Noob

[The_Don]

So I'm about to start with Linux when I have my new computer.

I have a little experience with it but i'm still a noob.


I heard Slackware is for expert and Mandrake for noob but Mandrake isn't that stable.

Now my question: What Linux version should i take for starting ?

[Beavis77]

Well, depends whether you want to be a linux-pro or just use it. If you really want to use it you have also to gain quite some knowledge though... :)

Anyways, Mandrake is quite nice for beginners. You wouldn't do anything wrong with that.
You should just avoid Slackware (as you said) and Debian also.

[Dark Killer]

get suse its kinda in the middle!

[The_Don]

SUSE, i was thinking about that one to.

I want to gain knowledge and want a stable OS

[Dijital]

you'd definitely want to start with mandrake or red hat.

as you said already, slackware is for experts

[django]

take red hat thats a good one

[rosieness]

personally i find that mandrake linux is a really good, really stable OS...i'm a bit of a linux n00b and i think its perfect for someone like me.

[Magic]

yeah, i have it too... need to get around to installing it though...

one question.... will it recognize my cable internet connection as it's done thru a USB connection to my modem???

[thaler_X]

Hi Magic,

I doubt it will recognize it automatically,
in fact it might even not be supported at all.

For closer information you might have a look at
http://www.linux-usb.org/

And/or post some details of your cable modem.

[Magic]

thanks for the help, thaler_x

BTW, it's a motorola Surfboard

[thaler_X]

If your surfboard has an ethernet port, you can use this one to connect it to a linux box :).
(I heard of some motorola surfboards supporting both, usb and ethernet)

[Magic]

Originally posted by thaler_X
If your surfboard has an ethernet port, you can use this one to connect it to a linux box :).
(I heard of some motorola surfboards supporting both, usb and ethernet)

yeah, mine does :D

need to go get a new NIC card now, my old one's toasted, which is why i'm using the USB port :D

thanks for the help :D

[The_Don]

Well you can run a usb-modem under linux, but you have to follow a little tutorial.

I decided to work with a Slackware 8.1 (It's the only stable distrbu around, and i want to start with a stable OS )

[thaler_X]

I don't know whether there is a difference between a modem and a cable modem (never had a cable modem :)), but of course usb modems in general are supportet (see the link I posted).

If you ask me, you can get (nearly) any distribution running as stable as any other one :). It depends only on the one that installs/configures it.

Slackware is always a good choice if you are willing to spend some time configuring your box and learn about linux.