Which Linux?

NerdyDuffman · 07-01-2003, 03:48 AM

ok im sorta brand new to linux i used Red hat 8 for about a month and could never get a hang of it.

Is there a way to update from RH 8 to RH 9 without haveing to redownload the images again?

Do you suggest using mandrake (is it easier?) instead of RH

Agent_Embryo · 07-01-2003, 04:25 AM

I'd suggest Red Hat, SuSE or maybe Mandrake.

I think that Red Hat lets you update the RPM's if you register with them (free I think).

Siliconjunkie · 07-01-2003, 04:45 AM

I like RedHat as well. Not sure about doing an upgrade. You could get to the same versions but it probably wont have the same overall package as RH9.

Thats one of the advantages and disadvantages of Linux. It doesnt really come in versions like Windows, someone can just upgrade the parts that they want to or use. Which is great, but can be a real pain with dependencies. I prefer source for just this reason, RPMs have given me fits in the past by not knowing that you have such and such installed.

soulja · 07-01-2003, 05:07 AM

i have mandrake but its tooo. hard, well not hard like i don't know to use it in a way, its like confusing because it wont allow .exe and then all those extra programs, and it won't allow u to isntall anything on a cd that you will need (program or driver. Redhat, i never tried but someone can clear that part up.

nukes · 07-01-2003, 12:45 PM

Um, you can't run windows software or install windows drivers on Linux anyway. You can run some software using wine (www.winehq.com) but thats it. No fancy vxds or 'owt like that.

Generally, RPM distros have some problems with upgrades, especially if you've done much fine-tuning (in the actual system) since the original install. That's why source based distros suit me better. (Sourcerer, Gentoo, and Debian with source packages.)
Mandrake is nicer than RH IMO, especially for newbies as it sets up all the menus in an easy-to follow way. However, if you have learnt your way around a fair bit, I would suggest trying one of the other distros I mentioned. You'll get a better system out of it in the end, but you may have some trouble getting there to start with.

Urban_Squrill · 07-01-2003, 12:49 PM

I would go with Red Hat 9.1. I got into the linux world with that. Come into the light.

cunokyle · 07-01-2003, 10:34 PM

Mandrake...easy to switch to if you are used to Windows...as far as being graphical and such. All of the menus are easy to figure out and there are graphical interfaces for almost everything you can think of. TYhe best distro for anyone new to Linux(IMO)

squeech · 07-01-2003, 10:41 PM

I started with Mandrake 8.2, and it was a VERY easy first install. Everything was set up in easy to understand GUIs. Then, when I went and installed it on some other machines sometim later, I was able to make some really advanced setup decisions in the same GUI.

I now have Mandrake 9.1 on two machines, and it is MUCH easier than even 8.2 was.

I did for awhile run RH8, and while it was very simple to install (almost too simple IMO) it didn't give me as good a feel for what was going on as Drake did (I didn't learn as much).

Just my two cents

S.D.Willie · 07-01-2003, 10:55 PM

just another vote for drake 9.1. you dont even need to edit any samba files to get file sharing going over the network with your windows box at all. just go through the control center and you get a step by step guide which works great. plus with vnc, and remote desktop coming with it as well, well lets just say theres no shortage of software with these discs. urpmi is great as well. hats off to mandrake.

SD