[greystonegirl16]

I have been wanting to install Linux on my laptop (recently got a new one, so the old one is just collecting dust). I don't really know anything about Linux, just that it exists and that a ton of people swear by it. I bought installation CDs for the Debian install (that was the one recommended by the Linux website), and I tried to install it on my machine, and it didn't really work . . . or maybe it did work, and I'm just so clueless that I don't know what to do. Anyways, I'm back at square one. Do you know of any resources to help someone who is just starting with Linux? I need something that overly simplifies everything - I need the smallest baby steps imaginable, LOL!

Thanks!

[Amadeus]

Try Ubuntu (very popular) - It is based on debian, has a graphical installer, and has a default configuration that suits most peoples needs:

http://www.ubuntu.com/
http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Dapper

[Nova Dragoon]

Start looking here with our tutorials: http://forums.dreami...showforum53.htm

you may want to look @ using ubuntu, its like debian but more newbie friendly http://ubuntulinux.org

and how to do everything on ubuntu @
http://ubuntuguide.org

[k.sangeeth]

try F7 (red hat).
I am sure u'll love it

[no2pencil]

Debian is great, but it isn't for beginners. I would also suggest putting it on your older laptop 1st. How receintly did you purchase your current laptop? I also wouldn't suggest Ubuntu if you intend to learn something about the OS. Ubuntu is designed as a point & click replacement for Windows.

[Trakker]

she did say baby steps. getting to know the gui (whether it be gnome or kde) is shocking enough in of itself, So something that just works out of the box like ubuntu is a really great step. When she's ready to take the next step and/or shes done some more research, perhaps she can pop in that debian disc and know what's goin down. Next thing you know, she'll be runnin slack like a pro *tear*

Below is a link to Ubuntu 6.06 LTS (Long-term support)
http://mirrors.kerne...esktop-i386.iso

Download that and burn it to a cd using your favorite burning application.

[brytroja]

Personally, my first real Linux distribution that I started using and playing with was Red Hat 9, but since the Red Hat Linux line is gone, and separated into Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise, I now use Fedora, and swear by it to all of my friends and "clients". No matter how new they are to Linux, or computers in general.
http://www.fedoraproject.org to get a sneak peek. There's a great live CD that you can get to install Fedora for you (and will also work as a not-installed system from the CD drive), unless you want to download / buy a DVD. The choice is up to you.

[MorphiusFaydal]

Ubuntu is an excellent distribution to get started with (and I know a lot of veterans who prefer Ubuntu... It's just easy to use.) If your laptop is kinda old, and you want to try something a little less system-intensive, Xubuntu is Ubuntu that's been "slimmed down" a bit. And there's the ever-popular Fedora Linux, which is the much-improved descendant or Red Hat.

Once you've learned some of the basics, and want a bit of a challenge, you may want to think about taking a look at Slackware, Debian, or Gentoo. All three will teach you more about Linux and system administration than you ever wanted to know.

Personally, I use Gentoo on everything. Although my laptop keeps switching to Xubuntu, Fedora, or even Windows. So yeah.

[s_takpere]

greystonegirl16, on 4 Aug, 2006 - 06:13 AM, said:

I have been wanting to install Linux on my laptop (recently got a new one, so the old one is just collecting dust). I don't really know anything about Linux, just that it exists and that a ton of people swear by it. I bought installation CDs for the Debian install (that was the one recommended by the Linux website), and I tried to install it on my machine, and it didn't really work . . . or maybe it did work, and I'm just so clueless that I don't know what to do. Anyways, I'm back at square one. Do you know of any resources to help someone who is just starting with Linux? I need something that overly simplifies everything - I need the smallest baby steps imaginable, LOL!

Thanks!

[GWatt]

DId really you join this forum just so that you could quote someone and not actually say something about their quote?

[JediSpam]

I would recommend Ubuntu. It's the most user-friendly distro I have encountered and everything will more than likely work out of the box.

[guahguahmonster]

The whole "Which Linux Distro is the best/should I use" thing is best answered by "It depends". It depends on what you know, what you want, what your computer can handle, etc. There is no one-size-fits-all distro. The Linux distro chooser should help you find something that suits you.

http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/

EDIT: JUST noticed that I posted in a topic over a year old... sorry, I saw August and assumed it was August 2007... Don't kill me... T__T

This post has been edited by guahguahmonster: 29 August 2007 - 04:04 PM