want to get into linux. have some questions

[nurdonsite2]

hi, i have been really board lately with my computer so i thought to give linux a try. the machine i want to install it on is running windows xp professional and the harddrive has 2 partations. will i be able to install linux on the second partation without a problem?

this computer is also networked VIA crossover cable to my other computer which is connected to the internet so i have to connet through that comptuer to access the internet from this comptuer. my question is, will i be able to network the linux with my other machine which is also running windows xp pro.

also, i plan on leaving my windows xp on the otehr partation so will i be able to make my computer dual boot to either linux or windows?

one more thing.........what versin of linux would u recommend for a total n00b like me? i was cnsidering mandrek 9.2

i would appreciate any help or suggestions u have.

thanx

[pbharris]

hello,
everything you mention sounds doable - the via ethernet controller is support, many of teh people here dual boot ms windows and linux.

i like redhat, but mandrake is good too.

[washe]

You have all to get your linux experience, the crossover cable should work correctly, I assume you use ICS on the other box to get the internet it should work correctly.

[nurdonsite2]

yes i am using ICS. im downloading kinoppix right now just to give linux a try for a while and untill mandrek 9.2 is released to the public. i got one more question.......which linux xis good for newbies like me? redhat or mandrek?

[blubomber]

Go for Mandrake 9.2. Mandrake has long been conisdered a good distro for the Linux n00b. I myself am running Mandrake 9.2 RC2, and i am enjoying it very much. On install it picked up all the hardware (on an older PII computer) and connected to my network right away.

Mandrake comes with alot of tools for managing your computer and even installing software. But i have also been using the CLI to gain experience that way. I have also done ALOT of reading on how to do things.

Here are some websites i have found usefull.

www.linuxorbit.com
www.usalug.org
www.linuxnovice.org

[washe]

My opionion will be a little biased but I recommend you to try mandrake... I use it and im very pleased with it..

[Mike]

Mandrake is definetely a good distro for a beginner to use! That's what I usually recommend to people in my Unix clas.
Knoppix is a good distro to just toy around with.

[nukes]

this computer is also networked VIA crossover cable to my other computer which is connected to the internet so i have to connet through that comptuer to access the internet from this comptuer. my question is, will i be able to network the linux with my other machine which is also running windows xp pro.

Networking will be a sinch with samba. Can't see any problems there. To access the internet through the other machine, just set your DNS server and default gateway to the IP of the windows machine. If you don't know what this is, it will pop up during setup, just input it there. (the IP is probably 192.168.0.1 unless you've set it up differently)

also, i plan on leaving my windows xp on the otehr partation so will i be able to make my computer dual boot to either linux or windows?

Mandrake will set that up automatically, and automatically mount your windows drive so you can access windows files from Linux.

one more thing.........what versin of linux would u recommend for a total n00b like me? i was cnsidering mandrek 9.2

That will be fine.

[nurdonsite2]

thanx for all ur help and suggestions. one more thing.....when is mankrake going to be released? and what is the RC2 version of mandrake? is it like a beta version of a windows software?

[nukes]

RC2 means Release candidate 2. Its a pre-release version pretty much in its final form, and they just want to get any bugs ironed out before it goes gold. It looks like Mandrake 9.2 is already out:
http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/ftp.php3
Do strongly consider becoming a member of Mandrake club. Its well worth supporting the software, as they have had some financial difficulties, and they provide a very good product.