Which Linux is easiest to Learn

[Esassin]

I have Suse Linux 7.3 and Mandrake 9.1. Easy to install but having modem problems cause of the winmodems. I have notice Red Hat and was thinking about buying it at Best Buy for $40.00. I want to try using linux so I can get away from Windows. But being a windows junkie for the past 8 years it will be hard. So if anyone has any ideas on what OS is best give me a shout out.

[questionasker]

check out jmad www.jamd-linux.com


& read this post http://www.justlinux.com./forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=110030



good luck and have fun with linux.

[Brink]

IMO, Mandrake

I haven't actually used Suse so that's definately a biased opinion, but let's just say Mandrake makes alot of things easier to understand, especially from Redhat, I don't think Redhat is a good starting linux at all, unless you enjoy smashing your head up against a brick wall =P

I'm running Redhat now and I'm wondering wtf I was thinking. RPMs that don't install, broad incompatibility with any source code, crazy "Redhat-isms" to comprehend. I know Mandrake uses RPMs too, but I never recall having NEARLY this much trouble just trying to install something.

Anyhow, I'm a frustrated linux newb myself so my opinion is hardly the last word on the subject, but I'm sure a few people can probably agree with me.

All I know for sure is Mandrake does a great job of keeping things simple, so you hopefully only have to hit your head against 1-2 problems at a time, rather than 50.

[Satanic Atheist]

Mandy and RedHat have a lot in common in that they are easy to install and rely on the GUI to perform most of the configuration.

If you want a powerful system, you choose Debian or Slackware. I have never installed Debian so I cannot comment on it, but I do run Slackware and I found the installation easy, but the BSD scripts are possibly out of many people's leagues for first time.

From my opinion, you need to judge your abilities. How much Windows knowledge do you have? Can you disregard it? How much are you prepared to learn?

Linux is NOT Windows and it will not work in the manner that you may be fashioned to.

In the long run (I've only been with Linux for about 2 years) can you see any benefit from Linux?

There is no such thing as an "Easy Linux" - it's the same thing and a learning curve that some Distros will help you with in different ways. If you are prepared to sacrifice what you've got (even dual boot) and at least stick with it then you are on the same lines as being bi-lingual.

If you need us to help you make the transition, we'll help, but please search first.

James

[ehawk]

I think you will have the same problem with winmodems regardless of the distribution you choose. Rather than spend $40 on RH, why don't you do a web search and either get an external modem (which will either be automatically detected and configured by Suse or Mandrake, or make sure that a linux driver is provided with it), or just download the driver for your winmodem and install it yourself. I had a lucent technologies modem, which has excellent linux driver support. Do a web search for "linmodems" (making winmodems usable by linux) and you will probably find the driver you need. Just unpack it and follow the instructions in the INSTALL file. A linux compatible external modem can be found for less than $40. Downloading the linmodem driver is free. Try this first. If it works, you don't have to get the external modem. I tried the external modem first, and couldn't get it recognized as even being plugged in (BIOS thingy I couldn't figure our). The lucent technology linmodem driver worked great.

[amgeex]

I have Debian running right now, and to tell you the truth, it wasn't that hard to install. It just takes some time and a lot of patience. And some extra time to get everything working the way you like it. And an extra benefit of using debian is the Apt-Get system. It frees you from the RPM-hell. I myself have no sound right now and still have to get scsi emulation to work, but remember young grasshopper, patience is the key...

P.S. I have a winmodem too (conexant chipset, search Linux Drivers for winmodems with Conexant Chipsets (http://www.linuxant.com), and I can't get it to work, yet.

Good luck!! ; 0 )

the amgeex

[H2O-linux]

Save some time and get the supported hardware list for the current version of linux you wish to install. Your life will be easier!

Try the live-evaluation cd downloads from "gentoo" linux. I find this version very friendly for the begginer with the CD allowing for the use of linux with a walk through interface for installing or just using linux right off the cdrom.

[ozdream]

I would go for SuSE 9.0 it is amazing it reads NTFS has build in support for many winmodems and Yast is great:)

You get the nice point & click install with a GUI but can hit the command line and really get into Linux as well.

http://www.suse.de/en/

[DerekKraan]

The time you spend on trying to get a winmodem to work is not worth it. Modems are cheap these days, I'd suggest you just go out and buy a new one(but make sure you compare with a linux compatability list first).

As for easy to learn distros, I think Knoppix(www.knoppix.org) takes the cake. Before you install Linux, you may want to burn Knoppix to a CD-R and play around with it for a while. Once you can do some stuff and feel comfortable with Linux(do some command line stuff too) you should install something else. The recommendations here are fine, most newbies install Mandrake. I've used it, and it's really really easy to install. You shouldn't have any problems with it.

[Brink]

Yeah, I'd suggest a cheap external modem, they're nice to have as you can swap them between machines, and they're probably pretty sure to be supported (someone help me out here?) not to mention I'm pretty sure it's impossible to have an external winmodem no?

alot of uncertainty there...sorry.

and like SAtheist said, there really is no easy linux, but I suggest Mandrake for the reason that it will give you a more comfortable ride while you are struggling with learning it. I'm sure I'll draw a bit of flames here, but Windows, IMO, is more foolproof than linux by a long shot. You can do alot more to a windows machine to screw it up, and still have alot of options to fix your mistake easily.

What linux distros could really use for beginners like me, is a 2000/XP-sk "Repair install" function that will simply reinstall the operating system files without overriding existing settings (or atleast very much).

I know redhat doesn't have it, you can "upgrade" but I'm guessing it CRC checks all your packages and usually doesn't see the critical error, then does nothing.

[Legithrandil]

actually... mandrake 9's (iso version) boot disk had a repair installation option when you started the program.

[hyp_spec]

Originally posted by Satanic Atheist
If you want a powerful system, you choose Debian or Slackware. I have never installed Debian so I cannot comment on it, but I do run Slackware and I found the installation easy, but the BSD scripts are possibly out of many people's leagues for first time.

BSD scripts are SUPER easy! i started with em on Slack and am on Debian now and cant stand this SysV stuff

[amgeex]

But with debian you get apt, which is easy to use and GREAT if you have a broadband connection (cable or dsl work fine). So practicaly you don't need BSD scripts or "ports".


;)

[Brink]

goes to show, Mandrake does it again. (I haven't used Mandrake since 8, but it almost makes me want to dump this Redhat install *perhaps when it finally goes poof, as it's cheating death now probably*) Too bad they're gone, what a great distro.

That'd solidify Mandrake 9 as a great n00b linux. Mess to your hearts content, screw it up, repair =)

[carbon-12]

The easiest to learn distro has to be MDK IMO but if you really want to learn to use linux you should try debian or slackware.

[dkmcb01]

having been a linux user less than 24 hours....I purchased suse linux 9.0 on a whim at compusa. It was easy to install, meaning little or no effort from me. I must admit to it having a bit of a learning curve for me. I finally found my documents and got yahoo messenger to work. After I would say 6 hours of use....I find most things second nature, some terminology I am still gettting used to. In the end I am very happy I started thinking outside Gates' "box"