Re: [Sheflug] Hi - I'm new!

["Netsonic" <nospam1045405695-10218 [at] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Antony Hawkins" <nospam1045405695-10246 [at] sheffield.ac.uk>
To: <nospam1045405695-10247 [at] list.sheflug.org.uk>
Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2003 1:39 PM
Subject: [Sheflug] Hi - I'm new!


> Hi,
>
> No, I'm not (yet) a linux convert, but I am seriously considering it,
> hence my subscription to this list.
>
> I'm keen to try linux (HOW sick of the blue screen of death?) and
> am not averse to paying for an OS; however I would like to try it
> before committing any cash.
>
> So, I'm after some advice / recommendations.
>
> I know there are free Linux OS's around, the flip side seemingly
> being that the less you pay, the more technical expertise you need
> to install them. While I'd consider myself to be technically
> competent, all my experience is with windows and thus may not be
> a lot of use!
>
> Do any of the paid-for, simple-to-install options have a free trial
> option?
>
> From the screenshots I've seen, Lindows and SuSE both look nice,
> but require a capital commitment first.
>
> Any suggestions, recommendations, etc welcome.
>
> Thanks
>
>
> -----------------------------------
>
> Antony Hawkins
> Information Officer
> D7c
> Town & Regional Planning
> Geography & Planning Building
> University of Sheffield
> Winter Street
> Sheffield
> S3 7ND



Hi Anthony,

Ive just started looking at some Linux distributions, and although I have
made the decision that I want to move to Linux, Im not decided on a final
one to use.

As was recommended to me on this list recently, Knoppix Linux seems to work
very well and its hardware detection is great. The download allows you to
run it entirely from CD so you can give it a try and see what you think.

Its free, and there is a very simple hard disk install on it too.

I also tried SuSE recently, but you cant download the CD images. You have to
download a small CD, boot from it, and then install over the network, direct
from the SuSE servers. It was very problematic and took around a dozen or so
attempts to get it to install, and then a considerable number of hours to do
all the downloads. I understand if you look around, you can buy the SuSE
install CDs for a fairly small fee, but installing over the network from
their servers doesnt cost anything.

At the moment, Im downloading Libranet Linux also recommended from this
list. Ive no experience with that, but I will be commenting on it once Ive
given it a try.

One thing Ive noticed is that the smaller single disk distributions are
generally built from one of the larger ones ie. Redhat or Debian.

My priority right now is hardware detection, and the best ones Ive found so
far are based around either SuSE or Debian.

Steve.

___________________________________________________________________

Sheffield Linux User's Group -
http://www.sheflug.co.uk/mailfaq.html

  GNU the choice of a complete generation.