Quote: Original post by BTownTKD
So, I was thinking of converting one of my old computers into a linux box

Just make sure you've got at least 192 MBs of RAM. Oh, and don't think you know GNU/Linux until you've been using it for some years.

Given yuor unfamiliarity with Linux but evidently at least a user-level familiarity with Windows I would recommend you try Linspire or, preferrably, Xandros.

I know Xandros works seamlessly with Windows networking right out of the box, no tweaking or apt-getting or standing on one foot and turning counterclockwise three times. I use it at home and have never had a problem.

Both the abovementioned distros are comercial distros that are aimed at Windows users and have been thoroughly tested and come with documentation and support. They're also reasonably priced.

Xandros is a really good transition distro. It has the best file explorer GUI of any distro I've seen. However, I found it somewhat limiting in terms of what you can install and uninstall without breaking its package system. If you don't work within the Xandros system of doing things you can have some problems. If I recall correctly, I had a heck of a time getting k3b to work in Xandros, for example, because it required a library that completely conflicted with a lib xandros used, and it was hell convincing it to work.

That may not be important to you though. And, in fairness, figuring out those things is the best way to learn to use linux.

Quote: Original post by smitty1276
If you don't work within the Xandros system of doing things you can have some problems. If I recall correctly, I had a heck of a time getting k3b to work in Xandros, for example, because it required a library that completely conflicted with a lib xandros used, and it was hell convincing it to work.

I've used Xandros exclusively for years. I've never had a problem getting any software I need to work. I've heard about problems installing k3b, but the CD burner that comes built in to the distro does everything I need.

The one time I had problems (getting my modem working) I had a solution within minutes on their user forums.

I'm new to Linux myself, and I've been using VMware to run DSL inside of Windows. I'm going to set up my system to dual-boot eventually, but for now it's a good way to familiarize myself with Linux without having to worry about setting up a disk partition, and without the hassle of LiveCDs.

Try Mepis, it's the easiest Linux distro I've ever tried. Great hardware detection and configuration, automagic installation of video drivers, etc.

As for that windows/DX emulator, it's called Wine and it's free. But if you want games I think what you want is Cedega and it's not free.

id use suse 10.0

the last time i setup a debian system i had to configure it for 2 weeks to get everything running with suse you have your clicky punty gui installation which is exactly what i miss in certain distros.

Whats this VMWare? I've heard of it before, but not really sure what it is or what it's used for...

You can use VMWare to run one operating system from inside another.

i.e. In windows you would have a window which shows your linux system.

Good Luck!

Steven Ashley (I personally use and recommend ubuntu)

So, does it aloow me to run an operating system from my computer in the sense that I can control another one of my computers remotely (which would be running a diff operating system), or is it more in the sense that I can be using windows, and then pop open VMWare to run a linux program really quick.


In either case, how would I go about setting up somethig like that?