Windows to Linux switch

[GGROD]

I'm wanting to switch from windows to linux but there are some questions I have:


Not sure which distro to use
I'd like to control the linux box remotely...does this come with some distros? Or just installable app?
Is it easy to install apps? Are installs distro dependent like windows installs?

[soulestream]

1. neither are we. You need to try some to see what you like. That depends on personal preference and what you want to do with the system. You can try some live cd's to get the feel of distros before you install them.

gentoo, ubuntu, knoppix, dsl - all have live cds.

2. yes, yes

3. some yes, some yes, depends on your selection of question one

soule

[GGROD]

I'm considering installing Ubuntu.

I could not find anywhere on the ubuntu site that mentions remote control. I'd like to access it remotely using a windows machine.

[soulestream]

Ubuntu is a good choice for the beginner. go to ubuntuguide and it will help you setup 90 % of needed features/software

in gnome(the default window manager) you should have under

Desktop- Preferences - Remote Desktop.

That will allow for a vnc connection. You can then use realvnc or tightvnc on windows to connect to it via name or ip.

if you are looking for command line only ssh is always available.

soule

[pezplaya]

you will be using ssh to access your linux box. ubuntu will support this. most all linux distros provide the user with the ssh daemon to allow remote connections to the box.

To access from a windows machine use a program like putty: http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/

[cybertron]

You can then use realvnc or tightvnc on windows to connect to it via name or ip.

Just throwing my two cents in here, but I feel compelled to mention UltraVNC which can be found on Sourceforge. I use it to connect from Windows to my Linux boxes at work and I've found that it works much more smoothly than any other VNC client I've used yet. It also has some additional features that the others don't, although I don't use most of them myself. Just thought I'd mention it.

[Hayl]

there is an ".iso what distro" or a "/dev/random" forum for these types of posts. please read before posting.

[NotJustANewbie]

I personally dont like Ubuntu or Gnome. For a beginner, the best distro to go for (according to experience) would either be Suse or Mandrivia (used to be called Mandrake).

Well done on deciding to make the switch and I'm sure you'll like whatever distro you choose.

[thedreampolice]

I disagree, look in to a debian based distro for a beginner. Such as mepis.

[serz]

Linux Distribution Chooser (http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/)

You may want to do that test.

[Syngin]

Linux Distribution Chooser (http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/)

You may want to do that test.

Thanks bud. I will put this link to extensive use for the people in my IT department. ;)

Geez, imagine that. It kicked back Debian and 3 Debian distros as my result hehe.

[leonpmu]

OT : Serz, what the peck is that in your Avatar??

BTW great link..

[psych-major]

Linux Distribution Chooser (http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/)

What a cool link, and freakishly accurate...

http://home.earthlink.net/~maddocksfamily/images/MyPerfectDistro.jpg

[factotum218]

Best thing to do is figure it out through trial and error, usually you can find good help and community for which ever you want to use. Somehow I started out with Slackware and stuck with it for about two years before wanting a package manager for my desktop system and went to Debian. After that once you learn the ins and outs of Debian system layout, you might like experimenting with Ubuntu. A lot of people cringe at the mention of Ubuntu because of all they hype, but any problems that I have run into with it where pretty easily solved from my experiences with Debian. Doesn't happen to often now that I am actually using my installation for something productive instead of just editing config files.
Just give it time, you'll find yourself eventually easing yourself into a direction and then most likely everything will fall into place.