Shoutbox

www.gentoo.org <== if you don't mind compilating (almost) everything.. ^^ a very good way to learn linux imo

i have only used ubuntu

and i liked it alot

tried to install mandrake.. but mucked up every time

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Originally posted by Apatik
www.gentoo.org <== if you don't mind compilating (almost) everything.. ^^ a very good way to learn linux imo

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Aye, right. But let's say... be prepared for compiling a KERNEL YOURSELF.

After installing it I couldn't get Gnome to start. I'm a Gn00b, I know

Well, it actually depends on how advanced the target user is. However, the most important distro's are aiming to a global solution to target Linux newbs and advanced users into a same distribution.

Anyway, if you don't want surprises, keep your hands off Gentoo and Debian alike distro's since they don't include an assisted "press-next-to-continue" installation and will cause you headache if you try to install them without knowing a thing about linux. On the other hand there's SuSE which the YaST and others like Fedora and Mandrake which have nice installers (with fancy designs) and some like K/Ubuntu which have a installers with DOS-alike dialogs. Anyway, be pleased to see anything that looks like an installer in a distribution

From reviews I think Mandrake, I'm a noob too in Linux, and trying to learn Linux, there are many places that say the one of the easiest and best Linux OS is Mandrake 10, any suggestions? Is this one good or bad?

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Originally posted by KeyStorm

You just gotta get used to the not-root default user, because you can't create any root user, that completely protects sensible system data from any attack (if they don't have the password). You are prompted to type in the root password to perform advanced actions like installing software and so on.

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I had no problem changing the root password. I don't need to be protected from myself .

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Originally posted by KeyStorm

Aye, right. But let's say... be prepared for compiling a KERNEL YOURSELF.

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That's why Gentoo > *

I've only had Mandrake myself, and it rocked.

The biggest advantage over windows that it had was one you almost never see; MOUSE CURSOR DURING INSTALL! Comes loaded with heaps of apps. The lots of mini-games were cool. I say were because I got a new HD and I haven't installed it again.

I said gentoo was good to learn what's behind the scene
I installed it as my first linux distro, and it went quite well..with the handbook next to me

and you don't HAVE to compile your kernel, you can start the installation with a pre-compiled kernel and packages but eh, it's losing a part of the magic

It's probably best to start off with Mandrake or K/Ubuntu before attempting to install Gentoo.  Compiling Gentoo from scratch can teach you more about Linux than using Mandrake will but you have to know how to install it to get the benefits from it.  I am currently compiling drivers for my Wireless Network card to work under Gentoo, it's hard work but at the end you feel top of the world.

This site should help some people that want to try Linux decide what Distro is best for them:

http://eedok.voidofmind.com/linux/chooser.html

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Originally posted by JackSparrow
from this site --->>>>>http://linuxiso.org/

can somebody tell me which version of linux is the best, and easy to use.
i just want to download it just to see, because im very interested, but i don't want to download every single type and try.

thanks.

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It depends on your needs.

Try Linux without installing:
-Knoppix
-Mandrake-Live
-Ubuntu-Live
-Vectorlinux live (light computers)
-Damn Small Linux (very light computers)

User-friendly distributions:
-Mandrake
-SuSe
-Ubuntu
-Kubuntu
-Linspire
-Xandros
-Fedora
-...

User-friendly distribution for old computers: VectorLinux.

Less User-friendly distributions (these work fine on old AND new computers):
-Debian Linux
-Slackware
-Gentoo

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After you've installed a distribution, you probably want to install some new software.
Keep in mind that installing software in Linux is DIFFERENT from installing software in Windows.

The easiest way to install software in Linux is by using a 'package manager'. This is a program that lists thousands of software packages, and lets you install them in just a few seconds (not talking about Gentoo for a second ).
Examples:
-Ubuntu and Debian use 'apt-get' and the graphical version 'synaptic'
-Mandrake uses URPMI
-SuSe uses YaST
-Gentoo uses Portage
-...

Good luck using Linux!