what Gentoo should I use?

[kenhoang7]

Hi everyone,
I want to learn how to use Linux but don't know which os to use. I want to install Linux to my Dell laptop. I went to Gentoo.com to download the .iso image file but there are 9 different folder, I don’t know which one to choose from. if any one know what is the different between these image: alpha, amd64, hppa, ia64, mips, ppc, snapshots, sparc, and x86. Which one should I use for my dell. and if there any link that I can go to, to download the correct file to burn to a cd or dvd and install it from there. Thank you very much for your help.
ken

[Parcival]

The difference between all these immages is the processor they are meant for. You most likely have a "standard" Intel (Pentium) processor, so you want the x86 ISO. (x86 because the early Intel processors all ended with 86 in their names)

As you seem completely new to Linux, I advise you not to install Gentoo, most people consider it to be made for advanced users. Of course you can use it, if you want, but be prepared to get frustrated a couple times - you'll also learn a lot, though.

If you want a gentler slope in your learning curve, I suggest you try Kubuntu (http://www.kubuntu.org/).

[je_fro]

If you want to learn "how to use linux" then I agree with parcival...you should probably start with a n00b distro like ubuntu. If, however, you want to learn how to administer linux, or become a software developer, then you'll know how to read all the fine documentation at gentoo.org and won't have any trouble whatsoever.
:D
Anyway, I always use one of the 2006.1 install cd's from someplace like:
ftp://ftp.ussg.iu.edu/pub/linux/gentoo/releases/x86/2006.1/installcd/

[enshum]

You might also want to consider Gentoo based Sabayon Linux 3.3 for your laptop install.

ed

[ladoga]

As you seem completely new to Linux, I advise you not to install Gentoo, most people consider it to be made for advanced users. Of course you can use it, if you want, but be prepared to get frustrated a couple times - you'll also learn a lot, though.

If you want to learn "how to use linux" then I agree with parcival...you should probably start with a n00b distro like ubuntu.

Oh come on...let the guy use gentoo if he want's to. It's a perfectly fine noob distro. It has a very good documentation and good for quickly learning the basics.

Gentoo or ubuntu, you can't know for sure before trying them both out.

I also started my linux experince with gentoo. I thought that stage 1 install was a good way to learn overall structure and basic tools of linux (though i later realized that BSD style init and some config files are quite different from usual linux distros). When I got bored of tweaking the details, which admittedly happened quite soon, I decided to try ubuntu. After some failed dist-upgrades which required a complete reinstall (how often you have to do this in gentoo? never?) it actually frustrated me to the point I had to look for something else. Then I found the sweet spot (for me) in form of debian.

I also know quite a few other people who started with gentoo. After the initial excitement of tweaking and feel of control wears off (for many of us it never does) some have moved to other arguably more easily maintainable distros. Be that Debian, Ubuntu or whatever...anyway I think gentoo is a very good entry point to linux, especially if you're interested in linux and not just trying to find some quick MS windows replacement.

If you are not that interested in learning the core linux stuff, CLI usage, config files, editing scripts and such, but rather want ready desktop with least effort (and least learning, so expect to be frustrated when youd need that experience) then it's fine to head directly to Ubuntu.

[ladoga]

Oh and welcome, ken. :)

I hope you'll enjoy the ride.

[nikodell]

I would stay away from Sabayon if you want more than just a system you can login to I gave it a try for laughs and it was impossible to maintain, you should use Gentoo if you want Gentoo.

I FELT LIKE SABAYON WAS A MESS!

The live gui is fine with gentoo but again you will have difficulties with updating system , mostly i think it was the kernel you are bound to.

But the live version is a good way to see if you like Gentoo and see if it is worth the effort to you to learn the ins and outs of install.