i8yourparents
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While browsing around, I have seen many misconceptions about Linux. I am here (as a former Windows-Migrate) to help clear some things up.
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What is Linux?
Linux is an Operating system developed by Linus Torvalds, based on Unix. The goal of Linux was to create a more accessable environment based on the stability and dependability of Unix. Linux is in most cases a free Operating system, as each of its different flavors (Distributions), is developed most often by the community and the basic code for Linux is freely distributed. Linux has three main package management systems, which are RPM's, Debian (DEB), and Source.
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What are RPMs?
RPM's stand for RedHat Package Management. It is a system of file distribution which the leading Linux Manufacturer, Red Hat, developed quite some time ago. While a breakthrough at its time, many Linux users have grown to hate this system because it causes "Dependancy Hell", which is certainly a royal pain in the ass.
My Opinion: RPMs suck. It is a fact. Mandrake/Red Hat are based on RPMs.
Examples: RedHat, Mandrake
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What is Debian?
Debian is Linux distribution and is also a worldwide effort to come up with a universal Linux package system. All work done on the Debian Project is by volenteers.
The Debian packeage system (DEB) is different than the distribution. The package system is incredible, allowing almost every program you would ever want to install to be immediately downloaded and installed by typing one command, "apt-get".
The distribution itself, however is based on this package sysem, but as many will tell you, the install for a bare-bones Debian system is the stuff of nightmares. This is why there are now many Debian-based distributions which have very easy installs, with the benefits of the awesome package system (Knoppix comes to mind).
My Opinion: Debian definitely is a great package system. It is what I prefer to all the other systems. The bare-bones distribution, however, I loathe.
Example: Knoppix, Morphix, Debian, Libranet
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What is Source?
Source is a type of distribution (not the HL2 engine) which has a similar package-retrieval system to Debian. A source-based distribution, is just that---all of the distribution's source code is compiled on your computer, which often means that the distribution is catered to your computer's architecture, and also often means it runs faster on your computer.
My Opinion: A very good type of package management system. Installations can be tedious, but you often gain a good understanding of Linux from them.
Examples: Gentoo, Sorcerer
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What is Wine/WineX?
WINE (Wine Is Not an Emulator) and its cousin, WineX (Used for tasks involving DirectX, also requires a fee), are programs for Linux, which can sucessfully run programs designed for Windows (i.e. ".exe" files). They are not fool-proof, however and many games can still have trouble running on them.
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I will now devide most people interested in Linux into these two separate groups and state what I think is the best distribution (distro) for each to get started on:
The Experimenter
For many who aim try linux, it seems that they are mainly curious and browse around from distro to distro trying to scratch an itch. Once that itch is scratched, they move back to "good old" Windows. This is certainly something not to be frowned upon and I personally recommend that these particular people start off on something easy to install and simple like Red Hat/Mandrake.
Yes, I am aware of what I said above, but because these types of users probably will not delve very far into each distro of linux, and perhaps even install programs, these distributions are pretty easy to configure and install for the linux newbie.
My Opinion: Get started with something easy like Knoppix, Mandrake, or even RedHat, and then move on to others if you want to. Try Gentoo to get a better understanding of Linux.
The Server-Jockey
The next group of people are those whom want to gain a limited knowledge of linux and in most cases set up a web server with their linux knowledge (esp. HL/CS-type servers). I am finding that many want to walk down this path, but are unaware of where to start. I would suggest Gentoo linux to start off with. Its installation can be daunting at times, but at the very end you will find yourself with an excellent knowledge of Linux, a sense of extreme satisfaction, and a VERY fast Linux distibution catered to your own computer.
My Opinion: RedHat is still the industry-standard for Linux, and it is a very stable distro which can be ideal for running servers. I have also found that Debian is very stable, as well as its offspring (i.e. Knoppix. Libranet). While Gentoo Certainly Helps you to gain an understanding of linux it is not very stable and it might not be the best choice for a server.
Overall I think the best way to gain a basic understanding of linux is to attempt to install Gentoo linux.
It is my personal opinion, however, that KNOPPIX is the very best linux distro overall, especially because it its read entirely off a CD, and can be taken anywhere with you and used on many different computers without hassle. It is also extremely fuctional, being based off of Debian.
Redhat, of course is the industry standard, and if you are interested in being a Linux-guy as a profession, then that is the one to use.
For those who want to learn more about the many different Linux distributions available, I highly recommend checking out this site:
http://www.distrowatch.com
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Installation Instructions:
As a final note, all of the distributions I mentioned above are FREE (With the exception of Red Hat and Libranet in some cases). To use them, make sure you have plenty of CD-R's available, and start downloading the ~700 Mb ISO files. In your CD recording, program, chose "Write CD Image", and start burning! When you have your nice new distro on CD(s), reboot your computer, go into the BIOS, change the start-up sequence to check the CD-drive first, and reboot again with the CD in the drive.
Also, If you are attempting to install Gentoo, make very sure you have a printed-out copy of the installation, instructions, because rest assured, YOU WILL NEED THEM.
---------------
This was written in its entirety by me, and I do not give permission for altercations or distributions of this work without my expressed consent.
