hello.I'm willing to get linux redhat distribution but confused.Do I need to get a book just to operate on linux redhat ? Wll there be hardware conflicts ? How much space does the redhat take in your hard drive ? Will I certainly get ide's built-in with redhat ? What's the thingy about the linux kernel being modifiable ?what is the kernel ?

you don't really need a book but it might help if you don't know anything

There won't be hardware conflicts. If you're worried about some of your components not working, you can check them out somewhere on this site and also do a google search, there's a web-page called linux hardware or something like that.

On my system all the essential boot-up stuff takes 17Mb, and I have another 4.2Gb of additional stuff - GUI's, office suites, 3rd party programs and of course lots of my own data.

"ide's built in". Not sure what you mean by that. Ide disk drives are well supported by linux.

The kernel is the core bit of the operating system that talks to your hardware for you, starts up and configures the system and sits, djinn-like, waiting for your commands.

Modifying it means removing support for hardware that you don't have, changing some parameters for better performance, arranging some parts to only load when needed and so on.

John

I read in one linux site that you get all compilers for c/c++/visual basic delivered along with the operating system-unlike windoz where you need to buy the I.D.E Integrated Developing Environment cd's separately.

I want to multi-boot/dual boot linux redhat along wid xp...dunno how..

ok, if you mean a development tool, there are a lot of them yes.

It's fairly standard for people to have dual-boot systems. There's lots of documentation about this. The redhat instructions on their webpage have one or two chapters on what to do.

John

Is linux redhat totally keyboard dependent ? Is it just like dos ?
I have never even saw the redhat interface should I get any linux book or tcp/ip book ?
which version of redhat should I ask for in the market as I don't know from which site to download.How many cd's will it take ? Even If I download the whole thing from the net , where will I get the boot cd ? Where do I get linux download as it's a open-source software?

OK, I'll answer every question, in order:

No. No, you can install a graphical interface which looks like windows or mac's. There is a lot of doc on the net on RedHat, you can get a book if you want, but you may start from there; if you want very good reading about linux, free, read RUTE. Redhat 9 and Fedora core 1 are 3 cds. The 1st cd is bootable. Linux is the kernel only, and is available at www.kernel.org.

I hope this will answer all your questions.

Go here to download the 3 discs that you will need:
http://linuxiso.org/distro.php?distro=7

When you burn them as isos, they will be bootable. You will need to partition your hard drive one each for windows and linux. Install windows first, then install linux.

These were basic instructions. You will need to get more information to do what I sugested above. What kind of hardware do you have?
And no you will not get visual basic with any linux distrubution, but you can get compilers for c/c++

You will first have to learn how to partition your hardrive. Then download the distro and burn the cds that you want. Then install.

Search this site for any questions that you might have. It will probably be quicker to find an answer that way. If you cannot find an answer, then ask your question, and somebody should be able to help you.

Also this might help you to find answers to your question:
http://www.linuxhq.com/guides/GS/gs.html
http://www.google.com/linux

make sure to burn them as an image file. its not burn't like a regular data file. i made that mistake when i downloaded rh9

First up. Make Sure you have a list of all yor hardware fitted . than google to find linux supported hardware. you can also visit the RedHat site if that is the distro you deside to install.
As for dual boot RH 9 will handle that for you just make sure you take your time with the install. i found it simple to do the default install for Desktop and add other apps as required. You may have a few config problems but you are asking the best site in web already so just post any probs you cant sort yourself. Dont expect to be as easy as Windoze . I found it most satisfying when i solved the problems myself by searching for answers .

Regards Sharkee