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lots of distro to choose from, and everything depends on your taste...in my case,im contented with ubuntu...but as far as those who want to start somewhere for the first time and doesnt know where to start and wants a glimpse or shall i say taste of linux,.for me the easiest would be to start off is to use winlinux, designed for beginners...then slowly move up and choose the appropraite distro desired..

If you just want to play with Linux and then decide what your next move is, Knoppix is always a good one to choose, as you can run it from a CD or DVD, and it is essentially a whole linux box on CD. As it runs on the CD, you don't even need to install anything on your PC, and it won't touch your hard drive.

Ubuntu also distributes Live-CDs. I suppose, that one is better than Knoppix, but I haven't tried it. Don't blame me. =)

i think you should try ubuntu..

Ubuntu is an easy-to-use and easy-to-install Linux distro; a good starting point. But once you get comfortable with the Linux environment and become more interested in the stronger points of Linux (mainly development) you'll want to go with a distro with more punch.

I highly recommend Gentoo. It is a bit difficult to install if it isn't your first time, but it's worth it in the end. They have superb online documentation, and basically give you step by step instructions on installing it. In addition, if you run into any problems with the installation they have an excellent, well organised forum with experienced users.

I would suggest that you start with Ubuntu, but keep an eye on Gentoo because that's where you want to be.

I'm using Gentoo and I love it, but I hate recommending it. It just launches never-ending discussions. At last, you seem to try everything and choose the one which you have found best. But the hint is good. When you've become a bit more experienced with Linux, Gentoo is worth a try. Anyway, start with Ubuntu.

i have an old pc( uses win 3.11) and i wanna play with it
which linux is recommended to install (the smallest i think)

topolab wrote:i have an old pc( uses win 3.11) and i wanna play with it
which linux is recommended to install (the smallest i think)

CPU/RAM/HDD ? Give us more info .

you can check my other post to see a link for ubuntu linux which I highly recomend for new users, If you want to do a deeper research you can visit distro-watch at: http://distrowatch.com/ but as far as I can remember ubuntu is at the top of their list as well.

The most important thing to do when getting linux and ecpsially when wantint to dual-boot linux
is to read the f* manual. naturally, when installing a new os, you get to touch very sensitive parts of your computer, those include the MBR and Partition table, both if not handeled carefully can cause you data to be lost and your computer to no longer boot, neither linux nor windows.

Boso wrote:

topolab wrote:i have an old pc( uses win 3.11) and i wanna play with it
which linux is recommended to install (the smallest i think)

CPU/RAM/HDD ? Give us more info .

well, i found these info, while i restarting it:

Code: Select all

Proccessor 80386DX
512 KB display
HDD 258MB
VGA
EXTERNAL MEMORY 3712KB
SVGA 2.01
flopies: 3.5" 5.5"


hope u will give me some ideas

Proccessor 80386DX
512 KB display
HDD 258MB
VGA
EXTERNAL MEMORY 3712KB
SVGA 2.01
flopies: 3.5" 5.5"

Code: Select all

run knoppix :P
im not sure but you need more hdd then that.
Someone asked whats the best linux distro... uhm...
http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/index.php
http://eedok.voidofmind.com/linux/chooser.html
But if you wont to learn linux you should realy use slackware, yes afcourse its hard :)
You can run SuSe its good too ;)
btw if someone need Ubuntu 5 go https://shipit.ubuntu.com/
you will get Ubuntu linux at your house whit everything payed ;) realy kool
oh btw  you can order at least 10cd's :D and give them to your friends

mm_freak wrote:Ubuntu also distributes Live-CDs. I suppose, that one is better than Knoppix, but I haven't tried it. Don't blame me. =)

Yes, I'm at the same opinion. Ubuntu is very easy and very good for "first step at linux" people. Also Mandrake is very easy to install and lilo is configurating automaticaly. Only Slackware and Debian are not very easy ...

genchev wrote:Yes, I'm at the same opinion. Ubuntu is very easy and very good for "first step at linux" people. Also Mandrake is very easy to install and lilo is configurating automaticaly. Only Slackware and Debian are not very easy ...

I have had nothing but trouble with Ubuntu. It installed fine and booted fine, but the next time I turned it on nautilus went crazy. Any time I change directories, nautilus crashes. If I right click on something, same thing happens. Maybe I just got a bad batch of cds though. (It does this or other problems occur even after numerous reinstalls) Other than that I really like it.

The best way to try it out is with knoppix http://www.knoppix.net

bootable Cd which means no installing or losing your windows enviroment.

Bombu wrote:I have had nothing but trouble with Ubuntu. It installed fine and booted fine, but the next time I turned it on nautilus went crazy. Any time I change directories, nautilus crashes. If I right click on something, same thing happens. Maybe I just got a bad batch of cds though. (It does this or other problems occur even after numerous reinstalls) Other than that I really like it.

I think that's an Ubuntu problem. I don't like it much anyway. But it's a good system to start with, if it runs well on your computer.

ravenhair wrote:The best way to try it out is with knoppix www.knoppix.net

Knoppix is a bit bloated. I don't like waiting 10 minutes for my system to boot.

ravenhair wrote:bootable Cd which means no installing or losing your windows enviroment.

You're using inappropriate terms here. Who would care about "losing" a Windows installation?