Should we buy linux or download it?

[Marcel2008]

Linux distro's are cheap, and they come with manuals. But downloaded iso's are more up-to-date...

So what do you recommend?
:p

[ansivirus]

It is really up to you.. I recommend just downloading the "more up-to-date" iso rather than purchase it. You can get all the support you need online.. but again it is really up to you..

-ansivirus

[Cloak|56k]

I say buy it, if you buy it i gives money to the compagnie and it helps them. If you dont have money then download.

i bought up to date:

1-Red Hat
2- Mandrake 6.5 - 7.0 - 7.2
3-**Never Bought Windows**

And Please do not copy linux games (buy), if you want major releases at the same time has the windows version.

Thank You!

[JALU]

Personally, I bought my first copy of a distro so I could get the manuals and the tech support. I didn't buy the subsequent release and downloaded it instead. I like the ability to get your flavor for free, but I know that if we don't support these distributions financially then they won't be able to continue to provide us with these wonderful programs at such a rapid pace. I feel morally obligated, for the sake of the open source movement, to purchase my distro every couple of releases. Not to mention if you are a newbie it is a damn good thing to get the documentation and the tech support that comes with the boxed version. As for the iso's being more up to date, you can always use your distros update tools to make it current after you install it.

Thats my opinion, I could be wrong, but probably not. ;)

[f'lar]

First time you try linux: Buy it because it's that's what your used to.
Second time: Download it because you can, and the concept of getting it free.
Third time and on: Buy it for the cd so you don't have to download apps, the manuals so you can learn to use the new apps, and the principle of getting money to the linux companies.

[trauma]

i suggest you go buy it and download only things that you wanna update (kernel, bug fixes, etc.)

first, it's VERY easy to install once you have the CD lying around in there, as you are likely to do a lot of installs during your first time.

second, not all of us have really fast connections, so to be able to download a CD distro's worth, you'll have to do a lot of waiting.

[Its_ON]

if u havent gone and bought it already.. GO BUY IT
dude.. i know caz like when i was starting with linux i went out to comp show and i got SUSE for like $20 and I never really got to gating it going caz i found other stuff batter. i say IF u starting off.. GO BUY Rhat or Mandrake.. u get stuck ( u will ) call them up and ask for support and S..it

enjoy till then

Its_ON

[Tyr-7BE]

I suggest buying a book with a cd included. I bought "The Red Hat Linux Bible", and it came with RH 6.1. It walked me through the install, told me how to get around the command line, then started telling me all about the GUI. Built up my knowledge step by step, and now I'm on my way on the journey to guruhood. The company will still profit from the purchase of a CD, and you'll have a textbook to guide you.

[FoBoT]

buy debian/hurd

also buy linuxnewbie.org t-shirts (mine came today, i got to get a picture up, it is :cool: )

buy books about linux so you can read them on the can

buy linux hardware stuff

send extra cash after buying all that to me (https://secure.paypal.com/refer/pal=kevinllim%40usa.net)

have a nice day! :)

[Ryeker]

I agree with Tyr-7BE. Buy a good book with a CD in it. That's how I started with RedHat. I learned a lot in a few days with RedHat 5.2 and the book. I had previous experience with Slackware, but that was a few years earlier. After learning the basics from the book, go on with any distro you like, either stick with the book, or venture out there ( :cool SLACKWARE :cool: ).

I don't think RedHat or other distro's get money if the CD comes in a book. I may be wrong though. I think it's because the CD doesn't come with any commercial apps or tech support. It's the same CD you can download as an ISO.

[Chatterjee]

I'm running Caldera OpenLinux eDesktop 2.4 and I just have to say this is awesome!

I hope this isn't crapping your thread. :)

-S

[PimpHolic]

like stated so many times before, buy your copy(s) every once in a while to support the great developers! and then just download whatever else you want

[Lovechild]

Download a Progeny Debian ISO, and buy some Loki games...

VERY GOOD...

Welcome to the Debian Order, brother :D
www.progeny.com (http://www.progeny.com)