Linux n00b

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Spartaniz

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Hey guys,

I've been wanting to try out libux for awhile now. What should i know before installing and where can i get info on everything i need to go from noob to pro. also which distro is the best one to use?
 
Back up, so you can break stuff :)

Ubuntu is nice to start with since the community is very friendly and welcoming, but the cool thing about Linux is that somewhere out there is a distro that is perfectly suited to your needs and working habits. You unfortunately have to find it by trial and error.

Read up a little on partitioning and how the linux file system works before starting to install. It is also preferable to have a second pc with internet access nearby while you're busy.
 
The only piece of advice I can give you if you've never used a Linux distro before is to not go with a full install (even dual boot) if you don't have a PC you can dedicate to it. Rather use it as a virtual machine. That way, you'll (probably) not have to work through any hardware issues that might arise and can actually play around with Linux, before going 'Linux sux0rz' or however one is supposed to spell it when your wireless doesn't work.

And remember at all times that Linux is not Windows.
 
Backup your data!
Download Ubuntu 9.04.
Read the part about partitioning VERY CAREFULLY unless you want to wipe your whole hard drive. Many noobs manage to fook things up here and loose their XP partition.
Use the ubuntuforums site for searching for help. Ubuntu site has documentation.
 
Thanks, Found that version on the July PC Format Disc.
I also see someone's pc hangs with this new version, mines hanging aswell but i cant update, Im using my router in bridged mode and connecting using PPPoE connections. How do i setup a connection in linux? i did get it connected to the router.
 
sweet i fig it out "sudo pppoeconf" in terminal.
how do i reconnect though?.... LOL and where can i find a list of all terminal commands and such
 
Spartaniz said:
oh "pon dsl-provider" lol damn im a noob
Click to expand...

pppoeconf? if you're using gnome the network manager can create a pppoe connection for adsl much more easily an is integrated into the systemtray, if you need wifi pppoeconf then pppoeconf is needed.
 
Spartaniz said:
that network manager didnt work for me, or i did something wrong, the pppoeconf did the job great
Click to expand...

If you setup a connection using pppoeconf then it will conflict with the network manager, but if pppoeconf works for you just create a pon/poff script then you can click it rather than type the command.
 
another qeustion i have is- i created a 20gb partion for linux, and when i boot into windows i took a look at that partion and saw its almost full. why is the root.disk file so damn big?
 
My WinXP doesn't recognise Linux partitions. Within Linux type
Code: 
sudo fdisk -l
That will show you how big your partitions are. BTW ( -l = -<small L>)

Mine are reported as 'Healthy (Unknown Partition)'
 
Spartaniz said:
another qeustion i have is- i created a 20gb partion for linux, and when i boot into windows i took a look at that partion and saw its almost full. why is the root.disk file so damn big?
Click to expand...

Did you install with wubi? afaik root.disk is a container file for your entire 20GB disk.
 
i have no idea what wubi is. I made a partion of my hdd in windows, installed linux to that partion, restarted my pc, booted up in linux, it installed, restarted again, played around in linux, ran "sudo apt-get update", "sudo apt-get upgrade", "ppppeconf" and "apt-get wine". then went back into win 7, looked at the partion and saw that huge root.disk file. So whats "WUBI"? but you answered my question, i thought its just a container or something.
 
Windows will not recognize your Linux partition, they do not like anyone else but themselves.

If you need to access your Linux partition from within Windows then you must look for a driver or app that will be able to read your partition information from within Windows.

You can get more information on this by Google. Search for your partition filesystem drivers (etx3/4 reiserfs, etc.), something like:
"reading ext3 partition in windows XP", etc.

I have no idea how Windows 7 operate or even how it looks, the last Windows I meddled with was XP and there were apps available back then to access Linux partitions.

The other alternative is to make a Fat32/ntfs partition for information you want to share between the two.
 
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