Which free Operating System is right for you?

[thehunter1320]

I've been doing research on free OS companies and thought I should help some people out. Let's get right into it! The 2 free OS's that really stood out were Linux (of course) and Free BSD. I won't go into free BSD to much because Linux is CLEARLY the best, unless u like experimenting with things (like i did in college ).
I don't recommend ANY free OS to the average joe who likes pointing, clicking, and doesn't know what the word Unix means (for those who really don't know what Unix means, it's the coding that linux is written with). Linux is a application and development tool for software, not exactly a home user's best friend. Now, if you still want to get into a free OS, continue reading this post.



Now that you've stepped to the penguin side (congrats) you'll probably need 5 things:
1. a broadband internet connection (or know sum 1 that has one)
2. a CD burner
3. lots of patience
4. you'll probably want to learn a little about Unix coding b4 you install linux (COMPLETELY optional, you'll probably learn more about Unix by using Linux)
5. couriosity, if u don't have this... you'll never make it past the install screen

Alright, before u download and install Linux u'll need some things:

- Check What's in Your Rig
Most of the time, when u install linux, it auto-detects all hardware... but when it doesn't, you'll wanna know what' in your rig so u can solve the problem

-Look Some Stuff Up Yourself
I ain't ur personal linux guru, figure it out urself. there are books available at the library. Some times your linux .ISO comes with instructions.
-Figure out Where you're getting Linux from
This is THE most difficult choice out of the ENTIRE process. There must be dozens upon dozens of different versions of Linux (since it's open source) If this is your 1st experience with linux, I suggest getting Linux from Mandrake (HIGHLY RECOMMEND 4 N00BS!) or Red Hat (do a google seach to find them)

-Figure out where you're installing this
whether or not you're going to do a multi-boot on a windows HD (which i entirely DON'T recommend... it's WAY to messy) so i'd dedicate a HD or an entire machine to it (the bare requirements for Linux is 386 Mghz and 4 MB of RAM, so older machines will run this fine)

-Partition your harddrive b4 u install
this ain't windows, u gotta partition the HD yourself, i suggest using Partition Magic

INSTALLING LINUX

Alrighty, if you got your distro (geek term for "disk of linux version your using) and your HD partitioned... ur ready to install.
Make sure that you're BIOS settings are set to boot from disk.
Every graphical Linux install is different... go thru the installer and answer the questions. if you can answer this one "are you using a 2-button or 3-button mouse" leave... now... you're not allowed to install Linux!!!
After that, you get your users... the Root account is basically the admin, so that's ok there.
some times... the installer has N0 fing clue WTF you're using as a grafix card and monitor, so tell it! (instuctions should be in that book about linux you've been reading........)
When you've finished that, wait for Linux to finish. It'll ask to reboot, or just do it for u. make sure u take this disk out, or linux will install all over again.
Sfter linux boots up u'll either get a DOS prompt-like login, or a pretty looking login screen. enter the root name and password (or what ever u put in) and ur in! You've installed Linux!!! YAHOO!!!! yippee!!!! yea... ok, the fun is over. All of the things i have mentioned can be found on google. I hope you've learned something from this post.

ADMINS: Please sticky this

 

[Washuu]

hey, that is good, id change the title a bit though, its more like a guide to get u into linux, really, if u dont know anything about linux, i would suggest a dual boot if u dont have another computer, because it will help u learn linux, plus ull still have windows..
right now i run, Windows Xp Pro + dualboot with Redhat 9

 

[psyno]

I disagree. The best way to learn is to dive in head first.

For Linux newbies I agree that Mandrake is probably the best choice, but if you choose Mandrake you don't need to partition first, and shouldn't. The Mandrake installer has an easy auto-partitioner.

 

[LoneDeranger]

Yes, installing Linux in a dual-boot isnt nearly as troublesome as most people think. I also found a surprising and cool use for it: I use to perform all of my online financial transaction (ordering stuff, checking account balances, money transfers, paying bills, etc).

This way I'm sure there there is no keyloggers or anything of that sort (which I probably have on Windows XP) and my information is secure.

 

[Sgt.Igneri]

Why do i have to pay for mandrake?

 

[Washuu]

u shouldnt, if so, it might be a really new version, they decided to make u pay for, so then look for an eariler version.

 

[LoneDeranger]

Originally posted by Sgt.Igneri
Why do i have to pay for mandrake?

Nah, they are just trying to trick you by selling "support" and other stuff. They are obligated to provide the software free of charge under the license agreement.

 

[Sgt.Igneri]

Well this is getting old real quick. Ive tried to make a bootable disc for mandrake. Ive tried partitioning for red hat, but you cant convert to FAT32 on the "demo" The god damn red hat installation is so confusing...

 

[thehunter1320]

thats what linux is... confusing
BTW, Sgt.Igneri... can u please make this thread sticky?

 

[Steven Q Urkle]

linux is for programming and for those people who for whatever reason have a personal grudge with microsoft.
Its not for gaming. Halflife2 wont work on it.

 

[thehunter1320]

Originally posted by Steven Q Urkle
Its not for gaming. Halflife2 wont work on it.

now... i'm not sure about that. there is an app for linux that, when running, allows you to run windows applications. I'm not sure if it'll run HL2, but it runs other windows things

 

[SidewinderX]

Hunter this thread will not be a stiky because
a) this is the first thread we've had that deals with Linux, thus not much desire for info
b)It's title is misleading
c)This isn't important enough to clutter the top of the board with.


Are you refering to Lindows?

 

[simmo]

I know ive said this before, but if Linux supports windows apps and games eg: photoshop, dreamweaver, HL2 then bye bye micro$oft

EDIT: oh and BTW a new version of suse linux is being released on the 15th, and the developers say "this will w00 windows users" hmmmm

 

[Washuu]

linkage?

 

[Sgt.Igneri]

Ok, so im in the intstallation of mandrake right now. I got to a point where it says "Which disk/scdi driver should i try?" Then it shows a list of HDD drivers. I choose my SATA driver, silicon raid, then go to the next step. Now it says: "Found silraid disk/scsi interfaces. Do you have another one?"- Yes -No -See Hardware Info. If i click yes, it starts the process over, "which disk/scsi driver should i try?" If i click no, it says "Do you have any disk/scsi interfaces?" Same options. I click yes and same thing happens over and over. I click no, and it says "An error occurred. An error occurred- no valid devices were found on which to create new filesystems. Please check your hardware for the cause of this problem.

 

[thehunter1320]

i'll be making a Free BSD info update later... I've been doing all my research in linux

Sgt.: I'm not sure, say u only have 1 HD and see if it goes thru

 

[Sgt.Igneri]

Hunter, do you even use all these linux distros? It really seems like you dont know too much about any of this...

 

[thehunter1320]

i only use red hat

 

[psyno]

Lindows is just a distro as far as I'm aware. The apps referred to are wine and winex. You can play HL/CS on Linux with wine...