Linux & the Internet

[WTucker]

Here is my dilemma, I'm interested in turning my computer into a server just to host my own web domain. So I need an OS that can do this, well I'm interested in purchasing LINUX and would like to know if any one could tell me a list of additional things I would have to purchase to make it all come together. Also, is there anyone out there that is already doing this that could help when I start putting everything together?

[Geoff]

If you want, you can even download linux for free. I have also heard that there is a cheap way to buy linux CDs (not buying them from redhat). But once you've got linux installed, the rest is free to download and use. Download apache and install it, configure it and you've got a web server!

Geoff

[WTucker]

Thank you Geoff for your prompt response. As for the cost of LINUX, I don't mind purchasing in stores to get manuals and what not. Its cheaper than purchasing winNT or UNIX. And my next question is, does the regular Red Hat Linux that you buy in stores for $80 (approx.) come with this "GUI" thing I hear people talking about for LINUX to make it more user friendly? I'm used to the old days of MS-DOS so I dont mind having to use something similar too it, just curious.

- William

[Cable]

InfoMagic not only has a Linux Developer's CD-ROM for $28 but you can get a subscription to it and have them send you the latest each quarter (3 months) if you pay extra.

http://www.infomagic.com/

I think the latest Linux Developer's CD has Red Hat 5.2 on it, but the next one will have 6.0 I am sure.

Compare $28 verses the $60+ that is charged for the retail Red Hat Linux.

Same thing! Different packaging.

[Geoff]

The GUI is otherwise known as XFree86 or just X. I think RedHat 6 can actually be made to boot into X by default (instead of the console screen) if you want it that way (IMHO not a bad idea... I like to turn a computer on and see something pretty but have access to the hardcore stuff later if I want it!!).

But yeah Redhat comes with all that by default, just make sure to install the "X Windows System" and it will be copied onto your linux partition for you http://discussions.linuxplanet.com//smile.gif

[FamMan]

You can purchase RadHat 5.2 really cheap and it has the tools you need to setup a webserver. Apache comes with RedHat and is on e of the easiest to use. It's also very powerful. If you don't mind spending $80 then go with RedHat 6.0. RedHat has the GNOME gui enviroment that makes X easier to use. KDE works just as good, but uses more system resources.
Good Luck.

[Geoff]

$80?? don't tell me you actually buy from redhat... go to one of the stores that sells redhat 6 for a couple of bucks http://discussions.linuxplanet.com//smile.gif

[geekd]

I got RedHat 6.0 for $1.99 from www.cheapbytes.com.

It comes with apache, BIND, wu-ftp, everything you need to run your own domain.

It also comes with BOTH GNOME and KDE, two different X-Windows environments.

Assuming it recognizes all your hardware, you can boot strait into X. But if the machine is gonna be a server, I would not reccommend it. X takes up memory, and if your not using it all the time, why have it loaded and taking up memory all the time? I wish I could "un-load" the GUI on my NT server at work.

All that said, I reccommend Mandrake Linux. It is RedHat 6.0, but KDE is a little more updated, and there are some other little bugfixes, like x11amp (mp3player) works...

I downloaded the ISO image of Mandrake Linux (over 500MB) and burned it to a CD and the rest was easy.