looking for suggestions...PC purchase

[tallmikeG]

i'm a designer, and therefore a mac-addict. i've installed (and tinkered w/) both Yellowdog and LinuxPPC on my G3 Powerbook and an old Powermac 7600/120. Here's the issue...i'm interested in becomming more serious about Linux (programming) and would like to cut through the nonsense and work on a PC (w/out windows). i eventually would like to host a Flash-based website (w/out much traffic), program for Linux, and write XML applications. I'm looking for hardware suggestions, pretending that there is $2,000 to play w/. I'd also appreciate any suggestions towards which distribution of Linux i should consider...or else i'll be looking for the coolest logo. Thanks in advance!

[Molecule Man]

$2k is an awful lot to play with if you build your own box. Unless it is for mutlitple boxes.

IF you want sharp graphics, go with the ATI Radeon, it is much better at 2D than the Nvidia chipsets.

Athlon is the main choice, though a Duron performs almost as well. Either an AMD 760 or ALi Magik chipset will do good. DDR Memory is a must.

For a top notch sound card, Creative's SB Live! is hard to beat, particularly in Linux.

For SCSI pick up an Adaptec or Advansys if you need that. There is hardly an Ethernet card that is not supported.

If you need a modem, make sure it is hardware (works in DOS is a good sign).

Mandrake is probably the easiest install, and generally just works. Otherwise Debian.

[Sweede]

Originally posted by tallmikeG:
or else i'll be looking for the coolest logo.

debians logo looks pretty cool.