TechBoy

I am thinking of changing over to the open source solution. I have used microsofts windows since I had my very first computer, and watching all these gadget shows and reading all these computer magazines I cant help but feel that Linux no matter what version is so much better. Know if I knew how and it was simple I would change over to Linux anyday, but I dont. I know you cna download free version of Linux an so on or you can pay for ones like Suse Linux, but I dont want to pay because I'm tight, so whats the best FREE linux you guys think there Is and where can I get it?


Also I am providing the internet connection for my whole house, so if i install Linux will it affect my router because if I lose the router drivers NO one in my house gets the internet, and I want to be able to simply pop in a cd or run a download and install Linux and have everything as it was before jsut as if I was upgrading my windows. Is this possible?

Cyborg

Your Computer Is Your Router Or You Have A Seperate Router, Because No Drivers Are Really Need For A Freestanding Router... And As For The Best Linux, It Really Depends On What You Want To Do... Ubuntu And Xandros Are Great Windows-Like Linux Versions, But They Don't Offer You Everything, Also, You Could Duel-Boot, Meaning Have Windows and Linux Existing On The Same Box, Because That Switch Over Can Be Hard...

TechBoy

I have a stand alone router. its simply plugged into my pc THRO my broadband modem.

How easy is it to have linux and windows on the same hard drive. does it involve partiotioning and stuff. is that easy to do?

and the Linux , ive been looking around for mandrake but I cant find it. The website doesnt seem to work anymore. have mndrake changed there name to mandriva ? because they seem to have the same mandrake star logo.

ITRocks

to dual boot yes you will have to partition but its very easy using fdisk or cfdsik.

you can get almost any distro from http://linuxiso.org/

If your router is plugged into your cable modem and then your other computers either plugged into your router or are wireless then converting one box to linux will not affect the rest.

If your box acts as the router then yes it will affect it until you put some iptables onto it.

Semona

Redhat is a nice easy distrobution to start out with. They have a new project out now, called Fedora, which I haven't experimented with, but I have Redhat 9 and I'm pretty happy with it.

Cyborg

Mandrake Is Now Mandriva, They Changed The Name After Going Corperate... And Should You Decide To Duel Boot, Mandrake Come With Lilo, Although you would Have To Partition Yourself, There Are Programs That It Come With To Partition. www.distrowatch.com has tons of linux distros for your pleasure...

ITRocks

RedHat Just Came Back, They stoped providing support when they went corperate, but i have yet to try it out... Fedora Core 3 Is Based Off Of Redhat and i would recommend it too, beware though, there is Fedora Core 4 and it was a flop, go with 3 or another distro...

TechBoy

well Im downloading knoppix now, you know test it out b4 I decide, my router is a wireless one and everyone is connected to it wirelessly but we have not set it up on a network, they simply plugged some atennas into their pc's I told tehm the security pass adn they use the internet, jsut as if someon stood outside my hosue and cud use it, if i never had a pass, doe I still have to move the iptables over then , if i do how cos I dont even kno what the hell iptables are.

um Im on the mandriva linux website and I am going to download it so Im ready to install if i decide to. One thing, because im so st00pid I dont know what one to download, does the intel586 thingy mean anything? will it affect the way linux works?

Cyborg

well you might want to lock down you wireless connection because people can do bad things on it, but linux shouldn't mess it up...

TechBoy

my wireless connection is all locked down, security pass adn stuff. and Im the only one who knows it. so if i suddenly lose my memory. well we are all buggered.