntu.

thanks for the info mimi,i think ihave just figured out that slackware is a bit much to start with,so i am taking your suggestion and going to play around with ubuntu and its derivatives until i find one i like.
at the moment kubuntu looks favourite.

jj2000

The *Ubuntus are fine distros, I hope you enjoy them :)