To those migrating from DOS/Windows.

[Nu-Bee]

1) You are now a system administrator...whether you like it or not. :)

2) Linux is a multiple user system...get used to it. If you fight it you will increase your headaches. :)

3) You only have one drive. There is no C: D: drives, etc...

4) For most people just learning, don't confuse yourself with a bunch of partitions. Just partition one root directory -> / <-, and one /swap partition. You will be installing again, you need to learn the why/how of partitions first. In the meantime you just need those two. If you put important/critical data on your first install, without a backup, you are a fool.

5) Ask yourself WHY you want to use Linux, this will give others an idea of which distro to go with. If you just want to get away from M$ then Mandrake might be best for you. If you have plans to go into the computer field, you might want to start with another distro such as Slackware or Gentoo.

6) There is a steep learning curve, don't make things harder than they need to be. :)

[ferreter]

I disagree with number 5. A person should always use an easy install distro to start especially if they are not experienced in sys admin type of work. I recommend Redhat due to its popularity but Mandrake and Suse work under the same pretenses. I used mandrake to start.

Also not all Linux users will need to be sysadmins, but that depends on what your definition of a sys admin is.

My recommendation for new users is to try not to compare your linux machine with windows. And always look for equivalent programs on linux for MS products. Don't load linux up just to still run ms products as a free alternative almost always availible. If you think about it, Ms products sometimes cost more than the os itself, don't keep yourself in that rut.

Anyways, toodles.

[ariell]

Hi,

I run a mandrake web-server with more than 250 domains connected to it. So, what's wrong with that dist?
You, in particular, should know best 'bout possibilities offered by linux. You might use mandrake as a starter and as a pro as well.

annotation: writing C-code with vi doesn't automatically mean being a pro, but an IT-rebel, if any...

best to all,
ariell.

[while(1)]

huh? i write *a lot* of c with vi/vim and I am not and IT rebel .. more like a nice well-rounded geek :]

[ariell]

*smile* so, you might be "the" exception...

all the best,
ariell.

[ferreter]

Originally posted by ariell
Hi,

I run a mandrake web-server with more than 250 domains connected to it. So, what's wrong with that dist?
You, in particular, should know best 'bout possibilities offered by linux. You might use mandrake as a starter and as a pro as well.

annotation: writing C-code with vi doesn't automatically mean being a pro, but an IT-rebel, if any...

best to all,
ariell.

Perhaps my wording wasn't the best, I meant to give a broader range of starting choices besides just mandrake.

[ariell]

hi,

and you were right. That's one of our up-sides: choices. Compared to windows, that might be THE advantage.
Also, if we want more kids and pros to leave m$ it is very important to offer convenient ways....

thin the same; I get you my best regs.,
ariell

[while(1)]

I am just giving you a hard time for no real reason - other than I really should be doing somthing else that I ma desperately trying to put off .. hehehe.

And really .. emacs/vi, mandrake/debian .. the fact that you use something and (hopefully) is proficient/comfortable with that is ohh so more important than the exact distro/flavor you are using.

[ariell]

let's go ahead in focusing on those who plan to "switch".
They'll get into it, after some time.
As soon as THAT happens they won't dare to think about alternatives....

*smirk*,
ariell.

[ferreter]

Well recent trends say that up to half of all servers will run a version of linux/bsd by 2007. It may not be the desktop market but if people start with the server, hopefully the desktop will follow.

[NecroNomiCon]

As a "techno-weenie" in the IS field, I can't complain too much about MicroSloth's Windoze. How can you dis a company that provides excellent job security?!? BAHAHA!!!

[Nu-Bee]

Originally posted by ferreter
I disagree with number 5. A person should always use an easy install distro to start especially if they are not experienced in sys admin type of work. I recommend Redhat due to its popularity but Mandrake and Suse work under the same pretenses. I used mandrake to start.

My point is that if someone is going to be a Pro...then they should take the time to learn in depth. In this case installing Linux should be a project for them to learn from.

From 50+ yrs. of life experience I have learned that the best learning comes from pulling your hair out & getting something working.

I never promised it would be easy... :)

Also not all Linux users will need to be sysadmins, but that depends on what your definition of a sys admin is.

In this case I mean anyone who deals with an OS that is MULTIPLE USER based like Linux, rather than a simple DESKTOP user like Win95, Win98, etc..

Grasping that in itself is a big hurdle for some people.

Even if you are the only user on a Linux system...you still have ROOT and one user.

If not you are playing Russian Roulette...

