So I want to use Linux instead of MS...What's the best way to load it.

[trumad]

Say I have MS on my current laptop and I want to replace it with Linux...Or...I have a new machine that I want to load with the Linux Kernel.

Any recommendations, IE: Red Hat etc....

[mhr]

1. Two Easiest Distributions Are Mandrake Linux And Ubuntu Linux

Links Here:

http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en-us/

http://www.ubuntulinux.org/

I use both of them.

[4morewars]

2. Linux Homepage

http://www.linux.org/

This is a good place to learn about Linux.

I bought a 900 page book, "Red Hat Linux 9 Bible" It came with a full distro and a ton of software on 3 CDs. The book is great for the noobie as well as the more experienced. It was 50 dollars.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

3. I recommend Mandrakelinux.

I have loaded a number of them(Most of the major distros and a few of the minor ones) and the Mandrakelinux installer, your first experience with a distro, is on the whole the most positive one.

One of the areas in which it shines is hard disk preparation: setting up your hard disk(s) for the software. It offers a really acceptable default solution, but if you do your homework, or are already familiar with the dark arts of hard disk partitioning, Mandrakelinux makes performance-enhancing and data-protecting(in the event of a HD failure) tricks a relative snap.

While the free online download of the present release, 10.1, is great, where Mandrakelinux really shines is in its 10.1 Powerpack. 6 CDs or one DVD, crammed and jammed with more software than you could ever really know what to do with, and then, after that, you have ftp/http/rsync access to Mandrakelinux's urpmi update online repositories, which are jammed and crammed with evern more software goodness, all free.

The Powerpack even installs, automagically, either the Nvidia or ATI binary video drivers. This is not a trivial thing to do for the initiate to do on his or her own, and the drivers give you full accellerated 3D graphics and much snappier and better 2D display. Coupled with the newer X.org display server, which is the default install and highly recommended, the display is a treat.

The best thing is that if you try Mandrakelinux and you don't like it, you can just grab one of the other distros, and start again.

But I don't think you will turn up your nose.

Note: after the instalation is done and after you login for the first time, fire up mandrake Control Center and go to "Software Updates" and grab everything, including the KDE updates(Destop Manager/Environment) and X.org. As is typical, there ones that install have a few small problems and the updates will address that.

Good luck, and you will find no end of willing Linux helpers on DU.

Caveat: All of the above is based upon my personal experience. YMMV.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

4. One more thing:

If your heart is set on Red Hat, don't go with Red Hat: Go with Fedora Core 3.

Try this:

http://www.distrowatch.com

Another thing: Debian. You will hear the name. The stable branch is extremely dated, and the unstable branch...well, it is just that. I wouldn't recommend it for the n00b.

Slackware: a fine, well-crafted, fast distro. But configuration is definately not for the n00b.

Linspire: Please. Do not get me started.

Mepis: Definately worth the look. Definately.

Xandros: Costs real money.

Linux from Scratch: A book. And a lifestyle.

Gentoo: What do you want to do? If watching lines of text scroll by for two weeks, outputted by a compiler, is your idea of a rich and compelling computer experience, then Gentoo is your distro. It helps if your internet connection is an OC48. A great speedreading learning tool

PCLinuxOS: Check it out. Really.

[Lady Effingbroke]

5. Wow! Thanks for the links and the info, Tandalayo!

I have also been kicking around the idea of ditching MS and switching to Linux.

I have been reading about the different distros for a few weeks. Is Suse a good distro for a noob like me?

I have narrowed my choices to Suse, Fedora Core 3, or Mandrake.

Are any of these distros compatible with my computer? It is a 1 1/2 y.o. laptop with 40 gb hdd, 512 meg SODIMM RAM, and an ATI 7500 video card.
Would I need to upgrade my BIOS? I am currently using version A25.

Sorry for all the noob questions, and thanks for any replies!

[Briarius]

6. I also vote Mandrake

I've used it for a couple years and it's been really easy. You could also try one of the distros that just boots from a CD. Mandrake's is Mandrake Move: http://www.mandrakesoft.com/products/mandrakemove There's a couple others so you can try it and not have to install. Good luck!