(c) 2003
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is Linux?
Linux is an Operating system developed by Linus Torvalds, based on Unix. The goal of Linux was to create a more accessable environment based on the stability and dependability of Unix. Linux is in most cases a free Operating system, as each of its different flavors (Distributions), is developed most often by the community and the basic code for Linux is freely distributed. Linux has three main package management systems, which are RPM's, Debian (DEB), and Source.
---
What are RPMs?
RPM's stand for RedHat Package Management. It is a system of file distribution which the leading Linux Manufacturer, Red Hat, developed quite some time ago. While a breakthrough at its time, many Linux users have grown to hate this system because it causes "Dependancy Hell", which is certainly a royal pain in the ass.
My Opinion: RPMs suck. It is a fact. Mandrake/Red Hat are based on RPMs.
Examples: RedHat, Mandrake
---
What is Debian?
Debian is Linux distribution and is also a worldwide effort to come up with a universal Linux package system. All work done on the Debian Project is by volenteers.
The Debian packeage system (DEB) is different than the distribution. The package system is incredible, allowing almost every program you would ever want to install to be immediately downloaded and installed by typing one command, "apt-get".
The distribution itself, however is based on this package sysem, but as many will tell you, the install for a bare-bones Debian system is the stuff of nightmares. This is why there are now many Debian-based distributions which have very easy installs, with the benefits of the awesome package system (Knoppix comes to mind).
My Opinion: Debian definitely is a great package system. It is what I prefer to all the other systems. The bare-bones distribution, however, I loathe.
Example: Knoppix, Morphix, Debian, Libranet
---
What is Source?
Source is a type of distribution (not the HL2 engine) which has a similar package-retrieval system to Debian. A source-based distribution, is just that---all of the distribution's source code is compiled on your computer, which often means that the distribution is catered to your computer's architecture, and also often means it runs faster on your computer.
My Opinion: A very good type of package management system. Installations can be tedious, but you often gain a good understanding of Linux from them.
Examples: Gentoo, Sorcerer
---
What is Wine/WineX?
WINE (Wine Is Not an Emulator) and its cousin, WineX (Used for tasks involving DirectX, also requires a fee), are programs for Linux, which can sucessfully run programs designed for Windows (i.e. ".exe" files). They are not fool-proof, however and many games can still have trouble running on them.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I will now devide most people interested in Linux into these two separate groups and state what I think is the best distribution (distro) for each to get started on:
The Experimenter
For many who aim try linux, it seems that they are mainly curious and browse around from distro to distro trying to scratch an itch. Once that itch is scratched, they move back to "good old" Windows. This is certainly something not to be frowned upon and I personally recommend that these particular people start off on something easy to install and simple like Red Hat/Mandrake.
Yes, I am aware of what I said above, but because these types of users probably will not delve very far into each distro of linux, and perhaps even install programs, these distributions are pretty easy to configure and install for the linux newbie.
My Opinion: Get started with something easy like Knoppix, Mandrake, or even RedHat, and then move on to others if you want to. Try Gentoo to get a better understanding of Linux.
The Server-Jockey
The next group of people are those whom want to gain a limited knowledge of linux and in most cases set up a web server with their linux knowledge (esp. HL/CS-type servers). I am finding that many want to walk down this path, but are unaware of where to start. I would suggest Gentoo linux to start off with. Its installation can be daunting at times, but at the very end you will find yourself with an excellent knowledge of Linux, a sense of extreme satisfaction, and a VERY fast Linux distibution catered to your own computer.
My Opinion: RedHat is still the industry-standard for Linux, and it is a very stable distro which can be ideal for running servers. I have also found that Debian is very stable, as well as its offspring (i.e. Knoppix. Libranet). While Gentoo Certainly Helps you to gain an understanding of linux it is not very stable and it might not be the best choice for a server.
Overall I think the best way to gain a basic understanding of linux is to attempt to install Gentoo linux.
It is my personal opinion, however, that KNOPPIX is the very best linux distro overall, especially because it its read entirely off a CD, and can be taken anywhere with you and used on many different computers without hassle. It is also extremely fuctional, being based off of Debian.
Redhat, of course is the industry standard, and if you are interested in being a Linux-guy as a profession, then that is the one to use.
For those who want to learn more about the many different Linux distributions available, I highly recommend checking out this site:
http://www.distrowatch.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation Instructions:
As a final note, all of the distributions I mentioned above are FREE (With the exception of Red Hat and Libranet in some cases). To use them, make sure you have plenty of CD-R's available, and start downloading the ~700 Mb ISO files. In your CD recording, program, chose "Write CD Image", and start burning! When you have your nice new distro on CD(s), reboot your computer, go into the BIOS, change the start-up sequence to check the CD-drive first, and reboot again with the CD in the drive.
Also, If you are attempting to install Gentoo, make very sure you have a printed-out copy of the installation, instructions, because rest assured, YOU WILL NEED THEM.
---------------
This was written in its entirety by me, and I do not give permission for altercations or distributions of this work without my expressed consent.
(c) 2003
