Uber-newb

[Ashandarel]

I'm a longtime windows user; not because I like it (it's not awful) but because I really don't have any options when sharing a computer with family who are absolutely terrified to try or learn anything new. Thus, I've never been able to try Linux. Well, once when I had to do a format I installed Mandrake just to get a little taste before I let microshaft back in bed... but there were some very aggravating mouse problems that I couldn't deal with for more than an hour.

Anyway, I consider myself a little more computer savvy than average, and I'm always wanting to learn new skills and new software, and Linux has always interested me. My question is, is there a specific distro that's generally acceptable for someone with no previous experience? Is there any way to maintain both operating systems (linux/windows) on the same hard drive without losing all my old data? There's some things which I absolutely have to back up, but it'd be quite nice to not have to back up my zillion episodes of southpark and (aside from major mishaps) not have to worry about having to re-"aquire" them :D. Either way, how can I go about setting up my machine to use them both? I heard about some program that allowed you to run linux on top of windows, and I wonder if it's possible, because I'd really like to get a taste of it before I take the plunge and start moving around partitions and whatnot. Anyway, I know there are documents out there, and I really don't expect anyone to sit down and write out a detailed response, so I'd be happy to check out any links- I go to google and I just get mounds and mounds of crap before I really find anything truly pertinent. I assume you all know your way around various linux sites and faqs and tutorials and what have you; your help is most appreciated.

James Boggs

[mage492]

Well, I'd recommend going to www.linux.org . There's a place there where you can search to see what distros match your needs. That can help narrow your search. As for the kind of system you're talking about, do you mean you want Linux to run like an application INSIDE Windoze (embedded), or do you just want a choice of which the computer boots into at the beginning (dual-boot)? Personally, I consider dual-boot to be a bit more complicated to set up, but I think it's the best way to learn (short of loading Linux on an abandoned box nobody cares about).

[Ashandarel]

I'd love to put it on my old p3, but my dad cannibalized it for parts. I think I'd probably like to try it out embedded, since I'm not terribly comfortable with repartitioning my hd right now; I know how to do it, and have done it, but I wouldn't feel comfortable doing it to the "family" machine with the truly ridiculous amount of backup I'd have to do beforehand and the potential fubaring of the hdd.

I'm not too particular about it's performance if I run it under windows, I just want to get a feel for how it works, and how it will behave with my hardware.

[Raoul_Duke]

Look into Knoppix......it runs linux off a CD, not very quick but it's an excellent starting point for learning about linux without re-partitioning or anything like that ;)

[DMR]

Knoppix is a good idea.

You could also install a second hard drive and put Linux it. That way you could dual-boot without messing up your Windows drive.

:)

[Ashandarel]

Thanks for the suggestion, I'm downloading that one right now =)
After this point I'm really going to try and figure this thing out on my own (outside a few documents :D). If I like it I guess I'll keep it, I believe i've got an old 12gig hdd laying around here somewhere.... whee.

I'm sure I'll be back here with problems, heh. Thanks.