I want to learn linux...

I have downloaded both Linux Mandrake and Red Hat Linux

which one should I try first (being a beginner)?

Mandrake is more user friendly, from what I've found anyway

and I need fat32 partition right?

Mandrake has built in partitioning and formatting
once you start the install its pretty straightforward

If your going to linux from windows dont get mandrake.

Use Redhat 7.2
It supports all the latests packages and ports out, its services and security are excellent, runs well and is easy to use,. The KDE windows manager can make it feel like a windows enviroment, instead of a linux enviroment which makes changing HEAPS easier, the install is simple and if you have any problems you can ask in #linux on the irc.enterthegame.com server or yahoo chat or ask me or others here.

BUt use redhat over mandrake, its somthing you will be thankful for later on

Debian (once you've learnt a bit).

redhat and mandrake are for newbies.
use mandrake..
then get debain.. tahts got a easly downloading / intsllaing tool
then geting into bsd..
eg.. Freebsd abd openBSD
openBSD is the way to go for new learners..
it is also the best bsd os

Mandrake or Redhat are good starting points. I pretty much started on debian. Its really not as hard as people make out.

No its not, but to get a basic knoledge use Redhat to start with, mandrake is s***, morgish hasnt a clue :P

And FreeBSD is better than openBSD

FreeBSD = better
openBSD = most secure out of the box distro, but is a total BITCH to use at times.

Red Hat 7.2 is great for beginners but can be quite powerful. but linux is like a car, find the one that suits u best.

and eds drop my cd's back sometime :0

i want a red one they go fastest (hang on the orange goes pretty quick too)

both mandrake and redhat are great for a desktop linux distribution
i dont think you can make a mistake :)
not so sure about the bsd's or debian for that matter though
cause when it comes to desktop its usually better to be able to run the latest and the greatest, and debian seems to be a little slow in that area
havent looked at the testing, or unstable trees though

I've tried mandrake and red hat, and I would go with Mandrake. And honestly, I doubt you'll find any reason other than maybe sheer interest to try any other distros.

mandrake lacks the ability for high end power, it's almost too user friendly for it's own good

this'll probably get nuked but there's Lesbian Linux. I've heard BSD has better man pages, man pages being the usefull things they are.

yahoo! i finally have a reason to install linux!

lol campbell

seen this?

The right distro depends on whether you want to be a 'wow redhat is great, just like windows!' or a 'yes i actually know how to do stuff so i won't bug everyone with noobish questions later' type person. Redhat is just too easy and too bloated. You won't really learn much by installing it and anything on 3 or 4 cd's (whatever it is now, prolly 6 or more) is just silly.

Lycoris linux!

The n00bs linux. Apparently the best compromise between a powerful linux Operating System, and an easy-to-use interface. Have a look at the review.

RedHat 7.2 Roxors your newbie Boxors

Nothing, and i repeat, absof***inglutely nothing beats RPM when it comes to newbies.

The single most daunting feature of linux for newbies?

Download
Unpack
Compile
Install
Locate??!

Redhat's RPM is the most user friendly and all you others can suck my cock, he's not going to use f***ing bsd or debian as a first OS, jesus christ

rpm is so good
try to use it wherever possible
if i can cant find pre-compiled packages , i at least try and find a spec file

I think the first thing you should do is work out what you want to do with it. If you don't have an objective, you'll install linux, setup xwindows, get on the net, then say 'ummmmmmmm.'

... and have rebooted and be back in windows in no time and forget you ever installed it.

Instead say, i'm gonna setup this box with linux and use it as a firewall... or setup this box and use it as a web server. Something like that. Otherwise, you are just going to find it frustrating to use as a desktop and not learn anything from it. It gives you something to work towards in learning linux, and while you are spending your time RTFMing you can be focusing on that particular aspect..

RPM are only good if you don't wish to stray from the straight an narrow, if you really want to learn linux then it would be best to get your hands dirty and do some of your own makes. Obviuosly you are a gamer that is why you are here, why not try setting up a game sever.

You won't really learn much by installing it and anything on 3 or 4 cd's (whatever it is now, prolly 6 or more) is just silly.

um
IT'S STILL TWO CD'S!!!

Clue?

hahaha 3 or 4 cd's for linux, here the windows analogee, load windows any 1cd now add office 1cd now add sql and development enviroment + msdn another f***in 6+ cds, now add documentation f*** nows howmany msdn cd's currently have, thats the windows version. Linux is the kernel and kernal only the rest is GNU and optional.

If you want to really lean don't install anything but the bare minimum. I've learnt alot with two half f***ed FreeBSD isos (damn internet connections) and building the set up how I want it with the bare minimum.

I think the first thing you should do is work out what you want to do with it. If you don't have an objective, you'll install linux, setup xwindows, get on the net, then say 'ummmmmmmm.'

well said... courtesy of mirror.aarnet.edu.au I've just downloaded, burnt, and installed Mandrake 8.1, Q3atest and (I'm working on) GF3 drivers.

getting this up and running will be my first mission.

if all goes well, I'll try my hand at installing, running, and gaming on a full ver of q3a...

it'll prolly come as no surprise to hear that loading up my fave game on my first pc was the first thing I did on it... somehow seemed apropriate here =)

I'm in the same situation as origionally I was with Dos. *huge* learning curve, s***loads to read, and s***loads of fatal errors to encounter. at least this time I can route thru my firewall to the net the read info instead of wasting so much god damn money on all those crap, out-of-date magazines (no offense Ben Mansel: you're a ledgend matey :)

Anyways... trudging along here

>:)

it'd be sure nice to find a ver/update of q3atest with openGL support instead of ghey 3dfx... but I've got some Quake1 lubbin to tide me over =)

RPM = Satan :)

can you run normal windows applications on linux?
can you write software in linux with delphi or visual basic or c++?
is there any free software development software for linux?

pfft sifnt apt-get. Even some review of different distros said apt-get was THE handiest tool.
The biggest problem is working out WHAT you need to do, and what to get and how things work. It doesn't matter how easy it is to install if you don't know what x is or why you need a window manager ('isn't that what x does?') and getting used to not running superuser all the time.

can you run normal windows applications on linux

some, not many I've found.

can you write software in linux with delphi or visual basic or c++?

apparently - but I'm no uber programmer. my programming ability only extends from old skool Pascal... similar, but sure as hell not the same.

is there any free software development software for linux?

more than you can poke a stick at.

I've much to read and understand myself. It's confusing as hell though. I've not written anything since my old man force-fed me Pascal... if you've a decent grasp of c++ you'll certainly achieve more than I will dude.

good luck.

=)