Experienced Linux Users, a couple of computer questions

[Best_man23]

I am currently using an older Pentium II computer running Win 2K. Because of my current work, I can't totally go off the Windows platform as of yet. However, I am looking for a second computer (preferably a newer, faster model than mine) to run Linux.

The questions I have are these:

Are there any manufacturers, besides Dell and IBM, that offer Linux turnkey systems? If there are no others, would I be better served building my own system?

Which brand of Linux is best/most user friendly for newbies? While I'm pretty computer savvy, I know there is learning curve to Linux.

Finally, is Linux compatible with cable broadband Internet?

[grytpype]

1. One guy's opinion

You could get a system from any "whitebox" maker, they just assemble the standard components for you.

The distribution I like best is Debian, after having tried Red Hat and Mandrake. Debian is the easiest to maintain, but a little tricky to install. (But you only have to install it once.)

And Linux is totally compatible with cable broadband.

[Occulus]

2. In my case

I just go to the website offering the linux distribution I want, download it, burn the CDs and install. While you *can* buy an offshelf linux system, it can run on just about any hardware you have now. You'll want to either backup all your data, repartition your hard drive and reinstall Windows, then install linux, or you can find a linux distribution that can be installed on the same partition Windows resides on.

Linux generally likes having its own partition. Oh, and the ntfs kernel module (which enables you to read Windows drives) cannot as yet *write* Windows drives. It's dangerous as you can lose or corrupt data. If you are running Win98, however, linux can read AND write to those partitions.

My cable provider uses DHCP to set the ip addresses (DHCP stands for, I think, Dynamic Host Control Protocol. It probes for your ip address so you don't have to :) ). Linux handles DHCP requests just like Windows does; there's often no need for ANY configuration of the connection itself... just set up your email and you're good to go.

I'm curious... what software are you using that prevents a total linux migration for you?

[Atlant]

6. Off-track: DHCP =

> DHCP stands for, I think, Dynamic Host Control Protocol.

Almost. "Dynamic Host CONFIGURATION Protocol", per Stevens' "TCP/IP
Illustrated, Volume 1; The Protocols".

Atlant

[ender]

3. best for newbies:

i'd suggest either mandrake of redhat. with redhat emerging as a "standard".

they're both easier to set up than win2k.

[TrogL]

4. I've been happy enough with Red Hat

I'd recommend getting a clone without a lot of fancy stuff like high-end video and sound cards. You just need the basic on-board video, network and audio that comes with an all-in-one clone board. ASUS is probably a good bet.

[Interrobang]

5. If you want to...

Grab a Knoppix CD from someone (or find someone with a Linux system to burn one for you; you won't be able to copy it on your own computer unless you have *both* a burner and a separate reader) and try it out. You can also use the Knoppix self-contained-distro-on-a-CD as an installer, but I'm not sure where the instructions are to be found.

[xJlM]

7. I've run Mandrake for about a year and a half

It's really pretty easy to install, and it will allow you to set up a dual-boot option so you can have Windows installed as well. Windows will insist on being the primary partition, but Linux doesn't care.

It's cheaper (and more fun) to build a computer yourself, and with nothing more than an ethernet card getting on line is simple. Modems can be a pain in the ass, but most current hardware is supported. Anything that specifically uses Windows as part of its software (such as printers, scanners, and winmodems) can be hard to work around, so setting up what you're building can be critical.

[DBoon]

8. Linux is easier now

I started playing with linux late in 1996 with Slackware. I just installed RedHat 9. It is amazing how easy it was! It is about comparable with Windows.

Go for it.

[cprise]

9. For newbies

I would recommend trying the Knoppix live CD.

If you want an HD installation, then Xandros is my recommendation. It comes with many things a Windows tech would consider essential such as the ability to find and register on Windows networks easily. It is also rock solid.

Lindows is another friendly Linux distribution (aimed at the mom and pop users).

There are other distros such as Mandrake that claim to be 'friendly'. I think they are friendly to people already acquainted w/Linux. They have made some things easier, but still list perhaps 5 or 6 ways to configure a basic feature(but none of them do the job in a satisfactory way), or contain perhaps 12 different text editors, 3 spreadsheets, etc. etc. People will spend months getting to the point where they can wade through all the clutter effectively. I like to download other/better software titles as I need them, and this is something else that makes me wary of Mandrake/RedHat: It's not based on APT and so software installation starts to suck before too long.

[Best_man23]

10. Thanks for the advice everyone

I think I'm going to go the "build your own PC" route. As far as the Linux version, I've seen Red Hat, but none of the others, so will do some research on those.

Again, thanks guys. When I build this system, I'm sure I'll be looking for more help here.

[TrogL]

11. SAMBA comes with linux

no matter what breed. That's all you need to connect to windows.

[cprise]

12. Too bad most file managers don't work with it

A Xandros system will work like a Windows system would on a network... GUI operations and all.

You can choose a workgroup-only config, or register to a domain with a few mouseclicks... Even turning it into a domain controller takes a couple minutes.