My recommendation for new users is to try not to compare your linux machine with windows. And always look for equivalent programs on linux for MS products. Don't load linux up just to still run ms products as a free alternative almost always availible. If you think about it, Ms products sometimes cost more than the os itself, don't keep yourself in that rut.

When I installed Mandrake I loaded EVERYTHING...since I have the space. I won't use a lot of it...but it is there if I need it.


I didn't install some of the things I obviously don't need like the programming tools & Math tools. I installed gcc later as I needed it.

Part of my own learning will be as I UN-install the things I don't need.

I am just saying that if a person is going after this as a USER only, not considering a profession in this kind of thing, then they should make it as easy as possible to start.

If a person IS considering a profession in this area, and they aren't willing to learn with a more professional distro of linux like Gentoo, Caldera, Debian, etc...then they should consider going into another area. :)

[Nu-Bee]

Originally posted by ferreter
Well recent trends say that up to half of all servers will run a version of linux/bsd by 2007. It may not be the desktop market but if people start with the server, hopefully the desktop will follow.

Maybe you aren't aware that MOST of the internet runs on the *Nix platform (usually Linux or FreeBSD) already. MOST internet servers run Apache....very, very few run Windows.

I make it a point to stay away from servers that run Windows...Yuch!

[ferreter]

Originally posted by NecroNomiCon
As a "techno-weenie" in the IS field, I can't complain too much about MicroSloth's Windoze. How can you dis a company that provides excellent job security?!? BAHAHA!!!

What do you mean? There are 15yr olds with MCSE's now-a-days. You can pay them in comic books.

[ferreter]

Originally posted by Nu-Bee
Maybe you aren't aware that MOST of the internet runs on the *Nix platform (usually Linux or FreeBSD) already. MOST internet servers run Apache....very, very few run Windows.

I make it a point to stay away from servers that run Windows...Yuch!

Most of the web servers do, but web servers are only one small part of an IT infrastructure in a company my friend.

[Nu-Bee]

Originally posted by ferreter
Most of the web servers do, but web servers are only one small part of an IT infrastructure in a company my friend.

Yes, I agree with you. Sorry, I didn't realize you were talking about an intranet type setup.

Well recent trends say that up to half of all servers will run a version of linux/bsd
by 2007. It may not be the desktop market but if people start with the server,
hopefully the desktop will follow.

Yes, have you seen the recent commercials from IBM?

Pixie Dust...Business Time Machines...Future Looking Binoculars...Self Healing Servers <grin>

IBM has obviously got a firm grasp of the failings of Windoze. :)

[ferreter]

Originally posted by Nu-Bee
My point is that if someone is going to be a Pro...then they should take the time to learn in depth. In this case installing Linux should be a project for them to learn from.

From 50+ yrs. of life experience I have learned that the best learning comes from pulling your hair out & getting something working.

I never promised it would be easy... :)


I'm of the impression that is exactly why many people stay away from GNU/Linux as they believe that they have to be pros to use it which is definately not the case. But you are right, I learn best when challenged and the rewards are greater (but ulcers are more frequent hehe)



Part of my own learning will be as I UN-install the things I don't need.

I am just saying that if a person is going after this as a USER only, not considering a profession in this kind of thing, then they should make it as easy as possible to start.


I fully agree with you on that. As I mentioned before, I personally started on Mandrake and as I continue to learn I continue to move towards the more difficult distros. made for the more sys. admin. orientated person.


If a person IS considering a profession in this area, and they aren't willing to learn with a more professional distro of linux like Gentoo, Caldera, Debian, etc...then they should consider going into another area. :)

But if you think about it, in a granulized IT department many people don't need to know how to setup advanced servers with advanced distros. Redhat has mindshare(my new favorite word) for a reason...ease of use. I really think that as people learn, they naturally evolve to the more advanced distros. for personal use. Besides the most successful IT people I have seen naturally want to learn everything they can. But the most well paid are the ones who specialize in one area....odd how that works :confused:

[ferreter]

Originally posted by Nu-Bee
Yes, I agree with you. Sorry, I didn't realize you were talking about an intranet type setup.



Yes, have you seen the recent commercials from IBM?

Pixie Dust...Business Time Machines...Future Looking Binoculars...Self Healing Servers <grin>

IBM has obviously got a firm grasp of the failings of Windoze. :)

Yeah! Those commercials are funny! Embacing Linux is becoming almost trendy amongst the big companies. I want a self-healing server.... :)

[Nu-Bee]

Originally posted by ferreter
Yeah! Those commercials are funny! Embacing Linux is becoming almost trendy amongst the big companies. I want a self-healing server.... :)

Trendy is a good thing in this matter... :)