I wish to install Fedora 7. The features are just getting so good, and the beauty of not being part of the MS system appeals greatly.

I am fairly computer literate, but would appreciate the guidance of someone familiar with Linux systems. In return I could certainly help with similar time of work on your VW as a return favour. I can do suspension, steering and all aspects of welding, engineering and bodywork. I don't do electrics or diagnostics/ tuning.

I am in Ringwood Vic. Please reply by U2U

Right now I am kicking myself for not learning more about Linux!!
Hope you can get someone to help you Pete!

Kicking myself too Pete. I "studied" computer programming about 10 years ago (apparantly - have the HECS debt to proove it!:bounce). I can/did learn how to play pool and drink beer however so it wasn't a "wasted" excercise (or was it!:puke).
Time for another.....:beer
- Adam

I did a linux course, learnt how to install it and some basic commands, but that was about it..
.

The main thing is that I understand that Linux systems are not just something that you install and forget. You do have to maintain, and I am very confident I can do that. The help on Linux forums is huge.

Well Adam, I have nearly a hundred bottles of homebrew here. Anytime mate. Maybe we can go for a ride?

Windows Server - windows autosets shit load of things for you whether you want them or not, if you deviate from the windows mantra you get screwed.

Linux Server - everything is configurable and open to the sys admin. So you want to enable what you want yourself. Linux people tend not to worry about the interface in doing this. They assume that you can read the manual and figure it out, where as Windows wants you to use the Wizard of Kak.

No you don't need to be a wiz to install and run it ... but the reason the app is good is probably cause it has none of the windows overheads that make windows such a dog ...

Linux developers just don't make much effort to make it pretty when functional will do.

Better still, run the app on a Mac running Linux and fuck windows off entirely.

Windoze and Office will be dead in 5 years anyway. Web2.0 does it all for FREE anyway so Bill can shove his APIs up his arse ... AJAX works well to clean up Windows mess.

That is why I want to run the Redhat/ Fedora setup. I was looking at Ubuntu also, and I would not knock back any input on both. From what I see on the Linux forums the Fedora is the home users choice and keeps a level of usability that a home user would be more likely to enjoy.

The Linux community offers so many apps for free that have support it is fantastic. There is even aMSN for those that feel they have to be connected to a MS program still. The other option is running MS programs on a Windows emulator (Wine).

Don't worry I am not jumping in without info. There will come a day (maybe 5 years) when it will all be much easier to choose OS

Try this site, it's a very helpful & friendly community, quite a few aussies on there too.

http://needfulthingzs.com/td/index.php?showforum=33


The link is to the alternative operating system forum if you can't get in just go to the home page at:

http://needfulthingzs.com


Regards,

Matt.

Peter,

Best bet is to

a) back up your data. Check that it's okay / practice restoring it.

b) Use the device manager in Windows to research that your computer has compatible bits and pieces. The things which will catch you out are:

*) All in one printers
*) Some video cards, particularly the newest ones
*) Some cheapy wireless cards

Failing that, just stick the CD in and boot from it. No changes are made until well into install, and by then you'll know the answer to most of these questions.

c) Stick the Fedora DVD in and boot from it

d) install - really it's not that hard. Particularly if you're blowing Windows completely away. If you need to partition, be ready to re-install Windows because sometimes the "free space" partitioners just don't work as well as you'd expect.

10-20 minutes later you'll have a bootable installation.

e) Patch, patch, patch. Make sure the firewall is on, and patch like crazy until it stops asking for more patches. Fedora Core 6 and 7 are very easy to patch using the default GUI tool. From the command line, it's pretty easy, too. yum list updates ... yum update < package >

Really, it is easier to install Linux these days than it is to install Vista. It took my wife's PC four reboots and five hours to get Vista Home Premium going as a fresh install over the top of a previous XP install.

thanks,
Andrew