Can I Download Linux?

[Finn McCool]

Just wondering if I can download Linux from somewhere. Found a 486 and want to have a play with Linux. Thanks

[Slackmonster]

Sure you can! There many different ways to go about it. For ISO images check out www.linuxiso.org (http://www.linuxiso.org) For a disk based install, check out the web sites for each distribution. I would still recommend going to www.linuxiso.org (http://www.linuxiso.org) to get an idea of some of the distributions, especially if you aren't familiar with many of them. First though, you have to decide which distro you want to install! :D

[Finn McCool]

Thanks SlackMonster. Which one would you suggest. Preferably one with a GUI? Might eventuall use it as a router/firewall instead of winroute pro.

[z0mbix]

Since it's only a 486, then Mandrake and other pentium optimized, newbie friendly distro's are out the question. Slackware or Debian would be suitable but not very newbie friendly. If you do some thorough research first you should be fine with either.

[n00bPDW]

It would be hard to find a distro (thats for sale anyways) without a Gui... and this is just an assumption, but I bet his favorite is Slackware.

[ScRapZ_1]

You can just install pretty much any distro and not install the GUI with it... you can install X libs and then get something like Fluxbox and use it.

hmm... Slackware...

[homer*2]hmmmmm... Fluxbox...[/homer*2]

[homer*10]hmmmmmmmmm... Slackware and Fluxbox...[/homer*10]

TTFN,
ScRapZ_1 :p

[Slackmonster]

I do like Slack, but that is not why I have this name. I have this name because I am a MAJOR slacker and procrastinator once I leave work. :D

Oh, and for distributions, that is a question for the ages as anyone here will tell you. If you are the kind of person that likes to "dive in and do it" then I would suggest Debian or Slackware. However, if you think there is a chance that you will be easily overwhelmed if you don't a gui helping you out through the install and configuration, then you should probably look for an older version of Mandrake or maybe even RedHat. Either way, there is tons of documentation on all of these distros at their websites and there are many folks here and at other sites that will help you work through problems. For more documentation, check the Newbie Help Files (NHFs at the top of the web page) and also be sure to check out www.linuxdoc.org (http://www.linuxdoc.org) for more piles of value info. Above all, don't be afraid to try it yourself first and then ask questions after. Actually that is how you will learn the fastest and keep the aggrivation down to a minimum when getting help from others. When you get in a bind, and you WILL, don't be afraid to head back here and ask for help. Best of luck to you!!!