Linux

SpywareShooter

This week it's not supposed to rain so I'm going to try to pick up another computer from the dump to use as a folder. I wanted to wait for a week like this so I don't risk picking up a soaked machine that'll blow up on me. Chances are that if the HD is any good it'll be a little one (under 2GB), so Linux would probably be the best OS. I've also heard that Linux uses less CPU cycles than Windows does, which will be good, since it's going to have a small processor. People have told me that I should download Suse, but I want to make sure it's compatible with FAH. Sanford says FAH is compatible with x86 Linux. How do I know if it's x86?

Also I'm going to need some installation instructions. The site says to download all the files and burn them to a disk. However, all of these files are located in subdirectories, not in the root of the disk. Will they autorun and install when I put the CD in the drive? Finally, is there any place where I can download it from HTTP? FTP confuses the hell out of me and I can't figure out how to download from it.

BTW: This time I'll make sure I don't pick up an AT System so I can have a keyboard for it.

SpywareShooter

I dowloaded SuSE and burned the .iso image to a CD-R. I put the disk in this computer (just to test it, I don't want Linux on this computer) and it came up to the disk root directory. I can't find any .exe files anywhere. Was I supposed to make the disk bootable? If not, how do I install it from this disk?

Jonsey

Okay wow... where to start.

Okay, if you're looking for .exe's, Linux is not for you, Linux doesn't use .exe binary packaging.

x86 Linux refers to distros made to run on x86 archetectures. That's be your P4s, AMDs, 486s, 386s, and maybe even 286s. Get it? x86?

This isn't a flaming of a Linux newbie, as I know that it's very easy to get discouraged before you jump into Linux, but you may save yourself some grief expanding your technical vocabulary before attempting to dive into linux, learning terms like "man-pages" and such.

So for installing the distro, boot from the CD, it doesn't matter that there aren't DOS/Windows executable files on the CD, it'll boot up for ya just fine.

Your best bet to getting into Linux or any *NIX, or a BSD, is to find a friend who's worked with at least one of the above, as that knowledge is rather transitionable, whereas windows knowledge will be totally unapplicable.

I'll try to answer future questions in a less confrontational manner, but this will not be just smooth sailing, as the differences between Windows & Linux are what make Linux such a good choice for some things, and Windows for some others.

Hope this helped answer your main two questions.

Jonsey

Oh, and you didn't need to set the ISO bootable from your burning program, it should be just fine with the whole "Press any key to boot from CD..." startup method.

But, as I don't know what program you used to burn the CD, I can't assert that this is the case, if it won't take, then you may need to re-burn it. You cannot upgrade a windows computer to Linux while in Windows, you do need to do a cold-boot from another source, and also note you will more than likely have to reformat the drive, so with your new PC, explore first, install second, just to make sure you're not missing out on anything good.

If the new SuSe installer prompts you for how you want the drive formatted, good answers are EXT3 and EXT2, not FAT in any form. : )

shwaip

reiserFS for a file system is good too...if it's an option.

You'll need to install linux from outside of windows - it is an operating system. Boot from the CD like you would installing any other OS.

Kwitko

What I've found through my experience is that ResierFS is a great filesystem if you've got tons of small files, and Ext3 is good for all-around use. Both are journaling filesystems, and both are time-tested, althought Ext3 has been around longer.

I used to use Reiser, but when I recently redid my web/file/media server I switched to Ext3. Now it may just be my imagination, but it seems to me that with Ext3, WinAMP seeks through MP3s much faster, and jumping around in a large video is also faster.

It's hard to notice any changes with Apache, however.

GHoosdum

Good luck, SpywareShooter.

I'm not going to say anything else, since I'm just as much of a Linux n00b as you are.

Enverex

I use ReiserFS on both my server and this desktop and it works well. Word on the street though is that ReiserFS4 is bad so I'd stay away from that for now.

SpywareShooter

Thanks. I'm a noob at Linux so I just figured that .exe was the universal executable program format. When I get the computer I'll try to boot off the CD even though it's not bootable. I don't know if I can get one this week though since it's thundering out right now and might rain. I hope it'll be soon so I can get another machine up for SM

SpywareShooter

Well I didn't get to pick up a computer today because they were working on taking out the metal pile. The only place where you are allowed to throw away computers is in the metal pile (sad isn't it?) and all of the metal was in dumpsters being ready to take to the processing plant. I wasn't going to go dumpster diving hoping to find 333MHz at the bottom.

In the mean-time, this will give more of a chance to ask questions.

How does the Internet work with Linux? Does it come preinstalled with the OS, or how do I get it and install it?

Enverex

.... did you just ask if Linux comes with the internet installed... ?

shwaip

How do you need to connect? If it's over the lan via a router or something - if you get the network card working, you should be able to connect right away. You may need to install a graphical browser if one doesn't come with the os - firefox or mozilla. If you use dial-up, I'm not really sure.

TheBaron

you're opening an enormous can of worms here dude, do some research. there are how-to's written for most of the things you'll have questions about that google can find for you. they may open your eyes

SpywareShooter

Well I"m not even going to use the computer. All I need to know is how to install the OS, get it online, and install F@H.

How do you need to connect? If it's over the lan via a router or something - if you get the network card working, you should be able to connect right away. You may need to install a graphical browser if one doesn't come with the os - firefox or mozilla. If you use dial-up, I'm not really sure.

I connect to Cable through a router. How would I install FF or Mozilla without being online first?

Enverex

Most distros come with a program called wget. Use that to download the source and compile it. You shouldn't even need FF or Mozilla though, or any for of GUI...

shwaip

yeah, just install the os (usually a gui for this)
make sure sshd is installed (lets you access the machine remotely - usually comes installed)
I've never had problems connecting to the 'net via a lan with linux, so you should just be able to get on - there are text browsers (lynx, elinks, others as well) that are usually installed by default, or you can just use wget (it downloads whatever file you give it as an argument).

SpywareShooter

ok thanks