I'm supposed to learn linux like this??

[cotfessi]

alright, this is officially my third attempt at creating a Microsoft free enviornment for myself. I would like nothing more than to have a linux box that runs apache, a mail server, a ftp server some sort of telnet/ssh server. That's all. I would like X running, but I look at that as something to do later.

To try to overcome the daunting task of installation, I've used Mandrake the last few times... ugh! After a somewhat painless install process, I am left with a mess of packages to sift through and something like 80+ processes running right now -- and none of them seem to be the few processes that I want to run!

This seems like I'm learning linux backwards! I'd rather start with a very basic setup and work upwards from there. I'm looking at debian and wanted the opinion of some on this board if that would be the route to go? It seems as though I can start with a pretty barebone system and build from there using ap-get?? Is this what you all would recommend?

[MBMarduk]

Dunno but...have you taken a look at NHFs FIRST?
If you did...
Look again..
-Mike

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by cotfessi:
I'm looking at debian and wanted the opinion of some on this board if that would be the route to go? It seems as though I can start with a pretty barebone system and build from there using ap-get?? Is this what you all would recommend?

well that would fit into your scenario, you can load debian from 6 or 17 floppy disks depending on your hardware, then apt get like you said

but what kind of internet connection do you have?
that approach would ensure nothing gets put on there you don't want

i am putting together a server from my spare parts right now and plan this approach, but i will have the luxury of connecting to my freesco.org router/dsl to pull apt-get's from

[This message has been edited by FoBoT (edited 24 January 2001).]

[cotfessi]

I'm connectiong to the internet via a DSL line using PPPoE.

[klamath]

Sure, Debian's good. It's not exactly the most newbie-friendly distro, but you can control nearly everything about your system.

------------------
- Klamath
Get my GnuPG Key Here (http://klamath.dyndns.org/mykey.asc)
Looking for an open source project to contribute to? Check out the Tornado HTTP Server (http://sourceforge.net/projects/tornado)

[bobarian]

For excellent control over what is installed and what is not, and also to learn linux and have a non bloated distro, check out Vector Linux. It is a very easy to install distro (you just unpack the tar.gz file onto a partition). Then you build up from there. Great fun.

[jbstew32]

With all the things you want to do I suggest Debian or Slackware, or maybe even BSD. I do NOT recommend Red Hat because it has many many security problems. Slack hardly ever needs updating and with Debian, all you have to do is issue a simple command, and you can download any program you want or actually update EVERYTHING! It's called apt and if you don't know what it is, you are definitely missing out on a cool thing.

Debian is probably the hardest to get installed and set up, but if you like migraines and dedicating a few days (with no sleep) to setting it up, go for it. When it is all said and done, you won't be sorry.

Personally I prefer slackware, but it is all just what you like and get used too for the most part. It is all basically the same. The real differences come with the install.

[This message has been edited by jbstew32 (edited 24 January 2001).]

[cotfessi]

thanks for all the suggestions... I ended up making 17 floppies last night and installed the base of the most recent debian last night. It took about two periods of the hockey game before all was said and done. Now on to the configureation...

[joannebasil]

Originally posted by cotfessi:
alright, this is officially my third attempt at creating a Microsoft free enviornment for myself. I would like nothing more than to have a linux box that runs apache, a mail server, a ftp server some sort of telnet/ssh server. That's all. I would like X running, but I look at that as something to do later.

To try to overcome the daunting task of installation, I've used Mandrake the last few times... ugh! After a somewhat painless install process, I am left with a mess of packages to sift through and something like 80+ processes running right now -- and none of them seem to be the few processes that I want to run!

This seems like I'm learning linux backwards! I'd rather start with a very basic setup and work upwards from there. I'm looking at debian and wanted the opinion of some on this board if that would be the route to go? It seems as though I can start with a pretty barebone system and build from there using ap-get?? Is this what you all would recommend?

[joannebasil]

Originally posted by cotfessi:
alright, this is officially my third attempt at creating a Microsoft free enviornment for myself. I would like nothing more than to have a linux box that runs apache, a mail server, a ftp server some sort of telnet/ssh server. That's all. I would like X running, but I look at that as something to do later.

To try to overcome the daunting task of installation, I've used Mandrake the last few times... ugh! After a somewhat painless install process, I am left with a mess of packages to sift through and something like 80+ processes running right now -- and none of them seem to be the few processes that I want to run!

This seems like I'm learning linux backwards! I'd rather start with a very basic setup and work upwards from there. I'm looking at debian and wanted the opinion of some on this board if that would be the route to go? It seems as though I can start with a pretty barebone system and build from there using ap-get?? Is this what you all would recommend?


I cannot recommend SuSE Linux more
strongly for any newbie or professional.
SuSE linux Personal 7.0 is an excellent
package! (SuSE is known for being the
more 'user friendly' of all the flavors)


------------------
joanne

[chadm1967]

bobarian is right.....

I just installed Vector Linux on a second PC that I have. It is a lot of fun and you really learn a lot. I'm running Conectiva on my main box, which, I feel, is also a very good distro.

[Harvey]

http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/cool.gif slackware http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/cool.gif