i have currently windows on my computer but i want to try linux which is unix, i dont know anything on the computers like how to install it like do the partitions and all so is there anyone who can help?
2006-12-22 16:06:09 · 5 answers · asked by chapagainashish 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
the latest version of linux is suse linux 10.2 and you can download it from
www.opensuse.org
5 cd's it is the best linux out supported by the biggest network software company
2006-12-22 16:22:52 · answer #1 · answered by Carling 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Linux is just the kernel, so the whole packaging of linux + software that comes with it + any bells and whistles is known as a distribution or "distro". Since linux is freely available, there are countless distributions available, although only few are the major ones. If you're new to linux, you would be wise to stay away from the experimental or small versions. Which brings us to, what are the major distros?
http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major
Don't ask which is best. It's a personal choice. I can only give you certain facts. Ubuntu is based on Debian, and Debian itself is a very stable and reputable distro. Debian and Ubuntu have the largest software repositories, although the others are pretty big too. Ubuntu has become extremely popular over the last couple of years.
Mandriva and OpenSUSE are also very solid distributions. Fedora is from the well known company Redhat. I used Fedora but didn't like it as much as Debian/Ubuntu.
Stay away from Gentoo. It requires you to compile everything, and that takes time. Lots and lots of time. Great if you're a hobbyist, have a special system that can take advantage of manual compilation, etc. But play with it later.
Stay away from the others. They may be good, but I wouldn't suggest them for a beginner.
Once you learn about the various distributions, choose one, and follow the instructions specific to that distribution. The installation procedure tends to be similar for each one (as they are all a linux distro), but if you're new, you'll want to figure as little as possible. All the major distributions have good instructions for beginners. They'll tell you how to partition, what to do once you first begin, etc.
2006-12-22 16:20:14 · answer #2 · answered by csanon 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, there are a lot of different distributions of it. Not just one company or anything like Micro$oft.
Visit http://www.linux.org for a lot of the latest distros of it.
Fedora Core is up to 6 now I think.
2006-12-22 16:15:36 · answer #3 · answered by joannaserah 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would recommend ubuntu for anyone starting on linux. go to www.ubuntu.com to get started
2006-12-22 16:10:34 · answer #4 · answered by Pat M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out distro watch to help find a flavor of *nix that you like: http://distrowatch.com/
2006-12-22 16:10:29 · answer #5 · answered by Amir T 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